Wake-Up Call: Friday, August 1, 2008

With the PolitickerAZ.com Wake-Up Call e-mailed to your inbox, phone, Blackberry or PDA first thing in the morning, you can get a rundown of Arizona's top political headlines. Sign up to get the Wake-Up Call delivered every morning.

With the PolitickerAZ.com Wake-Up Call e-mailed to your inbox, phone, Blackberry or PDA first thing in the morning, you can get a rundown of Arizona's top political headlines. Sign up to get the Wake-Up Call delivered every morning.

UPDATED: 'Virtual' fundraiser nets $10K for Bitter Smith

Susan Bitter Smith, one of the Republican primary candidates in the 5th Congressional District jockeying for the chance to take on U.S. Rep. Harry Mitchell (D-Tempe) in the general election, held a "virtual" fundraiser Wednesday for donors in Washington, D.C. and across the country. (PolitickerAZ.com, Evan Brown)

Link: http://www.politickeraz.com/evanbrown/1804/virtual-fundraiser-nets-10k-b...

Arizona tax collections dropped in June

PHOENIX - Amid worsening assessments from Arizona economists, the legislative budget staff reported Friday that tax collections continued to drop in June as the state finished a fiscal year hit hard by the economic downturn. (Tucson Citizen, AP)

Link:  http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/ss/arizona/92515.php

Governor urges federal funds for low-income energy bills

Arizona's heat is as "miserable and dangerous" as extremely cold weather in other states, and a boost in federal money for low-income people's energy bills would help the state, Gov. Janet Napolitano said.

The governor wrote a letter this week supporting an emergency $2.5 billion increase in those funds. She addressed it to a member of President Bush's Cabinet who opposes the increase. (Arizona Republic, Ryan Randazzo)

Link: http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2008/08/01/20080801met-liheap0801...

Former Tucson councilman indicted on fund-theft charge

Former Tucson City Councilman Brent Davis has been indicted on suspicion of stealing funds from the sale of a fraternity house to the University of Arizona.

Davis, who served two terms on the council through the late '70s and '80s, denied the allegation, saying it stems from a "spitting contest" among old fraternity members who don't like one another. (Daily Star, Josh Brodesky)

Link: http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/metro/250827.php

Fight focuses on affirmative action in Ariz.

A flap between Republican John McCain and Democrat Barack Obama this week catapulted an Arizona ballot initiative into the national media spotlight, raising questions about whether affirmative action should be outlawed in McCain's home state and how big a factor race will play in the fall presidential contest. (Arizona Republic, Scott Wong)

Link: http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2008/08/01/20080801affirmative080...

Giffords bill renews E-Verify program

U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords led the renewal Thursday evening of an immigration enforcement program that just three months ago she characterized as "disastrous" if it didn't include substantive changes. (Daily Star, Daniel Scarpinato)

Link: http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/metro/250839.php

Scottsdale mayoral candidate drops out of race

SCOTTSDALE - Activist John Washington has withdrawn his write-in candidacy for Scottsdale mayor in the city's Sept. 2 election.

Washington, in a prepared statement, thanked his supporters. (Arizona Republic, Staff)

Link: http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2008/07/31/20080731sr-washington0...

Poll: McCain support lagging in Maricopa County

PHOENIX — A new poll shows Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain’s lead over Democratic rival Sen. Barack Obama has decreased in Maricopa County.

The Rocky Mountain Poll released Thursday shows the Arizona senator’s lead slipping to 5 percent in July from 15 percent in May in Arizona’s most populous county. (Daily Star, AP)

Link: http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/politics/250739.php

2 file for Mesa open school board seats

There are three Mesa Public Schools board seats to be filled during the Nov. 4 election; so far, two candidates have filed paperwork. The deadline is 5 p.m. Wednesday. None of the three school board incumbents - Rich Crandall, Cindi Hobbs and Lynn Burnham - are running for re-election. (Arizona Republic, Ray Parker)

Link: http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2008/07/31/20080731mr-skulelect08...

Primary early voting is here!

This blog took an unexpected hiatus for a few days as I worked to keep the Tribune’s opinion pages flowing while editorial page editor Bob Satnan took some well-earned time off and dealt with a death in his family. But I’m back, just in time for today’s start of early voting for the 2008 primary. (East Valley Tribune, Le Templar)

Link: http://whatiknow.freedomblogging.com/2008/07/31/primary-early-voting-is-...

With the PolitickerAZ.com Wake-Up Call e-mailed to your inbox, phone, Blackberry or PDA first thing in the morning, you can get a rundown of Arizona's top political headlines. Sign up to get the Wake-Up Call delivered every morning.