Civil Arizona Policy Debate:
Proposition 302
"Terminating the Early Childhood Development & Health Board"
Elected Officials Positions
The issue of repealing First Things First has evolved into a partisan issue.
In March 2010, 48 of the 52 Republican legislators voted to send a measure to the November ballot to repeal First Things First. None of the 41 Democrat legislators voted for this referral."
Debate Coverage Index
PROP 302: "ARIZONA SPEAKS OUT!"
PROP 302 DEBATE: "First Things First"
PROP 302 Arizona Statesmen Positions
PROP 302: Citizen Groups Scorecard
Citizen Group Arguments for YES on 302
Citizen Groups Arguments for NO on 302
PROP 302: Elected Officials Positions
Arizona Governor's Opinion on PROP 302
Jan Brewer on PROP 302
Howard Fischer, Capitol Media Services October 15, 2010
"Gov. Jan Brewer is defending signing a budget that is built on the questionable assumption voters will approve a controversial plan next month to kill the First Things First program. But she won't urge people to support Proposition 302, even though its failure would leave a huge hole in her spending plan."
The Legislative History of HCR 2001
This ballot proposition was approved by the Arizona legislature during the Seventh Special Session. The Sponsor of HCR 2001:"Early Childhood Development; Health; Repeal" was Speaker of the House Kirk Adams.
This ballot proposition was approved by the Arizona legislature during the Seventh Special Session. The Sponsor of HCR 2001:"Early Childhood Development; Health; Repeal" was Speaker of the House Kirk Adams.
The Arizona House Approval of HCR 2001
On March 11, 2010, the House of Representatives voted 31-28 in favor of the ballot measure. The vote was along party lines, with 31 of the 34 Republicans voting for the measure – the no votes were Bill Konopnicki, Vic Williams and Doug Quelland. (NOTE: Rep. Frank Antenori's LD-30 seat was vacant at the time of the vote.) All 25 of the House Democrats voted against the bill.
On March 11, 2010, the House of Representatives voted 31-28 in favor of the ballot measure. The vote was along party lines, with 31 of the 34 Republicans voting for the measure – the no votes were Bill Konopnicki, Vic Williams and Doug Quelland. (NOTE: Rep. Frank Antenori's LD-30 seat was vacant at the time of the vote.) All 25 of the House Democrats voted against the bill.
The Arizona Senate Approval of HCR 2001
On March 18, 2010, the Senate voted 17-13 in favor of the ballot measure. This vote was 100% along party lines with the one exception of Senator Jay Tibshraeny (R) who voted "no". All thirteen Senate Democrats voted against the referral.
On March 18, 2010, the Senate voted 17-13 in favor of the ballot measure. This vote was 100% along party lines with the one exception of Senator Jay Tibshraeny (R) who voted "no". All thirteen Senate Democrats voted against the referral.
Senator Steve Pierce
Senate Majority WHIP
Candidate for Arizona Senate President
"It's well-intended, but we can't afford it right now," Pierce said.
"There will be a lot of bad things happening if these (propositions) don't pass," warned Senate Majority Whip Steve Pierce, R-Prescott. The Legislature put both propositions on the ballot...Those cuts will come in some of the last resort areas such as education, social services and public health care, Pierce said. Those are about the only areas left to cut after previous major cuts, he said.
Senate Majority WHIP
Candidate for Arizona Senate President
"It's well-intended, but we can't afford it right now," Pierce said.
"There will be a lot of bad things happening if these (propositions) don't pass," warned Senate Majority Whip Steve Pierce, R-Prescott. The Legislature put both propositions on the ballot...Those cuts will come in some of the last resort areas such as education, social services and public health care, Pierce said. Those are about the only areas left to cut after previous major cuts, he said.
Senator Russell Pearce
Senate Appropriation Committee Chairman
Candidate for Senate President
"Voters also have an opportunity to repeal the Early Childhood Development and Health Board (First Things First) and redirect the funding to health and human services to children.
Since approved by the voters, the tobacco revenues accrued for First Things First have amassed (over $300 million unexpended) and a bureaucracy has been created. The mission of the program is to refer citizens to other state funded programs that are imperiled by the lack of funding (such as child care wait lists and subsidies, Kids Care, early childhood education programs within the existing school systems, immunization and other programs).
Whether one is in agreement with the programs that may benefit from First Things First dollars, the state is obligated to fund them without revenues. The enacted FY 11 budget assumes the passage of Proposition 302 to close the budget gap by $345,000,000 in revenues.
