Thirty million dollars.
So-far untold millions in additional dollars.
What do those figures represent? The amount of education funding Mesa schools would not have if it were up to Arizona Senate President Russell Pearce, who represents Mesa's District 18 in the state legislature.
And who is in the midst of a recall.
A recall that brought a response from him that included this:
"I was born in Mesa and share the values of our great community: freedom, excelling schools, vibrant economic growth, job creation, balanced budgets, strong law enforcement and secure borders."
Russell Pearce might be many things, including some of what he wrote above. But one thing is clear: He is no friend of "excelling schools."
Presiding over the state Senate, Pearce was instrumental in cutting the state's K-12 budget, including millions from the Mesa Public Schools' budget.
A budget that has absorbed close to $50 million in cuts over the last two years prior to this current year.
And this year? Another $20 million, under the leadership of a man who laughably claims he's for "excelling schools."
Look, we all know the country's been plunged into an economic condition not seen since the Depression. And all segments of our society - including public schools - have had to take the pain of cuts.
But imagine for a moment what Mesa schools would look like if Pearce really had his way.
Subtract the millions he helped cut from the budget. Now, subtract the $31 million the federal stimulus funds provided. Now, subtract the untold millions the state sales tax increase provided.
When you do that, you come up with what Russell Pearce really wanted for Mesa Public Schools: a budget that would constrain the district beyond the already sizable personnel cuts, a budget that might explode class sizes.
Because, you see, Pearce was an active opponent, one of the leaders in fact, of the sales tax vote, heading the Ax the Tax vote. And he has consistently railed against federal stimulus monies - even as those monies helped him "balance the budget with no gimmicks," as he proudly touts.
The same money that has saved teaching and support jobs in Mesa Public Schools. The same money Pearce said "we'd be better off without."
This is the man who says he is for excelling schools in Mesa.
Parents in Mesa Public Schools will soon attend their children's back to school night, and in just a couple of weeks, the school year begins.
Take a look around at the number of teachers in the school. Ask your kids about class sizes.
Then imagine what your kids' schools would look like if Russell Pearce had gotten his way, and ask yourself this question:
Is this the man you want to represent you in the state Senate?
• Mike McClellan is a Gilbert resident and former English teacher at Dobson High School in Mesa.
NothingButTheTruth posted at 9:37 pm on Fri, Jul 29, 2011.
I cannot and will not disagree with what you said AP, but why are you telling people these things when you know very well they wont believe you. Also. you are hereby warned. If I lose one dime from my GE stock because of you I will take some of your toys away from you. Also, I think you should be aware that I've put your name in as the person who should provide the next newborn to be cast into the fires to appease the great Gods Gog and Magog at the next Bohemian Grove meeting coming up soon.
AmericanPatriot posted at 8:56 pm on Fri, Jul 29, 2011.
So lets see what the problems are that a teachers says are important. 1. Testing. Too much testing. 2. Not enough money for sports, music, other arts, etc. More enjoyment and fulfillment in school=students work harder, less drop out 3. Russell Pearce doesn't make a lot of money but gets great health insurance and other perks and I'm jealous. 4. the rest is just running on about petty local politics. One thing I do agree with though. And I know truth does to. This country has been run by a oligarchy for a long time and soon the world will be run by the same people. The world will be run a lot like an ant hill and you will all do what your told. I think the point being made about education is that you are getting the education they want you to get, and if you can afford it you should get your kids out of public schools now. 50% of you pay little to no taxes and many get money they never put in. The rest pay all the taxes and and the smallest % pay the greatest share and do not put their children into the public school system unless they don't like their kids. They rule whoever is elected to government position. They will pay what they want to educate your children and that is how it will be. Do you really think there is a squabble between the republicans and the democrats? It's all a show by the Oligarchy to make you think you have a choice. General Electric pays no taxes at all and Obummer put General Electric CEO, Jeffrey Immelt, as the head of the so-called Council on Jobs and Competitiveness who decided to relocate GE’s health care division to China. Can you believe that? GE posted $14.2 billion in profits last year, the company did not pay one dime in taxes, so you could say that the taxpayers are actually financing this new venture in China. Of course, you will not hear about this story on MSNBC which is owned by General Electric. Are you starting to get it now? You are crying over diddly squat while these people are giving your country to China! But that's just the bad news. The good news is Pearce may lose his senate job and go on to be the next governor of the great state of Arizona Yeah!!!!!
concernedcitizen posted at 5:51 pm on Fri, Jul 29, 2011.
You are ignorant to tell me I'm a socialist just because I don't agree with everything Russell Pearce preaches or because I "want to be a dole on the public dime". I take my job very seriously and treat my pay as a sacred trust from the public. Maybe not all teachers do that, but I do.
You are right that money just can't be thrown at the problem without consequences and accountability, otherwise it will end up like our marvelous "stimuli" we've had recently. The shovel-ready projects are done, and there is no more money to fund work again.
