Budget Hearing
By Criag McDermott
On February 23, our legislators, Sen. Meg Burton Cahill, Rep. Ed Ableser, and Rep. David Schapira, were joined by 11 of their fellow Democratic colleagues and over 300 citizens for a public hearing on the impacts of the state's budget crisis and the Republican majority's "cut-only" approach to balancing the budget.

Republicans' budget cuts this year and proposed cuts for 2010 will have substantial impacts on education, DES, healthcare and state parks. Cuts to education have been among the most publicized and will impact higher education and K-12. Over $140 million in higher education cuts mean that four dozen academic programs at ASU are slated for closure, and two campuses could be closed because of next year's budget. In addition, student enrollment has been capped at ASU, substantial layoffs have occurred, and faculty and staff have to take upwards of 12 days off without pay. AIMS scholarships and other merit-based scholarships may be eliminated next year . In addition, $133 million in K-12 cuts mean that teachers are being laid-off, schools are not being fixed or built, and books, computers, and other supplies will not be purchased. Next year will be far worse, with almost $890 million in cuts proposed.

DES has been forced to make layoffs during a time when more people than ever need its services. Other impacts include suspending all nonresidential early intervention programs for developmentally disabled children and ending the Healthy Families program.

Healthcare for children and families has also suffered. Cuts to AHCCCS (part of DES) have caused KidCare healthcare premiums, paid by poor families, to be ratcheted up, Doctor-training programs are being cut, and co-payment assistance for Medicare Part D (prescriptions) has been eliminated. They are literally "cutting off the oxygen" of patients who need it for their out-patient care.

What You Can Do to Fight the Budget Cuts:

• Contact the Governor! She may be a Republican, but even she has to listen to constituents if she wants to have a chance at being elected to a full-term. Phone 602-542-4331, email at http://azgovernor.gov/Contact.asp, or snail mail: The Honorable Jan Brewer, Governor of Arizona, 1700 W Washington, Phoenix, AZ 85007.
• Write letters to the editor. Our website has a page to get you started.
• Contact your friends and family members in other districts to have them contact their legislators.Talk to them about getting involved with their local Democratic organizations.
• Attend the rally at the State Capitol on Thursday, March 4 at 4 pm. Join thousands of students, parents, teachers, educators, and fellow citizens to support public education in Arizona. See events section for more information.
• Become a precinct committeeperson in LD 17. Stay involved. Help keep D17 completely Blue!

By Criag McDermott

All three of our state legislators have fighting tirelessly against the Republicans' indiscriminate cuts in the 2009 state budget. In addition to defending education and human services, Meg, Ed, and David are taking positive steps to improve the lives of Arizonans.

Republicans have introduced a number of bills to restrict a woman's right to choose; Rep. Ed Ableser led a protest against a committee vote on one of them. Additionally, Ed is pushing bills to severely restrict the gifts that lobbyists can give to legislators, to reform the towing industry, and to ensure that new homes built in AZ have a 100-year water supply.

Sen. Meg Burton-Cahill has been advocating tirelessly for the disabled community when not taking on the Senate leadership over their high-handed tactics in suppressing Democratic voices and votes in the Senate.

Rep. David Schapira has been fighting hard to protect education from the Republican onslaught and to even improve it in the face of drastic cuts. He has proposed to raise the state's dropout age to 18 and to expand the student loan-forgiveness program for math, science, and special-ed teachers. Unfortunately, both measures were stopped by Republicans in committee.

2009 YDAz New Leadership Reception
The Arizona YDs will host their 2009 New Leadership Reception at the Wyndham Downtown on Sat, March 7th, immediately following the state committee meeting. Please show your support by staying. 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.

Keep up to date with LD17 events by adding us to your Google Calendar.

March 4: March4Schools. Thousands of parents, teachers, education support professionals, and taxpayers will converge on the Capitol to demonstrate Arizona's broad and deep support for our public schools. This rally at the Capitol will be the largest mobilization of education supporters in our state's history. Arizona State Capitol, 1700 W. Washington, Phoenix, AZ. For more info, visit: www.march4schools.com.

March 7: State Committee Meeting: Registration at 8am, meeting begins at 10 am. The AZ Democratic Party will hold a state committee meeting to elect a new state chair. Wyndham Phoenix, 50 Adams St. Light-rail stops just outside. Those state committeepersons (we have 20) who cannot attend need to download a proxy form and drop it off at Lauren Kuby's house at 109 E Loma Vista Dr, Tempe, AZ 85282

March 21: East Valley Democrats Breakfast Club. The Breakfast Club meets the 3rd Saturday of every month at 7:30am at Ranch House Restaurant (south of Baseline next to the golf course at 2155 S Dobson Rd). This social gathering features food, conversation, and an interesting speaker. For more info, call 480-838-0537.

March 26: Phoenix Coyotes with MCDP. Watch the Phoenix Coyotes whip up on the St. Lois Blues! Bring your friends, family and neighbors. Everyone gets a FREE coyotes hat. What a great way to get discount tickets and while supporting the Maricopa County Democratic Party. Upper-Level End Tickets ($25), Lower-Level End Tickets ($40), Lower-Level Center Ice Tickets ($65). To buy tickets, contact steve.pomerantz@phoenixcoyotes.com.

March 28: Earth Hour Global Initiative. 7:30–9:30pm (lights out from 8:30–9:30pm). Individuals, businesses, and governments across the globe will turn off their lights to show support for action on climate change. ASU is hosting "Lit By Candlelight.", with guest speaker Dr. Lester, chair of the English Department, and student writers and artists. If you would like to attend or present, contact DeDe@asu.edu; 480-965-9515 before March 26.

March 31: Legislative Salute Dinner. Join the AZ Democratic Party to honor Rep. Jack Brown for a lifetime of service. Special guests include Attorney General Terry Goddard, Corporation Commissioners Sandra Kennedy and Paul Newman, State Democratic legislators, and Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon. For more information, or to purchase tickets, call 602-234-6830.

D17 Democrats Meetings and Events

March 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.

March 10 (Tues): D17 Monthly Meeting, 7-9pm, N Tempe Community Center, 1555 N. Bridalwreath St. (map). We meet the 2nd Tuesday of every month. April's meeting, featuring Attorney General Terry Goddard, will take place at El Peñasco (SE Corner of Rural and Broadway).

March 18 (Wed): D17 Social, 5-7pm, El Peñasco, 19 E. Broadway (SE Broadway and Mill) (map). D17 pays for the appetizers! Happy-Hour specials extended until 7pm for us Dems!