The Copper Dome

05/05/2011

Dear Facebook Friends!

Current business conditions have made it very difficult to continue to
produce the printed newspaper profitably. Publication of THE COPPER DOME
has been suspended, indefinitely.

Should business conditions improve in the future, we’ll resume printing the
publication.

Thank you so much for your reader support over the past 12 years.

Jerry King
Owner/Publisher

04/20/2011

Governor Brewer has signed House Bill 2301 which will allow school districts to spend half of accumulated unused public school tax credit dollars for critical items such as: technology, textbooks, library resources, instructional aids, pupil transportation vehicles, furniture, and equipment.

“This bill will be a great help to school districts, allowing them to use a pot of money amidst these budgetary spending reductions that they otherwise would not have had access to,” said Representative J.D. Mesnard, the prime sponsor of the bill.

The legislation will take effect this Fall and apply to the next two school years.

(Pictured: State Representative J.D. Mesnard)

04/19/2011

GOVERNOR BREWER VETOES “BIRTHER BILL” AND GUN BILL

Governor Brewer has vetoed Senate Bill 1467 that would have allowed guns on parts of public college campuses, a bill that she said likely faced a legal challenge. The Governor has also vetoed a bill to require presidential candidates to prove their U.S. citizenship before their names can appear on the state's ballot.

"While I support thoughtful expansion of where fi****ms should be allowed, the actual legislation that does so must be unambiguous and clear to protect the Second Amendment rights of gun owners. Senate Bill 1467 is neither," she said in the written statement.

Brewer said that the bill didn't adequately define the "public right of way" where guns could be carried on public university and community college campuses, and gun laws must be "crystal clear so that gun owners don't become lawbreakers by accident."

She also warned that the bill could have mistakenly included K-12 schools, "where federal and state laws generally prohibit weapons."

The Governor said in her veto letter, regarding the “birther bill,” that she was troubled that the bill empowered Arizona's secretary of state to judge the qualifications of all candidates when they file to run for office.

"I do not support designating one person as the gatekeeper to the ballot for a candidate, which could lead to arbitrary or politically motivated decisions," said Brewer, who was secretary of state until she became governor in 2009.

In addition, Governor Brewer said she never imagined being presented with a bill that could require candidates for president to submit their 'early baptismal circumcision certificates' among other records to the Arizona Secretary of State. The certificates are among the documents a candidate could have submitted in place of a birth certificate.

04/16/2011

The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) makes bridge safety a priority and because of that Arizona bridges rank among nation’s best in safety, according to a national bridge safety study released recently by the advocacy group Transportation for America (T4 America).

With nearly 7,600 bridges in the state, Arizona ranked fourth out of 51 states (including the District of Columbia) with 97 percent of structures receiving high marks for safety and maintenance, according to the report. In general, bridges are inspected every two years.

“We take great pride that Arizona’s bridge inventory is considered among the strongest in the nation,” said ADOT State Engineer Floyd Roehrich. “But we won’t rest on our laurels. We’ve adopted a policy to ‘fix it first,’ prioritizing repair and maintenance before costly reconstruction or rehabilitation is needed.”

Within ADOT’s network, only 2.2 percent of the agency’s nearly 4,700 bridges require some degree of repair or improvement. After recently replacing or rehabbing 12 structurally deficient bridges, ADOT has 10 bridges slated for replacement or major rehabilitation within the next two years under a tentative five-year construction program.

(Photo courtesy of ADOT)

04/15/2011

Arizona’s unemployment rate declined slightly last month, dropping from 9.6 percent in February to 9.5 percent in March, according to the Arizona Workforce Employment Report released yesterday (4/14).

Monthly employment gains were seen in the leisure and hospitality sector with 6,700 new jobs. Most of those were in restaurants and bars -- with 5,500 new jobs there. The greatest job losses were in professional and business services, which posted a decrease of 2,200 jobs.