From my viewpoint as a teacher, administrators in general are overpaid for what they do, particularly in the college system, but also in K-12. The increasing problem in education is more demands on teachers and schools in the form of standardized tests and accountability (all a result of laws by lawmakers), which involves more paperwork and, ultimately, takes away time from actual learning (more testing means less time learning and RETAINING the content, anyone can cram for a test and puke out the knowledge on the test, never to be remembered again. That doesn't do anyone any good). More demands on teachers also means less time to actually plan effective lessons that reach not only the mind but the heart (which ensures that students down the road really will know and remember the difference between the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence).
It all started back with the teaching standards movement back in the 90's. We needed to ensure that EVERY teacher was teaching common content that would ensure each student received the same material to learn, regardless of where they lived or their socioeconomic status. That turned into standardized testing this last decade, which in turn is turning into holding teachers accountable for grades on tests.
It is needless micromanaging, which is putting pressure on teachers and administrators to "cheat" the system like they did in Georgia this last year, where teachers held "parties" on weekends to fill in the correct bubbles for their students to help their standardized scores. Sad.
As far as putting back more money into education, in my mind it is to keep the "extra" things (like sports, music, other arts, etc.) that help enrich kids lives and help to teach them important life skills. I teach music, and I can't tell you how many of my students have told me that the direction of their life has turned around because of the experiences in my classroom. People in general may refute that argument, but statistics in these instances do not lie. Plus, it gives students a purpose to be in school, which helps them to endure their other classes more that they do not like. More enjoyment and fulfillment in school=students work harder, less drop out, and more go on to college and beyond to fulfill good careers and be productive citizens of society.
Personally, if I was paid even $10,000 more a year, I would work a LOT harder to do what I do (and I'm not lazy in the least bit, you can ask any of my colleagues). Why do professional sports players get paid 6 digit salaries and up (and they don't work all of the year), yet we can't pay our teachers more than what we do? It's really hard to support a family on my income alone as a teacher.
Me and my district do teach consequences-I don't know of too many that don't, and I'm surprised how that opinion is so wide-spread. Now, there is only a certain point that consequences will work with students, especially when parents are not involved or do not care. So often nowadays I see students who are suspended time after time for behaviors, parents don't answer school phone calls, and the student knows their parents won't follow up so they persist with their behaviors. Laws and lawsuits have taken away much of the power that schools traditionally have had to issue consequences, and it is an entirely different situation behaviorally than when you and I were in the system. Not making excuses, just stating how it is right now in schools. Kids are getting whatever they want at home, and then when they come to school and we put our foot down, they throw fits or "act cool" to try to get their way.
I think if you knew who I really am, you wouldn't have asked if I teach that hard work isn't fair or that society owes them everything. That feels wrong just to think about those thoughts, because they are wrong. Everyone needs to do their fair share, hard work is a part of life. I'm grateful for my dad to have taught me that, and I am teaching it to my sons today.
You mention Russell Pearce makes $24,000 a year. Have you seen his health insurance plan? Also, what about all the perks he gets (any meal where he discusses politics the public picks up the tab, plus travel to meetings out of state that are conveniently next to fun vacation spots, etc. etc. etc.). I remember reading a story about Arizona lawmakers in Hawaii for a "business meeting" to discuss matters about the state. Really?? I sure as heck don't have those types of perks as a teacher! I could afford to live on $24,000 a year with the perks they have. I challenge you to research a little deeper into their benefits, and I will do the same. I'm sure we would find some interesting stuff.
I can tell you why so many people are in prisons-broken homes, where either mother or father is missing, or father could be a different person each week. Kids who go into foster care/group homes (through no fault of their home), but who are traumatized immensely because of it and most of whom never get the help they need to deal with their parents' choices and move on. I've done foster care, and it is amazing how even a 1, 2 or 3 year old has to deal with trauma from being removed from their birth parents because of the birth parents' poor choices. It is devastating, and with more and more people doing stupid things and not putting their children first, more and more kids are growing up to make poor choices as adults.
If we instead spent some of that money designated for more prisons on preventative measures and therapy for kids like this, you would find over time that we wouldn't need more prisons after all. An ounce of prevention would save a pound of cure.
You say I think it is so easy to balance the sheet. Well, I'm sorry, but when the public voted for a 1-cent sales tax increase, and then conveniently the same amount of money as what came in from the sales tax went to an increase in prison spending, that tells me the state lawmakers knew they were going to do that all along, rather than keeping that money earmarked for education. Let's use 500 million for an example. Sure, 500 million might have come in for education through the sales tax, but that law never said the legislators couldn't take 500 million (or more) out of the education budget from the general state fund. Shifty things like this make me question are wonderful Republican (in name only) lawmakers. Also, Arpaio and Pearce are best buddies, in the sense they work together on their pet projects. We got more prison funding because they agreed to do it, nevermind the scandals that just came out about wasted prison and jail money...let's throw more money at that problem to solve their abuse of the money they already received.
