Commissar Napolitano

A new Arizona state record for the number of vetoes by the Governor has been set.

Governor Janet Napolitano set a new state record (weeks ago) for the number of vetoes by any previous governor, eclipsing what was considered the spectacular feat of Governor Bruce Babbitt. Special recognition is well deserved because Governor Napolitano accomplished it in less than one term in office. Governor Babbitt needed two terms to reach the same milestone. National recognition by the Democratic Party and the main stream media would seem to be in order and a celebration is likely in the planning stages.

Does the term “obstruction” come to mind, as we have witnessed in Congress, or as my neighbor said, “is she truly evil?” Regardless of how one characterizes this virtuoso veto performance, Arizona residents are clearly not residing in a state that enjoys a truly representative democracy.

Governor Napolitano wants to project a “moderate” image, but when compared to her record, her image appears to be the cruel hoax of fantasy merchants. Arizonans citizens have become the victims -- each and every voter, and each and every taxpayer.

Governor Napolitano has shown her loyalty to the teacher’s unions over parents, trial lawyers over patients, illegal immigrants over public safety, high taxes over economic growth, eminent domain over private property, self interest over the citizen welfare, and a ballooning taxpayer funded bureaucracy over a limited, efficient government.

A historical review is in order. Governor Napolitano’s legislative veto legacy includes bills she vetoed promoting English immersion and education, a high-tech border radar system, a prison in Mexico to house illegal immigrant criminals, more stringent driver's license ID requirements, National Guard at the border, a state trespassing measure, common-sense ID requirements, and other policies to help Arizona conform to federal law. She vetoed bills which would have given parents more choices in the quality of their child's education by allowing more tax credit allowances to Arizonans, allowing colleges and universities to sponsor charter schools, and allowing more options for student loans. The governor also vetoed bills relating to parent involvement in education and increases in funding to needed school programs. Napolitano vetoed bills which authorized tax deductions and breaks for all Arizonans, including property taxes. The governor was unwilling to accept the legislature's proposed budget, insisting that her much larger tax and spend philosophy was what Arizonans wanted. Napolitano vetoed bills requiring more-thorough accountability reports for both state agencies and the Citizens Clean Elections Commission. She also vetoed bills which would have helped to educate voters on ballot propositions. The governor vetoed a bill which would have helped to keep more doctors in the state by limiting frivolous lawsuits in the emergency room and several bills that would have helped small business avoid frivolous lawsuits relating to disputes and worker’s compensation. The governor vetoed numerous bills on abortion, including proposals which would have required notarized parental consent before a minor could obtain an abortion, and prohibit state funds from being used to pay for abortions. Napolitano vetoed a bill which sought to prevent the governor from seizing firearms from citizens in the event of an emergency, thus raising questions about the governor's commitment to uphold Second Amendment rights. The governor vetoed several bills which would have helped law enforcement officials crack down on drunk driving and other crimes.

Las Vegas odds makers suggest there is a strong probability that the Commissar will be the first Governor in the history of the United States to seek political asylum in another state upon her departure from public office in Arizona.

A conservative will always tell you that facts are required to form valid opinions. What follows are the facts. Form your own opinions as to the gubernatorial unworthiness of Ms. Janet Napolitano.

Red State Patriot
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IMMIGRATION

2006

Vetoed a comprehensive immigration reform bill that would have increased border security. The bill would have empowered local law enforcement to crack down on both fraudulent documents and employment of illegal aliens. HB 2577

Vetoed a bill that would have created the state crime of trespassing in order to give local law enforcement a tool to cut down on illegal immigration. SB 1157

2005

Vetoed a bill that would have required Motor Vehicle Department (MVD) employees to confiscate fraudulent documents. SB 1523

Vetoed a bill that would have made English Arizona's official language. SB 1167

Vetoed a bill that would have required proof of citizenship to obtain certain taxpayer-funded state benefits. HB 2030

Vetoed a bill that would have allowed a private prison to be built along the border in Mexico to handle detention of criminals along the border. HB2709

Vetoed a bill that would have allowed local law enforcement to help federal authorities enforce immigration laws. SB 1306

Vetoed a bill that would have prohibited law enforcement or other government agencies, commissions, and boards or districts from accepting identification documents unless they were issued by a United States political subdivision, Indian tribe, or state or federal authority. SB 1511

PROTECTION FROM VOTER FRAUD

2005

Vetoed a bill that would have ensured voter privacy if that voter used a provisional ballot.

