Encanto Village Visioning workshops begin on October 5th.
Activity 1 asks Big Question #1:
What do you value most about Phoenix and why?
Please tell us!
Click here for further details.
Source: City of Phoenix
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Friday, September 25, 2009
Laws Become Effective Next Week
State Fiscal Footing
While the results of the Third Special Session of the State Legislature should allow state government to function until the end of the year, another special session will likely be needed to address the decline in tax revenues to the State. The Joint Legislative Budget Committee (JLBC) released an estimate last week suggesting that the current fiscal year deficit is approximately $964 million. Additionally, Governor Brewer is still undeterred in her call for a temporary sales tax referral, now shooting for a March 2010 election.
General Effective Date of New Laws
Only 191 bills were enacted from the First Regular Session compared to 315 in 2008 and 296 in 2007. Once the Governor signs a legislative bill, or allows it to become law without her signature, she transmits the document to the Secretary of State who assigns each a chapter number in the session laws of a legislative session. By the authority of the Arizona Constitution, unless an enactment has an Emergency Clause - making it effective immediately - or a delayed enactment date, it becomes law on the General Effective Date, the 91st day after the Legislature adjourns (sine die). The First Regular Session ended on July 1, 2009, making September 30, 2009, the General Effective date.
Here is some legislation that takes effect at the end of September:
SB 1048: Emergency Telecommunication Services; Administrative Costs (Sen. Linda Gray, R - Glendale) - Chapter 112 was signed by the Governor on July 10, 2009. It increases the percentage of Emergency Telecommunications Services Trust Fund revenues that can be used for administrative costs from 3% to 5%. These dollars are needed to maintain operations of the statewide 911 emergency system. This bill was supported by the City of Phoenix and signed by the Governor on July 10, 2009.
HB 2465: Scrap Metal; Theft; Dealers (Rep. Jerry Weiers, R – Glendale) - Chapter 144 was signed by the Governor on July 13, 2009. This enactment adds to the list of prohibited items (manhole covers, catalytic converters, water meters, etc.) that dealers cannot purchase unless authorized, and increases the penalties for those found guilty of scrap metal theft. The bill also requires dealers to electronically submit transaction records to the Arizona Department of Public Safety and make a database of such records accessible to local law enforcement. This bill was supported by the City of Phoenix and signed by the Governor on July 13, 2009.
SB 1403: Renewable; High-Wage Industries Incentive (Sen. Barbara Leff, R – Paradise Valley) - Chapter 96 provides income tax credits and property tax reclassifications for renewable energy operations for tax years 2010 through 2014. This bill was supported by the City of Phoenix and signed by the Governor on July, 10 2009.
SB 1115: Animals; Fighting (Sen. Jonathan Paton, R – Tucson) - Chapter 151 changes the statutes related to dog fighting to include any fight where the intent is for animals to injure each other. The bill also establishes a class 1 misdemeanor for horse tripping.This bill was supported by the City of Phoenix and signed by the Governor on July 13, 2009.
Source: P.L.A.N.
While the results of the Third Special Session of the State Legislature should allow state government to function until the end of the year, another special session will likely be needed to address the decline in tax revenues to the State. The Joint Legislative Budget Committee (JLBC) released an estimate last week suggesting that the current fiscal year deficit is approximately $964 million. Additionally, Governor Brewer is still undeterred in her call for a temporary sales tax referral, now shooting for a March 2010 election.
General Effective Date of New Laws
Only 191 bills were enacted from the First Regular Session compared to 315 in 2008 and 296 in 2007. Once the Governor signs a legislative bill, or allows it to become law without her signature, she transmits the document to the Secretary of State who assigns each a chapter number in the session laws of a legislative session. By the authority of the Arizona Constitution, unless an enactment has an Emergency Clause - making it effective immediately - or a delayed enactment date, it becomes law on the General Effective Date, the 91st day after the Legislature adjourns (sine die). The First Regular Session ended on July 1, 2009, making September 30, 2009, the General Effective date.
Here is some legislation that takes effect at the end of September:
SB 1048: Emergency Telecommunication Services; Administrative Costs (Sen. Linda Gray, R - Glendale) - Chapter 112 was signed by the Governor on July 10, 2009. It increases the percentage of Emergency Telecommunications Services Trust Fund revenues that can be used for administrative costs from 3% to 5%. These dollars are needed to maintain operations of the statewide 911 emergency system. This bill was supported by the City of Phoenix and signed by the Governor on July 10, 2009.