To answer your last point, yes politicians need to lobby, but when laws/changes are made that benefit a business buddy (e.g. AIMS testing-which company creates and grades the test? Pearson. Who has a pal in Pearson that made that arrangement years ago to ensure that Pearson would get a lot of business from the taxpayers of Arizona for at least 20 years? AIMS in large measure has been a failure, accountability for graduation needed to happen, but so many 100's of millions of dollars have been wasted. It didn't even count for something like 6-10 years after they first administered it, because they had to "revamp" it every year. They had a revamp this last year as well, which changed the validity and accuracy of scores. How many times will they revamp it without giving a mixed up picture every year to the public? It gives mixed signals on the standard to graduate, and it gives mixed feedback every year because of the continued changes. One school could be Excelling one year, and then Performing Plus the next year, and then back to Excelling again, all the while teaching the exact same year to year. What confusion).
Last point on businesses, why is the Dow Jones as high as it was before the market crashed in 2008, yet you and I are making less and spending more for goods? Because businesses have become too high and mighty, and they DO have all the wealth now, rather than using a nominal amount to hire more people, add more innovation, etc. Where is the accountability for businesses, or do you feel they should just continue to get whatever they want, whenever they want, and to set all the rules? Just like our government has checks and balances, our laws do as well. I'm not asking that businesses "share the wealth" and just start cutting welfare checks to everyone, but they could hire more people and be a little less stiff with their money. Besides all their mansions, yachts and perks they can get with that money, what good is the millions that sit in the bank doing? In the end, because more people could have more jobs, good paying jobs, more people would spend, and that would continue to create more cashflow in the end for them. But, no, alas, they hold all the cards ("money"), and you and I do not have much opportunity to progress. I admit, I do not have a solution that would make everyone happy, but if I did it would involve holding businesses more accountable for how they use their money. It's ridiculous how much we've let them get out of control, it's not fair, and I understand they deserve to earn as much as they are able, however there comes a point where enough is enough, and they are hurting everyone around them at the expense of their own standing in wealth.
NBTT, I believe we have much more in common than you realize, and if we had a chance to discuss things out loud in person, we would be able to clear up the misunderstandings in this forum. And, yes, I've considered running for public office, however with a large family and being a school teacher, I have to make sure that those responsibilities are taken care of before I would run for public office. And right now, knowing the demands of public office, I could not adequately fulfill all of my responsibilities, so, knowing my limits and how much I can actually give, that is not an option for me. I would rather do well with my current responsibilities, rather than add more and not do any of them adequately.
NothingButTheTruth posted at 4:15 pm on Fri, Jul 29, 2011.
"Tell me he doesn't have business connections he is lobbying for in the state senate??"
Who will Lewis lobby with? You think any politician can ignore the needs of business and survive for very long? You are either very naive or very ignorant of politics here in America. Perhaps the politics of Fidel's Cuba interest you better.
NothingButTheTruth posted at 3:23 pm on Fri, Jul 29, 2011.
Personally, I'd rather more of my substantial taxes go toward building more prison space so the prisoners aren't so crowded together than to the public schools that seem to produce more crack dealers than scholars at any price. At least the prisons teach consequences for poor choices. What do you teach? That society owes them a living and that hard work isn't fair? Go to California where they have such a high prisoner count the federal judges are forcing them to release thousands of hardened criminals out into the public to alleviate the overcrowding. Maybe we should do that here too. It wont impact the upper class as these criminals tend to go after the lower class that can't defend themselves. You fools think it's so easy to balance the sheet. If you think it's so easy run for office and learn what it takes to govern everyone both rich and poor.
NothingButTheTruth posted at 3:06 pm on Fri, Jul 29, 2011.
concernedcitizen, you are right about statistics, so lets not bother with them. As a teacher you are in the perfect position to explain why are children in our public schools are not doing better than they are. Are the kids lacking books? Can't the teachers handle class sizes? Tell us about how throwing more money at public education is going to help the kids learn any better than with what they have now. Being a politician is about selfless service, to all citizens. State senators like Pearce only make 24.000 per year for their service. How much do you make as a teacher? Maybe if we pay teachers and administrators more money that will help the kids learn better. After all, as we have seen our fearless leader, Obummer, throwing money after a problem sure does seem to work lol
As for richer kids getting better schools, just who the heck do you think pays almost all of the taxes that pay for your public education? Your just another sociaista spread the wealth anti capitalist that thinks rich people somehow owe you and your kids anything. You're lucky to be getting what you are, and if you want more then go to the polls and vote the rich folk out of power and tax them till they close up shop and move away. Go tell your sorry story the John Galt. He's loves to hear a good joke.
concernedcitizen posted at 7:35 am on Fri, Jul 29, 2011.
