HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS, PERFORMANCE AND WASTE

Minutes of Meeting

Thursday, May 18, 2006

House Hearing Room 5 -- 1:00 p.m.

Chairman Allen called the meeting to order at 1:10 p.m. and attendance was noted by the secretary.

Members Present

Mr. Brown	Mr. Murphy	Mr. Allen, Chairman
Mr. Gallardo	Mr. Paton

Members Absent

Mrs. Groe

Opening Remarks

Chairman Allen thanked the Committee staff and pages and announced that the order of business would be to follow the agenda, to present and vote on the findings of the Committee.

Vote on Arizona Department of Corrections’ revised findings

Mr. Murphy moved that the House Select Committee’s Summary of Testimony and revised Majority Findings (Attachment 1) relating to the Arizona Department of Corrections from the meeting on March 2, 2006, be approved. The motion carried.

Vote on Arizona Department of Economic Security’s findings

Mr. Murphy moved that the House Select Committee’s Summary of Testimony and revised Majority Findings (Attachment 2) relating to the Arizona Department of Economic Security from the meeting on March 30, 2006, be approved. The motion carried.

Mr. Brown commented that he had not yet seen these reports; Chairman Allen told him that they had been distributed by email from Policy Advisor Kim Sheane.

Vote on Select Districts’ Handling of Rallies and Marches findings

Mr. Murphy moved that the House Select Committee’s Summary of Testimony and revised Majority Findings (Attachment 3) relating to Select High School Districts’ Responses to Rallies and Assemblies from the meeting on April 20, 2006, be approved. The motion carried.

Mr. Gallardo spoke to the report on the Majority Findings (Attachment 3) relating to Select High School Districts’ Responses to Rallies and Assemblies from the meeting on April 20, 2006. He presented a Minority Report on the Tucson Unified School District (Attachment 4) and stated that he has asked the Attorney General’s office for an opinion on Arizona Statute 15-511 Use of school district or charter school resources or employees to influence elections; prohibition; civil penalty; definition. He has not heard back yet, but will inform the Committee members when he does.

Mr. Gallardo stated his opinion that a person must be an employee or agent of the District in order to be in violation of this Statute, and that Ms. Huerta was not in violation, that she was exercising her right to free speech and was stating what she believes. He stated his opinion that all sides can be represented when speaking to students, and that this is an issue for local control, not Legislative control. He opposes the Majority Findings in this case.

Mr. Gallardo then spoke to the report on the Majority Findings (Attachment 1) relating to the Arizona Department of Corrections from the meeting on March 2, 2006. He presented a Minority Report on Private Prisons/Department of Corrections (Attachment 5) which is intended to clarify the quotes of Director Schriro and to provide context. He reminded the Committee of the accomplishments of the Department and stated his opinion that the main issue is funding to operate in a safe manner.

Mr. Gallardo then spoke to the report on the Majority Findings (Attachment 2) relating to the Arizona Department of Economic Security from the meeting on March 30, 2006. He stated that he is not even going to respond to this report as these issues have been brought up in previous Sessions and in Special Session. He stated that the issue is properly funding the system. He opposes the Majority recommendations as partisan politics, stating that this Committee has been unbalanced and unfair.

Chairman Allen stated that he has tried to be fair and objective and to present witnesses; he objected to the way Mr. Gallardo framed his comments.

Mr. Gallardo stated that it is his opinion that to suggest that the Child Protective Services staff is unqualified and are not utilizing the tools available to them is untrue. This Committee is not balanced; there are four Republicans to two Democrats. He expressed his concern that the Committee would drag a high school up here to testify when they have a local elected School Board there, and that the Legislature should not attempt to dictate policy. He stated his opinion that this Committee has not accomplished anything and has merely made recommendations that will sit in a desk drawer.

Mr. Paton spoke to the Minority Report on the Tucson Unified School District (Attachment 4), stating the importance of inviting guest speakers who represent all sides of an issue. In this case, the District was one-sided and did not allow the kids to leave the room. He stated his opinion that this Committee has taken a balanced approach and has tried to provide guidelines.

Mr. Paton objected to the use of school resources (a website) which were used for electioneering on the high school campus, stating that this is a violation. He stated that it is proper for the Legislature to review the school’s use of state funds. He stated that to “believe it to be true” is irrelevant, as this was in a high school setting, closed to other participants.

Mr. Paton related a situation where a teenage Republican Club was not allowed to publicize in the school paper.

Mr. Brown called to that point, stating that these comments were far afield, that there is a School Board to deal with these issues, and that it was time to conclude this meeting.

Chairman Allen allowed more comment.

Mr. Paton stated that it is his right to respond to Mr. Gallardo’s comments.

Mr. Murphy stated his belief that the high school experience should be for kids to learn to think for themselves, and that the teaching staff should not teach from a partisan position. The best teachers do not reveal their political or ideological positions.

Without objection, the meeting adjourned at 1:32 p.m.

_______________________________

Jane Dooley, Committee Secretary

May 19, 2006

(Original minutes, attachments and tape are on file in the Office of the Chief Clerk.)

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HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT

OPERATIONS, PERFORMANCE AND WASTE

May 18, 2006

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