Much ado about a motion

On the heels of the latest attack from Republicans over a vote by Rep. Harry Mitchell (D-5) against a motion to recommit that they say would have helped taxpayers, Mitchell's office and the Arizona Democrats are battling back.

Both the National Republican Congressional Committee and Arizona Republican Party lambasted Mr. Mitchell for his vote on a motion intended, according to introducer Rep. Phil English (R-PA), to "prevent the current $1,000 child tax credit from being slashed in half in 2011 through Democrat inaction," and "prevent a substantial increase in the marriage tax penalty which is set to occur in 2011." The motion, if adopted, would have added those provisions onto the bill.

Now Jim Ogsbury, attorney and candidate for the Republican nomination to challenge Mitchell in CD5, has weighed in. A press release from his office stated:

"Mr. Mitchell's vote against tax relief came less than six days after he pledged his support for lower taxes before business leaders here in Arizona.

Once again, Mr. Mitchell's public pronouncements fail to match his voting record."

What these critics failed to note is that the motion came as part of the debate over the RENEWABLE ENERGY AND ENERGY CONSERVATION TAX ACT OF 2008, which creates tax incentives for the production and use of renewable energy. Champions of the proposed solar power Solana Generating Station, which will be built at an estimated cost of $1 billion by Spanish company Abengoa Solar, operated by APS and provide energy to at least 70,000 households, say that without the tax breaks provided by the act in question, the project won't happen.  Democrats claim the motion was introduced as part of an attempt to scuttle the bill.

Now Mitchell is responding. His communications director, Seth Scott, told PolitickerAZ:

"I'm stunned to learn that the Arizona Republican Party opposes the proposed Solana Generating Station that would create high quality jobs right here in Arizona.  By siding with the Big Oil companies and refusing to invest in solar energy, they are sticking with the status quo.  That jeopardizes our national security by increasing our dependence on foreign oil.  These wrong-headed priorities would hurt Arizona's future as a technology leader.

"Congressman Mitchell will continue to work to make Arizona the 'Solar State' and invest in clean, renewable energy that we need to improve Arizona's economy and our national security," added Scott.

Emily Bittner, spokeswoman for the Arizona Democratic Party, told PolitickerAZ much the same thing:

"It seems that the GOP is more interested in protecting Big Oil companies than in creating good jobs that reduce our dependence on foreign oil," she said. "Congressman Mitchell's vote was a vote to invest in solar energy and give innovators the tax credits they need to invest in renewable energy.  Arizona has the chance to be a leader in solar energy development - with the Solana Generating Station on the horizon - and this bill strengthens those opportunities."

The motion to recommit failed 197-222, and the bill passed by a vote of 236-182, both votes breaking along party lines. All four members of Arizona's Democratic delegation voted for it, and all four Republicans opposed it.