July 9, 2009
Legislative Lecture with Phil Lopes
Written by inmate Shannon Clark, Manzanita Unit, ADOC Tucson
On the web, http://shannoninprison.blogspot.com
Today Representative Phil Lopes, a Democrat from Tucson’s District 27, came to the Manzanita Unit to offer the prisoners a lecture on Arizona’s legislative process, the budget crisis, and the ADOC’s budget woes.
Rep. Lopes, a 7 year veteran of the Arizona House of Representatives, and an energetic, enthusiastic and straight-shooting speaker did an excellent job getting through to the two dozen or so inmates and answering questions. Two ladies from our programs department, and Dr. Shapiro were also there and asked their own questions. Dr. Shapiro, our Creative Writing Instructor, helped set up the lecture.
Rep. Lopes was down to earth, and helped us put a human face to Arizona “law makers”. Many of us imprisoned picture an old, fat, white guy in a suit and tie, stuffy and narrow-minded when we try to imagine a legislator. We imagine somebody who fears and despises convicted felons. This stereotypical mold in our minds was shattered by Rep. Lopes.
In short, Rep. Lopes explained his job in the House, the process itself, his Republican counterpart’s role in the process, the disastrous state we are currently in, how we got here, Napolitano’s role in our current situation, as well as Brewer’s.
In my opinion, the Republican dominated House, and Senate, since 1966, have put us in a downward spiral with their preconceived ideas and ideologies, which have not been effective for decades. To the Republican Majority’s disbelief and outrage, Governor Brewer stood her ground this year and defied them in vetoing their budget bills for vital Arizona agencies, and called a special session to fix the budget, which will be nearly 8 billion in deficit next year.
Republican lawmakers ideology prevents them from two key budget fixes. Releasing some of the prison population and changing Arizona’s criminal sentencing statutes, and raising taxes. Both of these things would be an effective fix to our state’s financial crisis. Income taxes being raised slightly would boost the General Fund and sentencing reform would significantly decrease spending on Corrections, while still protecting public safety. Unfortunately, those in power bullheadedly won’t consider these true fixes, let alone put it to a vote. They’d prefer to cut, cut, cut, and cut some more, and “fix” nothing.
Rep. Lopes reaffirmed my belief that Republicans in Arizona’s House and Senate are too stubborn to waiver from ideologies that are proven wrong when he said that they believe “that criminals can’t victimize the public if they are in prison”. This statement is the Republican’s ideology of lock them up and throw away the key.
What I understood from this lecture is that AZ’s Republican lawmakers want lower taxes, a smaller government and to lock up everybody who commits a crime. Three things that are counterproductive to one another, as well as economically destructive to the state.
The state’s General Fund is mainly supplied by Arizona tax dollars. The General Fund provides the budgets for the state’s governmental agencies, including ADOC, and other state funded programs. Arizona has one of the lowest tax rates in the US and Republican lawmakers have vowed never to raise them. Although they have and will attach “fees” to certain activities, which for all intents and purposes are a taxation. In recent times, Arizona’s citizens are being layed off and forced to seek work elsewhere due to many businesses, agencies, companies, etc., down-sizing and/or going under. Less tax revenue is going into Arizona’s General Fund.
Lawmakers continue to stand by their terrible triple tenets, as the General Fund declines, in turn forcing them to cut budgets and funding, causing more job losses, less tax revenue, etc.
Keeping with their “lock them up” sentiment, the prison population continues to expand rapidly, as does the ADOC’s budget. With few areas left to dole out budget cuts, without completely shutting down agencies and vital programs, lawmakers shave ADOC’s budget-which is nearly $1 billion-but instead of releasing some non-dangerous, minimum custody prisoners a few months early, ADOC is forced to let go some of its employees, again, more tax revenue not going in the general fund.
I know Republicans, Democrats and the fabled Independents, are all human and fallible. I respect them as my fellow man. But I don’t understand how and why Arizona’s Republican lawmakers continue to wear blinders while their constituents and fellow citizens lives continue to spiral downward into poverty and desperation because of their choices to ignore the three pink elephants in their chambers.
Rep. Lopes’ lecture was fantastic and very much appreciated by Manzanita unit prisoners. I was impressed with the mere fact that he was willing to come inside a state prison, on his own time, without compensation, to teach a few dozen men who have in essence been deemed inconsequential and disenfranchised. Maybe next lecture Dr. Shapiro can arrange for a Republican lawmaker to visit his local state prison.
Thank you, Rep. Lopes, for taking the time to come down to Manzanita unit. Thank you, Dr. Shapiro, once again you’ve come up with another fantastic lecture for your students and Manzanita prisoners.July 9, 2009
