Arizona Republic from Phoenix, Arizona • Page 8

Arizona B4 SATURDAY, JANUARY 29, 2000 The Arizona Republic AROUND THE STATE LEGISLATIVE CALENDAR mi state primary Libertarians may Move follows ruling that Valley faction is the real party By Mike McCloy The Arizona Republic Libertarians may pull out of Arizona's Feb. 22 presidential preference primary, leaving only Republicans to vote. The development follows a Maricopa County Superior Court ruling Thursday that established a Valley faction of Libertarians as the real Libertarian Party of Arizona. "We'll be in charge," said Ernie Hancock, Libertarian chairman for Maricopa County. "And there will be no Libertarian to vote for in the Arizona presidential preference primary." State Elections Director Jessica Funkhouser said Friday that she is awaiting advice from Attorney General Janet Napolitano.

But Funkhouser, an attorney, pointed out that the court did not bar Libertarians from voting in the presidential primary. County Elections Director Karen Osborne said Libertarians will participate. "I've already printed the ballots," Osborne said. "There isn't a way, without a court order, to stop what we're doing." Only Republicans and Libertarians are certified for the Feb. 22 primary.

Democrats will hold their own vote because they are banned by national party bylaws from picking presidential candidates until March 11. Superior Court Judge Robert Myers was called upon to settle the dispute from the party's annual convention in April. The factions argued over authority to run the party and participation in the taxpayer-funded presidential preference primary. The Valley group shunned the primary; the Tucson group and the national Libertarian Party embraced it. Both the and Valley group claimed a right to the Maricopa County voter registration list.

Osborne gave it to Myers and asked him to decide House measure seeks repeal of term limits STATEWIDE Deadwood removal reduces voter rolls Arizona officially has fewer voters on its rolls now than in November, but some of the reduction was attributed to removal of deadwood. Secretary of State Betsey Bayless said Thursday that the state has 2,032,384 voters as of Jan. 1, down 50,121 from Nov. 1. She said county recorders have been removing ineligible voters and those who have died or moved.

Doing so reduces the potential for voter fraud and saves money, she said. Bayless said the rolls include 903,023 Republicans, down 24,217, and 823,206 Democrats, down 19,059. Libertarians totaled 14,688, a drop of 519, but the Reform Party registration rose to 932, an increase of 68. Independents and members of unrecognized parties totaled 290,535, down 6,394. Using a December 1997 projection that placed Arizona's voting age population at about 3.37 million people, Bayless said that indicates only 60 percent of them are registered to vote.

PRESCOTT Group seeks to bring Elks Theater back to life A group of community and arts leaders is looking for a way to bring the Elks Theater back to life. The theater, built in 1905, sits empty, unused and in need of extensive repairs. It's owned by the Arizona Community Foundation, but the foundation is ready to sell, lease or turn the building over to another group. Steve Mittenthal, the foundation's director, told a gathering of community and art leaders last week that it doesn't have the money to refurbish the theater, but he hopes Prescott groups will be able to come up with a joint solution. Nancy Burgess, historic preservation specialist for the city, said the theater's historic status could make it eligible for a large amount of grant money.

Compiled from reports by the Associated Press. LEGISLATURE ONLINE For more information about the Legislature or to check the status of bills, go to www.azleg.state.az.us. which faction is legitimate. The judge said most registered convention delegates, as required by party by-laws, had failed to approve a shift to the Tucson group as the official party. So the voter list goes to Hancock's group, which has decided there will be no Libertarian participation in the Arizona primary, even though more than 6,000 Libertarian ballots have been printed for Maricopa County alone.

"They should go to some recycling plant," Hancock said. "Libertarians will not use taxpayers' dollars for a beauty contest." i Reach the reporter at Mike.McCloyArizonaRepublic.com or (602) 444-8111. Waiting period on abortions moves forward The Arizona Republic The House Government Reform Committee approved a bill Friday that would require a 24-hour waiting period before an abortion could be performed. House Bill 2308, sponsored by Reps. Laura Knaperek, R-Tempe, and Karen Johnson, R-Mesa, would require doctors to inform women about the health risks associated with abortion and alternatives to the procedure.

