Press

MELVIN GIVES IN TO DEBATE PRESSURE - Tucson Weekly, July 28, 2010

State Sen. Al Melvin, a Republican from Oro Valley, has finally agreed to debate his Democratic challenger, Cheryl Cage.

Melvin previously told The Skinny that he wouldn't be debating Cage this year, because he was too busy. Melvin beat Cage by fewer than 2,000 votes in 2008.

In a statement on his website, the freshman senator had previously written: "One of the ways we are educating the voters is by participating in a number of debates with Ms. Cage, and those public appearances and comparisons will be very helpful."

But the "debates" he was referring to weren't quite debates. For example, he tweeted about a recent candidate forum in Oro Valley, saying it, "had candidates for many offices, including mine, debating one another."

But it wasn't a debate, according to forum organizer Conny Culver, a former Oro Valley Town Council member.

"In a debate, the candidates have a chance to go back and forth with each other," she said. "We were never trying to be a debate."

When asked about his use of the word at the Oro Valley candidate forum, Melvin said, "I consider this to be in the league of a debate."

His competitor disagrees. "Forums are not debates," Cage says. "(At the Oro Valley forum), we had 12 minutes; we had two questions, and there was no rebuttal."

Cage says Melvin has a pattern of misleading voters and, as an example, points to his website, where Melvin posted a photo of himself "debating his opponent ... on July 9" next to his recent tweets.

The caption doesn't say it was July 9, 2008, when the debate was held. (Note by Cheryl: I never debated Al Melvin at the Saddlebrooke Republican Club. The picture in question is, I believe, a picture of Melvin debating Pete Hershberger in 2008, however it is impossible to tell who is in the picture.)

But last week, Melvin finally agreed to hold a debate. Melvin didn't get back to us to comment, but Cage says she's happy that he's finally come around.

"I absolutely think that people will be interested, and they'll come out, and my plan for Arizona will be much more in line with the voters of LD26," Cage says.

JULY 15, 2010 for IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Prominent Republican and Community Leader Endorses Cheryl Cage for the LD-26 State Senate

Lifelong Republican Ora Mae Harn, Marana’s former Mayor, leading philanthropist and historian announced today that she will be supporting Cheryl Cage for the Arizona State Senate, representing the Foothills, the Northwest Side and parts of Marana.

Harn said, “Arizona needs people who are running to do what is best for all people. It's because I care so deeply about our community that I am putting partisanship aside and endorsing Cheryl Cage for the State Senate. She will fight for better schools, better jobs and provide the leadership southern Arizona needs."

"I am honored to have received Ora Mae's support," Cheryl Cage said, "She graciously shared her thoughts about the responsibities of a public servant and about the need to remember you are there to serve all citizens. I will remember her advice every day as I serve in the Arizona State Senate."

June 1, 2010 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

LD 26 SENATE CANDIDATE CHERYL CAGE OUT RAISES INCUMBENT AL MELVIN

Rises to top fundraiser in Southern Arizona legislative races

Tucson, AZ – Arizona State Senate candidate Cheryl Cage (LD-26) has raised more than twice the amount of money than her opponent, Republican incumbent Al Melvin. Voters have contributed $71,500 to Cheryl Cage but have contributed less than $31,000 to incumbent Al Melvin.

“What’s most exciting,” says Cage, “is the depth of support for my campaign. I am energized that I have received 555 individual contributors; almost four times that of Mr. Melvin.”

This vast outpouring of support puts the Cage campaign in the top ten in fundraising efforts of all legislative races in the state – Democrat or Republican - and number one in Southern Arizona.

“People are angry about how the legislature has handled the budget, and are concerned about Al Melvin’s extreme stances on the issues,” said Cage. “He says he is for education, yet he voted to put us in the bottom in spending per student, eliminated all day kindergarten, cut adult education programs and funding for GED."

Cage continued, “Rather than being a champion for his constituents in District 26, Melvin has consistently bowed to the Phoenix establishment, as evidenced by his vote to allow payday lenders to continue doing business in our state and his goal of making Arizona the nuclear waste dump of the world."

Cheryl Cage is dedicated to fighting for all in Southern Arizona, helping to diversify our economy by making smart investments in public education, solar and biotech and supporting our world-class universities, while working to create a fair tax structure for everyone, not just big business and special interests.

