Batch 5: How does your organization demonstrate public service and/or urban governance?

CSA is required to always look out for the public's best interest. As I have explained in a previous post, CSA looks over all 15 counties, each county consisting of county supervisors. CSA is made up of 5 lobbyist that are to constantly work for the people's best interest. This is what makes their roles so important and also highly respected. CSA is heavily involved in decisions being made on a daily basis around the state. I feel that this is directly correlated with urban governance. Since CSA works with both the house and senate, as well as many government officials around the state, there is a domino effect that occurs from the top down. Essentially, the lobbying that CSA does, eventually impacts the citizens at some point in time, having a lag effect.

CSA has a crucial role in Arizona. It's important that they do their jobs and are constantly keeping the people's interest in mind. At times, money can begin to play a big role in politics, especially lobbying. It's important for money to not interfere with the employees's of CSA's everyday job duties. These employees are to stay loyal to the people and their obligations. I have enjoyed my experience thus far and continue to enjoy all the great work that is being done day in and day out at CSA.

Batch 5: Free Write

I was given the task of working on a bill that has to do with tax levying. The goal is to alter a formula in order to make more sense and be directly correlated with the statute that is currently in place for tax levying. The problem is, the citizens of Arizona think their tax rates have increased, when in reality, the levy has increased and the tax rate has actually gone down if not, stayed the same. The reason why there is confusion is because how the formula is set up. Although I am not able to present it on here due to confidentiality reasons, this bill will be presented in the legislative session for all those who pay attention to the many bills that are discussed at that time.

I mention this bill because it is the bill that requires the most time amongst all the bills I have worked on. I am not one that is good with numbers, therefore, this will be a challenge. My boss knows that math is a weakness of mine. Therefore, he said this was the best project for me because I will be able to build in an area I lack in. There is no doubt that this is going to be a tough project, as it has already taken me 2 entire days just to research the bill to understand it. I am not able to move forward, altering the formula, until I completely understand the purpose of tax levying and why this bill is of concern. Even though this will be a challenge, I look forward to working on this bill and gaining more knowledge in bill writing and tax levies.

Batch 5: Free Wtrite

Around this time of year, CSA tends to become very busy. There is a list of things to do and only so much time to get each one done. Meeting deadlines is an important part of working at CSA, all employees are aware of this, as times can be stressful. There is a major caucus coming up that will consist of CSA going over all the bills we have been working on. In attendance will be members from both the house and senate, as well as many lobbyists from all over Arizona. We also got the news that Liz Archuletta got second place in her election for NACo Second Vice President. Although this is a bit unfortunate, it only means she tends to run for US congress in the next election, as her resume has put her in great position to succeed. Also, we have several meetings coming up to discuss numerous topics with other government officials. It will be a busy month for CSA.

To elaborate a little bit more on the caucus that is around the corner. Basically, all the bills we have worked on for the past several months, will be up for a vote at the meeting. Members of the meeting will vote on if they think the bill should go on to the state legislature when the session begins (The second Monday following Jan. 1st). After this voting is done, we take another vote on level of importance for each bill. Essentially, we want to figure out if a bill should be introduced right away because it could take a while to process or if it can be introduced toward the end of the legislative session (the session lasts approx. 100 days). This meeting is very important and is done every year around this time to make sure all the pieces are in place and ready to go by the time the legislative session starts. There are hundreds of bills, therefore, it only makes sense to get as organized as possible by the time the session begins.

Batch 4: Leadership

Leadership plays an important role at CSA. Since I am only an intern, I have not been put in position to show leadership skills but I have seen great examples of it. Craig Sullivan is the Executive Director at CSA and on a daily basis he shows us leadership. He has a very important role in the organization and also has a tremendous impact on all 15 counties. In some way, shape, or form, all the employees of CSA have leadership skills and show these skills in some variation on a daily basis.