The "informed-consent" bill also requires doctors to tell women that fathers are liable for child support and to provide literature describing the fetus. Supporters say the waiting period would give women time to reflect on the procedure. Few other medical procedures are available on demand, they argue. Opponents call the bill just another bid to keep women from having legal abortions. The bill heads to the House floor for further consideration.

Tim TrumbleSpecial for The Republic Jason Cameron, a freshman honors student, high-fives Barbara Barrett as Craig Barrett looks on in response to the couple's $10 million gift. Intel chief, wife receive thanks of honors students The Arizona Republic Nearly a dozen Arizona State University students dragged themselves out of bed early Friday to personally express their thanks to Craig and Barbara Barrett for their $10 million endowment to the Honors College. The gift, officially announced by university President Lattie Coor at an 8 a.m. press conference in Best Hall, is the largest personal contribution ever made to ASU. Craig Barrett, who is chief of Intel said he and his wife are firm believers in education.

"We feel this is one way to ensure a strong, healthy, vibrant university," he said. Acknowledging that it was a "lot of money," Barbara said the gift is important to the couple personally, and as a signal to the rest of the community. "This is a university that changes people's lives," said Barbara, who holds three degrees from ASU. "We hope this gift allows others the opportunity to achieve great things." In recognition of the endowment, the Honors College will be named for the Paradise Valley couple. MONDAY: House Committee on Counties and Municipalities, House Hearing Room 4, 8 a.m.

Jake Flake, chairman, (602) 542-5219. House Member Laptop Training, House Hearing Room 1, 9:30 a.m. Jeff Groscost, House speaker, (602) 542-5735. House Ways and Means Subcommittee, House Hearing Room 2, 10 a.m. Bill McGibbon, chairman, (602) 542-3235.

House Subcommittee on Children and Family Integrated Delivery Systems, House Hearing Room 3, 10 a.m. Laura Knaperek, chairwoman, (602) 542-5169. Senate Deliberations, Senate floor, 11 a.m. Brenda Burns, Senate president, (602) 542-3160. Senate Rules Committee, Senate Majority Caucus Room, following Senate deliberations.

Tom Smith, chairman, (602) 542-5955. House Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Welfare, House Hearing Room 5, 11 a.m. Karen Johnson, chairwoman, (602) 542-4467. House Deliberations, House floor, 1 p.m. Jeff Groscost, House speaker, (602) 542-5735.

Senate Committee on Finance, Senate Hearing Room 1, 1:30 p.m. Scott Bundgaard, chairman, (602) 542-4136. Senate Committee on Government and Environmental Stewardship, Senate Hearing Room 3, 1:30 p.m. Tom Freestone, chairman, (602) 542-5325. Senate Government and Environmental Stewardship subcommittee on Environment, Senate Hearing Room 3, following GES committee meeting.

Tom Freestone, chairman, (602) 542-5325. Joint Legislative Budget Committee, Senate Hearing Room 109, 5 p.m. Brenda Burns, Senate president, (602) 542-3160. Arizona Human Rights Fund Reception, 2 N. Central Ave.

at Renaissance Square, 5:30 p.m. TUESDAY: House Committee on Ways and Means, House Hearing Room 4, 7:30 a.m. Bill McGibbon, chairman, (602) 542-3235. Senate Committee on Health, Senate Hearing Room 2, 8:30 a.m. Sue Grace, chairwoman, (602) 542-5284.

House Committee on the Environment, House Hearing Room 2, 8:30 a.m. Carolyn Allen, chairwoman, (602) 542-4225. House Committee on Public Institutions and Universities, House Hearing Room 5, 8:30 a.m. Jean McGrath, chairwoman, (602) 542-3255. Senate Judiciary Committee, Senate Hearing Room 1, 9 a.m.

