As Your Representative, I abide by the following principles when introducing and voting on legislation:

Fiscal Integrity and Responsibility

Consistency with Goals

Common Sense Decisions

Accountability to my Constituents

Must be in Arizona’s Best Interests

This is a Monday to look forward to! Grab a friend and  join me for complimentary coffee Monday, January 23, 2012 at 8am at the Eye Opener Family Restaurant.

Sponsored and hosted by the Sunnyslope Village Alliance

See you then!

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Opening day at the legislature was inspiring.

"Thank you to my dear friends for their support on this exciting day!"

Improving Phoenix’s economic climate and streamlining government are my top priorities as we begin our legislative session.  Feel free to contact me anytime at kbrophymcgee@azleg.gov.  I was elected to represent you, so please let me know how I can help!

I was recently featured in the WGA Magazine!

Click HERE to read my article.

Rep. Kate Brophy McGee
East Valley Tribune
December 12, 2011

With Arizona’s unemployment rate topping the national rate at 9 percent, any plan to boost the economy and get Americans back to work must be on the table — especially if it involves a sector proven to generate economic growth and provide high-paying jobs. United States mineral mining is a vital contribution to our economy and recovery from the recession.

In 2010, mineral mining contributed $2 trillion to the national gross domestic product and supported 1.1 million direct and indirect American jobs. Many of those jobs are right here in Arizona, which leads the country in copper production. Minerals also provide raw materials that builders, manufacturers and innovators transform into products and infrastructure on which we depend; examples include molybdenum that strengthens steel structures, lithium for batteries in hybrid autos and copper in solar energy technologies.

Our pathway out of the recession is being threatened by House Resolution 3446, a measure that would impose the world’s highest gross royalty tax on mining on federal lands — 12.5 percent. This new tax would result in higher mineral production costs, leading to Arizona and American job losses and an even greater dependence on foreign suppliers for minerals essential to virtually every sector of the economy.

U.S. mining is already obligated to navigate a duplicative permitting process that can delay projects up to 10 years. This new tax would be an added burden that will further impede U.S. mining’s ability to compete on a global scale, driving investment and mining jobs overseas. American manufacturing and construction would be forced to rely on higher levels of imported foreign raw materials. Keep in mind we are already at a disadvantage, as we import $5.1 billion worth of minerals — including those we are capable of producing, but do not.

Similar to our reliance on oil from unfriendly countries, measures such as this new tax leave us little choice but to depend on foreign countries, such as China and Venezuela, for mineral commodities.

Congress can choose a different approach that would lead to increased production of critical minerals, job creation and growth across the economy. Proposed legislation in Congress would require an in-depth evaluation of national mineral resources and raw-material needs. This legislation, leading to increased domestic minerals production, has already garnered bipartisan support in the House—including that of Reps. Ben Quayle and Paul Gosar, and support is building in the Senate.

The proposed legislation would also benefit our armed forces. Our military is one of our nation’s largest end-users of mineral-reliant products — equipment such as advanced aircraft, vehicle bodies, precision missile targeting systems and night vision goggles are some examples. A U.S. source would ensure our strategic autonomy in this arena.

Too much is at stake in our economic and national security to be derailed by a punitive tax. Call your members of Congress today. Tell them to oppose this new tax and support the legislation that will help domestic mining generate the jobs key to our economic recovery.

Rep. Kate Brophy McGee serves Arizona’s 11th district in the State Legislature and is Vice Chair of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee.

I am proud to be a founding member of Sunnyslope Graffiti Fighters (SGF).  Working with Andy Sobczak, Earl Porter, and neighborhood leaders throughout Sunnyslope, we founded SGF in an effort to increase neighborhood pride while eliminating unsightly graffiti.  The group is a partnership of neighborhood leaders in the Sunnyslope, New Northtown and North Central areas, Sunnyslope High School National Honor Society students and the City of Phoenix Graffiti Busters and Neighborhood Services.  SGF conducts monthly cleanups in the Village Center area. SGF goes to areas that are having problems with graffiti.

One of the keys to discouraging graffiti is neighborhood response.  SGF provides that response and Graffiti Busters follows up on the really big jobs and tracks down the offenders themselves.  Neighborhood Services works on other blight problems with business owners and residents in the area.

SGF volunteers meet on a Saturday morning, at least once monthly when school is in session.   We conduct a training session, pair experienced adult leaders and students with new recruits, organize into teams by area and head out.  We find that we can cover the entire area in two hours. We remove graffiti from walls, buildings and signs, and clean up trash. City of Phoenix Graffiti Busters provides the supplies, and volunteers provide the time and talent.

