The Veridus Weekly

Regardless, the measure represents both a  “giant, beautiful, massive” opportunity and risk for the White House and Republicans. The legislation could spur Republicans to rally around an old favorite - tax cuts - or it may further expose political fault lines within the party.

Locally, Governor Doug Ducey is backing the proposal, as are GOP members of the Arizona congressional delegation. But Arizona Sen. Jeff Flake highlighted challenges facing the tax plan - especially in the U.S. Senate - when he noted his concern with projections the proposal would add an estimated $1.5 trillion to the federal deficit over ten years.

The legislation may also split Democrats. Sure, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer wasted no time blasting the plan. But what about red-state Dems on the 2018 ballot, like Sens. Joe Manchin (W. Va.); Heidi Heitkamp (N.D.); Jon Tester (Mont.); Claire McCaskill (Mo.); and Joe Donnelly (Ind.)? Each represents a state won handily by President Trump. Dare they vote against the “biggest ever” tax cut?

On tap may be the ultimate test of party unity - for both parties.


ICYMI: Matthew Benson on KJZZ talking about the week in politics with former Tempe Mayor Hugh Hallman

Take a listen HERE.

Phoenix City Hall limbo: What happens when Mayor Greg Stanton resigns?
The Arizona Republic

When Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton launched his congressional campaign in October, he answered questions about his own political future but triggered uncertainty about the city's.

Stanton, who has served at the city's helm for seven years, will have to resign sometime in the next seven months.

He hasn't said when he will leave, but the timing of his resignation could dramatically affect not only the race to replace him, but the course of city business.

Stanton's departure will give rise to multiple other resignations as council members — Daniel Valenzuela, Kate Gallego and potentially others— compete to succeed him. It also will bring about temporary replacements and pricey special elections.

During this time of transition, the City Council likely will decide on important and expensive matters, including potential renovations of the Phoenix Suns' arena. The absence of the mayor and current council members — or the addition of replacement members — could alter the fates of those projects.

Phoenix elections are nonpartisan, but politics does come into play. The timing of Stanton's resignation and the subsequent moves of Democrats Valenzuela and Gallego running for mayor could help or hurt Democrats' chances of keeping the city's top spot. It could prompt Republicans to go after the post, or encourage them to pass on the race.

Valenzuela and Gallego have launched mayoral campaigns already, and some community members have lined up to run for the council seats they eventually will leave. But the length of the campaign process and the date of elections depend entirely on Stanton.

Stanton must resign by May 30, but he could resign before then to focus more attention on his congressional race.

[...] Read more HERE.

Ducey looking at ‘rainy day fund’ to cover free health care for poor children
Arizona Capitol Times

Gov. Doug Ducey may tap the state’s “rainy day fund” to keep health care coverage for 23,000 Arizona children until Congress finally acts.

The governor said Tuesday that both the House and Senate are weighing legislation to restore funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program. It provides free care for children in families earning up to twice the federal poverty level, or about $40,840 a year for a family of three.

Cash for CHIP ran out when the federal fiscal year ended on Sept. 30.

[...] Read more HERE.

Republicans Release Tax Plan, Cutting Corporate and Middle-Class Taxes
New York Times

WASHINGTON — Republican lawmakers unveiled the most sweeping rewrite of the tax code in decades, outlining a $1.51 trillion plan to cut taxes for corporations, reduce them for some middle-class families and tilt the United States closer, but not entirely, toward the kind of tax system long championed by businesses, according to talking points circulated on Thursday.

The House plan, released after weeks of internal debate, conflict and delay, is far from final and will ignite a legislative and lobbying fight as Democrats, business groups and other special interests tear into the text ahead of a Republican sprint to get the legislation passed and to President Trump’s desk by Christmas.

[...] The plan establishes three tax brackets, 12, 25 and 35 percent, and also keeps a top rate of 39.6 percent for the highest-earners, collapsing the total number of brackets from seven. The brackets, as described by Representative Kevin Brady, chairman of the Ways and Means Committee and Republican of Texas, fall along the following lines:

Single filers making up to $24,000 will pay no income tax; up to $90,000 will be in the 12 percent bracket, up to $260,000 in the 25 percent bracket and up to $1 million in the 35 percent bracket. Those making above $1 million will be in the 39.6 percent bracket, which is currently the top rate for millionaires.

[...] Read more HERE.
Universal Technical Institute to enter New York market with 13th campus
Phoenix Business Journal

Universal Technical Institute Inc. (NYSE: UTI) plans to enter the New York metro market with its 13th campus at a time when demand for its services is at an all-time high.

"This will be Lucky No. 13 for us," said Sherrell Smith, executive vice president of admissions and operations for the Scottsdale-based provider of automotive technician training.

[...] Expansion plans come at a time when the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics released new employment projections that more than tripled its 2014 estimates for the number of new entrant transportation technicians necessary to meet industry demand.