Marc Spitzer, chairman, (602) 542-4480. House Committee on Transportation, House Hearing Room 2, 9 a.m. Jerry Overton, chairman, (602) 542-5894. Natural Resources Discussion Group, House Basement Room 38, 9 a.m. Senate Deliberations, Senate floor, 11 a.m.

Brenda Burns, Senate president, (602) 542-3160. House Deliberations, House floor, 11:30 a.m. Jeff Groscost, House speaker, (602) 542-5735. Arizona Cable Television Association Lunch, Wesley Bolin Park, noon. Senate Democrat Caucus, Minority Caucus Room, first floor, Senate, 1:30 p.m.

Jack Brown, minority leader, (602) 542-4129. Senate Republican Caucus, Majority Caucus Room, second floor, Senate, 2 p.m. Russell Bowers, majority leader, (602) 542-5288. CAPITOL ROUNDUP Panel urges confirmation of land commissioner A Senate committee has recommended confirmation of Michael Anable as state land commissioner. The Land Department is under fire in the affluent north Valley for selling parcels to developers.

Proceeds from sales of state trust land benefit education under the Arizona Constitution. When tile roofs encroach on homeowners with desert acreages, Sen. Randall Gnant, R-Scottsdale, said he attempts to explain that Anable is just doing his job in selling off state trust lands. But Gnant added, "You might not want to vacation up in Carefree or Cave Creek." Anable said the real estate market is high. "If it's not an opportunity to sell the state's land, I don't know what is," he said.

The Commerce, Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee unanimously recommended Anable for confirmation by the Senate. He was appointed by Gov. Jane Hull. Passed Held Governor Signed S3 Vetoed Veto target Bill tracker An update of key bills in the 2000 legislative session. For more information, go to www.azleg.state.az.us.

Pending Failed By Chris Moescr The Arizona Republic Arizona voters may get another crack at term limits for lawmakers if Rep. Richard "Kyle has his way. Kyle, R-Phoenix, has proposed a resolution to repeal the law approved by voters in 1992 that limits lawmakers to four two-year terms. He also wants voters to repeal the resign-to-run law, which forbids elected officials to seek another office except in the final year of their terms. "It's a stupid idea," he said.

"What job in American society do we have a time limit? None, except for public service." House Concurrent Resolution 2010 was approved by one House committee this week. Kyle is confident it would pass if it were on a statewide ballot. Dennis Burke, executive director of Arizona Common Cause, said the group has always op posed term limits because the law removes choices that voters would otherwise have. Term limits have not reduced the power of incumbency, one of the movement's goals, he said. Burke is also critical of the resign-to-run law, which he says forces politicians into shading the truth about their plans.

"It's somewhere up there with golf and income taxes in making a liars' club," Burke said. Legislature TOPIC BILL i CONTACTS Education HB 2225 Makes all schools provide safe handling of guns and bows, and safe hunting practices. Debra Brimhall, (602) 542-5861, dbrimhalazleg.state.az.us HB 2585 Requires teachers to present scientific evidence that supports and does not support Karen Johnson, (602) 542-4467, kjohnsonazleg.state.az.us evolution. HB 2594 Requires same-sex floors in all college dormitories and excludes the opposite sex in dorms jean McGrath, (602) 542-3255, jmcgrathazleg.state.az.us after hours. SB 1300 Sets rules on competency requirements in the third and eighth grades, based on the AIMS John Huppenthal, (602) 542-4178, jhuppentazleg.state.az.us test.

Transportation HB 2064 Prohibits those 16 and under from operating a jet-powered ski unless licensed or with a if Mike Gleason, (602) 542-5409, lgleasonazleg.state.az.us licensed adult. SB 1017 Prohibits cell phone use for more than two minutes in a car. Tom Smith, (602) 542-5955, tsmithazleg.state.az.us SB 1211 Prohibits vehicles with trailers from driving in the left-most lane of a three-or-more-lane Kejtn Bee, (602) 542-5683, kbeeazleg.state.az.us highway; HB 2565 Abolishes the Grand Canyon Airport Authority and leases the airport to a non-profit Robert Burns, (602) 542-5872, rburnsazleg.state.az.us corporation. Growth SB 1056 Emergency measure that makes changes to electric power competition laws and includes John Wettaw, (602) 542-4486, jwettawazleg.state.az.us cities and towns previously excluded from competition. SB 1260 Expands eligibility for project funding through industrial development authorities to non- Ken Bennett, (602) 542-5584, kbennettazleg.state.az.us profit groups.