TUCSON WEEKLY, July 21, 2010 posted by Hank Stephenson.

Melvin Says 'No' to Debates and to Local Media

Republican state Senator Al Melvin declined a challenge by his Democratic contender, Cheryl Cage, to a series of one-on-one debates before the November general election, saying he can’t fit it into his schedule.
“I told her I’m busy,” Melvin says. “I’m going door to door.”
Cage, who lost the Legislative District 26 Senate race to Melvin in 2008 by fewer than 2,000 votes, says she thinks Melvin won’t debate her because he would have to defend his “abysmal” voting record.

“I mean, it’s completely against what the voters of LD26 want,” she says. “He voted for payday loan people to stay in business and 63 percent of our constituents voted against that. He voted 100 percent of the time against public education and we passed Prop 100 by a two-to-one margin.”

Though the two will not debate one-on-one this election season, they will attend several candidate forums alongside other legislative candidates in the coming months.

Besides those chances, Melvin says the voters can learn about the candidates on their own.

“I would encourage people to look at her website and look at my website,” Melvin says. “You know politics is education—there are many different ways for the voters to see the positions of the candidates.”

But you won't be seeing Melvin’s position on KUAT's Arizona Illustrated or in the editorial pages of the Arizona Daily Star and the Arizona Republic.

Melvin says he and other southern Arizona Republican lawmakers are issuing a boycott of the major local media outlets until the news organizations hire at least one “center-right” person to their editorial boards.

“They’re totally slanted to the left,” he says. “There is nothing fair and balanced about it and we’re not going to be a party to it.”

Though they are still talking to reporters from the papers, Melvin says they will not have anything to do with the editorial boards—and will not participate in endorsement interviews.

“The outcome is so obvious from the beginning that it makes no sense for us to participate (in the endorsement process),” he said.

MELVIN PUSHES FOR NUCLEAR, ALONE

JUNE 16, 2010 Op-Ed in the Explorer News by Cheryl Cage

(This is in response to my opponent's Op-Ed where he called for Arizona to embrace nuclear waste storage in order to make our state 'very rich'.)

Our current state Senator, Al Melvin, has once again demonstrated how out of touch he is with the values of LD-26 voters.

His actions over the past two legislative sessions provide clear proof that he is determined to push his political agenda instead of looking out for Southern Arizona. A few examples:

Payday Loans: Although 63% of LD-26 voters said ‘no’ to allowing payday loan operators to continue doing business in Arizona, Melvin voted to allow them to stay in business.

Public Education: By 2-to-1 voters in LD-26 voted to protect public education by passing Prop 100. In contrast Melvin voted 100% of the time against public education.

Now, he’s promoting building numerous nuclear power plants in Arizona and – most alarmingly – turning Arizona into the world’s nuclear waste dump.

In his op-ed (Arizona should consider atomic energy 6/9) Mr. Melvin manipulates the facts to support his push for Arizona to become a nuclear waste destination so we can become “very rich”.

Cost?

He states that nuclear energy costs 2.5 cents per kilowatt-hour compared to solar and wind (notice he lumps solar and wind together) at around 14 to 17 cents per kilowatt-hour.

What he doesn’t tell you is that the stated 2.5 cents per kilowatt-hour does not include capital costs (which make up 80% of the energy production cost) or costs of transmission.

The true cost of nuclear is about 25 cents per kilowatt-hour and is rising (due to materials and water costs). The price of solar is about 24 cents per kilowatt-hour and will continue to drop as research continues.

Jobs?

Studies have shown for every $1 million dollars invested solar will provide 13.5 jobs to the nuclear industry’s 4.5 jobs.

Environmental impact?

Where to place this dangerous waste is not mentioned. (Perhaps Oracle State Park? He did vote to close it.) There is no discussion about the fact that all that this nuclear waste will be delivered by truck or rail. This fact raises critical public safety concerns.

His comparison about the ‘footprints’ of solar versus nuclear is equally disingenuous. He refuses to acknowledge solar panels would not just be sitting in one large field; they would be placed throughout a community (top of homes and businesses, parking lots and infill areas). He states that Palo Verde’s footprint is only 6.3 miles because he chooses to ignore the impact of mining uranium.

Like most Southern Arizonans I believe solar energy is a safer, cleaner, smarter alternative. The tremendous water requirements to manufacture nuclear energy convinces me that Arizona is not the place to build new nuclear power plants.

