Posted on 06/09/2006 8:32:54 PM PDT by SandRat
PHOENIX — Oh, say, can you see the flag in the classroom?
You definitely should be able to no later than July 1, 2007. That's the date by which, state senators declared Tuesday, every public school, community college and university classroom must have an American flag.
Oh, and it must be at least 2 by 3 feet and U.S.-made only, thank you.
The measure is not likely to have a major impact on public schools, where most classrooms already have flags so students can recite the Pledge of Allegiance each day.
The real effect will be at state universities and community colleges where few rooms have flags, much less properly mounted and of regulation size.
As adopted, the legislation requires schools to first look for donations of flags, or money to purchase them. But if they can't meet their goal by July 1, 2007, then they have to go out and buy them.
Thursday's vote was not unanimous. Sen. Bill Brotherton, D-Phoenix, said he could not support the measure, at least not in this form.
He pointed out the senators refused to adopt an amendment that would have required flags in each legislative office.
That move was opposed by Senate President Ken Bennett, who called it unnecessary. He said voting is done in public hearing rooms, where flags will be required. Brotherton, however, said that ignores the fact that many of the deals ultimately voted on during legislative hearings are actually arranged behind closed doors in those offices. "Often, the outcomes of those votes are done there," he said.
The 20-1 vote does not end the matter.
Before approving the requirement, senators expanded the scope of the measure to require flags in classrooms of private and parochial schools that accept scholarship aid, which comes from donors who get a dollar-for-dollar state tax credit. Sen. Ken Cheuvront, D-Phoenix, said that is only appropriate as those scholarships amount to a transfer of tax funds to these schools. That came over the objection of Senate Majority Leader Tim Bee, R-Tucson. He said he was "extremely disappointed … we have made a move toward turning our private schools into public schools by trying to regulate them."
Bee said he will try to have that provision removed in a conference committee, which now will have to work out the differences between the House and Senate versions.
Either Butch will veto this one too or the Arizona ACLU will take it to the 9th Circuit Court.
You're right.
I have no idea what you're talking about, do you?
Gee, get flags donated? Sounds like some good Eagle Scout projects.
Could beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
Has she signed ANY bills or has she vetoed them all?
If she got Leftist letters of marque she signed them or if they passed with enough votes from the Legislature to be veto proof she signed them 15 vetoes so far the most on record.
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