Arizona

Arizona Republicans
by Zachary M. Greenblatt

            GENERAL INFORMATION
            Arizona entered its 113,642-sq. mi. area into the United States of America on February 14, 1912 as the 48th State in the Union. Its present constitution was adopted in 1911. The 1998 resident population estimate of Arizona was 4,668,631. Its capital, Phoenix, has a population of 1,198,064 making it the states largest city as well. The 1990 resident census broke down the population as Male: 1,810,691; Female: 1,854,537; White: 2,963,186 (80.8%); Black: 110,524 (3.0%); American Indian: 203,527 (5.6%); Asian: 55,206 (1.5%); Other race: 332,785 (9.1%); Hispanic: 688,338 (18.8%). 1990 percent of population under 18: 26.8; 65 and over: 13.1; Median age: 32.0.
            Arizona’s most important industry has become manufacturing. Electrical items, as well as communications, and aeronautical items are among the states principal products. Arizona also produces over half the country’s copper. Agriculture too plays an important role in the state economy.
            Governor Jane Dee Hull, as well as Senators Jon Kyl and John McCain, are of the Republican Party which also enjoys House Majority in the state legislature. Naturally the Republican Party of Arizona is one with great power and influence in the state.
            THE REPUBLICAN PARTY OF ARIZONA
            The Republican Part of Arizona does not have its own specific platform. They adhere to the National GOP Party Platform. However, they naturally focus more on certain aspects rather than others. There are three sub-platforms within the National Party Platform that the Arizona Republicans focus on. The first is:
            I. Building a Better America.
            In this section of the GOP Platform six major issues are defined. They are improving the standard of living, tax relief for economic growth, balancing the budget and reducing spending, creating jobs for Americans, homeownership, and promoting trade and international prosperity.
            The national GOP wants to do improve the standard of living through cutting the tax burden on Americans and reducing government spending. One of the four main goals of the Arizona 1999 House Majority Program of the 44th Legislature – First Regular Session of the State of Arizona – is Fiscal Accountability and Tax Cuts. For the past seven years the Republican government in Arizona has cut the taxes of its citizens. Their goal is to allow families to spend more of their money how they see fit. They have stated that they are committed to continuing this trend. They examine state general fund spending through Program Authorization Review (PAR) and support the privatization of selected government services. To develop the economy, the majority has enacted programs on a statewide basis, as well as targeting projects where needed. The majority is working towards keeping the military bases in Arizona open due to the large role they play in the economy.
            II. A CLEANER, SAFER, HEALTHIER AMERICA.
            In this section of the GOP Platform four goals are defined. They are securing property rights, improving public lands, power for progress and agriculture in the 21st century.
            The majority has taken measures to improve the environment of Arizona. The have stated that they recognize that this is a continual issue and that they will support programs that clean their air and water and enhance their environment.
           III. FAMILIES AND SOCIETY.
            In this section of the GOP Platform, five goals are defined. They are stronger families, improving education, improving America’s healthcare, and renewing hope and opportunity, and older Americans.
            The House Majority has said that families are the backbone of Arizona and as such the Majority will asses all legislative and governmental actions based on whether they strengthen or erode the family. Republican Governor Jane Dee Hull has created the Governor’s Office of Community and Family Programs. This serves as an umbrella organization for the Divisions for Children, Women, Domestic Violence Prevention, and Drug Policy.
            The House Majority supports academic accountability measures, parental involvement, and the balanced use of teaching techniques in the schools to ensure that children reach basic reading levels by the third grade. Funding education is a top priority for the Majority, but they feel there must be accountability for the spending of these funds.
            The Majority will focus on the behavioral health system problems in Arizona and are in support of funding for behavioral health needs. They support the cautious use of tobacco settlement money to examine the health care needs of Arizona.
            The Republican Party of Arizona sticks with the National Party and focuses on the issues they see as most important to their state.