I'm Only a Bill

Legislators Propose Forcing High School Students to Swear to Defend Constitution in Order to Graduate

By Matthew Hendley Mon., Jan. 21 2013 at 2:00 PM
Categories: I'm Only a Bill, Republicans
oath-taking.jpg
echrblog.blogspot.com
"Finally, our state legislators are making sure Arizona's teenagers will ask for the Lord's help defending the Constitution before they're allowed to earn a high school diploma." --Nobody

If a handful of Republican state legislators have their way, high school students in Arizona would not be allowed to graduate until taking an oath to defend the U.S. Constitution.

See also:
-Arizona GOP's Proposed Bylaws Revive Joe McCarthy, Witch Hunts, Loyalty Oaths


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Tags:

2467, arizona, Bob Thorpe, Carl Seel, republicans, Sonny Borrelli, Steve Smith, T.J. Shope
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I'm Only a Bill

Jan Brewer's Order Denying Driver's Licenses for DREAMers Challenged by Bill

By Matthew Hendley Mon., Jan. 21 2013 at 10:59 AM
Categories: I'm Only a Bill
Thumbnail image for jan-brewer-demon.jpg
Photo by Matthew Hendley
Governor Jan Brewer
While the ACLU is still suing over Governor Jan Brewer's order to deny driver's licenses to participants in the Obama Administration's deferred-action program, a bill has been submitted that would change the current policy.

Democratic state Representative Catherine Miranda submitted House Bill 2032, which aims to get the people receiving deferred action eligible for driver's licenses, once they receive work permits.

See also:
-ACLU: Feds Clarify Deferred Action Recipients Should Be Able to Get Driver's Licenses
-Jan Brewer's Order to Deny Driver's Licenses Earns Her a Lawsuit
-Jan Brewer to DREAMers: State Laws Bar You from Drivers Licenses
-Jan Brewer's Order Has "Absolutely No Basis Under State or Federal Law," ACLU Says

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aclu, aclu of arizona, alessandra soler, arizona, catherine miranda, deferred action, diet dream act, dream act, executive order, immigration, jan brewer, obama
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I'm Only a Bill

Chad Campbell, House Democrat, Releases Plan for Schools, Guns, and Mentally Ill

By Matthew Hendley Thu., Jan. 10 2013 at 1:19 PM
Categories: I'm Only a Bill
chad-campbell.jpg
azhousedemocrats.com
That'd be Chad Campbell.
To the credit of the Arizona House Minority Leader, Democrat Chad Campbell, he unveiled a pretty wide-ranging plan to change laws related to school safety, mental health, and guns.

Unfortunately for Campbell, he's in the blood-red legislature in Arizona, so let's just say it's the thought that counts.

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arizona, arizona house of representatives, Arizona Safer Schools, chad campbell, funding for mentally ill, gun control, guns, Safer Communities Plan
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Immigration Spotlight

Jon Kyl Proposes Something That Is Kind of, Sort of, Like the DREAM Act

By Matthew Hendley Tue., Nov. 27 2012 at 10:55 AM
Categories: I'm Only a Bill, Immigration Spotlight
Thumbnail image for jonkynuts.jpg
Kyl says this special pathway to citizenship creates "no special pathway to citizenship."
Now that outgoing Republican Senator Jon Kyl doesn't have to rely on votes from the anti-immigrant crowd, he and Texas Republican Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison have introduced a bill that's kind of, sort of, similar to -- but definitely isn't -- the DREAM Act.

Whereas versions of the DREAM Act have provided a way for certain people who were brought to the United States illegally when they were young to become citizens after six years, the ACHIEVE Act allows the same group of immigrants to stay in the country for 10 years before getting the chance to become a permanent resident, and eventually, a citizen.

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achieve act, arizona, dream act, green card, immigration, jon kyl, kay bailey hutchinson, obama
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Sports

John McCain Thinking Manny Pacquiao Got Screwed; Pushes for Boxing Regulation (Again)

By Matthew Hendley Mon., Jun. 18 2012 at 3:35 PM
Categories: I'm Only a Bill, Sports
john-mccain-portrait.jpg
Senator John McCain is not pleased about boxing judges scoring a decision for Timothy Bradley over Manny Pacquiao in the welterweight title match earlier this month.

That said, now might finally be the time his legislation to regulate boxing -- which he's tried over and over again -- sees some success.

McCain announced on the Senate floor today that he and Senator Harry Reid -- that's how you know it's serious -- are introducing the "Professional Boxing Amendments Act of 2012."

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arizona, boxing, harry reid, john mccain, manny pacquiao, professional boxing amendments act of 2012, timothy bradley
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Bad Cops

Tom Horne's Effort to Get Rid of FLDS-Lovin' Cops in Colorado City Killed in Legislature

By Matthew Hendley Fri., May 4 2012 at 11:31 AM
Categories: Bad Cops, For the Kids, I'm Only a Bill, Religulous, Those Wacky Mormons
coloradocity.jpg
Attorney General Tom Horne's efforts to replace the police force in Colorado City with deputies from the Mohave County Sheriff's Office was killed in the state House yesterday, which turned out to be the last day of the legislative session.

Colorado City, for those joining late, is the city on the Utah/Arizona border that child rapist Warren Jeffs used to call home, and remains the home to members of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Horne pushed the bill to legislators, contending that the cops there -- often referred to as the "Marshalls" -- were way too sympathetic to polygamists and friends of Jeffs.

