Here is the Cronkite News Service lineup for Thursday, Nov. 12. As the week progresses, this digest lists spot news, stories offered for use throughout the week and features suggested for weekend use. If you have questions or would like to receive the daily news digest by e-mail, please contact Steve Elliott at 602-496-0686 or steve.elliott@asu.edu. You can monitor Cronkite News Service via Twitter (@cronkitenews) and a Web feed optimized for iPhone (http://cronkitenews.asu.edu/mobile). Cronkite News Service video is available at http://cronkitenews.asu.edu/video, and clients are welcome to link to or embed individual videos on that site. In addition, clients may download the QuickTime movie file for their players here with a free Vimeo account.
TODAY’S NEWS
Lawmaker, experts push idea of competition to provide electricity in Arizona
PHOENIX (Thursday, Nov. 12) _Opening Arizona to competition by companies providing electricity could lower rates and give providers more incentive to act wisely with money when considering investments infrastructure, experts invited by a legislative committee said Thursday.
Slug BC-CNS-Energy-Competition. By Alexander MacLean. With BC-CNS-Energy-Competition-Box.
WEEKEND SPECIALS
Tucson lawmaker: Career as artist provides flexibility and perspective for work at Capitol
TUCSON _ “Life’s too short for beige,” Steve Farley said, standing in his backyard looking at the color palette he applied to his midtown Tucson home: sandy peach, Easter-egg turquoise and a deep purple. But what stands out most is what Farley does for a living: the image of a giant saguaro cactus painted on hundreds of ceramic tiles on the back of the house. A benefit of being a public artist and graphic designer, Farley said, is it gives him the financial resources and flexible schedule to support his other career as a state representative.
Slug BC-CNS-Artist Lawmaker. By Elizabeth Shell. With BC-CNS-Farley-Bio and BC-CNS-Farley-Works.
NOTE: This package moved Tuesday, Nov. 10. We recommend it for weekend use.
Photos available (thumbnails, captions below)
Some Previous Weekend Specials:
- History project has high school students recording veterans’ stories (Nov. 4)
- Ranchers as lawmakers: Prescott senator says cattleman’s life informs work at Capitol (10-29)
- Kirkpatrick raises concerns about renewable energy’s cost to rural Arizona residents (10-29)
- Kartchner Caverns marks 10 years as jewel of state park system, boon to area economy (10-22)
- The politics of tweets: Arizona leaders, candidates embrace social media (10-21)
- Proponents: Heritage status would boost Santa Cruz Valley businesses, tourism, preservation (10-13)
THE WEEK’S NEWS
Conservative Goldwater Institute rates GOP lawmakers over Democrats in votes upholding liberty
PHOENIX (Wednesday, Nov. 11) _ A conservative advocacy group’s report card on how Arizona lawmakers uphold its definition of liberty rates every Republican ahead of every Democrat in both houses of the Legislature. The Goldwater Institute, a nonprofit organization that like its namesake promotes limited government and free-market principles, based its grades on 305 floor votes during the 2009 session. Its analysis looked at bills dealing with education, taxes and budget, regulation and constitutional government.
Slug BC-CNS-Lawmakers-Liberty. By Alexander MacLean. With BC-CNS-Lawmakers-Liberty-Box.
GOP claims gains in other states, but political experts say impact on Arizona races unlikely
PHOENIX (Tuesday, Nov. 10) _ Roughly 20 supporters shared pastries, coffee and handshakes Tuesday morning with U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz., signaling the beginning of her 2010 re-election campaign. “Arizona is a swing state,” Giffords said, “and I think Arizonans see how hard we’re fighting for them on strengthening the economy and providing quality affordable health care.” GOP leaders say off-year election wins in other states bode well for greater success in Arizona, but political experts say it’s unlikely that those events foreshadow major changes here for Democratic or GOP congressional incumbents.
Slug BC-CNS-Campaign Outlook. By Evan Wyloge. With BC-CNS-Campaign Outlook-Box.
