5200 E. Camelback Road
Phoenix AZ 85018

It is my pleasure to introduce you to Nathan Nascimento, Executive Director of Arizonans In Action. Arizonans In Action (AIA) is the leading statewide grassroots limited government organization dedicated to putting action to their words. They are firm in their defense of citizens from an intrusive government and implementation of common sense conservative principles at all levels. They are a 501c(4) organization that is issue-focused and non-partisan intent on empowering Arizonans to take back their government and restore the liberties granted to them through the Constitution.

Arizonans In Action is focused on four core areas:

Limiting Government
Government Transparency and Accountability
Private Property Rights
True Education Reform

Arizonans In Action's current project involves researching the way government (local, county, state, etc.) handles their contracting processes, digging in on how many open bid vs. no-bid contracts there are, and seeing if there are any correlations as to how these contracts are awarded. An understated remark would be to say that this is a very big project! It has involved an extensive Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) operation, communication with procurement offices, attorneys, and the like just to track down what should be readily and easily available for the taxpayers to view. Unfortunately, they are discovering that it is not. So at the same time, they are working on some reforms that will assist in greater government transparency and accountability.

Following is a recent press release

For Immediate Release

April 13, 2009

AIA Expands Contract Inquiry to County Government
Efficiency With Tax Dollars Must Be Sought at All Levels

Phoenix, AZ - Arizonans In Action (AIA) Executive Director Nathan Nascimento announced today that the group issued a second wave of Freedom of Information requests to all Arizona county governments. AIA is requesting information on open and sole source government contracts in which county governments are receiving goods and services. "We are going through some very tough economic times and people are worried about jobs, their finances, and just making it through this rough patch. We are all forced to reexamine our priorities and our personal budgets. Government needs to do the same," said Nascimento. The group is seeking information from county governments as to which contractors are providing goods and services to the county, what services they are providing, the date the contract was awarded, how much the contract was for, and whether the contract was openly bidded or coming from a sole source procurement. Nascimento said, "While the legislature is figuring out how they are going to fix the budget for 2009 and create a budget for 2010, we expect our county governments to be scrutinizing each item of their budgets and looking for ways to be more efficient with our tax dollars." Arizonans In Action will compile and release a report detailing their findings of each wave of the Freedom of Information requests to the various levels of government. "Government, at all levels, owes it to the taxpayers who are struggling to keep their heads above water to do whatever they can to become less of a burden on our already strained economy."

Arizonans In Action is a 501c4 organization focused on the principles of limited government, protecting private property rights, government transparency and accountability, and true education reform.

You may go to the Arizonans In Action web site at www.arizonansinaction.com and sign up to receive their free email newsletter to stay current on the organizations actions.

It is my great pleasure that Nathan Nascimento, Executive Director of Arizonans In Action, will be my Special Guest this week.

Please plan on joining us to socialize and meet new friends.
Thanks all.