I learned this morning that the conspicuous absence of House Speaker Jim Weiers, R-Ariz., from a commission created by Gov. Janet Napolitano to plan Arizona’s centennial celebration was his choice, not the governor’s. In fact, Weiers couldn’t bother to return repeated phone calls from Napolitano’s office inviting him to join the commission as did all living former governors, Senate President Tim Bee, R-Tucson, Senate Minority Leader Marsha Arzberger, D-Willcox, and House Minority Leader Phil Lopes, D-Tucson.

I tried to speak with spokespeople for both Napolitano and Weiers before writing my original blog item, but they didn’t return my phone call until after it was posted. This morning, House Republican spokesman Barrett Marson said Weiers didn’t see any point to serving on the governor’s commission as another already existed. I believe Marson is referring to one or more committees working with the state Historical Advisory Commission, which previously was designated by law to coordinate planning for the celebration of the state’s 100th birthday.

“I don’t think we need two agencies to do one job,” Marson said.

Hmm, Napolitano would have had an opportunity to explain why she was creating a new, more high-profile group to take the lead, if only Weiers had taken her phone call. One important reason, as I mentioned in my previous post, is the state needs to raise private cash quickly because of the state’s budget problems. If Napolitano can’t do it with the group of people she has assembled for her centennial commission, I’m not sure it can be done.

Weiers might have a point about Napolitano bypassing the existing government infrastructure (which she previously supported) and creating something new that she has more control over. But Weiers is supposed to be a state leader, and he comes off as petulant and petty when he couldn’t take five minutes to discuss the issue with the governor or her staff.

 
         HOUSE SPEAKER JIM WEIERS                               GOV. JANET NAPOLITANO

UPDATE: I have learned that Gov. Janet Napolitano tried to House Speaker Jim Weiers to join her new centennial commission, but Weiers ignored several phone calls from her office. You can read more about it at new blog post here.

I know there’s a lot of animosity between Gov. Janet Napolitano and Arizona House Speaker Jim Weiers, but I had no idea it went this deep. The governor’s office sent out a news release Monday explaining that back in June, Napolitano created a special commission to oversee the planning for Arizona’s centennial in 2012.

As you would expect, the commission includes a rich collection of prominent Arizona names such as all of the living former governors and Sen. Jon Kyl. (Arizona’s senior U.S. senator is missing. Perhaps he’s too busy doing something else, a task that Napolitano hopes he fails at.) 

The list also includes the top leaders of this year’s Arizona Legislature from both parties, except for Weiers. Since Napolitano has taken the title of commission co-chairwoman, I guess she couldn’t stand the idea of sharing even a smidge of the spotlight and attention with one of her biggest critics. Even for Arizona’s one and only 100th birthday party.

That’s a shame, too, as Napolitano and company will need every bit of help they can get to raise private money to put on a decent show in less than three years. The state budget is awash in red ink and probably will be for awhile. The only cash that’s going to be available for a birthday bash to be proud of will have to come from the private sector.

That’s why Napolitano has stacked the commission with lots of business allies, and she will lean on them to bring in money from their own companies and from other businesses in their respective circles. There’s nothing wrong with that. It’s how other states have celebrated their centennials and it’s certainly better than leaving taxpayers with an even bigger fiscal hangover.

But Weiers has lots of business allies as well, and he knows how to twist arms to raise money for the right cause. Napolitano, and the rest of state, likely will regret it later if Weiers isn’t actively involved with planning the centennial.