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Residents living in the Phoenix Union High School District boundaries will have an extra week to use an online mapping system so that they have a chance to redraw the maps of its five single-member governing board districts or wards using an online mapping program through February 27. The deadline for drawing and submitting maps online was extended an extra week to gather additional community input into the redistricting process. It is available on the District’s website at http://www.phoenixunion.org/redistricting.
The online mapping tool allows individuals to draw and submit proposed maps that adhere to the key principles of redistricting--equal distribution of population and preserving minority voting representation-- in each of the five wards. Users can move precincts and neighborhoods from existing wards to create new ward boundaries, while the mapping program simultaneously updates the demographics of each ward.
The Phoenix Union Governing Board will review a set of alternative maps, based on community input, at the Thursday, March 1 Governing Board meeting. That meeting is at 6:30 p.m. at the District office at 4502 N. Central Avenue.
Another community meeting will be held Monday, March 5 at 6 p.m. at the District Offices to gather public input on the drafted maps. Additional community input will be considered through March 22.
To complete the process by the required April 1 deadline, the Governing Board will adopt one final map at a special board meeting, Tuesday, March 27 at 6 p.m. The selected map will be submitted in a pre-clearance application to the Department of Justice.
Based on 2010 census data, each ward should have an “ideal” total population size of 130,518. Currently Ward 1 in southwest Phoenix and Laveen, which experienced rapid growth in the last ten years, has 30 percent more residents than the targeted population, while three wards in the north and east of the school district have up to 13 percent less than the 130,000 mark. The new wards should also be geographically compact and connected.
The reapportioned wards will not be in effect until 2014, when the five single-district governing board terms end. The two at-large governing board seats will be determined in the 2012 election.
Source: Phoenix Union High School District
Thank you for your interest in the City's redistricting process. We wanted to remind you that March 12, 2012 is the deadline to submit your proposed map, comments and suggestions about the process or your community (or communities) of interest. This information must be received by the deadline to enable the consultant to consider your proposals and include them in the draft maps that will be developed and presented to the public for comment in April.
All maps that have been submitted can be seen on our Website by clicking here. If you have submitted a map and do not see it on the Web page, please contact us immediately at 602-256-4357 or at redistricting@phoenix.gov.
As a reminder, your proposed map or comments may be submitted online through phoenix.gov/redistricting, emailed to redistricting@phoenix.gov, or mailed to the City Clerk Department, 200 W. Washington St., 15th Floor, Phoenix, AZ 85003. You may call the redistricting information line at 602-256-4357 with any comments, suggestions, or questions.
The second round of public meetings to obtain feedback on the proposed redistricting plans will begin on April 23, 2012. A list of those locations, dates and times will be sent to you prior to the first meeting and will be available on the website by early April.
Source: City of Phoenix
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.
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
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.
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
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