HB 2004 Provides a personal and corporate income tax credit to those in businesses that Marilyn Jarrett, (602) 542-3163, mjarrettazleg.state.az.us manufacture products in rural Arizona counties. Abortion SB 1238 Requires written consent from a minor's parent or guardian, a Superior Court judge's i Ken Bennett, (602) 542-5584 kbennettazleg.state.az.us authorization or a medical emergency before a person may knowingly perform an abortion on a pregnant minor. Environment HJR 2001 Blocks President Clinton's declaration of two new national monuments without the consent Gail Griffin, (602) 542-5761, ggriffinfazleg.state.az.us of state government. HB 2071 Requires that all diesel fuel conform to the California Air Resources Board diesel fuel Carolyn Allen, (602) 542-4225, callenazleg.state.az.us program. Crime SB 1193 Gives police officers and firefighters immunity from non-vehicle-related civil lawsuits if they Tom Smith, (602) 542-5955, tsmithazleg.state.az.us acted in good faith and were not grossly negligent.

SB 1298 Requires the Department of Gaming to certify Indian gaming personnel and expands the Marc Spitzer, (602) scope of the crime of possessing a gambling device. HB 2486 Privatizes and expands the Apache prison facility. i Robert Burns, (602) 542-5872, rburnsazleg.state.az.us HB 2429 Eliminates the affirmative defense in DUI law. Michael Gardner, (602) 542-5896, mgardnerazleg.state.az.us Internet HB 2376 Prohibits a prisoner's use of a third-party service provider to set up Web sites. 0 0 Jean McGrath, (602) 542-3255, jmcgrathazleg.state.az.us HB 2428 Modernizes the criminal code on crimes using computer technology and the Internet.

Adds Jonn VerkamP. (602) 542-3300, jverkampazleg.state.az.us crime of luring a minor for sexual exploitation. Reforming HB 2554 Lobbyist gift ban. Karen Johnson, (602) 542-4467, kjohnsonazleg.state.az.us government HB 2297 Regulates adult-oriented businesses. Marilyn Jarrett, (602) 542-3163, mjarrettazleg.state.az.us HCR 2001 Requires school districts, special taxing districts and government entities to have financial I Marilyn Jarrett, (602) 542-3163, mjarrettazleg.state.az.us disclosure procedures.

Social SB 1206 Makes March 31 Cesar Chavez Day. Joe Eddie Lopez, (602) 542-4171, jlopezazleg.state.az.us services SB 1275 Establishes a committee to prevent and investigate crime against the elderly. peter pioSi q2) 542-5685 priosazleg state az us SB 1281 Provides a program for those ages 18 to 21 who were in state custody as foster children at 18, David Petersen, (602) 542-4481, dpeterseazleg.state.az.us and expands Medicaid eligibility to those same people who have an income of 200 percent or less of 1 the federal poverty level. Health care HB 2014 Establishes a health insurance plan for the uninsured and those with a catastrophic medical i Debra Brimhall, (602) 542-5861, dbrimhalazleg.state.az.us condition. Appropriates $12 million from the tobacco settlement for the plan.

SB 1174 Appropriates $5 million annually from the tobacco tax and health care fund's medically needy Sue Grace, (602) 542-5284, sgraceazleg.state.az.us account for a community mental health program. SB 1185 Appropriates $30 million from the general fund to construct a new state health laboratory. Sue Grace! (602) 542-5284, sgraceazleg.state.az.us The Arizona Republic li f- 11 ir in lit tThfTnifflifrfmr ffrm iiffTThi rr nn rfflfc mrm anr una nth iiii rti.