Next Monthly Meeting
Tuesday, February 10th
Committee meetings and gathering: 6:30-7pm; Meeting: 7-9 pm
N. Tempe Community Center, 1555 N. Bridalwreath St. (map)
Featured Speaker: Patrick Kenney, Chair of ASU's Political Science Department, on the results of the 2008 election. Professor Kenney received his BA, MAPA, and PhD from the University of Iowa and joined ASU in 1986. He has authored or co-authored articles in the American Political Science Review, American Journal of Political Science, Political Behavior, and the Journal of Politics. He has co-authored two books with Kim Fridkin, The Spectacle of U.S. Senate Campaigns and No-Holds Barred: Negativity in US Senate Campaigns. His research areas are in campaigns, elections, and voting behavior.
Gather with energized Democrats to get more involved in local, state, and national politics!
Questions? Contact D17 Chair Lauren Kuby: laurenkuby@gmail.com; 602-790-2156
Headlines
LD17 Legislators Featured in AZ Republic
Although the 2009 legislative session is only a few weeks old, our Tempe legislators are the primary sponsors for 40 bills. Read more about the legislation that D17 democrats are sponsoring in the AZ Republic.
AZ Democratic Party Reorganizational Meeting Signals Change
By Craig McDermott
On January 24, over 500 Democratic state committeemen gathered at the Wyndham in Phoenix to elect our Party leadership for the 2009-2010 election cycle. Paul Eckerstrom, former chair of Pima County Democrats, was selected as the new chair of the Arizona Democratic Party, defeating previous chair, Don Bivens, by 79 votes.
Eckerstom's stunning victory represents a momentous shift in party leadership and is emblematic of Democrats' dissatisfaction with the results of the 2008 state election. Running on a platform that emphasized grassroots organizing and a 30/15/8 strategy of contesting every LD, county, and congressional seat, Eckerstom's chairmanship promises a shift from the old guard to progressive leadership in the Arizona Democratic party.
Eckerstrom is joined by an energetic and experienced team of officers to help him lead us as we fight for Arizona's families and future. The other officers elected at the reorganization meeting are:
1st VICE CHAIR: Harriet Young
VICE CHAIRWOMEN: Josephine Kelleher, Bree Boehlke, Mohur Sidhwa
VICE CHAIRMEN: Vince Rabago, Ruben Gallego, Matt Capalby
SENIOR VICE CHAIR: Ken Smith
SECRETARY: Lois Pfau
TREASURER: Rick McGuire
EDUCATION COORDINATOR: Anne Greenberg
AFFIRMATIVE ACTION COORDINATOR: Gerald Richard
D17 Democrats congratulate the new leadership team and pledge our support in turning AZ completely blue in 2010!
State Legislative Update
By Craig McDermott
In the midst of difficult budget battles that we won't detail here, all three LD17 legislators are working tirelessly to protect education and human services:
Sen. Meg Burton-Cahill is working on numerous medically related bills that will increase the amount of information available to patients and protect patient privacy.
Rep. Ed Ableser is working a many issues, including a bill to make it easier for service members deployed outside of AZ to get out of contracts with health spas.
Rep. David Schapira is pushing the teacher loan-forgiveness program to increase the number of teachers in rural schools and other areas experiencing teaching shortages.
D17 Young Democrats (YDs) Report
Save the Date for 2009 YDAz New Leadership Reception
The Arizona YDs will host our 2009 New Leadership Reception at the home of Allison Shannon in Tempe on Sat, March 7th. Tickets start a $35 for a single and $60 for a couple. For more info, or to purchase tickets, visit the Young Democrats website or contact D17 Vice Chair Stan Williams at stanwilliams@ydaz.org.
Political Events
Keep up to date with LD17 events by adding us to your Google Calendar.
February 3 (Tues.): Progressive Lobby Day.
Join AZ's progressive community to learn about important issues affecting our state. Learn how lawmakers work and how you can make a difference in creating a more fair, just, and compassionate Arizona. 10am-2pm, House Lawn, State Capitol, 1700 W Washington. For more info, or to RSVP contact Meta Goforth-Zinn at meta@equalityarizona.org or visit Progressive Lobby Day Online.
February 5 (Thur.): National Teach-in on Global Warming Solutions.
The National Teach-In is an all day event at ASU that will engage the campus in a solutions-driven dialogue about global warming during the first 100 days of the new administration. For more info on the day's activities visit http://schoolofsustainability.asu.edu/teachin or contact lauren.kuby@asu.edu.
February 5 (Thur.): Sizzle: A Global Warming Comedy.
Sizzle, a novel blend of three genres—mockumentary, documentary, and reality. Scientist-turned-filmmaker Dr. Randy Olson, is a fan of Al Gore's global-warming movie, An Inconvenient Truth, but asks, "Where are all the scientists?" Join Olson for a reception before the FREE film showing, and he and a panel of ASU experts for discussion following the fillm. 5-5:30: Reception by WHoldeFoods and Engrained Restaurant; 5:30-7:30pm, film showing and discussion. The movie is FREE, but due to tremendous interest, you must RSVP to attend: sustainabilityevents@asu.edu.
February 12 (Thur.): Arizona's List: State of the Legislature Meeting.
Join Arizona's List (the AZ version of Emily's List) for a detailed analysis of election results, the challenges ahead, and their plan to keep winning. Panel discussion led by State Reps Kyrsten Sinema and Rae Waters. 5-7pm, 1130 The Restaurant, 455 N 3rd St, Phoenix. For more info, contact info@arizonalist.org.
February 28 (Sat.): Young Democrats Convention.
The YDAz host the State Convention at ASU's Tempe Campus. For more info, or to register, visit YDAz Convention or contact D17 Vice Chair Stan Williams at stanwilliams@ydaz.org.
D17 Democrats Meetings and Events
February 10: (Tues): D17 Committee Meetings, 6:30-7pm, N. Tempe Community Center, 1555 N. Bridalwreath St. (map)
If you haven't yet signed up for a committee and are interested in helping out email D17 Chair Lauren Kuby with your interest area at laurenkuby@gmail.com.
February 10: (Tues): D17 Monthly Meeting, 7-9pm, N. Tempe Community Center, 1555 N. Bridalwreath St. (map)
We meet the 2nd Tuesday of every month.
Guest Speaker: Patrick Kenney, Chair of of ASU's Political Science Department, on the 2008 election.
February 18 (Wed): D17 Social, 5-7pm, El Penasco, 19 E Broadway (SE corner of Broadway and Mill) (map).
Special Guests: City of Tempe Council Members. D17 pays for the appetizers! Happy-Hour specials extended until 7pm for us Dems!
We are on the Web: www.d17Dems.org
Newsletter Editor: Lauren Kuby; submit items of interest by the 22nd of the month to laurenkuby@gmail.com