The BLS now estimates more than 120,000 new technicians on average are needed each year in the coming decade to work as automotive and diesel technicians and in collision repair.

By 2026, that equates to about 1.2 million new technicians nationwide.

These estimates put UTI in a position for growth — something sorely needed as the company has struggled with enrollment and net losses over the past several years.

[...] Read more HERE.

CoreCivic Launches Initiative to Advocate for Federal and State Policies Aimed at Reducing Recidivism
Includes Support for “Ban the Box” Legislation and Making Reentry Policies Part of Political Giving Criteria

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Oct. 31, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CoreCivic (NYSE:CXW) announced today the launch of a nationwide initiative to advocate for a range of government policies, including “Ban the Box” legislation, that will help former inmates successfully reenter society and stay out of prison.  The company also committed to a series of accountability measures, including publicly reporting related advocacy activities on an annual basis and making support for recidivism-reducing policies one of its criteria for evaluating political contributions.

[...] As part of the initiative, CoreCivic will apply government relations resources and expertise to advocate for the following policies:   

• “Ban-the-Box” proposals to help improve former inmates’ chances at getting a job;
• Reduced legal barriers to make it easier and less risky for companies to hire former inmates;
• Increased funding for reentry programs in areas such as education, addiction treatment, faith-based offerings, victim impact and post-release employment; and
• Social impact bond pilot programs that tie contractor payments to positive outcomes.   

For detailed position papers and examples of specific legislation that the company would support, please visit: https:/www.corecivic.com/reentrypolicies.

[...] Read more HERE.

Cigna Introduces 24/7/365 National Support Line for Veterans, Families, Caregivers And Mindfulness for Vets Sessions

• Free, available to all veterans – Cigna customers and non-customers
• Responds to opioid crisis within veteran community
• New Mindfulness for Vets program helps relieve veterans’ chronic pain, stress
• New Support Line provides assistance with wide range of veterans’ needs

BLOOMFIELD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Studies show that veterans face a range of challenges and often struggle with chronic pain, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression and other health conditions, as well as the challenges of transitioning back to civilian life. To show appreciation for their sacrifices and help veterans combat opioid addiction, Cigna has introduced a free national Veteran Support Line available 24/7/365 days a year. The new support line – 855.244.6211 – is for all veterans, their families and caregivers – whether or not the veteran is a Cigna customer.

The Veteran Support Line will help veterans with services and resources for pain management, substance use counseling and treatment, financial issues, food, clothing, housing, safety, transportation, parenting and child care, aging services, health insurance, legal assistance and more.

In addition, to provide access to alternative therapies such as mindfulness, Cigna is now offering a weekly Mindfulness for Vets session, exclusively for veterans. Mindfulness is an evidence-based therapy proven to have a positive impact on depression, stress, anxiety, performance, sleep, addiction, PTSD and more.

[...] The Mindfulness for Vets program will be available every Tuesday at 4 p.m. central time by calling 1.888.244.6260 and entering the passcode 536435. According to Cierzan, this mindfulness group is designed exclusively for veterans to be “interactional, instructional and experiential.” At the end of the group session, if a participant would like to talk further with a coach, a direct number will be provided.

[...] All veterans, their caregivers and families, whether they are customers are not, also are invited to participate in Cigna’s other Mindfulness Drop-In sessions currently open to Cigna customers. These take place every Monday and Thursday at 5 p.m. central time and every Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. central time by calling 1.888.244.6260 and entering the passcode 388032.

[...] For more information on how opioids affect veterans, go HERE. To read more about how Cigna is supporting the veteran community, go HERE..

Read more HERE

An Arizona Farm and Ranch Leader Nationally Recognized Along with other Farm Bureau Boot Camp Grads
Arizona Farm Bureau

Arizona Farm Bureau’s Women’s Leadership Chair, Sine Kerr, was recognized along with 14 other farm and ranch women leaders as graduates of the American Farm Bureau’s eleventh annual Women’s Communications Boot Camp. The group of agricultural leaders was recognized after completing an intensive three-day course in Washington D.C. featuring sessions on working with the media, public speaking, testifying and messaging.

“The experience was fantastic,” said Sine Kerr, also an Arizona dairy farmer along with her husband, Bill. “I learned so much about creating a message that is personal, articulate,and passionate and how this helps us become more effective advocates for agriculture."

“Women’s Communication Boot Camp is the experience of a lifetime,” said Sherry Saylor, an Arizona row crop farmer and chair of the AFB Women’s Leadership Committee. “Graduates of this program are persuasive and effective advocates for agriculture, with a passion for connecting with influencers at the local, state and national levels.”

[...] Read more HERE. Veridus is proud to represent a true “who’s who” roster of premier members of the business community. The Veridus Weekly has proven to be an excellent opportunity to highlight key announcements, activities, etc. If you would like to feature something in an upcoming issue, reply to this email or send information to info@veridus.com.

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