I teach school, and I work with kids a lot, and I can tell when someone is saying something to help "prove their innocence." There are no new facts that AP shows me that I haven't seen, only a spin on those facts to "praise almighty Pearce" rather than to look at them objectively. I'm sorry, no human being is THAT important, and I think a lot of people are blind to the real truth.
It sounds like you won't be convinced either way though, because you say what I am saying is all lies.
It's like the Bible and statistics-people can prove almost anything by twisting the facts their own way. I guess what everyone has to decide is what is the truth in this situation, and then move forward with the best knowledge/feeling they have.
I find it hard to believe people who are blindly following a man who for years has had an obvious personal agenda, simply because he did one amazingly right thing (SB 1070). I also find it offensive that because I am not supportive of him that people assume it is because of his stance on immigration. I feel VERY uncomfortable supporting someone for one good thing they've done and ignoring the rest (sounds like what we do with sports stars-"it's ok that he acts like a jerk and hits umps, he can bat .378!). He is NOT a friend and advocate of education, only of supporting "school choice" so his friends who are higher up like him can send their snobby kids to snobby schools, because they think they are "better than everyone else." That is just one example that causes me to believe the way I do. Other examples is how much of a "friend" he is to business by CONTINUALLY cutting taxes to business, yet how many jobs has that yielded?? Arizona has cut business taxes all but may two years since 1993-there is a point where you are cutting too much. If I cut the days I work from 6 to 5 (which is reasonable), then from 5 to 4, and keep going to where I'm working only 1 day a week, I can't feed my family then. Tell me he doesn't have business connections he is lobbying for in the state senate?? On top of the Fiesta Bowl stuff.
That is not the American way in my mind. America has always been about helping people to rise above their situations (and, for illegal immigrants, in a LEGAL way). Leadership/being a politician is about selfless service, not serving yourself.
NothingButTheTruth posted at 8:46 pm on Thu, Jul 28, 2011.
concernedcitizen, sounds more like he's trying to educate the uneducated, and wasting his time doing it by the sound your comment. Let me see if I follow your logic. If you post many comments in a row you must be trying to defend something you feel is wrong, but if you just make one comment where you regurgitate all of the lies about Pearce you must be on to something? Yes, I think I see what you mean, so since you have regurgitated all the main lies against Pearce can we assume that you will be silent from here on or will you make the same mistake you accuse AP of?
concernedcitizen posted at 5:03 pm on Thu, Jul 28, 2011.
I would almost daresay that AmericanPatriot is either Russell Pearce himself, or someone who works very closely with him... To do so many posts right in a row sounds like AP is trying to defend themselves because they feel like they are wrong...
AmericanPatriot posted at 3:43 pm on Thu, Jul 28, 2011.
Russell Dolittle, nice comment. Very fitting your station in life. I'm sure you're a man in a position to judge you betters, and sadly will never be anything but what you so obviously are. You have my pity sir.
AmericanPatriot posted at 3:32 pm on Thu, Jul 28, 2011.
JSBeals, you say a good education is now costing families anywhere from $7,500 to $30,000 per child per year for the same education that the public school once provided? So how much does it cost you in taxes to have the state educate a child? And just how well do you think a state run public school can teach a child. I wouldn't send a child of mine to a public school if they built the schools with solid gold cause even then they are a poor excuse for a babysitter.
AmericanPatriot posted at 3:09 pm on Thu, Jul 28, 2011.
Cerulean, gives us a chance. You know very well the pro illegal immigration people fought tooth and nail to prevent the law that would target businesses that hire illegals, and The Supreme Court of The United States of America just recently upheld that law as constitutional that Pearce pushed through the legislature. We are at this very moment in the process of looking at some of those businesses that hire illegals to see if it can be proved that they knew they were hiring illegals. In the meantime, Arpaio is doing a fine job investigating these businesses and we will be soon coordinating to go after the same businesses you want to see us go after. If some of you would allow us to do our jobs we could have taken care of this problem years ago.
Cerulean posted at 11:02 am on Thu, Jul 28, 2011.
concerned citizen. Thank-you for your comments. [smile]
AP said, “Fact is that several schools are closing down due to lower enrollment that is attributed to illegal aliens fleeing the state due to SEnator Pearce.”
Fact is that he may have only hastened what immigrants would have eventually done anyway because of the economy, as is the case historically.
The point is, AP, that while we were all led to believe that the tax increase were to save education from further cuts, on top of the cuts that had already slashed to the bone, the 1-cent increase in tax went to build private prisons in Yuma. That was such a deceitful trick – we should also recall Brewer.
As for ousting illegals - I wish Pearce would do more by focusing on the people who hire illegals. That would mean standing up to the Chamber of Commerce, which requires real political skill; something Pearce sorely lacks.
JSBeals posted at 9:29 am on Thu, Jul 28, 2011.
Russell Pearce was disliked long before SB 1070. It is possible to like a politician and not like the bills they put forth - by the same token Mr. Pearce is disliked because of his character. So let's take the SB 1070 out of the picture - Mr. Pearce is still a corrupt politician. His career has been rocked with scandal and sleaze for too long.
