HighGround Public Affairs Consultants

In case you missed it, conservative columnist Robert Robb wrote about the fiscal risks that face the State of Arizona if the legislature ignores its obligation to restore coverage to those at or below the Federal Poverty Level under Proposition 204.

Robb writes, “Even if the federal government were willing to continue current funding for the frozen population or a Prop. 204 restoration, it would cost the state more than Brewer’s proposal and cover fewer people. What’s the sense in that?  And if the state ends up having to comply with the Prop. 204 mandate without federal funds, the cost would be $1.4 billion a year.  That’s a much bigger risk than the risk of being left holding the bag if the federal government reneges on Obamacare’s Medicaid funding commitments.”

Read the article for yourself.

As we said in our “Do the Math” video over a month ago, if Arizona chooses to go it alone, the state will be left holding the bag – draining the rainy day fund and potentially taking even more general fund money from education and public safety.

Robert Robb is right:  “Opponents of Gov. Jan Brewer’s Medicaid expansion proposal are recklessly minimizing the risk to the state’s fisc of not participating.”

Majority of Ahwatukee, Laveen Voters Also Want Freeway Built

Voters across Maricopa County and in the corridor of the proposed South Mountain Freeway approve of plans to build the project in separate polls conducted last week by the We Build Arizona coalition.

In a sample of 400 likely voters, 64.3 percent favored building the new route on Pecos Road and through South Mountain Park as a way to relieve traffic congestion on the regional freeway system and reduce Valley air pollution. Only 19.6 percent either opposed or thought they would likely oppose the route.

A similar poll conducted of 300 likely voters living in Ahwatukee and Laveen revealed 59% of residents in the corridor support building the freeway versus 35percent who oppose the project.

“These results clearly show widespread regional and local support for this project,” said David Martin, Chairman of the We Build Arizona coalition.  “Voters want this project because it will absolutely reduce traffic congestion across the Valley and help reduce air pollution in the region.”

The freeway’s ability to reduce traffic back-ups across the Valley topped voters’ list of reasons why they support the project, followed by the benefits to Police and Fire units and the $2 billion boost to the economy in spending and jobs during construction.

Martin said the polls confirm that voters’ opinions of the project have remained steadfast for 28 years, noting the freeway has been approved at the ballot box twice, first in 1985 and again in 2004.

“With these polls, voters have spoken yet again.  There is no more important project to the area’s commuters and workers than the South Mountain freeway project.  We must build it now,” Martin concluded.

The nominations are out for the Arizona Capitol Times 2013 Best of the Capitol and we are asking for your help.  Please take the time to vote for HighGround in a couple of categories:

• 12.  Best Lobbyist – Male:  Doug Cole
• 19.  Best Power Broker:  Doug Cole
• 20.  Best Political Operative:  Chuck Coughlin

Click here to vote.

We also encourage you to vote for Restoring Arizona for the best grassroots effort and SRP Day at the Capitol for Best Capitol Lawn Event.  Thank you for your continued support and good luck to everyone who has been nominated.

Our President visited Mexico this past week and gave an optimistic, sunny speech in which he said, “I have come to Mexico because it is time to put old mindsets aside. It’s time to recognize new realities, including the impressive progress in today’s Mexico. For even as Mexicans continue to make courageous sacrifices for the security of your country; even as Mexicans in the countryside and in neighborhoods not far from here struggle to give their children a better life…it’s also clear that a new Mexico is emerging.”

He continued, “I see a Mexico that is deepening your democracy. Citizens who are standing up and saying that violence and impunity is not acceptable. A courageous press working to hold leaders accountable. A robust civil society, including brave defenders of human rights who demand dignity and rule of law. Political parties that compete vigorously, transfer power peacefully, and forge the compromise on which progress depends. And even as the work of perfecting democracy is never done—as we know in both our countries—you go forward knowing the truth that Benito Juarez once spoke: ‘democracy is the destiny of humanity.’”

Yet, Obama provided absolutely no specifics – no agenda for advancing trade, no investment in border security, no assistance in developing a rule of law in a country crying out for Justice.  Platitudes are what he gave us.

Young Mexican citizens were disheartened by the speech, “How nice that he came to give inspiring speeches, but what’s happening in Mexico is far from what he talked about today,” said Jose Carlos Cruz, a 24-year-old graduate student in international relations who attended the speech, “A really good speech by President Obama, but what Mexico was he talking about?”

The Mexican economy has begun to slow, and the decrease in illegal immigration is more likely a result of demographic changes, the sluggish U.S. economy, and the severe dangers of crossing Mexico than of any improvements inside Mexico itself.

In his speech, Obama praised a growing middle class to which the majority of Mexicans belong. Although it is true that Mexico has a strong manufacturing base that has allowed many Mexicans to prosper, economists say the middle class has been stagnant for years. The World Bank says 49% of the Mexican population lives in poverty.

Stateside, this President continues to offer style over substance on comprehensive border security and immigration reform as well.  It is time for him to leave the public speeches behind and learn face to face from this country’s elected legislators what it will take for them to vote yes for border security and immigration reform.

It’s time for the President to meet individually, by telephone and in small groups with Senators and Representatives who will actually vote on the legislation bringing this reform.   Arizona’s Senators are leading on this issue and they need his help in meeting with those who actually vote to make public policy in our representational democracy.  These 535 voters need personal attention from the President – not more sunny speeches.

Border security and immigration reform is paramount in Arizona because we need to protect our citizens who live and work in Southern Arizona – where illegal aliens (politely called migrant or undocumented workers) and criminal smugglers of narcotics and currency trespass on their property each day.  Saying nice things in Mexico and refusing to visit Arizona will not fix this problem.

There are ample opportunities for the President to lead.  He could fight for the rule of law and a real middle class in Mexico.   He could fight to mandate E-Verify and real employer sanctions nationwide (they have worked here in Arizona).  He could reform the immigration system to supply the temporary workers from Latin America needed in our booming agricultural industry, and the foreign-born engineers, doctors and scientists educated here in the United States to fuel our growing knowledge-based economy.

All of these are accomplished with actions – not more words.  President Obama cherishes President Lincoln’s legacy.  Lincoln worked with some of the worst representatives our county has ever offered; surely the President can work with our 21st Century Legislature.