The old saying that many hands make light work really is true with the addition of National Honor Society students. The adult leaders get to meet really great kids and the students gain a greater understanding of what it takes to keep our neighborhoods safe, clean and attractive.  I am proud of our young leaders and their community involvement.  If you would like to know more about the organization or would like to volunteer, please contact me.

I am honored to be awarded the 2011 Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association’s Legislative Appreciation Award.  I was selected based on my “steadfast leadership and thoughtful approach to policymaking during a challenging legislative session”, according to AzHHA.

I am grateful for the opportunity to represent you at the Legislature.  I will continue to work diligently on legislation for the betterment of our state and residents.

I am pleased to be presenting at the Arizona Energy Forum on Wednesday, October 19th, with Congressman Ben Quayle.

Please join me by sending an RSVP to arizonaenergyforum@live.com.

‘I am honored to receive the Arizona Capitol Times Leaders of the Year in Public Policy – award for volunteerism.  I am in great company as many other excellent legislators, organizations, and individuals received their awards.  Together, we are working to make Arizona a great place to raise a family and open a business – but we still have work to do.”

I hope you have had a wonderful summer and found plenty of ways to stay cool.  Now that school is back in session, all our thoughts and prayers are with our children, parents, teachers and our community as we work towards a successful school year.  I wanted to provide you with a brief update of District 11 activities since the legislature adjourned:

Constituent Inquiries and Concerns

I am working with the Governor’s office, AHCCCS and the Department of Health Services (DHS) on various constituent concerns.   Many of you have contacted me regarding the reduction to respite hours, rate cuts to service providers, and health and safety concerns with an unlicensed assisted living group home.

Discussions are ongoing between the developmentally disabled service providers and the Governor’s office and as a result of public testimony, AHCCCS officials limited the proposed 50% cut in respite hours to 15%.  Currently, DHS staff is working to mitigate health and safety issues at the assisted living facility.  I am working with DHS, House staff and Karen Barno, President and CEO of Arizona Assisted Living Federation of America to determine if legislation is required or if the problems can be resolved through an administrative rules change.

Thank you to the residents who brought these pressing issues to my attention.

Independent Redistricting Commission (IRC):

The IRC is working on drawing new congressional and legislative district lines for our state.  The IRC is commencing the second round of hearings, but it is important that the commissioners hear from you regarding “communities of interest “.  ‘Communities of interest’ are defined as school districts, municipal boundaries, neighborhoods and natural geographical borders – really anything that helps you define your community.  As information becomes available, I will send an update specific to the IRC and their decisions.

Constituent Outreach

Recently, forty Boy Scouts from all corners of Arizona, adult leaders and their parents participated in the inaugural National Merit Badge event at the State Capitol.  Secretary of State Ken Bennett, a long-time supporter of the Scouts, came to speak and personally conduct the Capitol museum tour.  The day culminated in a mock debate and a floor vote on an actual bill from a previous legislative session.  We were successful in making the Capitol accessible and the simplifying some of the intricacies of government.   We are planning several more events, with the help of various House and Senate members, in an effort to introduce local government to our youth.   Many thanks to House staff, who volunteered their time to join us on a Saturday.  The even t could not have been more successful!

In anticipation of the Girl Scouts centennial celebration, I have accepted the position as co-leader of the newly formed honorary Girl Scout Troop 1920.  Again, the focus is teaching our future leaders about good governance and providing them with access to resources.

Sunnyslope is getting set to start the 2011-2012 Sunnyslope Graffiti Fighters, a successful partnership with Sunnyslope High School, Phoenix Graffiti Busters and neighborhood leaders.  This effort has expanded beyond the original Village Center area into North Central Phoenix.  If you are interested in volunteering, or learning the nuts and bolts for establishing a partnership in your area, please contact my office (602 926-4486 or email me at kbrophymcgee@azleg.gov).

Betty’s Kids, the afterschool program at Desert View, has started a new school year with almost 60 children in attendance!  If you are interested in volunteering, these wonderful children need strong mentors and homework assistance.  Want to brush up on your 5^th Grade math?  Listen to a child read?  This is a great way to spend an afternoon (starting about 3:30)!  Please contact my office if you are interested.

Contact Information

As your State Representative, I will continue my open door policy.  Please feel free to call or email me anytime with questions, concerns, or district news.

Office: 602 926-4486

Email: Kate Brophy McGee, District 11

Facebook: Kate Brophy McGee for AZ House or Twitter: @KateMcGee2010

It is so important that I hear from you in order to understand your priorities and continue to represent you effectively at the Capitol.  Thank you for your continued interest and support.

Sincerely,

Kate

I am honored to be selected as part of the ad hoc committee on education data systems.  Together, with Co-Chair Rep. Heather Cater, we will work to educate the public on the importance of streamlining out education data collection.  With the proper system in place, we can reduce the cost of educating our kids, while simultaneously improving the level of education they receive.