Photo available (thumbnail, caption below)
Brewer plans ceremonial signing of bill promoting solar development
PHOENIX (Tuesday, Nov. 10) _ Companies involved in manufacturing renewable energy products are already calling about a pending law offering tax incentives for establishing operations in Arizona, a state official said Tuesday. With Phoenix set to host an international conference and exposition on sustainable building practices, Brewer was scheduled to hold a ceremonial signing for the legislation, which becomes law Jan. 1.
Slug BC-CNS-Solar-Law. By Chrystall Kanuyuck. With BC-CNS-Solar Law-Box.
Goddard, Mayes, Giffords highlight facilities tapping state’s solar energy potential
PHOENIX _ Attorney General Terry Goddard looks around his office and sees missed opportunities when it comes to saving energy, such as strips used for heating and a flat roof devoid of solar panels. On a tour of solar facilities with Arizona Corporation Commission Chairwoman Kris Mayes, a Republican, and U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz., and as Phoenix gets ready to play host to a national green building convention, Goddard said Arizona should do more to harness its solar energy potential.
Slug BC-CNS-Solar Tour. By Krista Norsworthy. With BC-CNS-Solar Tour-Box.
Photos available (thumbnails, captions below)
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PHOTOS: Click thumbnails to see full-resolution images.
ENERGY-COMPETITION
State Rep. Lucy Mason, R-Prescott, chaired a hearing Thursday, Nov. 12, 2009, at which advocates and experts argued for allowing companies to compete to offer electricity in Arizona. (Cronkite News Service Photo by Alexander MacLean)
ARTIST LAWMAKER
State Rep. Steve Farley, D-Tucson, makes a living creating works of art such as a tiled saguaro at his home. Farley says his occupation provides the flexiblity necessary for him to commit months to the legislative session and provides a perspective on the importance of the arts despite Arizona’s economic challenges. (Cronkite News Service Photo by Elizabeth Shell)
CAMPAIGN OUTLOOK
U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz., held a fundraiser in Phoenix Tuesday, Nov. 10, to kick off her 2010 re-election campaign. GOP leaders say wins in other states’ off-year elections bode well for 2010 in Arizona, but political experts say Giffords and other Democratic incumbents, along with GOP incumbents, have the advantage in congressional races. (Cronkite News Service Photo by Evan Wyloge)
SOLAR-LAW
Gov. Jan Brewer speaks after a ceremonial signing of legislation that provides incentives to lure renewable energy manufacturing firms to Arizona. The measure becomes law Jan. 1. The ceremony occurred a day before Phoenix was to play host to an international conference on sustainable building practices. (Cronkite News Service Photo by Chrystall Kanyuck)
SOLAR TOUR
U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz., (right) and Kristin Mayes, chairwoman of the Arizona Corporation Commission, speak to participants on a tour of solar energy facilities in the Phoenix area on Monday, Nov. 9, 2009. They and Attorney General Terry Goddard joined business leaders on the tour as Phoenix prepared to play host to a national convention on green building. (Cronkite News Service Photo by Krista Norsworthy)
U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz., (left), Attorney General Terry Goddard and Kristin Mayes, chairwoman of the Arizona Corporation Commission, participated in a tour of solar energy facilities in the Phoenix area on Monday, Nov. 9, 2009. They joined business leaders on the tour as Phoenix prepared to play host to a national convention on green building. (Cronkite News Service Photo by Krista Norsworthy)
VETERANS-HISTORY
Kevin Kane, an Army veteran of the Iraq war, speaks with high school student Taylor Redmond and teacher Barbara Hatch (back to camera) as part of the Arizona Heritage Project. The program has high school students interviewing veterans and recording their stories. (Cronkite News Service Photo by Krista Norsworthy)
A video camera records Kevin Kane, an Army veteran of the Iraq war, as part of the Arizona Heritage Project. The program has high school students interviewing veterans and recording their stories. (Cronkite News Service Photo by Krista Norsworthy)