Tag Archives: Group: Center for Arizona Policy

AP on KTAR.com: The Arizona Republic says the suit was filed Thursday by the Alliance Defense Fund.

Tucson Citizen – News from The Arizona Republic: “The fliers of Christian groups shouldn’t be banned while other groups can freely invite students to their meetings and activities,” said Jeremy Tedesco, an attorney for the Alliance Defense Fund, in a statement. “That’s the position of numerous federal court rulings, and Dysart’s flier policies fit the mold of those that have been declared unconstitutional.” [more . . . ]

AZCentral.com: Planned Parenthood of Arizona will resume abortion services at its north Phoenix and Chandler clinics by the end of the month.

OneNewsNow.com: Steven H. Aden is an attorney with the Arizona-based Alliance Defense Fund, one of the groups that defended the law. “A woman’s right to make a fully informed choice is more important than Planned Parenthood’s desire to profit from abortions,” says Aden. “Without this legal roadblock, women will now be better protected — and so will pro-life medical professionals whom the law protects from being coerced into participating in abortions.”

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund together with the Center for Arizona Policy, the Bioethics Defense Fund, and the Life Legal Defense Foundation defended the law.

This September, 729 abortions – that’s 324 fewer abortions – a 30% decrease,” Herrod explained.

Arizona’s Abortion Consent Act upheld | Oregon Faith Report: Georgene Rice interviews Deborah Sheasby, legal counsel with the Alliance Defense Fund, regarding a recent decision by the Arizona Court of Appeals . . .

Center for Arizona Policy: Arizona’s largest abortion provider, Planned Parenthood, announced today that they would not appeal to the Arizona Supreme Court the Court of Appeals ruling which upheld the 2009 Abortion Consent Act.

LifeNews.com: “The Court acknowledged the Legislature’s right to pass legislation to protect the health and safety of women considering abortion,” said Deborah Sheasby, Center for Arizona Policy’s Legal Counsel. “This is a major victory for Arizona women.”
“If Planned Parenthood truly cared about what’s best for women, they wouldn’t be repeatedly going to court around the nation to stop laws that allow women to make fully informed choices,” said ADF Senior Counsel Steven H. Aden, who argued before the Court of Appeals on June 14. “The court ruled rightly in this case in rejecting the arguments of the nation’s largest purveyor of abortion. The protection of women is not unconstitutional.”

Center for AZ Policy Foundations Blog: As a part of our ongoing series discussing the importance of protecting marriage as the union of one man and one woman, Alliance Defense Fund Legal Counsel Dale Schowengerdt guest blogs about the implications redefining marriage would have on our religious freedom

Sonoran Alliance: Attorneys for Center for Arizona Policy and the Alliance Defense Fund worked together to defend the church’s rights in court. “Churches should not be treated unfavorably just because they are religious, and that is what the city of Yuma had done here,” said CAP Legal Counsel Deborah Sheasby. (linked at Tucson Citizen)

LifeNews.com: An Arizona judge, at the request of the Planned Parenthood abortion business, put on hold important health and safety rules the state legislature approved to protect women using the dangerous abortion drug RU 486.

Center for AZ Policy: Center for Arizona Policy (CAP) released the first edition of the 2011 City Elections Voter Guide on azvoterguide.com today. This non-partisan, free resource provides you with straightforward answers from the candidates about where they stand on critical issues for the August 30 election.

AZ Republic (6/25): Attorneys at the Alliance Defense Fund, a Scottsdale-based alliance of attorneys representing conservative Christian issues, said it was disappointing that legislators did not represent their constituents on the issue. “It’s not a circumstance where the expertise of legislators is required,” said Austin Nimocks, ADF senior legal counsel. “People know marriage. They live it and understand it, and they don’t need legislators to dictate to them the definition of marriage.”

AZ Republic / Tucson Citizen: In 2009, Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Donald Daughton issued a preliminary injunction halting those parts of the law from going into effect. On Tuesday, attorneys representing the state and the Christian legal group Alliance Defense Fund argued that Daughton was incorrect in his decision.

Eggsploitation Documentary Screening – Phoenix | Center for Arizona Policy: Produced by The Center for Bioethics & Culture, Eggsploitation is a documentary film revealing the risks and costs to young women from the human egg trade. [learn more]

Center for Arizona Policy: As of this writing, 12 Center for Arizona Policy supported bills have been signed into law. Two more
measures achieved final passage.