I too am a product of Mesa Public Schools - however, that was a long time ago when nearly everybody's kid went to public school. Today, there seems to be a concerted effort to disintegrate our public schools. Why? Break them down, restrain funding for public schools in favor of the for-profit corporate private schools that seem to be in our future. Look at Texas - no one wants to send their child to public schools in Texas anymore because they have gotten so bad because of under-funding. Private schools are popping up all over Texas - a good education is now costing families anywhere from $7,500 to $30,000 per child per year for the same education that the public school once provided. Imagine the money to be made "educating" future generations.
Russell Dolittle posted at 7:39 am on Thu, Jul 28, 2011.
It is time for the clown to ride off into the sunset. He is a complete failure at everything he has ever done in his life. He has been violent with his wife He has raised racist criminal kids. He has been removed from a job for illegal activity. He constantly lies to his base that he panders too in order to stay in power. The man is a loser. He is an evil man who deserves to go.
AmericanPatriot posted at 10:59 pm on Wed, Jul 27, 2011.
Senate President Russell Pearce, R-Mesa, has been named the 2011 Golden Apple Winner by Arizona Parents for Education, a grassroots group promoting the state's public school online instruction programs.
More than 20,000 students participate in online instruction statewide, according to a news release put out by the group.
Pearce is facing a recall election this fall to hold onto his west Mesa seat, and he has been criticized for cuts the state Legislature made to public education.
But in the news release, Ann Robinett, president of Arizona Parents for Education, said the state is fortunate to have Pearce "fighting for our children."
"Russell has been a tireless advocate for education in our great state," she said. "His steadfast support for distance learning and educational choice has improved education for our children at every level, and we can't thank him enough for his efforts."
AmericanPatriot posted at 10:54 pm on Wed, Jul 27, 2011.
Isn't it terrible! The Arizona Department of Corrections is expected to recommend what company or companies should be awarded a contract to provide 5,000 new minimum- and medium-security prison beds
Growth projected
At the time, based on growth rates, the Department of Corrections projected that Arizona would need another 8,500 prison beds by 2017.
Over capacity
Corrections Director Charles Ryan said that even with prison population growth tailing off, essentially all the state prisons are over capacity.
“There are temporary beds that have been there 30 years,” he said recently, at the state prison at Florence. The new beds would allow the state to eliminate many double bunks in cells or overcrowding in dorms that weren’t built for the number of prisoners they now hold, he said.
It's a sad truth that people commit crimes and some need to be locked up. Violent crimes have gone down over the years and do you know why Cerulean? We put you in prison when you commit a crime here in Arizona. Gosh maybe if we just paid the university president another 700 thousand dollars we could release all these violent offenders and send them all to school cause we all know education is all they lack. lol
AmericanPatriot posted at 10:35 pm on Wed, Jul 27, 2011.
Yes Cerulean, it's very hard to dispute the facts when you pick and choose which facts to present. When you say Pearce, acting alone as de facto gov and dictator of the entire legislature, cuts spending to education you fail to mention just how truly bloated higher education has become over the years. In the past this was ignored but today we live in an era that dictates great sacrifices from many. Our children will get every bit as good an education as they did before these cuts and you know that quite well sir. You will no doubt say that more cuts need to come from the wealthy. The wealthy as you call them are in fact those same people who create the jobs your kind are heard yammering for loudly from every corner. Watch as our economy begins to pick up as the welfare illegals leave and business move into our state and those here already begin to expand. You may succeed in ousting Senator Pearce, but what he and others have done in the last few years will be the very same reason you applaud his successor for. You and your kind hate him because you are pro illegal immigrant and for nothing else. Go back into to rotting wood that you crawled out of and leave the running of our great state to those who have the foresight to see what needs to be done and the courage to do the job that needs done.
AmericanPatriot posted at 10:20 pm on Wed, Jul 27, 2011.
The top earners among public-school presidents include Arizona State University President Michael Crow, who the Chronicle said has a compensation package of $728,750, including salary, car and housing allowances, and retirement contributions. However, the amount conflicts with an earlier report by the Arizona Board of Regents that lists his salary as $695,500 for 2007-08. The lower number would still put him in the top 20. ASU officials said the Chronicle amount miscalculated retirement pay.
University of Arizona President Robert Shelton had a $549,400 package and ranked No. 47 among public university presidents. Northern Arizona University President John Haeger made $421,918 and ranked No. 96. NAU officials said Haeger's salary was $424,408, slightly higher than reported by the Chronicle.
Read more: http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/news/articles/2008/11/17/20081117universitysalaries1117.html#ixzz1TNF41YR4
As the governor of Texas, Bush earned $115,345 annually.
As president, Bush makes $400,000 annually.
Senator Pearce makes around $24,000 per year as a state senator.
Members residing outside Maricopa County receive an additional $25/day for the 1st 120 days of reg. session and for special session and an additional $10/day thereafter.
