Antenori and Melvin Declare War on the Working Poor and Unemployed Arizonans

State Rep. Frank Antenori has launched a class war against struggling Arizona families with legislation that suggests a problem that doesn't exist.

Antenori, along with State Sen. Al Melvin, has sponsored legislation that micromanages the lives of the unemployed, who are living on $1,200 a month -- at most.

These are our neighbors who were working before Wall Street banks destroyed the economy from 2,115 miles away.

"Just two years ago, 95 percent of Arizonans were working, largely in lousy jobs the Legislature's business plan brought to Arizona, but they were working," said Pima County Democratic Party Chair Jeff Rogers. "Arizonans aren't lazy. This is an unbelievably cynical attempt to turn neighbor against neighbor at the worst possible time."

The Republican majority is the last group of people to be criticizing the unemployed in Arizona, as their failures have left Arizona last in schools and first in prisons and its business plan has created America's largest state deficit, Rogers said.

"Frank and Al should do their jobs, as outlined by the Arizona Constitution," Rogers said. "The constitution requires them to pass a balanced budget by June 30. That was more than seven months ago. They've failed. If they were being paid for performance, they'd have been fired for cause on July 1."

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