ACA Newsletter May 2010
Through the efforts and abilities of the APA's extensive lobbyist network, the ACA leadership along with the leadership of the Arizona Highway Patrol Association, was able to have included into the State's budget approved by Governor Brewer...
Read this and more in the May ACA Newsletter
Untitled Document
ACA INSTRUMENTAL IN FURLOUGH EXEMPTION
Through the efforts and abilities of the APA's extensive lobbyist network, the ACA leadership along with the leadership of the Arizona Highway Patrol Association, was able to have included into the State's budget approved by Governor Brewer, an exemption clause for the Directors of Corrections and DPS, to designate positions within their respective departments that are deemed critically essential to the 24/7 operation that would not be subject to furlough days. Without this exemption clause every correctional officer would have been required to take unpaid days off. It is unfortunate that the Director chose only to request an exemption from furloughs for Cadets, Correction Officer II's and DC Investigators III.
No other organization had the political clout to obtain the needed support in the legislature to have this amendment approved. Our thanks to APA Executive Director Brian Livingston, Dr Levi Bolton, and Mike Williams of Williams & Associates, the APA lobbyist for the tireless work in obtaining the necessary votes for approval of this exemption clause.
ARIZONA CORRECTIONS ASSOCIATION HAS POLITICAL IMPACT AT STATE AND NATIONAL LEVELS
There is much confusion which has led to the controversy surrounding Governor Brewer's recent signing of SB 1070 concerning Arizona law enforcement officers enforcing the federal immigration statute. This new law does not alter or change the federal enforcement procedures that are currently in place. The new Arizona law only requires all law enforcement agencies in Arizona to enforce the federal immigration law which applies to all individuals regardless of race that have entered into the United States illegally.
SB-1070 is a common sense, proactive step in the right direction in stemming the flow of persons entering the United States illegally. SB-1070 has numerous safeguards included to protect the rights of minority groups. The bill requires that law enforcement officer have a legitimate purpose to make contact and only after, should a reasonable suspicion occur, pursue any inquiries as to the person's legal status. This law also contains language that allows officers discretion in enforcing the law. The only MANDATES in the law are:
- Officers cannot stop a person based solely on race, color, or national origin (racial profiling).
- "No official or agency of this state or a county, city, town or other political subdivision of this state may limit or restrict the enforcement of federal immigration laws to less than the full extent permitted by federal law."
On Friday, April 23, 2010, the Arizona Corrections Association (ACA) with the other affiliate organizations of the Arizona Police Association (APA) was invited by Governor Jan Brewer to attend her signing into law, Senate Bill 1070, Immigration and Safe Neighborhoods Bill. This invitation was not extended to any other associations representing corrections or public safety personnel. The coverage by the media for this historic event included local, as well as national and international news agencies. Representatives of the APA from the Phoenix Law Enforcement Association, Border Patrol, Chandler Law Enforcement Association, Glendale Law Enforcement Association, Gilbert Police Leadership Association, Mesa Police Association, and the Deputies Law Enforcement Association, along with ACA Vice President Jim Christy stood alongside Governor Brewer as she made her announcement to the media of her decision to sign into law SB 1070. Since the enactment of SB 1070, eight other States are now considering enacting similar laws dealing with immigration.
ACA VP Jim Christy attended on Friday morning, April 23, 2010, a press conference held at the APA office and attended by local and national media representatives, announcing the endorse-ment by the APA of JD Hayworth for United States Senator.
The APA believes that now is not the time for continued "Maverick ideology or policies" but rather it is a time for consistent Arizona constituent based determinations on national issues.
The need for Arizona's voice to be heard on issues related to immigration reform, border security, tax reform, constitutional right protections as they relate to the labor/management relations have been ignored for too long and JD Hayworth is the candidate address the concerns of Arizona.
The significance of the ACA's affiliation with the APA can best be summed up with the press release from JD Hayworth and posted on his web: www.jdforsenate.com
HAYWORTH PICKS UP KEY ARIZONA POLICE ASSOCIATION ENDORSEMENT
Phoenix, AZ (April 23) - Republican U.S. Senate Candidate J.D. Hayworth today was endorsed by the influential Arizona Police Association.
"I am honored to accept this endorsement," Hayworth said. "Clearly the men and women who are putting their lives on the line protecting us know who the conservative, anti-crime candidate is in this race."
The Association is made up of 18 individual associations of line officers, detention officers, corrections officers and border patrol agents, with nearly 9,000 members.
Executive Director Brian Livingston, joined by officers, announced the endorsement.
They join the Phoenix Law Enforcement Association and the National Association of Police Organizations in endorsing Hayworth.
THE ACA TAKES TO THE STREET IN SUPPORT OF PROPOSTION 100
ACA leaders, along with members across the State take to the streets asking for voter support of Proposition 100. With 2,000 door hangers in hand dedicated ACA volunteers began going door to door asking the citizens of Arizona to vote "YES" on Proposition 100, the one cent sales tax increase needed to preclude further cuts in public safety and education. This one on one approach, along with the ACA attendance at the Vote "YES" on 100 rally in Phoenix on April 17, and the $500 contribution by the ACA to the APA's media campaign which includes 2 billboards on the freeway in Phoenix asking for voter support of Prop 100, further demonstrates the commitment by the ACA to put its "members first." While leaders of other organizations continue to pay themselves thousands of their member's money each month, the ACA limits their member's money to expenses that will only have a direct impact on their membership.
ACA MEMBERS COMPETE IN CHARITABLE GOLF EVENT
Four members of the ACA put their golf talents to the test by representing the ACA in the 20th Anniversary Briggs - Scott Memorial Golf Tournament on Saturday, April 24. The foursome of C. Roberts and J. Powell from Lewis Complex and J. Valles and T. Vaughn from Eyman, gave it their best in competing with over 220 golfers in the charity event which raised over $18,000 for the Tuition Assistance for Police Survivors (TAPS). This event originated in 1990 in memory of City of Phoenix Police Motor Officer Pat Briggs who was killed June 20, 1990 in an on-duty motorcycle collision in the area of North 7th Street and Thunderbird Road. More recently City of Phoenix Police Motor Officer Wayne Scott was killed in an on-duty motorcycle collision on September 10, 2002 at the exact same location. As a result this annual memorial event, the TAPS program was launched to provide post secondary education tuition and books for the children of officers who have died as a result of non-line-of-duty accidents.
VERN'S VIEW
Vern is pleased to announce that T. Murrillo was the name revealed in the smoke at midnight when all names of those responding with all the correct answers were consumed in the flames of the sacrificial fire. Congratulations to T. Murrillo.
Article written by/or information provided by ACA
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