Vetoed a bill that would have required proof of identification before obtaining a provisional ballot.

2003

Vetoed a bill that would have required voters to present identification to an election official at a polling place.

EDUCATION / SCHOOL CHOICE

2006

Vetoed a bill which would have allowed an employee to elect a reduced withholding by the amount of the tax credit for contributions to a school tuition organization, a public school in support of extracurricular fees, character education programs or a qualified charitable organization that provides assistance to the working poor. SB 1151

Vetoed a bill that would have allowed school tuition organizations (STOs) to get more funding by offering additional tax credits. STOs help students who can't afford private school to get a private school education. HB 2004

2005

Vetoed a bill that would have given another option, called Industrial Development Accounts, for financing student loans. SB 1340

Vetoed a bill that would have given tax credits to individuals or organizations that donated to student tuition organizations. HB 2379

Vetoed a bill that would have supplied vouchers to ensure all Arizonans have a free choice in their child's education. HB 2782

Vetoed a bill that would have allowed organizations and individuals to get tax credits for donating to student tuition organizations. SB 1527

Vetoed a bill that would have required schools to inform parents of their rights related to the school system. HB 2431

Vetoed a bill that would have limited the amount of money schools would get to spend on desegregation activities. HB 2498

Vetoed a bill that would have allowed community colleges and universities to sponsor charter schools. SB 1085

2004

Vetoed a bill that would have allowed students in kindergarten and first grade to participate in the technology assisted project based instruction (TAPBI) program regardless of previous school attendance. Additionally, the bill would have added three reporting requirements for schools selected to participate in the TAPBI program. HB 2618

TAXES / BUDGET

2006

Vetoed a bill that would have made a deposit of some of the budget surplus into the rainy day fund Napolitano purports to support. HB 2006

Vetoed a bill that would cap the tax rate school districts could assess on property, given the skyrocketing property valuations in Arizona. This is the second year in a row she vetoed this type of bill, and because of this, taxes have increased in certain school districts. SB 1206

Vetoed a bill that would have cut the budget to the Tourism and Sport Authority. HB 2007

Vetoed a bill that would have authorized the Legislature to appropriate non-custodial federal monies. This is the fifth time she has vetoed the bill. HB 2650

2005

Vetoed a bill that would have capped the tax amount school districts could assess because of Arizona's rising property values. HB 2143

Vetoed a bill that would have capped the tax amount school districts could assess because of Arizona's rising property values. SB 1246

Three line item vetoes in the budget that would have cut funding to the Tourism and Sport Authority and monitor how federal funds are spent. HB 2770

Vetoed a bill that would have regulated the tax valuations of electric utilities. SB 1247

Vetoed a budget bill because it was not her budget. SB 1202

Vetoed a bill that would have reduced the assessment ratio for business property and increased the Homeowner's Rebate program and caps the qualifying tax rate and county equalization assistance for education rate. SB 1095

Vetoed 14 bills because the legislature did not accept the governor's budget. As part of her vetoes of the Fiscal Year 2006 budget, Napolitano rejected a business property tax cut and a tax cut to encourage large companies to expand or locate in Arizona. SB 1394-1399, 1401-1408: (14 bills)

2004

Vetoed a bill that would have modified the Department of Revenue's formula used to determine the valuation of telecommunications companies' property. HB 2085

Vetoed a bill that would have allowed a taxpayer who is protesting a notice of tax deficiency from the Department of Revenue (DOR) to bring action directly to tax court. Allowed a taxpayer who disagrees with a DOR private taxpayer ruling to appeal the ruling to the State Board of Tax Appeals. SB 1314

ACCOUNTABILITY

2006

Vetoed bill that would have ensured JLBC oversight when the Attorney General settled a case. HB 2191

Vetoed a bill that would have directed how unregulated federal monies would be spent. This is the fourth time she vetoed this type of bill. HB 2005

Vetoed a bill that would have investigated the office supply contract recently entered into with Staples by the state. HB 2102