Washington Examiner: Dean Steven Goldschmid of the University of Arizona College of Medicine in Tucson says the bill jeopardizes the accreditation of the college’s obstetrics-gynecology residency program. Cathi Herrod of the Center for Arizona Policy denies that, saying the accreditation standard provides an exception for states where law bars public funding for abortions.

LifeSiteNews: HB 2416 expands the state’s informed consent law, clarifies the term “abortion” to include chemical abortion, prohibits the proscription of RU-486 abortion pills through video-hookup (“telemed abortion”), and creates a requirement for a guardian ad litem for a minor seeking abortion without parental consent.

Center for Arizona Policy: Center for Arizona Policy filed a friend-of-the-court brief supporting the program, along with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America, Christian Legal Society, and several religious liberty organization and scholars

Deborah Sheasby writes at the Center for Arizona Policy Foundations Blog (includes video): “These incidents are occurring across the country, including right here in Arizona. That’s why CAP is supporting HB 2565, which ensures that universities and community colleges do not infringe on the rights of students to practice their sincerely held religious beliefs.”

East Valley Tribune: “The First Amendment says you can’t prohibit the free exercise of religion,” said Cathi Herrod, president of the Center for Arizona Policy. And Herrod, who also is an attorney, called the concept of a separation of church and state “a fallacy.” Brett Harvey, senior legal counsel to the Scottsdale-based Alliance Defense Fund, said what Brewer – and others – have done with these declarations is legal. “It is perfectly acceptable for politicians and for public officials to recognize the religious heritage of this country,” he said. And Harvey said the U.S. Supreme Court has even upheld things like prayers to open meetings and swear in public officials.

SB 1482 would require the Commission on Judicial Performance Review to publish online a listing of appellate judges’ decisions and an electronic copy of the decisions. Posting this information in one easily accessible place for voters would shine light on what is currently a clouded and useless process for Arizonans.

SB 1472 would require the same Commission to publish information in the ballot publicity pamphlet listing the cases in which a judge’s ruling was declared unconstitutional and a brief statement of the reason why.

AZ Republic: “This year, legislation is aimed at furthering restrictions on an increasingly popular prescription abortion pill as well as preventing doctors from using remote video technology to serve rural patients seeking abortions.”

The AZ Daily Star carries commentary by Dr. Gilbert Shapiro: Indeed, 84 bills (22 in the past two years) advanced by the Center for Arizona Policy have become law. No CAP-opposed bills were passed. It should come as no surprise this was due to overwhelming support from Gov. Jan Brewer and Republican House and Senate legislators. In 2010, The Arizona Capitol Times, a nonpartisan newspaper covering state politics and government, reported that “insiders” judged CAP and its president Cathi Herrod among the most influential lobbying organizations and lobbyists in Phoenix. Has theocracy come to Arizona?

East Valley Tribune: “A member of a screening panel at the heart of a controversy about religion abruptly resigned Tuesday. Louis Araneta said his comments during the discussion of the nomination of Christopher Gleason to the Independent Redistricting Commission ‘were misinterpreted to infer that I was not in support of Mr. Gleason’s application because of his religious beliefs.’”

Center for Arizona Policy: “‘Yesterday, I called for Commissioner Araneta to resign from the Commission on Appellate Court Appointments because of comments he made last week citing an applicant’s Christian faith as a disqualification for service on the Independent Redistricting Commission,’ said Cathi Herrod, Center for Arizona Policy President.”

Yuma Sun: “House Speaker Kirk Adams, R-Mesa, said Monday the only comment made last week about the nomination of Tucsonan Christopher Gleason to the commission was by one screening panel member who pointed to Gleason’s involvement with a Christian organization . . . Cathi Herrod, president of the Center for Arizona Policy, said a greater concern is that the panel that is screening applicants for the commission is the same one that nominates judges for the Arizona Supreme Court and the state Court of Appeals.”

Benson News Sun: “Besides decisions about state and local offices, voters this November also have a lot of propositions to consider.”

