Search: Web        
powered by
Le Templar: What I Know ~

Archive for the 'Ron Gould' Tag

Last-minute campaign to switch Senate budget vote

August 18th, 2009, 1:58 pm by Le Templar
YouTube Preview Image

Even as the Legislature prepares to again send the governor a Republican-crafted budget without a sales tax election, someone has put together this professional-looking video trying to pressure one of the holdout senators to switch her vote. Sen. Pamela Gorman of Anthem is one of three Republican senator who have refused to vote for the sales tax election during this special session. Sen. Ron Gould of Lake Havasu City has voted against the entire budget package and isn’t going to be swayed. Sen. Carolyn Allen of Scottsdale has stayed away from the Capitol for the past couple of weeks, telling reporters that she’s acting on her doctor’s advice.

So Gorman is the only Republican left to lobby to get the necessary 16th Senate vote to satisfy Gov. Jan Brewer. The video has a powerful message. But Gorman resigned her post as the Republican floor whip rather than vote for the sales tax election before. I can’t imagine she can be pressured into changing her mind now.

Hat tip to @NotPamelaGorman for alerting me to the video.

Posted in: Arizona Legislature • Arizona government • Governor • • • • | 1 Comment »

State budget woes continue another week

July 13th, 2009, 1:46 pm by Le Templar
Sen. Ron Gould/Capitol Media Services

Sen. Ron Gould/Capitol Media Services

At least another week will pass before state lawmakers address the remaining details of the budget, including a projected $2 billion to $2.7 billion deficit this year. The Senate and House met long enough this afternoon to offer prayers, say the Pledge of Allegiance and schedule to meet again next Monday. Sen. Ron Gould, R-Lake Havasu City, did try to slip in a motion to immediately end the session without further action, but not a single colleague joined him.
“The only reason the special session is still open is to shove through a (sales) tax increase to the ballot,” Gould said after his lone vote to adjourn sine die. “I’m never going to vote to send any tax increase to the ballot and I’m disappointed no other Republicans supported my motion.”

Sen. Jack Harper, R-Surprise, who normally stands right next to Gould on budget issues, said he wants the Republican-sponsored changes in the budget reconciliation bills vetoed by Gov. Jan Brewer. Many of those changes sought to reduce government fraud or waste, and would make policy changes intended to shrink state spending.

A reminder, the Legislature decided last week to suspend the pay of lawmakers on days it doesn’t actually meet during this special session on the budget.

Posted in: Arizona Legislature • Arizona government • Governor • • • • | Post a Comment »

Budget deal in real trouble now

June 29th, 2009, 11:22 am by Le Templar
Sen. Sylvia Allen attempts to convince Sen. Jack Harper, kneeling on the floor, to vote for a $8.4 billion spending plan in the Senate Appropriatiions Committee on Monday. Harper and Sen. Ron Gould refused to go along, as did all the Democrats on the panel, leaving Sen. Russell Pearce, seated, chairman of the committee, without the votes for approval (Capitol Media Services photo by Howard Fischer).

Sen. Sylvia Allen attempts to convince Sen. Jack Harper, kneeling on the floor, to vote for a $8.4 billion spending plan in the Senate Appropriatiions Committee on Monday. Harper and Sen. Ron Gould refused to go along, as did all the Democrats on the panel, leaving Sen. Russell Pearce, seated, chairman of the committee, without the votes for approval (Capitol Media Services photo by Howard Fischer).

The Senate Appropriations Committee just failed to pass the main budget trailer bill, which would make changes to all of the spending appropriations adopted in the June 4 budget package. Three Republicans joined one Democrat in voting against the bill (a number of committee members seem to be absent), with Republican Sens. Ron Gould and Jack Harper saying the deal with Gov. Jan Brewer is “a step backwards” in solving the $3.3 billion deficit.

UPDATE: The Senate Appropriations Committee tried to reconsider the bill a few minutes later, but this time several absent Democrats showed up (they plan to vote against the budget deal) and Harper and Gould said they were still voting “no.” Committee chairman Russell Pearce figured out he still does not have the votes to pass the main budget bill and recessed the committee for a second time.

Perhaps it’s back to the drawing board for Brewer, Senate President Bob Burns and House Speaker Kirk Adams.

Posted in: Uncategorized • • • • • • | Post a Comment »
ADVERTISEMENT