"Numerous cases have been documented where the 'Marshalls' refuse to investigate serious crimes against the property and persons of 'apostates' or other non followers of Warren Jeffs, when the perpetrators were followers of Mr. Jeffs," the AG's office said in February. "The 'Marshalls' have also prevented enforcement of court orders with respect who can occupy land. When a court appointed official came to Colorado City to enforce court orders, the Chief of Police pulled him over and threatened to arrest him for criminal trespass if he attempted to enforce court orders, as opposed to the desires of the FLDS Church."

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arizona, colorado city, fundamentalist church of jesus christ of latter day saints, polygamy, tom horne, warren jeffs
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I'm Only a Bill

Arizona's Online Harassment Bill Passes Legislature; You Can Still "Annoy or Offend" Others on the Internet, to an Extent

By Matthew Hendley Tue., May 1 2012 at 8:19 AM
Categories: I'm Only a Bill, Technology Working Against You, The Interwebs
troll wishnik.jpg
pluperfecter.blogspot.com
Trolls (above) still are legal on the Internet, for the most part, even if Governor Jan Brewer signs House Bill 2549.
Arizona's House Bill 2549 -- which was derailed after a critic's view that it was a "bill to censor electronic speech" caught on -- has been approved by some legislators after changes were made to address those concerns.

There were a lot of misconceptions about this bill, especially from the Kremlin apologists at Russia Today, who furthered a rumor -- it wasn't even a rumor, it was just wrong -- that the bill in its original form had made it to Governor Jan Brewer's desk.

Either way, State Representative Vic Williams told New Times last month that legislators had received quite a bit of "legitimate concerns" -- and illegitimate concerns -- about the bill, and Representative Ted Vogt has stopped the bill from moving forward so everyone can figure it out.

Legislators apparently figured it out, as the bill passed easily without opposition from the Media Coalition, which led the charge against the bill, mostly for text in the original version that would outlaw the use of electronic or digital devices to "annoy or offend" someone.

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anonymous, arizona, censorship, hb 2549, internet, jan brewer, media coalition, ted vogt, trolling, vic williams
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I'm Only a Bill

Changes Proposed to Online Harassment Bill; Allows People to "Annoy or Offend" Others on the Internet -- to an Extent

By Matthew Hendley Thu., Apr. 19 2012 at 11:58 AM
Categories: I'm Only a Bill, Technology Working Against You, The Interwebs
troll-doll.jpg
abackwardsstory.blogspot.com
Trolls.
Arizona's House Bill 2549 -- which was derailed after a critic's view that it was a "bill to censor electronic speech" caught on -- now has some proposed changes.

Based on the complaints from the main catalyst for the outrage on the Internet -- the Media Coalition -- the changes still might not make everyone happy.

There are a few technical changes proposed to the bill, with the most meaningful being the deletion of text outlawing the use of electronic or digital devices to "annoy or offend" someone.

"It is unlawful for any person, with intent to terrify, intimidate,  threaten, harass, annoy or offend, to use any electronic or digital device and use any obscene, lewd or profane language or suggest any lewd or lascivious act, or threaten to inflict physical harm to the person or  property of any person," the initial text of the bill read.

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anonymous, arizona, censorship, hb 2549, internet, jan brewer, media coalition, ted vogt, trolling, vic williams
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I'm Only a Bill

Here's the List of Arizona State Senators Who Didn't Want to Ban Lawmakers From Getting Free Tickets to Special Events

By Matthew Hendley Fri., Apr. 13 2012 at 2:17 PM
Categories: Capitol Offenses, I'm Only a Bill
free-sign1.jpg
bobcatsplanet.com
Last year, people were creating a stink after it was discovered that some Arizona legislators got tickets and trips to sporting events thanks to the Fiesta Bowl.

Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery explained in December that none of the politicos would face charges, saying prosecutors were unable to "find evidence leading to criminal liability for those investigated."

He did say, however, that the probe identified "areas where Arizona law does not meet legitimate public expectations for transparency."

Now, there's a bill in the Legislature that offers "comprehensive election law amendments," and Democratic state Senator Steve Gallardo offered seven floor amendments to that bill yesterday, several of them addressing things that went down in that Fiesta Bowl fiasco.

Each of the amendments was rejected on a voice vote, but Gallardo called for a roll-call vote on one of the amendments -- a proposal to ban legislators receiving any kind of tickets to special events.

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Tags:

arizona, arizona senate, election law, ethics, fiesta bowl, hb 2379, linda gray, steve gallardo, sylvia allen
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I'm Only a Bill

Jan Brewer Vetoes Bill That Would Have Forced Feds to Warn Joe Arpaio (and Other Sheriffs) When They're Doing Their Jobs

By Matthew Hendley Thu., Apr. 12 2012 at 10:58 AM
Categories: Fightin' the Feds, I'm Only a Bill
the-feds.jpg
saintpetersblog.com
Governor Jan Brewer's letting the feds do police work without asking permission from county sheriffs.
It looks like Governor Jan Brewer's only taking her battle against the federal government so far.

Brewer vetoed House Bill 2434 yesterday, which would have required federal law-enforcement officers to notify county sheriffs "before taking any official law enforcement action."

If that federal officer forgot or otherwise didn't inform the sheriff beforehand, they'd have to let the sheriff know shortly after the "official law enforcement action."

"This legislation has the potential to interfere with law enforcement investigations and adds unneeded reporting requirements for law enforcement," Brewer writes in a veto letter. "Rather than hinder the efforts of our federal law enforcement colleagues, we need to focus on collaboration."

That doesn't even sound like the same governor who sent a finger to the face of the president in January.

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Tags:

arizona, border patrol, david gowan, hb 2434, jan brewer, joe arpaio, oath keepers, sovereignty, tenth amendment center
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