My opponent says Arizona has the ‘political will’ to pursue nuclear power and waste. I have yet to meet one voter in LD-26 who is clamoring to bring nuclear waste to our beautiful state.

Once again, Mr. Melvin correlates ‘political will’ with having enough votes in the legislature to push his agenda through -- no matter what constituents value.

Read more: www.SafeEnergyAnalyst.org and www.NIRS.org

March 25, 2010
OPPONENT WATCH

Although my opponent has been dismantling Arizona since he took office, even for him this has been a big week. And, it illustrates exactly how high the stakes are in this election.

A state senator serves the people, not themselves. But my opponent, Al Melvin, has consistently served his own ideology, his Phoenix bosses and entrenched lobbyists. A few choice issues:

Payday Lenders: He cast the deciding vote to allow payday lenders to continue to thrive in Arizona. The same payday lending industry that 63% of LD-26 voters overwhelmingly said should be shut down. (Fortunately, sanity prevailed and others stopped this bill.)

War on Libraries: He championed proposed legislation that would slash Arizona's public library system of 75 percent of their funding. Library districts are run better than the state Legislature but he decided to punish them anyway.

And the final coup de gras; mixing Children and Prison Inmates: he told the Explorer it would be a good idea to let prison inmates do maintenance and janitorial work in our schools. (Guns. Kids. Inmates. Now, that's a recipe for disaster.)

Enjoying the Process that is Causing Distress for Thousands of Arizonans: After voting to forever eliminate KidsCare, reducing AHCCCS eligibility so unemployment recipients can't qualify and slashing more money from our already decimated public schools my opponent told the Explorer:

"I am having the time of my life," he said of his position. "I am enjoying this job so much. I will work as hard as I can to get re-elected and serve a full eight years in the Senate."

If you believe, as I do, that Arizona cannot take one more minute of his type of 'representation' I ask for your support.

February 10, 2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Melvin Launches Own War on Poverty, Attacks the Poor

State Sen. Al Melvin has joined a Legislative effort to micromanage the people who've been knocked out of work during the worst job market in generations.

Melvin has co-sponsored legislation that seeks to turn the employed against the unemployed, suggesting the poor live extravagantly on $1,200 a month.

"If Al Melvin thinks the unemployed are leading an extravagant lifestyle, he should try to live on minimum wage," Cage said. "If he thinks the unemployed are to blame for the worst job market in generations, he should apply for job after job and see how easy it is to find work."

Meanwhile, it is ironic that the Republican majority would discuss personal responsibility when they will accept none for themselves, Cage said.

With control over tax policy for 20 years, their business plan has failed Arizona and socked the state with the biggest budget mess in America. They're seven months late on a balanced budget and blame Democrats they said they didn't need to get the job done.

"When Al Melvin fails, he says it's not his fault," Cage said. "Yet it's hard-working Arizonans who are to blame when they get laid off because Wall Street banks imploded. Southern Arizona needs leaders who give their attention to finding solutions, not spend their time launching class wars."

Jan. 14, 2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Cage Support Shows Southern Arizona Wants Change.

The people of southern Arizona are standing up and supporting Democratic State Senate candidate Cheryl Cage's bid to bring the voice of mainstream southern Arizona values to the state capitol.

Cage raised $32,000 in the year preceding the legislative election, with most donations being under $100.00. This show of support is unequaled in recent history and demonstrates, as of now, the Cage-Melvin race will be the one to watch in southern Arizona.

The $32,000 she raised is almost exactly the amount she would be allowed to spend for an entire campaign, were she and her opponent receiving state funds. The campaign has more than $30,000 cash on hand going into this pivotal election year.

Cage will fight for better public schools, a stronger economy and pledges to listen to all sides in the political debate. She knows that as long as Arizona ranks last in classroom spending, the state is forfeiting the 21st Century. She knows that the right industries, including solar, can create and sustain quality jobs that will build a better economy.

Her opponent, Sen. Al Melvin (R-Saddlebrooke), has used the state budget crisis as an excuse to wage his war on public schools and those most hurt by the crash of his "anything goes" economic theories. As vice chairman of the Appropriations Committee, he's failed to deliver a balanced budget more than six months after the constitutional deadline. When questioned Melvin returns to the tired old political practice of hurling epithets, rather than engaging in debate.