AmericanPatriot posted at 10:09 pm on Wed, Jul 27, 2011.
Cerulean says, "PEARCE IS A FAKE . . . . HIS WORTHLESS BILLS DO NOTHING TO PREVENT ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION" Fact is that several schools are closing down due to lower enrollment that is attributed to illegal aliens fleeing the state due to SEnator Pearce.
Cerulean says, PEARCE JUST GAVE THE PRIVATE PRISON CORPORATION $10 MILLION DOLLARS (Provided by a state tax increase that we expected education to receive.) TO BUILD MORE PRISON ROOMS" As the jobless situation grows worse more and more illegal aliens are finding under the table work harder to find and are turning to crime to feed their families. What would you have us do, educate them? lol
You are right Cerulean, Pearce does love immigrants. Legal immigrants that can sustain their own existence without having to drain our economy to feed them and their ever growing families of children.
Then Cerulean goes on to speak about a liberal rag Arizona Republic articles about how the legislators balanced the budget with cuts to education. Truth is, from the same source Cerulean gives us, Universities were targeted to lose 26 percent of their state funding; K-12 education faces reductions of about 7 percent. 7% is peanuts compared with what my family has had to endure in cuts. How bout your family? Universities were bloated pigs and needed cutting for a long time. This is from the Arizona Republic: Salaries of university presidents, especially those at public schools, continue to climb at a faster pace than income for American households.
A national report being released today shows that salaries for public university presidents increased by 7.6 percent for the 2007-08 school year, with the number of presidents making more than $700,000 nearly doubling from eight to 15. Imagine that. more that 700 thousand dollars for the president of the university. How much do you make?
Read more: http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/news/articles/2008/11/17/20081117universitysalaries1117.html#ixzz1TND4SvPQ
AmericanPatriot posted at 9:48 pm on Wed, Jul 27, 2011.
Dale Whiting in one short sentence epitomizes the hatred for Pearce when he says, "ABP, Anybody but Pearce! Indeed, anyone who didn't write or support SB1070.
concernedcitizen posted at 7:48 pm on Wed, Jul 27, 2011.
Interesting articles and the similar story they all follow, so does this mean we are securing more prison space to house the uneducated that the current legislators are causing because of their poor choices?
Cerulean-thanks for sharing these articles, it's hard to refute these facts. It says a lot about priorities.
Cerulean posted at 7:04 pm on Wed, Jul 27, 2011.
samkat,
I came to a rational conclusion based on the knowledge that Russell Pearce is the Senate President and information available to me via the internet as follows:
“The increase [in a 1-cent temporary sales tax] is aimed at averting deeper cuts in education and other public services.”
(Read more: http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/arizona/article_8bc12280-6d94-11df-8057-001cc4c002e0.html)
“Voters on May 18 approved the three-year increase in the state sales tax to avert sharp cuts in education and other services.”
(Read more: http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/business/article_ab97d23c-baad-11df-980b-001cc4c03286.html)
The governor said, "We have to be very careful in where we cut,'' she said. "Education is too important to dismantle.''
(Read more:http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/arizona/politics/article_ac3505f8-556b-11e0-9962-001cc4c002e0.html)
The Arizona Senate late Wednesday passed a budget despite widespread objections over its deep cuts, particularly to K-12 education and universities.
(Read more: http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/news/articles/2011/03/16/20110316arizona-lawmakers-pass-budget.html#ixzz1TMFpmHQB)
“Public schools will have about $183 million less in state aid next year than they do now under the terms of a deal approved early Friday morning by the House to balance an $8.3 billion budget. . . . …Brewer proposed — and lawmakers agreed — to increase funding for the state Department of Corrections.”
(Read more:http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/arizona/politics/article_ad9d1f14-5bee-11e0-aa21-001cc4c002e0.html)
The Department of Corrections was the only major state agency to avoid a budget cut for the 2012 fiscal year, which began Friday. Its budget rose $10 million from last fiscal year, to $1.06 billion.
(Read more: http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/local/articles/2011/07/03/20110703arizona-expand-private-prisons.html )
This month, and possibly as early as next week, the Arizona Department of Corrections is expected to recommend what company or companies should be awarded a contract to provide 5,000 new minimum- and medium-security prison beds. (Read more: http://tucsoncitizen.com/arizona-news/2011/07/03/arizona-to-expand-private-prisons/)
concernedcitizen posted at 6:59 pm on Wed, Jul 27, 2011.
Dale-I thought you were better than that. "Anybody but Pearce"?? Isn't that a little reckless for voting for a political office of someone who represents you? I think that is a horrible way to view the election. I know you are trying to make a point about how you feel about Pearce, but our election system is a lot more important than just trying to get someone out. We need someone who will truly listen to us as their constituents, who cares about the people and is not self-serving but selfless in their serving. Whichever candidate that is that matches that description the best is who we should vote for.
concernedcitizen posted at 6:56 pm on Wed, Jul 27, 2011.
