June Meeting of Tempe/South Scottsdale Democrats
Tuesday, June 9th
Committee Meetings: 6:30-7pm; Meeting: 7-9pm
1555 N. Bridalwreath St., Tempe, AZ 85281 (N. Tempe Community Center) (map)
Speaker
Don Bivens, Chair of the AZ Democratic Party
Updates and Q & A from our State Legislators and City Councilmembers!
Questions: Contact D17 Chair Lauren Kuby: laurenkuby@gmail.com; 602-790-2156; www.d17Dems.org
We Meet the 2nd Tuesday of Every Month: Beginning July, we'll be back at the Pyle Center (SW Southern and Rural)!
State Legislative Update
Things are finally loosening up at the legislature, but that isn't necessarily a good thing!
In addition to considering various proposals to balance the state budget on the backs of the poor and disabled, schools, and cities and towns, the Republicans are also pushing bills to protect corporate healthcare profits, bars from determining if guns are allowed on their property, and one member's highly profitable school-tuition organization.
- Sometimes it's Rep. Ed Ableser upsetting a committee chair by daring to question the rationale behind her bill to undermine future public health-care reform (the same plan that was defeated at the ballot box last November)...
- Sometimes it's Rep. David Schapira bringing the Democratic message about the budget to the public in a number of town halls and forums (including the Valley Interfaith Forum where that message inspired one Republican senator to stomp out in a huff)...
- Sometimes it's Sen. Meg Burton-Cahill countering a Republican floor speech abjectly praising mining corporations with the story of her husband Dennis constant need of a respirator because of his years of working as a bricklayer for a mining company.
Whatever form their efforts take, D17's legislators are fighting to protect the people of the district and Arizona, but it's been a tough battle.
It's only going to get tougher as the session winds down--the Republicans have ratcheted up the pettiness level, such as "losing" Democratic budget amendments that support public education and the most vulnerable Arizonans, or giving the Democrats outdated versions of Republican bills up for consideration.
The next few weeks at the legislature will be marked by days of apparent calm (secret negotiations between the Republican leadership and the Governor's office), followed by hours of frenetic activity as the Republicans attempt to railroad through their draconian budget and as many sweetheart bills for their extremist base and corporate benefactors as the can.
Keep an eye out for email alerts, such as for the Arizona Education Association's plan to hold daily rallies at the Capitol during June. Sign up for Ableser's (http://twitter.com/RepAbleser) and Schapira's (http://twitter.com/dschapirra) updates via Twitter.
Political Events
Keep up to date with LD17 events by adding us to your Google Calendar.
June 6 (Sat): MCDP Convention. 11am Break Out Sessions; 12pm Lunch; 1pm General Session. Join us to discuss MCDP plans and activities leading up to the next election cycle. Plumbers Union Hall #469, 3109 N 24th St, Phoenix, AZ 85016 (map) For more information, or to buy lunch tickets visit: www.maricopademocrat.com
June 6 (Sat): Health Care Organizing Kickoff. Host or attend a Health Care Organizing Kickoff party. President Obama will join registered hosts and attendees on a live conference call next week.At these kickoffs, you’ll meet like-minded supporters in your neighborhood, make plans for reaching out in your community--and start to put those plans in action. No experience is required to host or attend--we’ll give you everything you need to make it a success. To find a party in your neighborhood, or to sign up as a host, visit: http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/hckickoff
June 7 (Sun): Education is Essential Dinner. 5pm-9pm. Democracy For America - Maricopa County invites you to socialize with fellow Phoenix progressives at China Chili’s, 302 E Flower St (@ 3rd St), Phoenix and help DFA educate and empower citizens to participate in local politics. Speakers include Eric Meyer, legislator from LD 11 and Scottsdale School Board member, Democratic Minority Leader and Phoenix Union High School Governing Board member, David Lujan and Democratic activist and LD 15 legislative candidate Katie Hobbs.$30 for members; $40 for non-members. For more info: info@dfamc.com; 602-741-9581. To order tickets online: (https://co.clickandpledge.com/advanced/default.aspx?wid=21010)
June 17 (Wed): Nucleus Club Lunch. 11:30a-1pm. Guest speaker is William Harris, president and CEO of Science Foundation Arizona. RSVP before noon on Tues, June 16 at 602-234-6545. Cost for guests: $40. http://ww2.nucleusclub.org.
June 17 (Wed): D17 Bocce Ball Tournament. 7pm-10pm. Build a team and come ready for a bocce battle with fellow Dems. Winning team receives a cash prize. $5 for YD's, $10 for others. 620 W 3rd St, Tempe (map) Call Allison for more info: 682-554-0726.
June 19 (Fri): ADP Heritage Dinner. 7pm Cocktail Reception; 8pm Dinner. Featured speaker: Ellen Malcolm, president and founder of Emily's List, who has helped level the playing field for women candidates; given women donors unprecedented influence in electoral politics; brought millions of women voters to the polls; and created a powerful movement dedicated to restoring progressive values to American government. For details, visit www.azdem.org.
June 20 (Sat): East Valley Democrats Breakfast Club. 7:30am-9:30am. Speaker: new Executive Director of the Arizona Democratic Party, Louis Heredia. Join fellow democrats for good food and great conversation. Denny's Restaurant, 4403 S Rural Rd, Tempe, at Hwy 60. Info: 480-993-8799.
June 27 (Sat): National Day of Health Care Community Service. Locations and details TBA on the Organizing for America website. Sign up for an event online. (www.barackobama.com/index.php)
All Good Democrats, Come to the Aid of Your Party!
Please consider contributing $17 (or more) for District 17! Donate online at www.actblue.com/page/d17.
Submit items by the 22nd of the month to allison.shannon@gmail.com.
District 17 Democrats
P.O. Box 26047, Tempe, AZ 85285
Paid for by District 17 Democrats. Lauren Kuby, Chair; Craig McDermott, Treasurer.
Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.