Should this measure fail at the ballot, deeper children’s program cuts are inevitable."
Senate Appropriation Committee Chairman
Candidate for Senate President
"Voters also have an opportunity to repeal the Early Childhood Development and Health Board (First Things First) and redirect the funding to health and human services to children.
Since approved by the voters, the tobacco revenues accrued for First Things First have amassed (over $300 million unexpended) and a bureaucracy has been created. The mission of the program is to refer citizens to other state funded programs that are imperiled by the lack of funding (such as child care wait lists and subsidies, Kids Care, early childhood education programs within the existing school systems, immunization and other programs).
Whether one is in agreement with the programs that may benefit from First Things First dollars, the state is obligated to fund them without revenues. The enacted FY 11 budget assumes the passage of Proposition 302 to close the budget gap by $345,000,000 in revenues.
Should this measure fail at the ballot, deeper children’s program cuts are inevitable."
Senator Carolyn Allen
Arizona Senator
"Overturning a vote of the people should be done with extreme caution.
The sweeping of the funds from First Things First (approved in 2006) into the general fund requires considerable trust and faith that once these funds are turned over to the legislature, they will indeed be directed into the programs the voters indicated their desire to fund.
This is too much of a leap in faith for me.”
Arizona Senator
"Overturning a vote of the people should be done with extreme caution.
The sweeping of the funds from First Things First (approved in 2006) into the general fund requires considerable trust and faith that once these funds are turned over to the legislature, they will indeed be directed into the programs the voters indicated their desire to fund.
This is too much of a leap in faith for me.”
Guest Editorial in the Arizona Republic, October 12, 2010
Republicans from North Phoenix, Cave Creek, Carefree, Fountain Hills
"We are committed to children and their well-being, which is why we support Propositions 301 and 302. The 302 language is clear that the money will go to its intended purposes. It says, "These monies shall be separately accounted for and shall be appropriated for Health and Human Services for children."
"Meeting budget will obviously demand more reductions, and we're willing to make them. But we also realize that reductions alone will not be enough. There's still a steep hill to climb before we're out of this mess. That's why we're fighting federal spending mandates, pushing pro-growth economic development strategies and continuing to reform government and root out waste and duplication wherever possible. But we're also asking voters to be part of the solution."
Republican Signatories:
LD-6 Sen. David Braswell, (lost primary)
LD-6 Lori Klein, (favored to win Senate seat)
LD-6 Rep. Amanda Reeve (favored to be reelected)
LD-6 Rep. Carl Seel (favored to be reelected)
LD-7 Sen. Ed Bunch, (appointed, did not run)
LD-7 Rep. Nancy Barto, (favored to win Senate seat)
LD-7 David Smith, (favored to win House seat)
LD-7 Heather Carter, (favored to win House seat)
LD-8 Rep. Michele Reagan, (favored to win Senate seat)
LD-8 Rep. John Kavanagh, (House Appropriations Chair)
LD-8 Michelle Ugenti, (favored to win House seat)
LD-11Rep. Adam Driggs, (favored to win Senate seat)
LD-6 Sen. David Braswell, (lost primary)
LD-6 Lori Klein, (favored to win Senate seat)
LD-6 Rep. Amanda Reeve (favored to be reelected)
LD-6 Rep. Carl Seel (favored to be reelected)
LD-7 Sen. Ed Bunch, (appointed, did not run)
LD-7 Rep. Nancy Barto, (favored to win Senate seat)
LD-7 David Smith, (favored to win House seat)
LD-7 Heather Carter, (favored to win House seat)
LD-8 Rep. Michele Reagan, (favored to win Senate seat)
LD-8 Rep. John Kavanagh, (House Appropriations Chair)
LD-8 Michelle Ugenti, (favored to win House seat)
LD-11Rep. Adam Driggs, (favored to win Senate seat)
The Legal Challenge About the Words "First Things First"
On June 23, 2010, The Joint Legislative Council met to develop the wording to be used on the ballot measure. The eventual wording was challenged by the First Things First Board, claiming it was slanted against the program. On July 26, 2010, the wording was upheld by Judge Robert Oberbillig of Maricopa County Superior Court.
On June 23, 2010, The Joint Legislative Council met to develop the wording to be used on the ballot measure. The eventual wording was challenged by the First Things First Board, claiming it was slanted against the program. On July 26, 2010, the wording was upheld by Judge Robert Oberbillig of Maricopa County Superior Court.