HB 2465: Scrap Metal; Theft; Dealers (Rep. Jerry Weiers, R – Glendale) - Chapter 144 was signed by the Governor on July 13, 2009. This enactment adds to the list of prohibited items (manhole covers, catalytic converters, water meters, etc.) that dealers cannot purchase unless authorized, and increases the penalties for those found guilty of scrap metal theft. The bill also requires dealers to electronically submit transaction records to the Arizona Department of Public Safety and make a database of such records accessible to local law enforcement. This bill was supported by the City of Phoenix and signed by the Governor on July 13, 2009.
SB 1403: Renewable; High-Wage Industries Incentive (Sen. Barbara Leff, R – Paradise Valley) - Chapter 96 provides income tax credits and property tax reclassifications for renewable energy operations for tax years 2010 through 2014. This bill was supported by the City of Phoenix and signed by the Governor on July, 10 2009.
SB 1115: Animals; Fighting (Sen. Jonathan Paton, R – Tucson) - Chapter 151 changes the statutes related to dog fighting to include any fight where the intent is for animals to injure each other. The bill also establishes a class 1 misdemeanor for horse tripping.This bill was supported by the City of Phoenix and signed by the Governor on July 13, 2009.
Source: P.L.A.N.
Friday, September 18, 2009
Time to Get Involved!
After many months of budget wrangling, the State Legislature is out of session. What is an active, engaged P.L.A.N. subscriber like you to do? Don't despair -- this hiatus is a great time to explore the many opportunities to volunteer as a board or commission member for the State or at the local level for the city of Phoenix.
State Board or Commission
The Governor's Office provides an online application for residents to participate on a state board or commission. Currently there are 266 active boards and commissions in Arizona with gubernatorial appointees. These boards cover a wide variety of topics from education to the environment. More information about how to become a member of a state board or commission is available at http://azgovernor.gov/bc/BCinfo.asp.
Phoenix Board or Commission
If service at the local level is more appealing, Phoenix currently has 65 Boards and Commissions, found at http://phoenix.gov/phxd/bdcomm/index.jsp, whose members are appointed by the Mayor and city council members. Learn how to apply to serve on a board or commission at http://phoenix.gov/CITYGOV/bdcomm.html#HOW. An online application is available at http://phoenix.gov/EMAIL/appbdcom.html.
Voter Registration Requirements
The Arizona Secretary of State Web site has a link under to voter information under the "Elections" link. This offers several options including Register to Vote. The key information to note is that voters in Arizona must re-register following a move, a name change or change in political party affiliation. Voters may register online, or print the form, complete and mail.
Here in Arizona, the Secretary of State registers voters. The County Recorder's Office notifies and mails ballots to voters with the exception of local (city of Phoenix) elections which are managed by the Phoenix City Clerk Election Services Division.
Source: P.L.A.N.
State Board or Commission
The Governor's Office provides an online application for residents to participate on a state board or commission. Currently there are 266 active boards and commissions in Arizona with gubernatorial appointees. These boards cover a wide variety of topics from education to the environment. More information about how to become a member of a state board or commission is available at http://azgovernor.gov/bc/BCinfo.asp.
Phoenix Board or Commission
If service at the local level is more appealing, Phoenix currently has 65 Boards and Commissions, found at http://phoenix.gov/phxd/bdcomm/index.jsp, whose members are appointed by the Mayor and city council members. Learn how to apply to serve on a board or commission at http://phoenix.gov/CITYGOV/bdcomm.html#HOW. An online application is available at http://phoenix.gov/EMAIL/appbdcom.html.
Voter Registration Requirements
The Arizona Secretary of State Web site has a link under to voter information under the "Elections" link. This offers several options including Register to Vote. The key information to note is that voters in Arizona must re-register following a move, a name change or change in political party affiliation. Voters may register online, or print the form, complete and mail.
Here in Arizona, the Secretary of State registers voters. The County Recorder's Office notifies and mails ballots to voters with the exception of local (city of Phoenix) elections which are managed by the Phoenix City Clerk Election Services Division.
Source: P.L.A.N.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Imagine Phoenix in 2050
The city of Phoenix is about to begin a very important project and we need your help. Every ten years Arizona State Law requires cities to update their general plans. The General Plan provides comprehensive direction for the growth, conservation and redevelopment of all physical aspects of the city through goals, policies and recommendations. This document is intended to be both long range and visionary and to provide guidance for actions over a long period of time. This project will be broken into two phases. Phase I - visioning, and Phase II - policy plan development. Phase I will kick off on October 5, 2009 and continue through June, 2010. Phase II will begin in September, 2010 and continue through September, 2011. The plan will be presented to the public for approval at an election in September, 2012.
