Phoenix Central - Politics

P.L.A.N. UPDATE - Hard At Work at the Capitol?
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Time Flies

Twenty-nine days into the session and more than 1400 pieces of legislation have been introduced, with more to come. The last day for introduction of bills in the Senate was Monday, January 30. Today, Monday, February 6, is the deadline for new bills in the House. Legislative committee agendas are growing long as bills vie for passage. To see the agendas, go to http://www.azleg.gov and click on the "committee agendas" link on the left side column.

Another Graffiti Measure

HB 2201: Graffiti; Unlawful Possession; Minors (Rep. Chad Campbell, D-Phoenix) is another bill that targets graffiti crime. The bill prohibits minors from possessing graffiti implements ? such as aerosol/pressurized paint containers, etching tools ? on public or private property without consent of the property owner. Exceptions are made if a parent or guardian is immediately supervising the youth, if the minor has written permission from his osr her parent or guardian, or if the implements are work-related or being transported between home and school. Violations are deemed a petty offense. HB 2201 awaits a hearing in the House Judiciary Committee.

Source: P.L.A.N.

Redistricting Process for City Council Districts?
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As required by the Federal and State Constitutions, and consistent with federal law regarding apportionment, the City Code requires the City Council to revise council district boundaries to equalize population distribution at least once every 10 years based on the decennial census. The current council district boundaries became effective in January 2003 following the 2000 decennial census. District population, based on the 2010 census, varies from the smallest at 150,919 (District 4) to the largest at 261,458 (District 7). To equalize district population, the ideal population size for each is 180,704. To achieve this, most districts will need to gain population, with a few losing population, while maintaining minority voting strength.

The City?s public process will begin with public meetings conducted in each Council District between January 31 and February 17, 2012 to provide residents with information about the redistricting process, to distribute redistricting materials, and to obtain input from residents regarding communities of interest. Additionally, the City?s redistricting website will contain all materials provided in the public meetings and an online mapping program to allow residents to draw proposed boundary lines, see statistical data on the proposed boundaries, and submit proposed district maps for review and analysis. The City encourages you to participate in the public meetings and also make use of the redistricting website and online mapping tool located at http://www.phoenix.gov/redistricting.

Based on input received from the public and the mapping consultant team will compile several draft maps for consideration by the Mayor and Council. A second round of public meetings will occur for public feedback on these draft maps. This second round of meetings is planned for late April and early May. Based on the public feedback, the maps will be refined and the Mayor and Council will vote on a final map that will be submitted to the Department of Justice for preclearance.

Please share this information with your friends and neighbors. If you have any questions or comments, please contact the City?s redistricting hotline at (602) 256-4357 or by e-mail at redistricting@phoenix.gov.

Redistricting meeting schedule - first round (locations closest to the Phoenix Central Neighborhood boundaries):

6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 31, Burton Barr Central Library, 1221 N. Central Ave. (Technical Workshop)
6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 1, Sunnyslope Community Center, 802 E. Vogel Ave.
1 p.m. Friday, Feb. 17, Burton Barr Central Library Auditorium, 1221 N. Central Ave.

Source: Cris Meyer, City Clerk

P.L.A.N. Update - Congress and Courts and Cuts?
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Waiting and Watching Washington

Passage by Congress of the Budget Control Act last week has state and local governments watching carefully. The Act calls for two phases of federal deficit reduction -- the first phase reduces just under $1.0 trillion in spending over the next decade; the second phase creates a special committee of Congress to recommend additional deficit reduction measures of up to $1.5 trillion. Members of the special committee, including Arizona Senator Jon Kyl, must agree before Thanksgiving on a legislative package that meets that goal; then the full House and Senate must vote on the package by December 23.

Phoenix receives significant funding from the federal government for programs that benefit Phoenix residents, so staff is watching closely so that the city is prepared for any changes to those programs. Short term impacts are minimal. We all will know more as the special committee completes its work.

Superior Court Decision Upholds Health Care Cuts

On Wednesday, the Maricopa County Superior Court upheld the State's decision in its fiscal 2012 budget to cut up to $500 million from the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) through changes in eligibility criteria. The ruling stemmed from a claim that the legislative act violates Proposition 204, an initiative approved by voters in 2000, that expanded AHCCCS coverage eligibility. Barring a successful appeal, the state budget is estimated to be on track to finish only $32 million in the red by the end of the fiscal year.

Source: P.L.A.N.

Governor Jan Brewer Endorses Peggy Neely for Mayor of Phoenix
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Arizona Governor Jan Brewer today announced her enthusiastic endorsement of Peggy Neely as the next Mayor of Phoenix.

?I have admired Peggy Neely?s record of job creation and her devotion to government reform,? stated Governor Brewer. ?With the passage of Arizona?s economic competitiveness package and the creation of the Arizona Commerce Authority, Arizona needs experienced leaders who are dedicated to public-private partnerships and job creation.

?Peggy fits that bill and has my full support. I look forward to working with her on Arizona?s comeback.?

Former Phoenix City Councilwoman Neely said, ?I am extremely honored by our Governor?s support. Governor Brewer has been a model for making hard decisions and standing by them. I will work hand-in-hand with her administration to make Phoenix and Arizona number one in job creation.?

Source: Peggy Neely for Phoenix Mayor

Voting Centers For City of Phoenix Elections
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Overview
The City of Phoenix will be implementing Voting Centers for the Mayor and City Council Election in August 2011. The change to Voting Centers was approved by the Mayor and City Council and the U.S. Department of Justice.

The 26 Voting Centers will replace the traditional 128 polling places, making voting more convenient, flexible, and accessible. Voting Centers will ONLY apply to City of Phoenix elections.

The Early Voting process does not change. In City Elections, over 90% of ballots are cast by mail. Under State law, any registered voter may request to be on the Permanent Early Voting List (PEVL) to automatically receive a ballot by mail for all elections.

Key dates related to the early voting process:

May 2 ? Notice mailed to voters on the Permanent Early Voting List (PEVL); voters may also begin to request early ballots

August 4 ? Early Ballot mailing begins and Early Voting starts at Phoenix City Hall

August 13 and August 20 ? Early Voting sites will be open throughout the city

August 19 ? Last day to request an early ballot by mail

August 26 ? Last day for on site Early Voting at Phoenix City Hall

How Voting Centers Work

26 Voting Centers will be open for three days ? on Saturday, August 27, Monday, August 29 and Tuesday, August 30 (Election Day), replacing 128 polling places in the City.

Any voter may cast a ballot at any location; voters are not limited to one designated polling place.

Voters can replace or drop-off an early ballot at any Early Voting or Voting Center location.

Benefits of Voting Centers

Continue popular Early Voting process and retain an in-person voting option.

Greater convenience for voters to be able to cast a ballot at any of the 26 voting center locations over three days ? close to home, work or other activities.

Improved sites, service and support ? Most Voting Center locations are accessible by public transportation, near business or shopping cores, and along major streets. Improved service and support at each location from fewer facilities to staff.

Lower cost than traditional polling place elections or an all mail election.

For More Information

For further information on the Voting Centers, the Early Voting process, or for other City election-related questions, please use one or more of the following resources:

Website ? http://phoenix.gov/ELECTION/elect.html
Email ? elections@phoenix.gov
Phone ? 602-261-VOTE (8683)
Fax ? 602-495-5080
TTY ? 602-534-2737

Source:
Cris A. Meyer
City Clerk

Copyright (c) 2008-2012. Al Jones for Phoenix Central Neighborhood Association. All rights reserved.