Cathi Herrod, Center for Arizona Policy: “Most Arizona voters also will be deciding whether to retain judges who serve on our state courts. If there is one question I am repeatedly asked, it’s how people can learn about the judges to then cast an informed vote . . . As part of our voter education efforts, CAP surveyed more than 60 judges up for retention and posted their responses at azvoterguide.com.”

The Arizona Legislature acted “reasonably and constitutionally” when it decided last year to pass a law that once again distributes taxpayer-funded benefits for state employees on the basis of marital status. That’s the conclusion of a friend-of-the-court brief submitted to a federal court Monday by Alliance Defense Fund attorneys on behalf of Center for Arizona Policy.

The Arizona Republic: “‘The California constitution gives the people of California the right to establish its own social policy through constitutional amendments, and they did,’ said [Douglas Napier], senior legal counsel for the Scottsdale-based Alliance Defense Fund and part of the legal team defending Prop. 8 . . . ‘(Walker) basically disenfranchised 7 million California voters and said, ‘I’m smarter than 7 million Californians, and my will is going to be imposed here rather than yours.’”

Center for Arizona Policy: “This report provides a summary of Center for Arizona Policy’s (CAP) work during the 2010 legislative session.”

LifeNews: “State legislators in Tennessee may have beat their colleagues in Arizona in passing a law to allow the state to opt out of some of the abortion funding in the government-run health care bill President Barack Obama signed. But Governor Jan Brewer made Arizona officially the first to have the bill become law.” | Center for Arizona Policy Press Release | SB 1305

The Center for Arizona Policy: “Critical legislation to protect and guarantee parental rights is ready for a final vote in the Arizona House. [SB 1309] will ensure in our state law that parents have the right ‘to direct the upbringing and education of their child.’ It also requires that children not be taught sex-related curriculum in public schools without parental consent.”

i-Newswire: “Many who know Cathi Herrod only as the fast-talking head of Center for Arizona Policy (CAP) know only one side of the story. They know Herrod as she is today: strong, outspoken, and fiercely conservative. What many don’t know is her previous life as a liberal pro-abortion feminist . . . ”

KPHO: “[House Bill 2596] would give churches the ability to locate wherever they choose, regardless of local zoning rules . . . ‘It’s about creating a level playing field so that churches are not discriminated against,’ said Deborah Sheasby, legal counsel for the Center For Arizona Policy.” [Note: Bill number in original article appears to be incorrect. The modified number above comes from the Center for Arizona Policy's 2010 Legislative Agenda.]

” . . . Meanwhile, a House bill sponsored by Rep. Steve Yarbrough, R-Chandler, aimed at defining the kinds of zoning restrictions municipalities can put on places of worship is opposed by the League of Arizona Cities and Towns, on grounds that it gives any person the ability to locate anywhere in the name of religious practice, regardless of neighborhood impact . . .”

LifeNews: “Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund and Center for Arizona Policy have appealed an Arizona judge’s order to halt new state laws protecting the health and safety of women on abortion . . . ‘We’re appealing the injunction the state court granted to Planned Parenthood because these laws protect the health and safety of women. The protection of women should not be on hold while Planned Parenthood ties things up in court,’ ADF Senior Legal Counsel Steven Aden told LifeNews.com on Monday.”

Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund and Center for Arizona Policy have appealed an Arizona judge’s order to halt new state laws protecting the health and safety of women while a lawsuit filed by Planned Parenthood moves forward in state court.

“The Center for Arizona Policy has impacted the daily life of nearly every Arizonan in some way or another over the past 14 years . . . ”

LifeNews: “Deborah Sheasby, legal counsel with the Center for Arizona Policy and an Alliance Defense Fund allied attorney, will represent pro-life advocates wanting to help defend the legislation . . . ADF Senior Legal Counsel Steven H. Aden also talked about the lawsuit. ‘If Planned Parenthood really cared about women’s rights, they’d support laws that allow women to make fully informed choices instead of challenging these laws in court,’ he told LifeNews.com. ‘Planned Parenthood’s suit is more about protecting its “bottom line” than women’s rights.’”

eborah Sheasby, legal counsel with the Center for Arizona Policy and an Alliance Defense Fund allied attorney, will be available for media interviews following a hearing Friday in a lawsuit filed by Planned Parenthood that seeks to strike down two Arizona laws protecting the health and safety of women.