Craig, being the Executive Director, has the most important role in the department. I do not see Craig very often, as he is in and out of the office every day. He travels a lot for meetings and presentations. We do have a department meeting every Monday morning, in which he is head of. This meeting will take about an hour but sometimes runs longer depending on the workload for the week and upcoming months. Craig has been sat CSA for 12 years now and has a sound understanding of government and the way it works. He is knowledgeable in so many different areas and it shows as he is constantly giving advice to those who work in the department and also others around the state. We have a caucus coming up, in which members of the House, Senate, and some lobbyist will be in attendance. At this meeting, Craig will present the bills we have been working on and they will begin to prepare for the legislative session, which begins after the first of the year. Craig is very good about keeping himself available by phone, email, or in person, which is great for those working underneath him, If a problem arises, getting in touch with Craig is usually not a problem. I feel that he has valuable leadership skills and I look forward to continuing to learn from him.

Batch 4: Free Write

I recently worked on a couple different project for CSA. I have continued to piece together a binder with the budgets from all 15 counties. In the process of doing so, I have begun an Excel document that has more statistical data in it that is related to the budgets I have received. When I began this internship, I was mediocre using Excel, at best. Through this internship, I have gained many useful skills in not just Excel, but also, Word, PowerPoint, and Publisher. I feel that I am becoming proficient in each one of these, which will be very useful when I begin my career.

On another note, this is my first semester being a Graduate Student Assistant. I am currently teaching two courses for the Master's of Emergency Management and Homeland Security program. This has been a wonderful experience so far. I have had the opportunity of gaining knowledge outside of my field of study and I have found this subject area to be very interesting. I look forward to working with the students and learning the material in the remainder of the semester.

Batch 4: Interview

I interviewed Kristin Cipolla from County Supervisors Association (CSA) because I feel that we have a lot in common and share a similar interest in the career path we wish to pursue. Kristin has been at CSA for 4 years now and has the title of Legislative Liaison. Kristin started off working in the House of Representatives as a research analyst and then moved across the street and began working at CSA in 2012. She does wonderful work for CSA and they are proud to have her on their team.

Kristin's main responsibilities are bill writing, attend hearings, create newsletters, attend meetings, and lobbying. She chose this career based off her strong communication skills and desire to help others in the community. She knows that when she comes into work every day she has the ability to better lives around her. A Bachelor's degree is needed for this position and she happens to have a Bachelor's and a Master's degree. Kristin gave me the advice of getting to know as many people as possible because that is how you build relationships, get jobs, and better the community as a whole. I have already met so many people in politics and look forward to all the others I will meet throughout this internship. I can see myself working along side several of the people I have met so far and I think this field of work is a great fit for me.

Blog 3: Free Write

For only living in Arizona for a short period of time, I have been trying to adjust to the brutal heat. I have seen 100+ degrees very minimal times in my entire life living in Illinois, so it's quite the adjustment seeing that kind of heat every single day. On the bright side, I keep telling myself, just wait until winter. This will be my first winter outside of the midwest and I am stoked for the beautiful weather that is to come! Overall, the transition out west has been a bit overwhelming, yet very interesting. The way people do things out here is completely different from the lifestyle in the midwest. The gun laws have thrown me off a bit as well, it truly is the "wild west." Overall, the eating habits out west seem to be healthier, as I am finding there are not a lot of places to go for deep fried food, which is all we have in my hometown back in Illinois. Also, I really enjoy the scenery out here, so many great views to look at everywhere I go!

I started a new book series recently, called Game of Thrones. I am current with all the episodes in the T.V. series and was told that the books (like majority of books) are much better than the television series. I am on the first book, but must say, if you have interest in Game of Thrones and you have not read the books, it is a MUST READ! The author, George Martin, has a unique way of writing and an interesting choice of words. Also, it is incredible how detailed his writing is. I am only about 3/4 the way through the first book and I am so impressed by how much better it is then the show. Also, there are over 1,000 characters throughout the entire book series, which does make it a somewhat difficult read.