"Southern Arizona is tired of failed economic policies and narrow ideological warfare substituting for sound government, Cage said. "I'm grateful for the support that will bring inclusive leadership to the state capitol and I will fight hard for southern Arizona."

The Worst Case of Political Spin by Cheryl Cage

Explorer News, published Dec. 23, 2009

Sen. Melvin and the current legislative majority have cut $277 million out of Arizona's public schools. So, I must say, that Melvin's 'Help our schools, and your wallet' is the worst example of political spin I have ever read.

Mr. Melvin presents himself as someone who cares about public education while he continues to vote in favor of dismantling Arizona's public schools.

The School Tax Credit is a subject ripe for spin as it hits the hot buttons of education, children and taxes. What more could a spin-doctor ask for?

It's time for the facts.

Since 1997 Arizona has diverted over $350 million public dollars to private and religious schools through the Private School Tax Credit program. Here is what Mr. Melvin and the public school opponents created:

There is a huge discrepancy between what a taxpayer can donate to a public school vs. a private/religious school. You can donate $500 to a private / religious school, but only $200 to a public school.

Public school donations are for after-school programs only; private / religious schools can use the donations for direct school expenses.

One hundred percent of public school donations go directly to the school; private / religious school payments are made to Student Tax Organizations. There is no required state oversight of STOs, and STOs can keep 10 percent of your donation for so-called administrative costs.

It gets worse: There is no financial litmus test as to whether the child is in financial need of scholarship assistance to the private or religious school, and the state's largest STO was co-founded by a Republican state representative.

It's time to demand accountability from every elected official who supports the Private School Tax Credit programs. Ask them:

• Do you believe that a strong public school system is vital to the health of Arizona? (Don't settle for 'education is important.' Do they say that public education is important?)

• How is a loss of $350 million to Arizona's general fund a positive?

• The Private School Tax Credit program has been called a "backdoor voucher" program because it allows taxpayer money to pay for private / religious schools. What is your opinion?

As 2010 rolls around, I hope each voter will make a New Year's resolution to become investigative reporters in our own back yards. Let's demand the facts and hold our representatives accountable for the statements they put forth.

Visit: www.azdor.gov to read the specifics of the credits.

Read: 'Rigged Privilege' (Tribune investigation into Arizona's private school tax credits. Published Aug. 2, 2009.)

Google: 'Private school tax credits, Arizona' to read varying opinions. Please note: look for info from a journalistic source, not simply a partisan group (either pro or con).

Call: Your state representatives. Have them explain, with specific facts, why they support or do not support these tax credits.

The real costs of GOP-led approach
By Cheryl Cage, Special to The Explorer
Published: September-23-2009

No matter your party affiliation, I think we can all agree that this legislative session has been like no other in Arizona's history. And not in a good way.

A Republican governor and the Republican Legislature have failed to agree on a budget as of Sept 19. The Arizona Constitution mandates a budget by June 30. They are 81 days late.

Arizona's revenues are down by about 18 percent, but the far right majority insist on cutting revenue further by giving tax breaks to large out-of-state corporations and those who don't need them. Standard and Poor's has downgraded Arizona's credit ranking from "stable" to "negative."

Those are facts. Now, let's review the real costs of this Republican-led approach.

Tax breaks were paid for by cuts to public schools. More than $400 million were slashed from funds to buy textbooks and classroom supplies, pay for school construction and even to keep the lights on in our classrooms.

They cut money for AHCCS during a time when more than 10,000 working parents have lost their health insurance.

Our state parks, the jewels of Southern Arizona, are in danger of closing. Failure to act will eliminate our ability to enjoy the treasures of our environment and heritage. Closed parks will impact tourism.

These are just a few of our problems. The truly tragic reality is that it need not have gotten to this point.

Let me be clear. I am fully and painfully aware of Arizona's severe budget crisis. Sacrifices must be made. But, we need to find solutions that will not only help Arizona now; but solutions that allow us to come out stronger on the other side of these difficult economic times.

Sadly, the Republican majority is acting like a family who says, "We are facing a family budget crisis, and we've have decided that the quickest way to save money is to quit buying food." A fast solution, but not the wisest.

There are ways to put Arizona back on a positive budget track.

