Greg Patterson

Gov. Janet Napolitano: Getty Images PhotoSince the story broke last week of Gov. Janet Napolitano's deal with the Home Builders Association of Central Arizona, there's been a massive outcry from Napolitano's critics.

Opponents charge that the agreement -- where the homebuilders would pledge support and $100,000 for a ballot initiative that would raise the sales tax by one cent, while they would get let off the hook for paying part of a proposed $42 billion transportation plan -- is tantamount to "extortion" and represents a "scandal."

Today, on KJZZ, Napolitano refuted such claims, and said the sales tax represents the "simplest and best" option for the state. She dismissed the notion that the deal was unethical and chose instead to address the upside of moving the initiative forward.

L to R: John Allen, Rick Fowlkes, Keith Swapp, Joseph HobbsLast night, the seven Republican candidates for Arizona Corporation Commission gathered in Scottsdale to present their ideas on how they would operate if elected to the board that oversees Arizona's public utilities. During a rapid-fire series of questions from former state legislator and blogger, Greg Patterson, similarities - such as an across-the-board refutation that global warming is a threat - and differences emerged in experience, philosophy and goals. The conversation was sometimes suprising, sometimes lively, but above all, substantive.

Greg Patterson (Espresso Pundit) does a short piece today on offices. Greg makes a good point when he talks about Stan Barnes penthouse office for the Copper State Consulting Group. If you are a Democrat or a Republican make sure at some point you make it to one of Stan’s fundraisers just to check out the office. It's is worth the price of