Visit the Phoenix Central Neighborhood Association calendar page at www.PhoenixCenral.org/Calendar.html for specific workshop dates. The boundaries of the Phoenix Central Neighborhood Association (Indian School to Thomas Roads and 7th Avenue and 3rd Street) is assigned to the Encanto Village. A schedule for all villages can be viewed by visiting www.PhoenixCentral.org/village.pdf.
A different activity will be held each month. At the end of each workshop, more details will be provided regarding the activity for the next workshop. You are encouraged to share this list of meeting dates with your friends and neighbors and ask them to attend. These workshops are open to the public.
At the first workshops in October, you will be asked the question "What do you value most about Phoenix, and why?" To help answer this question, ask yourself how you came to be in Phoenix. Were you born here? Did you move here? What attracted you to Phoenix? What keeps you here? What stands out to you as a special moment, event or feeling during the time you have lived in Phoenix? WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! If you are not able to attend a workshop, please emai your response to planphx@phoenix.gov.
THANK YOU!!!
Source: City of Phoenix
Visit the Phoenix Central Neighborhood Association calendar page at www.PhoenixCenral.org/Calendar.html for specific workshop dates. The boundaries of the Phoenix Central Neighborhood Association (Indian School to Thomas Roads and 7th Avenue and 3rd Street) is assigned to the Encanto Village. A schedule for all villages can be viewed by visiting www.PhoenixCentral.org/village.pdf.
A different activity will be held each month. At the end of each workshop, more details will be provided regarding the activity for the next workshop. You are encouraged to share this list of meeting dates with your friends and neighbors and ask them to attend. These workshops are open to the public.
At the first workshops in October, you will be asked the question "What do you value most about Phoenix, and why?" To help answer this question, ask yourself how you came to be in Phoenix. Were you born here? Did you move here? What attracted you to Phoenix? What keeps you here? What stands out to you as a special moment, event or feeling during the time you have lived in Phoenix? WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! If you are not able to attend a workshop, please emai your response to planphx@phoenix.gov.
THANK YOU!!!
Source: City of Phoenix
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Picking Up the Pieces of the FY 2010 State Budget
Piecing Together the State Budget Puzzle
On Friday, September 4, the Governor acted on the budget package that was sent to her on August 25 by signing all but one of the remaining bills and vetoing the other, as well as using her line-item veto to restore some funding to K-12 education and certain health services. Because of her vetoes, the budget that's left contains no direct financial cuts to Phoenix; but the package does include a number of real changes impacting city operations, such as impact fee administration and identification checks for certain public services. Government Relations staff will provide an update and more details at the Council Policy Session on September 15. Phoenix Channel 11 broadcasts the recorded Policy Session during the following week. Phoenix City Council Policy meeting agendas, reports and minutes can be found at phoenix.gov/PAGENDAC/index.html.
The Joint Legislative Budget Committee (JLBC), the Legislature's budget analysts, summarized the FY 2010 budget status in the wake of the Governor's September 4th signatures and vetoes and concluded that the State still has a deficit this year of almost $1 billion. Those documents with their analysis are linked below:
9/4 Enacted Budget with Vetoes
Budget Status after September 4 Vetoes (9/8/09)
Budget Veto Impacts (9/9/09)
Budget Legislation Summary (9/9/09)
9/4 Budget Summary with Detailed List of Changes by Agency (9/10/09)
Statement of Revenues and Expenditures with FY 2011 Projection (9/10/09)
Congress Back in Session
Congress returned from a month-long summer recess on Tuesday, September 8. Some of the issues facing Congress this fall include health care (the highly-debated topic during the summer recess), a climate change bill, the FY10 appropriations process, surface transportation funding (authorization), and financial regulation legislation.
Source: P.L.A.N.
On Friday, September 4, the Governor acted on the budget package that was sent to her on August 25 by signing all but one of the remaining bills and vetoing the other, as well as using her line-item veto to restore some funding to K-12 education and certain health services. Because of her vetoes, the budget that's left contains no direct financial cuts to Phoenix; but the package does include a number of real changes impacting city operations, such as impact fee administration and identification checks for certain public services. Government Relations staff will provide an update and more details at the Council Policy Session on September 15. Phoenix Channel 11 broadcasts the recorded Policy Session during the following week. Phoenix City Council Policy meeting agendas, reports and minutes can be found at phoenix.gov/PAGENDAC/index.html.
