In his first TV ad, Andy Tobin praises himself for his legislative record, but what he’s not saying is that during his time as Speaker of the Arizona House, he crippled education funding, all while he abused taxpayer dollars for personal gain.
“When it comes to wasteful spending and taxpayer-funded perks, Andy Tobin is the worst offender,” said Tyrone Gayle of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. “Andy Tobin’s record of gutting education funding, being a puppet of special interests, and turning his back on Arizona’s kids while enjoying taxpayer-funded perks leaves him totally out of step with their values.”
BACKGROUND
On Cutting State Spending:
Tobin Supported AZ State Budgets from FY 2010 to 2012. In June 2009, Tobin voted in favor of the state’s fiscal year 2010 budget plan. The bill passed 33 to 26 with one not voting. In March 2010, Tobin voted in favor of House Bill 2001, the general appropriations bill for fiscal years 2010 and 2011. The bill passed 34 to 25. In April 2011, Tobin voted in favor of the state’s fiscal year 2012 budget plan.The bill passed 40 to 19 with one not voting. [HB2643, 49th Legislature 1st Regular Session, 6/30/09; HB2001, 49th Legislature 7th Special Session, 3/11/10; SB1612, 50th Legislature 1st Regular Session, 4/01/11]
Arizona Education Association: Arizona’s Budgets from FY 2010 to FY 2012 Cut Over $1.77 Billion in Education Funds. In 2011, the Arizona Education Association reported that state budgets from FY 2010 to FY 2012 cut $1.77 billion in education funds. [Arizona Education Association, July 2011]
Phoenix New Times: Arizona’s Per Pupil Spending Estimated to Be the Lowest in the Country. According to the Phoenix New Times, “Arizona spends the fewest dollars per student on education than any other state in the country, according to an estimate. […] For the 2012-13 school year, the National Education Association ranks Arizona last in per-pupil spending. The NEA also ranked Arizona last in its report released last year, for the 2011-12 school year.” [Phoenix New Times, 3/26/14]
2009: Tobin Voted to Cut Department of Economic Security Funds by $155 Million. In November 2009, Tobin voted for a bill to reduce appropriations to the Department of Economic Security (DES) by $115 million, and defer $42 million in payments for a year.Specifically, the bill reduced the FY 2009-10 appropriation to DES by $113.2 million from the General Fund, and $1.8 million from other funds.The bill also deferred $42 million in payments from DES in FY 2009-10 until the following year. The bill passed the House 35-20 and was signed by the Governor. [House Summary for SB 1001 as Transmitted, Vote, 11/23/09]
March 2009: Child Protective Services Cut 159 Case Workers and Investigators Due to Budget Cuts. By March 2009, Child Protective Services (CPS) conducted two rounds for job cuts for its employees.A total of 159 case workers and investigators were dismissed as of the second round of cuts, and 181 CPS workers lost their jobs due to budget cuts. “In all, 181 CPS workers have lost their jobs due to budget cuts. DES does not expect further cuts, but lawmakers have said new budget reductions may be needed this spring,” the Arizona Republic reported. [Arizona Republic, 3/10/09] 2014, reducing it by 48.3 percent during that period.” [Huffington Post, 6/17/14]
On Perks:
2011: Tobin was Investigated for Taking $1,300 in Travel and Tickets from Fiesta Bowl Lobbyists. In 2011, Tobin was among 31 Arizona elected officials investigated for accepting lavish perks from the Fiesta Bowl. Tobin accepted $1,300 in airfare, hotel, meals, and tickets to the 2009 Bowl Championship game. One of the games was located in Dallas, Texas. Arizona Republic:“[I]n December 2009… bowl employees said they were reimbursed for making campaign contributions, which is illegal. Despite an initial cover-up, the bowl launched an internal investigation that confirmed the scheme. Its probe also uncovered questionable business and lobbying practices. Several bowl executives, including former CEO John Junker, have since pleaded guilty to criminal charges. And in the wake of the bowl’s own probe, 14 sitting lawmakers were investigated for taking gifts from Fiesta Bowl lobbyists, which is prohibited by state statutes under certain circumstances.” [Arizona Republic, 5/12/12; Arizona Daily Sun, 6/29/11; Tobin Arizona PFD, filed 1/27/10]
Has Been Paid $126,000 by the Arizona House for Subsistence and Mileage. From 2007 to 2013, Tobin has been paid $126,013.98 by the Arizona House of Representatives in out of county subsistence payments and mileage costs. The subsistence per diem for a member living outside of Maricopa County was $60 a day and mileage was reimbursed at a rate of $0.445 per mile. The table below details the payments during the seven legislative sessions. Tobin received the following in combined subsistence and mileage reimbursements: $18,324.56 (2013); $19,505.34 (2012); $19,458.15 (2011); $17,110.84 (2010); $20,180.98 (2009); $15,760.89 (2008); and $15,673.22 (2007).[2013 Legislative Subsistence Report; 2012 Legislative Subsistence Report; 2011 Legislative Subsistence Report; 2010 Legislative Subsistence Report; 2009 Legislative Subsistence Report; 2008 Legislative Subsistence Report; 2007 Legislative Subsistence Report]
On Wasting Taxpayer Money while Refusing to Pay his Own Taxes:
Tobin Sued to Prevent Medicaid Expansion. “The Arizona Court of Appeals on Tuesday revived a lawsuit challenging Gov. Jan Brewer’s expansion of the state’s Medicaid insurance plan for the poor, ruling that Republican lawmakers have the right to sue over their contention that a hospital assessment that funds the expansion is a tax requiring a two-thirds vote of the Legislature… House Speaker Andy Tobin, R-Pauldin, and Senate President Andy Biggs, R-Gilbert, led the opposing group of Republicans who brought the suit. Tobin said Tuesday that the ruling was not unexpected. ‘Now it’s about the merits of the issue,’ he said.” [Washington Examiner, 4/22/14]
… And Said he Would Spend Taxpayer Dollars on the Suit “in a Minute.” In March 2012, Tobin planned to ask lawmakers to sue the state’s redistricting commission over the constitutionality of the legislative map the panel crafted.“We’d spend taxpayer money (on the lawsuit). You bet I would. In a minute,” Tobin said. “If I have to spend money on lawyers to fight back, I will. I hope you will join me and help me uphold the Constitution,” he said. [Arizona Capitol Times, 3/20/12]
Arizona Republic: Tobin “Paid His Property Taxes Late Nearly 30 Times.” In 2014, the Arizona Republic reported, “A Republican leader in the Arizona Legislature who is running for Congress faced the possibility of foreclosure on his home nearly two decades ago because of $2,000 in back taxes and after that paid his property taxes late nearly 30 times. State House Speaker Andy Tobin, R-Paulden, paid his property taxes late more often than other congressional candidates in Arizona’s three toss-up districts, according to an Arizona Republic review of property records.” [Arizona Republic, 5/28/14]