Since facts speak louder than words, here is from wikipedie: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economic_impact_of_illegal_immigrants_in_the_United_States
The article discusses the impact of illegal immigrants. I decided to take the example of New Mexico that it gave (since I didn't see anything about Arizona), which stated that New Mexico had spent 6.705 billion on education in 2003-4. $67 million of that went to illegal immigrants. When you divide it out, it equals 1% of the spending on education going to illegals.
Considering the cuts that Pearce pressed for (definitely a lot more than 1% of education spending, I'd dare say my district has cut close to 30-40% of their funding and let go a lot of teachers and a lot of programs that do good for kids), I'd say that he is not a friend to public education. This is particularly so when you look at how much he has pushed school choice, vouchers, etc., so that the "elite" in our society can put all of their "elite" children in schools that are "untouched" by the un-elite (a.k.a. "yucky minorities and yucky bad influences of others). While I agree that I don't want my students at a school made up of mostly gang members, I don't agree with the "elitist society" approach to schooling. It makes the rich richer and the poor poorer (and I'm not even referring to illegals here), and it just isn't right. It isn't what Jesus would do, Jesus was amongst the people, saints and sinners alike.
When will you guys take your blinders off? Pearce is extreme, he has won stardom and the hearts of millions because of SB 1070 (which was LONG overdue in this country, don't get me wrong), but in everything else he pushes his own agenda. It is like winning the lottery-he just happened to have the winning ticket in his personal agenda, which was illegal immigration.
Please, PLEASE someone PROVE to me with facts that he really has listened to his constituents beyond illegal immigration! PLEASE PROVE to me that he has not prioritized senate bills by his own agenda (state gun? new license plate designs that will costs 100's of thousands to design and create? All of these and other frivolous bills were passed BEFORE working on the state budget, BEFORE working on the economic concerns of the PEOPLE HE SERVES).
PROVE to me, PLEASE, the facts that Pearce has really done good beyond illegal immigration (and possibly providing a balanced budget this year as compared to the last 5). Everything I am seeing and feeling points otherwise.
Leon-the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints issued a statement saying they felt that the illegal immigration issue should be dealt with at a federal level, and that a big part of this divisive issue is how we treat each other as brothers and sisters.
I can tell you from first-hand experience, the LDS church does not tell you who to vote for or how, only to make your voice be heard and vote. The fact that the illegal immigration issue is a federal issue means that is where the dialogue should be taking place. The LDS church believes in upholding the law, and currently the law states that illegal immigration is to be done at the federal level. That is why I believe they said what they said. Why would people in Utah care about a little guy like Russell Pearce anyways? You can rant and rave all you want about how the Mormon Church is trying to replace Russell Pearce, but I know better.
And, as a "Mormon," I know that most "Mormons" I know of do not support illegal alien amnesty. Again, show me the facts and I might be more inclined to believe you. Otherwise, you are just sharing your opinion. (Of course, this is the opinion page... :)
samkat posted at 5:17 pm on Wed, Jul 27, 2011.
Viva Pearce. If Dale is against him, then I will support him. :-)
Cerulean: I am not doubting your accusations about the private prison funding but I am challenging you to provide factual data to back your statement.
wgauthority posted at 12:00 pm on Wed, Jul 27, 2011.
No wonder no one reads the EVT!
Slabside posted at 11:41 am on Wed, Jul 27, 2011.
The condition of Arizona's education system is no fault of Pearce's. The Dems have done nothing but thrown money at this problem for years and look at the result.
It's high time to overhaul the school system by starting with the bloated school board and work the way down. This is nothing but a witch hunt and Pearce is the target.
Cerulean posted at 11:34 am on Wed, Jul 27, 2011.
Mike said, “Subtract the millions he helped cut from the budget. Now, subtract the $31 million the federal stimulus funds provided. Now, subtract the untold millions the state sales tax increase provided.”
Absolutely! Not only did he subtract the untold millions the state sales tax increase provided but he ADDED that column to the Dept. of Corrections to fund a contract with the private detention corporation (two companies have submitted proposals for the prison expansion project).
http://www.correctionsreporter.com/2011/07/13/az-doc-has-2-finalists-to-build-new-prison-in-yuma/
LEON,
PEARCE IS A FAKE . . . . HIS WORTHLESS BILLS DO NOTHING TO PREVENT ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION . . . . .
PEARCE JUST GAVE THE PRIVATE PRISON CORPORATION $10 MILLION DOLLARS (Provided by a state tax increase that we expected education to receive.) TO BUILD MORE PRISON ROOMS . . . . . THEY GET PAID FED TAX DOLLARS TO HOUSE IMMIGRANTS . . . . . AND THEY KEEP PEARCE FUNDED WITH CAMPAIGN MONEY AND . . . . .WHO KNOWS WHAT ELSE!!!
