Arizona: Grover Norquist

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

Now that local elections are all but over for the counting in Tucson (and a possible recount in Ward 3), it's time once again to update the early filers with the Arizona Secretary of State for 2010. You can play along at home at http://www.azsos.gov/cfs/CommitteeSearch.aspx

The big news today: Terry Goddard, the state's highest-elected Democrat, filed paperwork Friday morning announcing that he is exploring a run for governor next year. Political Insider Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon and former Arizona Democratic Party Chairman and 2006 U.S. Senate candidate Jim Pederson previously announced that they would not run. Former Tempe Mayor Neil Giuliano has also decided not to run

by David Safier
Al Melvin didn't sign Grover Norquist's No New Taxes Pledge in 2008, that's certain. He's not listed among those who signed on Norquist's site. However, he did sign it in 2006. Does that make him a fair weather No Tax Pledger? "I solemnly swear, I will not vote for any new taxes, except when I will. But only after I take back the pledge."

But it turns out, during the 2008 campaign, he said he did sign the No New Tax Pledge.

Here is what he said on August 8, 2008, during a debate on KUAT, answering a question about whether he would repeal the $250 million property tax that's now such an important part of the budget snafu.

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

I have previously written here about the Grover Norquist "no tax" pledge that "[Lawmakers] have violated their oath of office by pledging their undying allegiance and loyalty to a corrupt K Street lobbyist, which for them takes precedence over their oath of office, and any accountability to the constituents who elected them. Anyone who signed this pledge is unfit to serve in public office."

Today the Arizona Daily Star joins us with its editorial opinion Are no-new-tax state lawmakers merely puppets?:

Our View: Legislators beholden to Norquist pledge don't deserve their jobs

What's wrong with this picture? State legislators elected to represent the people of Arizona are receiving direction from Washington-based, uber-conservative, anti-tax gadfly Grover Norquist.

by David Safier Grover Norquist, of the No New Taxes Pledge and the wish that he could shrink government to a size that it can be drowned in a bathtub (Why do conservative metaphors involve injury and death so often?),...