The Right Wing has argued that the spending has been the problem when we rank in the bottom 10 among all states in per-capita spending. The budget crisis was caused by collapsing revenues.

First, we stop the bleeding by eliminating tax cuts to people who don't need it at a time we can't afford it.

We can reinstate cuts made to the Department of Revenue in order to collect more of the taxes that are already owed. The department was forced to lay off 300 employees, preventing the collection of more than $400 million in unpaid taxes. (An auditor can bring in $400,000 a year, a collector $800,000.)

We can eliminate tax deductions and credits that no longer serve their intended purpose. We can temporarily suspend new tax cuts that are scheduled to be phased in over time.

In the long term, we must overhaul our state tax code to insure the tax rules are fair to all Arizonans.

To succeed in the coming century, we must give our public schools the resources they need to succeed. Only with excellent public schools can we attract good jobs and help our industries prosper.

We must support the vital role the University of Arizona plays in our economy. Pima Cotton and the science of tree-ring analysis were developed here. The university helped take us to Mars last year.

Imagine what the UA can do with solar and green energies.

What's most troubling is that the Republican Legislature refuses to work with anyone outside their party in a meaningful way. We must come together and listen to one another with respect and open minds.

Cheryl Cage is a business owner and consultant, and Democratic candidate for the Arizona State Senate in LD-26.

Reader Comments
The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of explorernews.com.
Elizabeth Hess wrote on Sep 23, 2009 12:51 PM:
" Cheryl Cage's comments are correct. For a state that is trying to attract an educated workforce, gutting the public school budgets in Arizona can only hurt that endeavor. Educated work forces want education for their children. Closing parks leaves families more limited options for recreation. Our policies make Arizona the anti-family state. "

Paul Barby wrote on Sep 23, 2009 1:22 PM:
" The Real Costs of GOP-Led Approach -- Now your are talking reality. Those controlling the AZ Legislature this past session are doing their utmost to strangle the goose that lays the eggs necessary for Arizona's future, all in the name of unrealistic ideology bent on cutting taxes without care for the consequences. Thanks for exposing their follies. Can we save the goose? Not if we stand by and do nothing. Check the facts, Voters. Who is representing your future and for your children, not to mention our State? Are those budget choices made on your behalf in your best interest? So you have lower taxes MAYBE! Is that worth reducing the tools we need to keep the goose healthy so aptly laid out in this editorial? Ask yourself, are those decisions by the Arizona Legislature helping me and my family? It's time for a serious reality check. "

DougP wrote on Sep 23, 2009 1:45 PM:
" Thanks Cheryl. Outstanding explanation. Tell it like it is! "

Pat Kinsman wrote on Sep 23, 2009 1:54 PM:
" Cheryl Cage's excellent article in the
Explorer today was well written and
straight forward. This State govern-
ment has lost it's way and needs to
have new leadership at the top and
in both houses. We need leaders
who can think clearly and for the
benefit of all the citizens of this state.

Thanks you, Cheryl! "

Barbara Tellman wrote on Sep 23, 2009 2:56 PM:
" Ms Cage has it right - this Legislature is the worst in Arizona history and has damaged our state possibly irreparably. What we failed to mention is the cockeyed plan to sell government buildings and parks, then rent them back at a huge profit to the speculator. This is so outrageous that it even made the Daily Show where Arizona was made to look utterly ridiculous.
That added to all the tax cuts and tax credits to large corporations (mostly out of state) and the wealthy have lowered our credit rating, teachers are struggling to keep up with loss of staff and supplies while teaching larger classes.
This has to stop! "

Douglas Noffsinger wrote on Sep 23, 2009 5:32 PM:
" The Cheryl Cage article was a surprise. Imagine, a candidate who speaks the truth about the harsh reality facing the state. Folks, we deserve what we get when we elect the people we have been electing. Here is a chance to change that. Cheryl Cage, a name I intend to find on the ballot. "

Harvey Akeson wrote on Sep 23, 2009 5:55 PM:
" The newspapers should make every member of the Legislature put up.
Exactly what is their answer to the fiscal problems of the state.
Keep running their names on the front page until they answer the question.
Specific budget reductions or specific revenue proposals. Until they are forced to put up their positions they will continue to hide, not answer their mail and evade the question.
Speaking of the current State Senator, go Ma Cage! "