“A federal court ruled Tuesday that two pro-life organizations represented by Alliance Defense Fund and Center for Arizona Policy attorneys will be allowed to defend legislation passed in Arizona this year to protect pregnant women and their children. The protections are being challenged by a pro-abortion group that is seeking to tear them down on behalf of a Tucson abortion clinic.”

Although we conclude the provision of the ordinance directly regulating Good News’ signs does not of itself violate the First Amendment, the district court did not address Good News’ claim that the ordinance unfairly discriminates among forms of noncommercial speech

A Baylor University economics professor told lawmakers on Monday that Arizona’s private-school tax-credit scholarship program saved the state $44 million to $186 million last year.”

The Center for Arizona Policy has published this FAQ discussing the Arizona Abortion litigation. ADF is mentioned.

LifeNews: “Arizona courts could have dealt a more severe blow to a new omnibus abortion law that protects medical workers and women considering abortions. Alliance Defense Fund attorneys made gains in federal and state court Tuesday against groups seeking to block the enforcement of new legislation . . . ‘We are pleased that the federal court acknowledges the importance of a woman being fully informed before making one of the most critical decisions of her life,’ [said ADF Senior Legal Counsel Steven H. Aden].”

CitizenLink: “A federal judge has thrown out a challenge to the state’s new pro-life law, but an Arizona state judge is putting certain provisions of the same law on hold . . . Steven H. Aden, senior legal counsel for the Alliance Defense Fund, said the law has the backing of the U.S. Supreme Court.”

Federal court denies Tucson Women’s Center attempt to stop act protecting women, state court allows Planned Parenthood assault on new state law that fully informs women.

“A state judge on Tuesday blocked implementation of several key parts of a new Arizona law restricting abortions, while allowing a few provisions to take effect.”

East Valley Tribune: “Sen. Linda Gray, R-Glendale, a supporter of the law, said part of the reason for Planned Parenthood’s victory was the refusal of Daughton to let two anti-abortion groups and their allies to actively participate in the case and defend the laws. The judge rejected arguments by attorneys for the Center for Arizona Policy and the Alliance Defense Fund that the interests of those who support the restrictions would not be adequately represented by the state Attorney General’s Office.”

FOX 10: “Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard, a long-standing supporter of abortion rights, has stepped aside in the state’s defense of a new law imposing abortion restrictions. Court filings by Goddard’s office say he recused himself, and that Chief Deputy Tim Nelson is acting attorney general on cases pending in state and federal courts.”

Verde Independent: “A federal judge has refused to let anti-abortion groups participate in next week’s hearing over the legality of a new state law requiring a waiting period before women can terminate a pregnancy.”

The Legal Broadcast Network Page carries an audio interview (just over 6 mins.) with Deborah Sheasby of the Center for Arizona Policy.

Center for Arizona Policy media information: CAP Responds to Legal Challenge to
Abortion Consent Act

ADF Media information: ADF responds to attack by pro-abortion groups on Ariz. law protecting women

Sierra Vista Herald (Capitol Media Services): “A federal judge agreed Tuesday to decide by a week from today whether to let the state start to require a 24-hour waiting period before a woman can terminate her pregnancy. Judge David Campbell said he will hear arguments next week from attorneys for the Center for Reproductive Rights that the requirement, part of a more comprehensive law restricting abortion, should be precluded from taking effect until a full-blown trial on the constitutionality of the statute.”

Arizona Republic: “The Arizona-based Alliance Defense Fund and Center for Arizona Policy are seeking to be named as defendants in one state and one federal case. In separate lawsuits, Planned Parenthood and the New York-based Center for Reproductive Rights have challenged the enactment of House Bill 2564 and Senate Bill 1175 before they take effect Sept. 30.”

LifeNews: “Last week, Planned Parenthood filed a lawsuit seeking to overturn a slate of new pro-life laws that Gov. Jan Brewer signed in July . . . ‘Everyone deserves full and accurate information before undergoing any medical procedure,’ ADF senior legal counsel Steven Aden told LifeNews.com.”

Two Arizona legislators together with doctors and numerous organizations filed motions Tuesday through their attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund to intervene as defendants in separate state and federal lawsuits aimed at tearing down new protections for women considering an abortion.

