P.L.A.N. Update - City of Phoenix End of State Legislative Session Report Now Online‏

End of Session Wrap Up

As previously reported, the 100-day state legislative session came to a close at 5:25 a.m. on April 20. Phoenix staff tracked a number of bills and amendments throughout the process. Attached is the end of session report that was provided to the Mayor and Council this week. The report contains descriptions of bills that are relevant to City operations as well as a budget recap, special session summary, and an outlook for 2012. Check it out!

Source: P.L.A.N.

P.L.A.N. Update - State Budget, City Budget - Maybe This Week a Federal Budget?

Legislature Agreed on 2011-2012 State Budget

Last week a state budget for FY 2011-2012 (with adjustments to FY 2010-2011) was unveiled, debated, approved, and sent to Governor Brewer for her signature. The House started by deliberating and passing the Senate's budget bills with minor modifications in order to address Arizona's $1.7 billion deficit. Most reductions in the bills focus on K-12 education ($183 million), universities ($198 million), and AHCCCS ($510 million). House members worked through the night and sent the budget package to the Senate on Friday morning, where senators debated and passed the package and transmitted it to the Governor that day.

While this state budget will impact the City, revenue sharing (voter-approved dollars that pay for about 30 percent of Phoenix's general fund) was held harmless. The State will have Phoenicians pay $2 million in new fees to fund its Department of Water Resources. In addition, the budget plan sweeps about $12 million in Highway User Revenue Funds from the City that otherwise would help pay for street construction and maintenance projects.

Phoenix Budget Condition

Also last week, the Phoenix City Council approved a proposed Trial Budget for the City, which will be discussed in 15 community budget hearings this month. Because the city budget is developed with input from the Mayor and City Council, residents, city employees, city management and all city departments, the result is a budget that closely reflects the community's highest priorities.

Residents can provide input on the 2011-2012 City budget, as well as on the draft Phoenix Strategic Plan, by attending any of the community budget hearings beginning April 7.

What can you do?

Attend your community hearing to tell your City Council member and city management what programs and services are most important to you.

Contact your State Senator and State Representatives to thank them for protecting Shared Revenues for cities and towns. Click on "Link to the P.L.A.N." below to go to your "My PLAN" page to find your legislators' contact information.

Source: P.L.A.N.

LD15 GOP and other District Volunteer Poll Watchers Needed

How to Help:

Volunteer on Election Day (Nov 2nd) to be a poll watcher.

A poll watcher is someone who is appointed by a political party to observe the Election Day procedures in a precinct. The Republican Party is currently asking for PCs and other Republicans in LD15 to volunteer on November 2nd to work as poll watchers. We would prefer for poll watchers to observe all day, but if you can only help for a few hours on Election Day, we still want your help.

To Volunteer to be a Poll Watcher:

1. Email Carolyn Leff at CLeff@AZGOP.org with your name, cell number, physical and email address.

2. Attend one of the training sessions below:

Training Date: 10/12/2010
Time: 7pm
Location: LD11 GOP Meeting Madison School Office
Address: 5601 N. 16th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85014

Training Date: 10/16/2010
Time: Noon
Location: Pima GOP HQ
Address: 5447 E. 5th Street, Tucson, AZ 85711

Training Date: 10/21/2010
Time: 6:30pm meeting/7:30pm training
Location: LD19 GOP Meeting
Address: 7110 E. McKellips Road, Mesa, AZ 85207

Training Date: 10/23/2010
Time: 1:30pm
Location: Glendale Foothills Library
Address: 19055 N. 57th Avenue, Glendale, AZ 85308

Training Date: 10/30/2010
Time: 10am
Location: AZ State GOP HQ
Address: 3501 N. 24th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85016

3. Observe at the assigned polling place on election day.

Source: Carolyn Leff, AZGOP HQ

Luis Garcia Endorses Ken Clark for Arizona House of Representatives, District 15‏

On Friday, March 19, 2010, Luis Garcia and the Ken Clark for Arizona campaign announced endorsement news in the Democratic Primary for Legislative District 15. This afternoon, Luis Garcia publicly endorsed Ken Clark for Arizona House of Representatives. Please find the link to the post on Garcia's website here: http://www.garciaforarizona.com/news.php?BID=32

The campaign is excited to have Luis' support for the August 24, 2010 Democratic Primary.

Learn more about Ken at http://www.kenclarkforaz.org/

Source:

Kathren Coleman
Campaign Manager
Ken Clark for Arizona
602-456-0489

P.L.A.N. Update - Budget Balancing Acts‏

State Budget Hits Hard

Budget documents began circulating mid-week, detailing the current majority plan to close the State’s $2.7 billion deficit. The proposal would cut or eliminate functions of state government to the tune of $1.1 billion. The remaining gap would be filled with $1 billion in new revenue from the temporary sales tax increase (assuming it is adopted), and defer $450 million in K – 12 and university spending.

