- As one of the first pieces of legislation discussed in this new term, I presume it is important to note that the Colt single-action army revolver has tentatively been named the official state firearm. Steve Gallardo (D-Phoenix) recited a long list of more pressing issues facing the state, including jobs! However, this is the one the Republican / Tea Party leaders decided to discuss. Go figure.
- Currently, Arizona joins several other states in promoting legislation to require Presidential candidates to present their birth certificates in order to be included on the state ballot. The Arizona version has the Secretary of State delegated to review the certificate and presumably give a thumb's up or down on its authenticity and correctness.
- SB1433 has Arizona joining Montana in their secessionist legislation, giving authority to a committee to review Federal laws and vote by a simple majority to 'nullify' them:
The Nullification of Federal Law bill introduced by Russell Pearce and Steve Montevendido. It creates a 12-member committee within the legislature that could 'vote by simple majority to nullify in its entirety a specific federal law or regulation that is outside the scope of the powers delegated by the people to the federal government…'
- To cap it all off, it looks like SB1402 is going to put the DMV in Arizona in the position of marketing for the Tea Party in the form of a "Don't Tread on Me" license plate. Similar to many other states, AZ donates a portion of the cost of specialty license plates to the benefitting organization toward its programs. In this case, $17 out of the $25 cost will go to a committee of 5 people, all with Tea Party affiliations. They deny that this is in any way political, of course. Senator Russel Pearce (R-Mesa) explained:
"I know the Constitution is something that not all folks have read down here," Pearce said. "And that's what this plate is about, about furthering the principles of freedom, about the movement across this country, about citizens who want certain principles followed with limited government and family values and kind of the sea-wind change that's coming across this country."
On the other hand, to do this at all, they had to modify the rules on special plates. HB 2459 was adopted specifically to allow for the possibility. In the floor amendment explanation linked below, it states specifically that the HB1402 monies are to be administered by Tea Party members. Even so, Representative Vic Williams (R-District 26) states categorically that it isn't specific to any political party. I suppose he would like us all to believe it is just coincidence that those managing it are Tea Party people and that the slogan itself has been adopted by the Tea Party of Arizona. Note that the more generic Republican and Democratic parties do not currently have fund-raising license plates in Arizona. Hmmm ....
Arizona is proud to be one of the states with the highest concenration of avowed tea party supporters. Approximately 25% of the residents are either active members or support them from the sideline.For this reason, I think it is a good idea to keep a close eye on the legislation they enact as a sampling of what this group does when in power.
Sources:
Birther Legislation:
http://www.examiner.com/political-buzz-in-dallas/arizona-tea-party-state-birther-illegal-immigration-legislation-right-move?render=print
Nullification of Federal Laws:
http://tucsoncitizen.com/three-sonorans/2011/02/02/sb1433-the-arizona-tea-party-is-so-american-that-federal-law-does-not-apply/
Tea Party License Plate:
http://azstarnet.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_25375b64-12a1-5105-a6d8-ff4e37317fe9.html
http://www.azleg.gov/legtext/50leg/1r/bills/hb2459p.pdf
http://www.azleg.gov/legtext/50leg/1r/adopted/1402shooter1001.doc.htm
http://blogs.phoenixnewtimes.com/valleyfever/2011/01/representative_vic_williams_re.php
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