Center for Arizona Policy Press Release: “Center for Arizona Policy will be vigorously working to oppose the lawsuit filed today by Planned Parenthood to challenge Arizona’s new abortion laws.”

Center for Arizona Policy 5 Minutes for Family: “Despite state legislators giving a resounding NO to gambling expansion during the regular session, proponents of expanded gambling have launched a new and more aggressive (and expensive!) public relations campaign to try to convince legislators, the Governor, and the public that casino-style gambling should be allowed off-reservation at racetracks. . . . Desperate state budget woes do not call for desperate action based on questionable promises of increased gambling revenue.”

Jay Heiler writes in the Arizona Republic: “When Arizona is $3.5 billion and more than 30 percent short on its budget, this question ought to be called by the state’s political leadership. Arizona’s racing industry has now called it, seeking permission to operate casinos on existing racetracks and give the state 45 percent of the profits.”

“After that incident, Governor Jan Brewer signed the Students’ Religious Liberties Act (H.B. 2357) last week. . . . The bill still allows parents and students to file a lawsuit, but only after following first an administrative remedy through the school principal and district superintendent.”

Mike Sunnucks reports in the Phoenix Business Journal: “Cathi Herrod, president of the Center for Arizona Policy, is lobbying in Washington to keep such coverage out of a taxpayer-funded health system. Herrod is meeting with Arizona lawmakers and others. CAP also is asking its supporters to call congressional members on the issue.”

Associated Press: “The Students’ Religious Liberties Act (H.B. 2357) prohibits schools from discriminating against students or parents on the basis of religious viewpoint or expression. It requires that schools not ‘penalize or reward’ students for including religious content or views in a classroom assignment.”

Center for AZ Policy: “. . . the Arizona Senate passed three more pro-family bills, including two critical pro-life bills. Now, it’s time for you to spring into action! Contact Governor Brewer TODAY, thank her for being pro-life, and politely ask her to sign the two abortion bills. ”

AZ Republic: “HB 2357 would bar all forms of religious discrimination in schools and would specify that students are allowed to wear religious jewelry and apparel on campus. Crandall said spelling out these rights clearly would help prevent misunderstandings that can wind up in court.”

East Valley Tribune: “Brewer, a foe of what has been called ‘merit selection’ of judges, is slated to get a list of at least three names from the Commission on Appellate Court Appointments on who panel members believe are the most qualified to sit on the state high court. That list is due to go to Brewer on June 30, the day that current Chief Justice Ruth McGregor steps down.”

Arizona Republic: “Rep. Michele Reagan, R-Scottsdale, is trying to update the Prohibition-era measure with HB 2302, which would allow cities to designate areas where businesses with liquor licenses can be located within 100 feet of churches, schools and fenced playgrounds.”

“If you don’t remember anything . . . remember 0% of states that have legalized same-sex ‘marriage’ have done so by the vote of the people . . . 100% of the states (30 states total) that have asked their voters . . . have defined marriage as between only one man and one woman . . . ”

Phoenix New Times: “No legal challenges to the successful Proposition 102 are expected, says Cathi Herrod of the Center for Arizona Policy. The law can only be repealed by another successful election, she points out — something that’s not on the horizon.”

Today, the Center for Arizona Policy has prepared this fact sheet and forwarded

The Center for Arizona Policy reports: “On Monday afternoon, Arizona Supreme Court Chief Justice Ruth McGregor announced her plans to retire in June of this year. Justice McGregor has served on the Arizona Supreme Court since 1998, and has been Chief Justice since June of 2005.”

The AZ Catholic Conference is urging action on the following bill:  HB 2564 will protect women, parents, children, and the civil rights of health care providers.  Specifically, the bill’s provisions call for the following:  1) informed consent before abortions can be …

The Center for AZ Policy reports: Thanks to pastoral leadership and many residents who stood up and made their voice heard, the Flagstaff City Council decided on Monday not to adopt a remarkably broad ordinance adding “sexual orientation” and “gender …

AZDailySun.com: A House panel voted Monday to spell out in state law that schools and teachers can’t discriminate against students based on their religious beliefs, whether in what they wear or what they write . . . Jeremy Tedesco, an …