The construction industry added about 2,000 jobs in March, most of those in specialty trades. In all, the private sector added 10,300 jobs. About 400 government jobs were lost for a net gain of 9,900 non farm jobs.

04/15/2011

On Wednesday, (April 13) on the State Capitol lawn, Southwest Ambulance and Rural/Metro Fire Department, both wholly owned subsidiary of Rural/Metro Corp. checked the blood pressures (BPs) of State lawmakers and staff to identify whether the House or Senate is “more stressed.” According to the results of this unscientific, informal survey the House has a higher average BP, making it more stressed than the Senate.

38 House Representatives and staff participated in the BP checks. The average BP of the House was: 124/ 75. 50 State Senators and staff participated in the BP checks. The average BP of the Senate was: 115/ 73. A normal BP is a systolic (top number) between 100-130 and a Diastolic (bottom number) between 65-85.

Southwest Ambulance has organized the event for the past nine years to bring greater awareness to the pre-hospital services provided by ambulance first responders, including paramedics, emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and registered nurses. Legislators and staff also have the opportunity to talk with first responders, and to view ambulance and emergency medical apparatus.

“With the significantly budget issues facing Arizona, it’s important that lawmakers understand how successful the current EMS and ambulance system is in our state compared to other states,” said Bryan Gibson, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Rural/Metro Corp.

(Pictured: Southwest Ambulance Registered Nurse Chris Sabo takes the blood pressure of State Senator Leah Landrum Taylor, as paramedic Blaine Buchanan and take blood pressures of State Representative Jeff Dial while State Representative Bob Robson watches. Photo courtesy of Southwest Ambulance)

04/15/2011

Upcoming April Auto Theft Prevention & VIN Etching Events include;

Wednesday, April 20, 2011 - 10am - 2pm - Phoenix Police Department & AAA's Auto Theft Prevention & VIN Etching Event - AAA - 7422 W. Thunderbird Road **Please call Mark Gotsch, AAA @ 602 241-2945 for appt.

Friday, April 22, 2011 - 8am - 12pm - Phoenix PD - Squaw Peak Precinct's Auto Theft Prevention & VIN Etching Event - Firestone Tire - SE corner of 3rd Avenue and Osborn Rd.

Friday, April 22, 2011 - 9am - 1pm - AATA, Mesa PD & SunWest Credit Union Auto Theft Prevention & VIN Etching Event - SunWest Federal Credit Union - 1253 S. Gilbert Road, Mesa 85204

Visit our website for a complete list of events - azwatchyourcar.com.

04/13/2011

Lost Dutchman State Park invites interested volunteers to an "Introduction to Volunteering" informational session on Saturday, April 30, 2011, from 10am - Noon at Central Arizona College, Room 120, 273 Old West Highway, Apache Junction.

Volunteer opportunities include assisting with grounds and trail maintenance, leading and/or assisting with guided hikes and evening programs, greeting and assisting hikers and campers, planning and implementing programming for school-age children and supporting the Friends of Lost Dutchman group. The informational session will primarily consist of an introduction to the park's volunteer program, but will also include a discussion of the park's history and its services.

If you would like to volunteer, call Ranger Tim Kristof, Volunteer Coordinator, at (480) 928-4485. Lost Dutchman State Park is located at 6109 N. Apache Trail., Apache Junction, AZ 85119.

(Photo courtesy of Arizona State Parks)

04/08/2011

The Arizona Department of Revenue (DOR) is reminding taxpayers that they have until Monday, April 18 to file their 2010 tax returns and pay any tax due because Emancipation Day, a holiday observed in the District of Columbia, falls this year on Saturday April, 16.

Because the holiday falls on a Saturday it is observed on Friday, April 15. By federal law, District of Columbia holidays impact federal tax deadlines in the same way that federal holidays do. When the due date of tax return falls on a holiday it is considered timely if filled on the next regularly scheduled business day, therefore, all taxpayers will have three extra days to file this year.