In addition, the draft plan requires cities to "contribute" $20 million in sales tax revenue sharing to counties. This measure is meant to partially offset the costs associated with shifting the state’s juvenile corrections responsibility to counties. Phoenix and other cities do not operate juvenile courts, so we're asking why cities should pay.

We expect the Governor to call a seventh special session this coming Monday to adopt this budget plan. If the apparent agreement holds through the weekend, the bills should be released on Monday, with a vote to follow on Tuesday. Our estimate is that Phoenix's share of such a "contribution" would be $6 million. Local Transportation Assistance lottery funds are also being swept in the budget plan. If the full amount is diverted, Phoenix's share of these transit dollars would be another $8 million. This State budget plan will most certainly would result in the Council having to revisit potential cuts to Police, Fire and other vital City services including transit. Please remind your state legislators of the importance of revenue sharing and ask them to vote against this bad idea.

Phoenix City Council Adopts Final Budget Proposal

The city of Phoenix Trial budget was initially presented to the City Council on February 2. Since then, 18 community meetings took place where residents shared their thoughts and ideas on the proposed balanced budget. After a full day of consideration at the Council Policy Session, the Phoenix City Council adopted the final budget package on March 2. If the Legislature is successful in diverting shared revenue and transit funds, the budget will have to be rebalanced.

Source: City of Phoenix

P.L.A.N. Update - Shared Revenue and Libraries‏

Fair Allocation of Library Taxes?

Did you know that Phoenix property owners pay taxes to the county library district, but the vast majority of those dollars support libraries in other communities? In 1986, the Legislature passed a law allowing creation of library districts with the power to levy property taxes to pay for libraries and library service. One year later, the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors formed the Maricopa County Library District (MCLD). In the 1980s Maricopa County was mostly unincorporated but has evolved to be very urbanized. Many cities and towns in Maricopa County provide their own libraries and library services, but state law provides that taxes collected by library districts cannot be passed to cities and towns. The result is that city residents in Maricopa County pay the library tax but city libraries cannot directly use any of those revenues.

In 2008, Phoenix residents paid $6.7 million in property taxes into the MCLD. That same year, Phoenix received about $600,000 (less than 10% of contributions) in services or revenues from the MCLD: $435,189 in reciprocal borrowing revenue and $165,000 in online database support.

Phoenix residents’ contributions are approximately 32% of total revenues collected in Maricopa County through library district taxes. In the past 12 years, Phoenix residents have contributed more than $50 million to the MCLD.

Currently, the Phoenix Public Library and its branches serve a residential population of more than 1.5 million. The service population of unincorporated Maricopa County is less than 250,000.

Last year, Phoenix cut its library hours by 30%. This year, Phoenix is proposing to close up to six libraries in addition to other library service cuts.

SB 1373 county library districts; cities; taxes will allow a city or town to receive at least 75% of the library taxes its residents pay to a library district in Maricopa or Pima County for the city or town to use for its libraries. The library district would keep 25% of the library tax collected in cities and towns to use for district purposes. The bill would restore fairness and allow Phoenix libraries to stay open.

Right now the bill is languishing -- call your Senator today and ask that this bill get a hearing.

Shared Revenue Alert

It's been quiet so far as we watch for potential raids on city revenues, but now comes SB 1108: Technical Correction; Children (Sen. Russell Pearce, R – Mesa) which is scheduled to carry a “strike everything” amendment this Tuesday entitled "State Shared Revenues." The amendment isn't yet available on the Legislature's website, but the title is ominous. This bill will be heard in the Senate Appropriations Committee. We encourage you to remind your state legislators of the importance of shared revenues to cities and towns to be able to provide police and fire protection and other important services.

Increased Penalties for Graffiti Crimes

HB 2738: Criminal Damage; Classification (Rep. Anna Tovar, D – Tolleson), increases penalties for those convicted of graffiti crimes. The lower limit was $250, but this bill makes reckless damage of property in the amount of $1 to $999 a Class 1 misdemeanor. HB 2738 unanimously passed the House Judiciary Committee this week and must be approved by the Rules Committee before Third Read approval before the House. The City of Phoenix thanks Representative Tovar for sponsoring this important measure.

Source: P.L.A.N.

P.L.A.N. Update - A Busy Legislative Week With More To Come‏

Bills, Bills, and More Bills

Friday was the 19th day of the Second Regular Session of the 49th Legislature. Every year the legislature attempts to complete its business in 100 days. Given the massive budget shortfall we certainly don't expect it this year, but it's an election year and anything could happen.

