Rep. Seel Discusses IT Issues on Horizon
Kindly click on this link or the KAET graphic below to see this brief but informative interview.
Rep. Andy Tobin Receives Award from Arizona Hospital & Healthcare Association
Last week House Majority Whip Andy Tobin (R-Paulden) was honored by the Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association (AzHHA) with a Legislative Appreciation Award for going above and beyond the call of duty this past legislative session in support of Arizona’s hospital community.
“I feel extremely fortunate to be recognized by the Arizona Hospital Association. The importance of access to adequate healthcare in rural Arizona is an extremely important issue for the citizens I represent,” Rep. Tobin said. “I’m glad to know my support helped my community,” he added.
This is the third recognition award Rep. Tobin received this year for his legislative leadership on a myriad of political issues in 2009, including the Legislator of the Year by the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
In addressing relationships with Rep. Tobin and other supportive members of the legislature, AzHHA President John Rivers said, “Working together, these lawmakers championed a fiscal year 2010 budget that protected hospitals and the patients they serve. They are dedicated public servants who deserve the hospital community’s recognition.”
For more information about the presentation of this award, please contact Rep. Andy Tobin at 602-926-5172 or via email at atobin@azleg.gov.
About Rep. Andy Tobin:
Rep. Andy Tobin was elected to the Arizona House of Representatives in 2006, where he served as Vice-Chairman of the House K-12 Education Committee. In 2008, he was re-elected to the House and was also elected by his peers to serve as the Majority Whip. In addition to his leadership duties, he also serves on the Banking and Insurance Committee and Rules Committee.
He is the past national president of the U.S. Junior Chamber of Commerce and during his tenure worked hand-in-hand with the Reagan and Bush administrations on passage of the Line Item Veto and Balanced Budget Amendment. Locally, Rep. Tobin has served as a member of the Sharlot Hall Museum Executive Board of Directors; Prescott Good Gun; Arizona Rifle and Pistol Associations; the National Rifle Association; the Phoenix and Prescott Area Jaycees; and the Prescott, Chino Valley and Prescott Valley Chambers of Commerce.
House Committee On Information Technology Meets Tomorrow
The interim Information Technology committee will focus on the effective delivery of service, improved interaction with business and industry, increased transparency and the reduction of costs to the public through the use of an e-Government system.
“With the present systems that are nearly 30 years old there doesn’t seem to be a guided vision for the state. We have an opportunity at the Legislature to provide guidance and direction to the state and hopefully to streamline e-Government to modernize and standardize the current infrastructure. I plan on using my 30 years of IT experience to accomplish just that,” Rep. Stevens said.
Committee members will hear testimony from the Department of Revenue, Department of Transportation, Government Information Technology and Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System regarding their current infrastructure and needs. Committee members will also conduct a tour of AHCCCS after the hearing.
The committee is tasked with examining the various city, county and state agency information technology capabilities and will make recommendations to facilitate the modernization and coordination of information technology.
Joining Rep. Stevens on the Information Technology committee are Vice Chair, Rep. Carl Seel and Rep. Rick Murphy, Rep. Laurin Hendrix, Rep. Debbie Lesko, Rep. Anna Tovar and Rep. Rae Waters.
For more information about this Committee, please contact Rep. David Stevens at 602-926-4321 or via email at dstevens@azleg.gov.
Republican Caucus Wins 6 of 10 Top Ten Tech Awards
A focus on Arizona’s tech industry is especially critical given a recent report suggests the demand for tech exports from Arizona has slipped from $8.7 to $8.1 billion from 2007 to 2008.
Rep. Konopnicki received the highest award from the Arizona Technology Council for “his endless passion and dedication to education and economic development,” according to the Tech Council’s press release. Rep. Konopnicki is a board member of the Morrison Institute for Public Policy at Arizona State University along with chairing the House Natural Resources and Rural Development Committee.
Other legislators of the Republican Caucus receiving the Top Ten Tech award are Representatives Frank Antenori (R-District 30), Tom Boone (R-District 4), Laurin Hendrix (R-District 22), Lucy Mason (R-District 1), Michelle Reagan (R-District 8) and David Stevens (R-District 25).
The Arizona Technology Council seeks to distinguish Arizona as a leader in the technology community and offer resources that are exclusive to its members.
The awards ceremony will take place on Thursday, November 19 from 4p.m. to 10:30p.m. with the theme “Forging the Future,” and is presented by the Arizona Technology Council, the Arizona Department of Commerce and the Governor’s Celebration of Innovation.
Clean Energy Parks For AZ's Energy Needs
Mr. Tobin is working with Representative Warde Nichols (R-Gilbert) to develop legislation that supports Arizona’s energy needs now and in the future through the creation of new, clean energy parks that may represent nuclear, wind, solar and other environmentally safe and efficient systems.
“We need to get government bureaucracy out of the way with respect to getting these business ventures started and assure the safety and efficiency for the next generations of Arizonans. We need jobs and investment today, and building our future for tomorrow”.
Arizona could find itself unable to meet current energy needs in addition to the needs of future growth in the state if Arizona does not act quickly. Currently, Arizona relies heavily upon coal burning energy factories on Native American reservations for Arizona’s base load energy needs. Newly proposed EPA regulations, if enacted, could lead to significant cost increases that will more than likely stem output and substantially lessen Arizona’s ability to meet current demands and future growth.
Rep. Tobin and Rep. Nichols seek to coordinate legislation that will develop energy for use and export while working with rural municipalities to help provide funding resources to develop a water grid for augmenting and transporting our water supply and protecting our rivers.
Additionally, by supporting new clean energy parks, Arizona can address multiple issues simultaneously including: job creation, future energy growth and more affordable energy. Such an approach can also include both a rural and urban component dealing with a water transportation grid.
“It’s critical that we support our current infrastructure and support clean energy parks that are environmentally friendly and efficient, Majority Whip Andy Tobin said. “We need both components to meet our current base load needs and also to provide for future growth. Arizona has the potential of becoming an exporter of power to other states. If we do nothing, instead of exporting energy to other states, Arizona will be forced to import energy (along with the associated costs) from neighboring states.”
As one example, the town of Clarkdale currently stands at the end of their planning process for a local clean energy park which includes energy production, water treatment, civic and nature facilities, which will make them self-sufficient and perhaps improve their revenue stream through the exportation of energy.