The Joint Legislative Budget Committee (JLBC), the Legislature's budget analysts, summarized the FY 2010 budget status in the wake of the Governor's September 4th signatures and vetoes and concluded that the State still has a deficit this year of almost $1 billion. Those documents with their analysis are linked below:
9/4 Enacted Budget with Vetoes
Budget Status after September 4 Vetoes (9/8/09)
Budget Veto Impacts (9/9/09)
Budget Legislation Summary (9/9/09)
9/4 Budget Summary with Detailed List of Changes by Agency (9/10/09)
Statement of Revenues and Expenditures with FY 2011 Projection (9/10/09)
Congress Back in Session
Congress returned from a month-long summer recess on Tuesday, September 8. Some of the issues facing Congress this fall include health care (the highly-debated topic during the summer recess), a climate change bill, the FY10 appropriations process, surface transportation funding (authorization), and financial regulation legislation.
Source: P.L.A.N.
Friday, September 4, 2009
Governor Takes Action on Budget Bills
Governor Announces Fate of Remaining Budget Bills
Today, Governor Brewer called a press conference announcing that she will veto SB1025 that permanently repealed the county equalization tax. In her veto letter, she notes that "since I am precluded from line item vetoing the tax provisions, I must veto the entire bill." This action will create a net revenue of about $250M toward the state's budget deficit. In HB 2011 (K-12; budget reconciliation) she line-item vetoed $300M in cuts to K-12 to preserve maintenance-of-effort levels required by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).
She also noted that she hasn't given up on a sales tax referral and is looking at a March 2010 election as a goal. The Governor believes that her action will allow Arizona to maintain services until January.
HB 2006 – general appropriations - (Governor Brewer signed September 4)
HB 2008 – general government - (Governor Brewer signed September 4)
HB 2009 – assets - (Governor Brewer signed September 4)
HB 2010 – criminal justice - (Governor Brewer signed September 3)
HB 2011 – K-12 - (Governor Brewer signed September 4)
HB 2012 – higher education- (Governor Brewer signed September 4)
HB 2013 – health & welfare- (Governor Brewer signed September 4)
HB 2014 – environment (Governor Brewer signed HB 2014 on August 21)
SB 1025 – general revenues (which includes a $22M vehicle license tax cut, property tax repeal, and assessment ratio changes) - (Governor Brewer vetoed September 4)
Phoenix Legislators Lauded as Friends of Cities & Towns
Here's the list of Phoenix legislators that were named 2009 Champions/Friends of the League of Arizona Cities and Towns this week. This recognition is given to those that support city issues at the state legislature. The City of Phoenix congratulates them on winning this accolade!
Champions: Friends:
Sen. John Nelson Sen. Jack Harper
Sen. Rebecca Rios Sen. Barbara Leff
Rep. Chad Campbell Sen. Debbie McCune Davis
Rep. Adam Driggs Rep. Tom Boone
Rep. Martha Garcia
Rep. David Lujan
Rep. Eric Meyer
Rep. Kyrsten Sinema
Rep. Anna Tovar
Source: P.L.A.N.
Today, Governor Brewer called a press conference announcing that she will veto SB1025 that permanently repealed the county equalization tax. In her veto letter, she notes that "since I am precluded from line item vetoing the tax provisions, I must veto the entire bill." This action will create a net revenue of about $250M toward the state's budget deficit. In HB 2011 (K-12; budget reconciliation) she line-item vetoed $300M in cuts to K-12 to preserve maintenance-of-effort levels required by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).
She also noted that she hasn't given up on a sales tax referral and is looking at a March 2010 election as a goal. The Governor believes that her action will allow Arizona to maintain services until January.
HB 2006 – general appropriations - (Governor Brewer signed September 4)
HB 2008 – general government - (Governor Brewer signed September 4)
HB 2009 – assets - (Governor Brewer signed September 4)
HB 2010 – criminal justice - (Governor Brewer signed September 3)
HB 2011 – K-12 - (Governor Brewer signed September 4)
HB 2012 – higher education- (Governor Brewer signed September 4)
HB 2013 – health & welfare- (Governor Brewer signed September 4)
HB 2014 – environment (Governor Brewer signed HB 2014 on August 21)
SB 1025 – general revenues (which includes a $22M vehicle license tax cut, property tax repeal, and assessment ratio changes) - (Governor Brewer vetoed September 4)
Phoenix Legislators Lauded as Friends of Cities & Towns
Here's the list of Phoenix legislators that were named 2009 Champions/Friends of the League of Arizona Cities and Towns this week. This recognition is given to those that support city issues at the state legislature. The City of Phoenix congratulates them on winning this accolade!
Champions: Friends:
Sen. John Nelson Sen. Jack Harper
Sen. Rebecca Rios Sen. Barbara Leff
Rep. Chad Campbell Sen. Debbie McCune Davis
Rep. Adam Driggs Rep. Tom Boone
Rep. Martha Garcia
Rep. David Lujan
Rep. Eric Meyer
Rep. Kyrsten Sinema
Rep. Anna Tovar
Source: P.L.A.N.
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