So far this session, 941 bills have been introduced. The deadline in the Senate to introduce bills is 5 p.m. on Monday, February 1 and the last day to introduce bills in the House of Representatives is Monday, February 8. Both chambers have posted this year's timelines for bill handling on the Arizona State Legislature website at Important Deadlines for the House of Representatives and Arizona State Senate Timelines.

Last week we shared some bills of interest that were scheduled for a hearing. Here's an update on their status:

SB 1166: Property Tax Classification; Historic Residences (Sen. Linda Gray, R-Glendale) was heard by the Senate Finance Committee on Wednesday. This bill would repeal the reduced property tax classification for historic residential property. Under current law, qualifying historic residences are assessed at 5% rather than the 10% assessment ratio that applies to other homes -- the effect would be to increase property taxes on those historic homes. After much testimony, the bill was held in committee.

HB 2161: Payday Loans; Regulation (Rep. Andy Tobin, R-Paulden) regulates the payday loan industry and authorizes continued operations beyond the current 2010 sunset date. This bill was held in the House Banking and Insurance Committee on Monday.

On Wednesday, the House Commerce Committee heard testimony on HB 2246: Regulation of Fireworks (Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Gilbert) a measure that would permit sales of “consumer fireworks.” The City’s Fire Marshal was on hand to testify against the bill, sharing Fire’s concerns on the increased risks to the community. After intense debate, the bill passed by a vote of 4 – 2. Next stop, House Rules Committee.

SB 1165: DUI; License Suspension (Sen. Linda Gray, R-Glendale) adds a number of dangerous drugs to the list of substances that are known to impair a driver and if found in a person's blood will lead to suspension of his or her drivers license. This bill has picked up support from many interests, including the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety. The bill passed out of the Public Safety and Human Services Committee on Thursday and will be heard next in Senate Rules.

Potential New Reductions in Bus, Rail, and Dial-A-Ride Services

In last week's message we described the Governor's budget proposal including a suggested "sweep" of lottery revenue that ordinarily would come to Phoenix to help pay for local bus, rail and Dial-a-Ride service. State law directs a portion of the proceeds from lottery sales to the Local Transportation Assistance Fund (LTAF) and Local Transportation Assistance Fund II (LTAF II). Each city or town in Arizona receives a share of these funds based on population. Phoenix receives approximately $7 million annually in LTAF and $2 – 4 million annually in LTAF II, where the dollars support operations for the core of the Valley-wide public transit system.

Public transit helps people (including those with disabilities) traveling to school, work, shopping, medical appointments and other necessary activities. If LTAF funds are swept by the legislature in FY 2011, Phoenix would have to eliminate two bus routes, the entire neighborhood circulator program, and reduce system-wide bus frequency. If LTAF II funds are also taken, Phoenix would have to reduce bus service frequency to once per hour after 8 p.m. and shorten the peak frequency bus service period by one hour system-wide.

Please let your legislator know to protect these funds so that that transit services will not be cut further.

Phoenix Trial Budget - Make Your Voice Heard

The City Manager's Trial Budget was released to the public Thursday afternoon. The Trial Budget provides the City Council and the community a proposed plan to balance the City's $241 million deficit through cuts to City programs and services. The Trial Budget can be viewed online at http://phoenix.gov/BUDGET/index.html.

The City Council will review the Trial Budget at its meeting on February 2nd. Then, between February 10th and 24th, the Council will hold community hearings so residents can provide input. Based on the feedback, the Council will adopt a final budget on March 2nd that will take effect on April 5th. The Schedule of Community Budget Hearings is posted online with the Trial Budget.

Remember to SHOP PHOENIX and tell your legislators to protect City revenues that pay for important services such as police, fire, libraries, parks and street maintenance. Thanks for all you do for our community.

Source: P.L.A.N.

Google Maps recognizes Phoenix Central Neighborhood Association as a Favorite Place on Google

Congratulations! You have made Phoenix Central Neighborhood Association a Favorite Place on Google. Between July 1 and September 30, Google users found Phoenix Central Neighborhood Association listed 5547 times, and requested driving directions or other information about our association 216 times.

Because we are so popular, Google provided a decal that shows citizens we are a Favorite Place on Google. The sticker includes a special bar code that citizens may scan with cameras on their phones. Then they can see Phoenix Central Neighborhood Association listings on Google, read and write reviews, and be added as a favorite right there. Our office is located in the Executive Towers Condominiums at 207 W. Clarendon Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85013. Stop by and visit the facility and ask the office manager, Cindy Lee or one of the front desk attendants if you can capture the special bar code from the sticker. We have placed it on the condo resident bulletin board in the mail room adjacent to the lobby.

Send us an email at Info@PhoenixCentral.org if you have problems.

We look forward to providing you with more and better ways to grow the Phoenix Central Neighborhood Association.

Alton J. Jones
Chairman
Phoenix Central Neighborhood Association

PhoenixCentral.org