Arizona statutes define legal holidays to include holidays determined by the United States Secretary of the Treasury for pursues of filing federal returns. Therefore, taxpayers also have until April 18 to file their Arizona income tax returns.

As of March 25, the DOR has received more than 1.6 million individual income tax returns, which is 58 percent of the 2.8 million returns expected this year. DOR has received about 5 percent more returns so far this year as it did at this time last year.

I few things to remember in filing returns:

File electronically to get a faster refund. Each year DOR provides opportunities for taxpayers to file their Arizona Individual Income Tax return electronically at no cost to those who qualify. More information is available online at azdor.gov E-Services for Individual Taxpayers.

If you cannot meet the April 18 deadline, file an extension, Arizona Form 204 to apply for an automatic six month extension to file. Your completed extension form must be filed by April 18, 2011.

The six-month extension is only for filing a return; this is not a request for an extension to pay. To avoid an extension underpayment penalty you must pay at least 90% of the tax due by April 18, 2011. For proper application of your payment and to avoid delays, be sure to submit your payment together with the completed Arizona Form 204. However, if you are filing under a federal extension, or making your Arizona extension payment electronically, you do not need to file Arizona Form 204. Electronic payment can be made using AZTaxes.gov.

If you file electronically, you can authorize an electronic funds withdrawal (direct debit) from your checking or savings account. If you have already filed your tax return and would like to Make a Payment, that option is available on our website at www.AZTaxes.gov. Most major credit cards are accepted as well as well as Visa or MasterCard branded debit card.

04/08/2011

Aaron Johnson, who makes his home in Surprise, received a surprise of another sort when he checked his Mega Millions® ticket from the draw of Jan. 28, 2011 – he’d matched five numbers for a sweet $250,000. He purchased the winning five-line Quick Pick ticket, at the QuikTrip located at 14007 W. Grand Ave., Surprise.

Aaron had gone to the store to purchase a gallon of water to take to work and get his Lottery tickets. He purchased his water, but forgot to get his tickets. It wasn’t until he returned to his truck that he remembered, so he went back inside the store, once again waited in line, and eventually bought his tickets.

Aaron went online to check his numbers and kept checking and rechecking the numbers; so did his wife. The following day, he called his boss, told him he needed a day off and the reason, and asked him if he would please keep quiet about his win.

The couple is extremely excited about their win. Now they can start a nice college fund for their daughter and do some updating to their home.

(Photo courtesy of Arizona Lottery)

04/08/2011

Superintendent of Public Instruction Huppenthal congratulated the Arizona CENTennial Penny Drive for reaching its goal of having at least 109 schools sign up to participate in the Penny Drive.

We are thrilled that we reached our goal of 100 schools signing up to participate in the Arizona CENTennial Penny Drive,” said Karen Churchard Director, Arizona Centennial 2012 Foundation.

Cactus View Elementary is one of many schools across Arizona who are participating in the AZ CENTennial Penny Drive. Schools are hoping to collect enough pen...

04/05/2011

Governor Brewer plans to convene a panel of leading figures from Arizona’s business and athletics, that will provide counsel and a “roadmap” the Fiesta Bowl can use to repair its image, restore its reputation and maintain its position – and Arizona’s – atop college football’s national stage.

“First, to the extent that there is truth to the allegations now being made, there can be no excuses. I look forward to the legal process bringing clarity to this situation. A little sunlight is in order at a time like this,” Governor Brewer said in a press release. “While that process plays out, I will focus my attention upon the restoration of the Fiesta Bowl.”

According to a report released on March 21st and commissioned by the Fiesta Bowl’s board of directors, alleged allegations include employees being pressured to make political contributions and illegally reimbursed them through paychecks and bonuses. The report also alleged that the Fiesta Bowl gave free game tickets to friendly legislators in violation of Arizona’s entertainment ban.

CEO John Junker has been fired over the allegations, and officials from the Bowl Championship Series said the Fiesta Bowl could lose the NCAA national championship game, which it hosts every four years, and its BCS status.