PEARCE LOVES IMMIGRANTS.
Accuracy posted at 11:29 am on Wed, Jul 27, 2011.
Yes, the temporary one-percent hike in states tax (approved by Arizonia voters) last year, was a tax hike that Senate President Russell Pearce opposed.
Yes, this is the man we want to continue to represent us in the state Senate. Futhermore, why should someone vote for any of the others poised to run against Pearce?
RationalHuman posted at 10:30 am on Wed, Jul 27, 2011.
"Take a look around at the number of teachers in the school. Ask your kids about class sizes."
I have...class sizes are still too big in my opinion, but MUCH better than before the exodus of thousands of illegal aliens and their school-attending children.
You DID know that the illegal alien issue is the number one problem with school funding...right?
Mike McClellan posted at 9:49 am on Wed, Jul 27, 2011.
Ms. Brown, you begin your commentary with "lies and more lies from the East Valley Tribune."
I don't know what lies you refer to, but the statements about Mr. Pearce are accurate:
A. He was opposed to the federal stimulus -- it has provided about $31 million to the Mesa School District
B. He was opposed to the sales tax increase -- it has provided untold millions to the Mesa School District
C. He voted for cuts in K-12 spending that in part have resulted in Mesa Public Schools having almost $80 million in cuts over the last three years.
And it is a fact that had Sen. Pearce had his way, this year, Mesa Schools have over $50 million less in funding.
Those are facts you cannot dispute.
Dale Whiting posted at 9:09 am on Wed, Jul 27, 2011.
ABP, Anybody but Pearce!
Diane Brown posted at 8:24 am on Wed, Jul 27, 2011.
Lies and more lies from the East Valley Tribune and the AZ Republic, but, what else is new!! Mr. Ceniceros, I could not agree with you more in everything you said!!!! Shame on our media....even Channel 8 (shocking and disgusting!)!! I am a Native Arizonan of 65 years, and am broken-hearted by how the people here are swayed by our corrupt news media. Please people, wake up and start thinking for yourselves and look into the truth before making your judgement calls.
Leon Ceniceros posted at 7:52 am on Wed, Jul 27, 2011.
MORE...........MORMON ATTACK .."LETTERS TO THE EDITOR" AND COLUMNIST ARTICLES.
FOLKS, HERE IS YET ANOTHER IN THE ......."MORMON" ORCHESTRATED ...RECALL PEARCE CAMPAIGN.
ASK YOURSELVES...HOW MANY OF THESE HAVE ....SUDDENLY "POPPED-UP" ...IN THIS NEWSPAPER....THE ARIZONA REPUBLIC....PBS-ASU SUPPORTED "HORIZON" AND "HORIZONTE" TV SHOWS.....THE NEWD TIMES IS................WALL TO WALL - 20 PAGE CONTINOUS...."HATE RUSSELL PEARCE" ARTICLE.
THESE GROUPS ALL HATE .......SENATOR RUSSELL PEARCE FOR ONE REASON AND ONE REASON ONLY........................SB 1070.
THESE GROUPS ALL ARE .............PRO-ILLEGAL ALIEN AMNESTY.
IF YOU WANT TO ........THROW OPEN THE BORDERS AND LET IN EVERY ...MEXICAN....GUATATMALAN...HONDURAN....EL SALVADORAN....AND MAYBE EVEN SOME.........IRANIANS....TALIBAN...AL-QUEDA...SOMALI....YEMENIS.............
THEN VOTE FOR WHAT EVER ......."MORMON CANDIDATE"....IS RUNNING AGAINST ...........SENATOR RUSSELL PEARCE
IF YOU WANT TO STOP.......ILLEGAL ALIENS FROM MEXICO AND ALL THESE OTHER LATIN AMERICAN COUNTRIES FROM........STEALING YOUR IDENTITY....STEALING YOUR WELFARE....STEALING YOUR KIDS EDUCATION...STEALING YOUR EMERGENCY ROOM ASSISTANCE....STEALING YOUR CARS....STEALING YOUR WIC MONEY...YOUR HUD MONEY...YOUR SECTION-8 MONEY...YOUR WELFARE MONEY AND YOUR FOOD STAMPS............THEN VOTE FOR A REAL "100%" AMERICA-LOVING PATRIOT.
VOTE FOR SENATOR RUSSELL PEARCE...........A GREAT ARIZONIAN AND A GREAT AMERICAN.
davidflucier posted at 7:15 am on Wed, Jul 27, 2011.
I am hard pressed to think that anyone who cuts the education budget over $2 billion over the past couple of years can legitimately call themselves supportive of excelling schools.
After the last legislative session, our state prisons now get more funding from the State than the university system and by every acceptable measure, Arizona's K-12 schools are failing (locally, nationally and globally) and I'm pretty sure that cutting funding and cost shifting even further is NOT the answer.
Sadly, cutting funding in a failing environment is not proof that our leaders are "smarter than a fifth grader".