Jan Brewer’s State of the State and New Policy Plan 2012

Jan Brewer delivered here State of the State address on Monday. You can read it here. Brewer’s State of State- Jan. 9, 2012.

I read it, seemed ok. Nothing too detailed, but I guess a State of a State address right before a state’s centennial would be more celebratory than detailed. Dare I say I kind of liked what she said? At least I like most of what she said. I try to find common ground with people and Brewer and I love Arizona and I’m willing to build on that.

She was specific that Prop 100 would end in 2013 stating:

An integral part of our recovery plan was the passage of Proposition 100—the one-cent sales tax approved overwhelmingly by the voters for three years.  The voters were promised it would be temporary.  Many doubted that.  Well, I gave my word to the voters.  And, a promise is a promise…So, I’m here today to say: This tax will end on my watch! This tax will end after three years in 2013.

Her policy plan titled “The Four Cornerstones of Reform” focused on Economic Competitiveness, Education, State Government, and Renewed Federalism. You can read her policy plan here Governor’s policy plan- Jan. 9, 2012. It’s pretty much what you would expect from a right-wing Arizona Republican- government is bad, we need less government.

The Renewed Federalism cornerstone didn’t surprise me. It talks about SB1070 and the border. It also states how “Arizona is leading the legal fight against the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (PPACA), the federal government’s unconstitutional intrusion into America’s health care system.” Funny Jan Brewer is all about state’s rights and sticking to the Feds, except when it comes to certain things, for example, medical marijuana use. On Wednesday, January 4 U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton threw out Brewers’ lawsuit challenging the state’s voter-enacted medical marijuana law. Gov. Brewer filed suit while refusing to implement a key part of the law that required the state to register 125 dispensaries. The ACLU and U.S. government argued for the dismissal. The lawsuit has been an unbelievable affront to the voters and a waste of taxpayer money.

The only thing Jan Brewer is consistent at is being inconsistent and contradictory, a common theme among Arizona Republicans.

Among her plans for K-12 education her policy plan notes that the emphasis this year will be on implementing planned reforms, not on launching new ones. “Arizona must make a new promise to students of the second century: that they will be free to achieve, in a safe setting, with a qualified teacher, and with the resources they need—no matter where they live or in what setting they spend their day.”