Vetoed a bill that would have required the Arizona Department of Administration (ADOA) to submit a copy of the annual financial report to the Legislature. HB 2186

Vetoed a bill that would have permitted and established procedures for the Arizona Supreme Court to determine whether a citizen initiative contains more than one proposed amendment before the proposed measure is placed on the ballot, helping initiatives not to be struck down on the single subject rule. HB 2373

Vetoed a bill which would have made numerous changes to, and aided in increasing the transparency of, the assessment and collection of municipal development fees. HB 2381

Line item veto. Vetoed a provision that would make employees hired after December 31, 2006 exempt from the pay raise. HB 2661

2005

Vetoed a bill that would have required legislative lawyers to write the information that is sent to voters about local ballot questions. HB 2328

Vetoed a bill that would have required JLBC oversight of appropriation transfers to the Department of Education. HB 2033

Vetoed a bill that would have transferred Capitol Police from being governed under the Department of Administration to the Department of Public Safety. HB 2404

Vetoed a bill that would have required legislative oversight of federal funds. HB 2226

Vetoed a bill that would have required the Citizen's Clean Elections Commission to report rulemaking statistics on their website. SB 1427

2004

Vetoed a bill that would have continued the Arizona State Board of Examiners of Nursing Care Institution Administrators and Assisted Living Facility Managers (Board) for ten years. SB 1012

2003

Vetoed a bill that would have authorized the Legislature to appropriate non-custodial federal monies, the purpose of which must be consistent with federal law. HB 2248

DOCTORS / SMALL BUSINESS

2006

Vetoed a bill that would have cut taxi driver worker compensation program. HB 2478

Vetoed a bill that would have allowed arbitration to be used to resolve disputes between an employer and any employee. SB 1075

Vetoed a bill which would have limited the cause of action for breach of an employment contract or damages for wrongful termination to one year. SB 1370

Vetoed a bill which would have helped to lower the number of frivolous malpractice law suits brought against emergency room doctors. HB 2315

ABORTION / RIGHT TO LIFE

2006

Vetoed a bill which would have encouraged doctors to further educate patients on the risks of egg donating prior to performing the procedure. SB 1097

Vetoed a bill that would have required minors to notify their parents that they are having an abortion and present the doctor with a notarized document granting permission. The governor argues that this is an undue burden, although that minor girl would still have to have a parent present in order to get her ears pierced. HB 2666

Vetoed a bill that would have required physicians to inform women who were seeking an abortion in the second trimester or later that the baby in the womb can feel pain. HB 2254

Vetoed a bill that would have prohibited government from using state funds to pay for most abortions. SB 1325

Vetoed a bill that would have classified the selling, purchasing or offering to sell or purchase a human egg for human somatic cell nuclear transfer as a class 6 felony. HB 2142

2005

Vetoed a bill that would have allowed pharmacists not to sell a prescription if selling that prescription would violate their conscience. HB 2541

2004

Vetoed a bill that would have prohibited abortion without the voluntary and informed consent of the woman, and prescribed criteria for an informed consent and provided penalties for noncompliance by a physician. SB 1077
Vetoed a bill which would have increased the limits on 'judicial bypass' used to circumvent Arizona parental consent laws for abortions. HB 2776

2003

Vetoed a bill that would have exempted a religious employer from providing prescription contraception methods to its employees. Additionally, it exempted several health care providers and health care organizations from liability through the exclusion. SB 1089

SECOND AMENDMENT

2006

Vetoed legislation that would have prohibited the confiscation of firearms in an emergency. The governor said this has never and would never happen in Arizona, but it was exactly what happened in New Orleans to law-abiding gun owners trying to defend their property from looters after Hurricane Katrina. SB 1245

CRIME

2005

Vetoed a bill that would have required law enforcement to immobilize or impound the vehicle of anyone who is found to be driving under the influence. SB 1089

2004

Vetoed a bill that would have allowed an inmate sentenced to a term of probation immediately following a term of incarceration to be eligible for a temporary release and established a new procedure for removing a prisoner from work furlough. HB 2129

AND IT ISN’T OVER YET ….

Posted July 1, 2006 05:05 PM
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