We are hours away from the ONE deadline the Legislature is constitutionally obligated to meet. The House republicans are still in caucus about the budget. Nothing released yet, you can watch the proceedings live at http://www.azleg.gov/, click watch live proceedings.
Meanwhile, over in the Senate: The Senate Rules Committee rejected the measure that would refer a temporary sales-tax hike to the ballot. The 1-5 vote was a serious monkey wrench in the whole process with less than 14 hours left before the deadline to enact a budget for fiscal 2010.
In case you haven’t been following the progress until now, last night the budget bills were all re-referred from the Senate Appropriations Committee to the Senate Education Committee. This morning Republican Senators Gould, Harper and Steve Pierce all voted against the first general appropriation bill along with the one Democrat who was present, Paula Aboud, defeating the main budget bill.
In Senate Education, the various budget bills passed along a party-line vote. The Republicans voted in support (Senators Huppenthal, Linda Gray, Paton and Sylvia Allen). The Democrats opposed the budget (Senators Aboud, Landrum-Taylor and Lopez).
There are still not enough Republican votes to pass the sales tax referral. The Governor has publically stated that if the budget gets sent to her without the sales tax referral, then she will veto the entire budget package.
Please take a moment and take our survey about the Legislature. Tell us what you think.
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=s4ZUK4PNe3i9q8Tb2Hj_2fcw_3d_3d
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Phoenix City Council Voting for District 3 Replacement
The Phoenix City Council will be announcing the replacement of Councilwoman Maria Baier of District 3 by 2:00PM today. Among those being considered to fill the vacated seat until the special election in November are Mr. Jim Mapstead and Mr. Jon Altmann. Equality Arizona is staying in contact with the Phoenix Council and will release an update once a decision is made.
Kings for a Cause
Listen up as guest host Meta Goforth-Zinn is introduced to the underground world of male impersonators, better known as drag kings, with the Emeritus Mister King of the Desert USofA Male Impersonator Anson Reign. Anson has utilized his new title to organize Kings for a Cause, a nationwide series of drag shows from troupes all over the United States to raise funds to be divided between local and national LGBT organizations.Monday, June 29, 2009
Homicide; Phoenix PD Looking for Witnesses
Twenty-Nine year old Steward Bryant was killed at approximately 3:43AM on Saturday, June 6th at 4800 North 7th Avenue in Phoenix. He was last seen at Charlie’s Bar located at 727 West Camelback Road. Police are asking for those with any information to call Silent Witness and are offering an award of up to $1,000 for any information leading up to the arrest and/or indictment of this crime. Silent Witness can be reached at 480.948.6377 or toll free at 1.800.343.TIPS. If you have any information about the Steward Bryant homicide please contact Silent Witness immediately.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Inclusive ENDA Introduced! Ask your Representative to Become a Cosponsor!
This week, Representative Barney Frank, joined by Reps. Tammy Baldwin and Jared Polis, introduced an inclusive version of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) - which would extend the existing federal law prohibiting employment discrimination to protect people on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.
The bill was introduced by a group of bi-partisan Representatives and it is important that you contact your legislator to become a cosponsor as well. Becoming a cosponsor shows that the Representative will stand firm with our community and helps build momentum for the bill’s passage.
In DC, make their phone ring!
Call the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and have them connect you to your Representative (based on your zip code). Tell them:
I am a constituent and I would like you to please tell Representative _______ that I would like him/her to become a cosponsor of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. ENDA would ban discrimination against all lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in the workplace. Can you tell me whether or not Representative _______has cosponsored the bill?
Let us know you took action, email info@equalityarizona.org after you’ve made the call.
You can also email your representative by clicking here.
For more information please visit www.unitedenda.org
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
One Community
Listen up as guest host Meta Goforth-Zinn talks with One Community co-founder Angela Hughey about the meaning of community. Find out what community members, businesses, and organizations can do to step up to the plate when it comes to helping the LGBT community. Click here to download the podcast or listen now!Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Transgender Youth
Listen up as Emmy Award winning host Donna Rossi talks with Kim Pearson of Trans Youth Family Allies (TYFA) about their work in advocating for the rights and welfare of transgender youth. Click here to download the podcast.
HIV/AIDS Among the Latino and Chicano Population
Listen up as guest host Meta Goforth-Zinn talks about the spread of HIV/AIDS among the Latino and Chicano population with guests RJ Shannon of the Arizona Department of Health Services and Cathy Torrez-Paddock of TERROS. Hear their stories working with the Latino, Chicano, and African American populations and their struggles to find preexisting leaders within these communities who are willing to step up and fight against the spread of HIV/AIDS. Click here to download the podcast.
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