2010 ATRA Outlook Conference

Senator Bob Burns Receives ATRA's Watchdog Award

The highlight of ATRA’s Annual Meeting luncheon on November 19th was the presentation of the 2010 ATRA Watchdog Award to Senate President Bob Burns. Senator Burns is the seventh recipient of the award that ATRA instituted in 1990 as a way of recognizing an Arizona elected official for the often thankless job of opposing frivolous and wasteful spending of taxpayers’ dollars.

First elected to the Arizona House of Representatives in 1988, Senator Burns served 12 years there before being elected to the Arizona Senate in 2002. Through most of his service in the Legislature, he was a fixture in the Appropriations Committees, serving as the committee’s chairman in both Houses. He currently serves as the Senate President in the 49th Legislature.

The award was presented by ATRA board member Russell Smoldon, who noted that Senator Burns’ long career was almost singularly focused on advocacy for taxpayers’ rights and principled stands against wasteful spending.

Smoldon said, “Bob leaves behind a great legacy of statesmanship that every member of the Legislature should aspire to. He was always working on issues of statewide importance. Not because they were fun or easy but because good statesmen embrace the major challenges of the day. His entire career has truly exemplified all of the qualities that this award is intended to honor and support.”

In accepting the award, Senator Burns said “this is certainly a surprise and I am moved and very appreciative of the recognition.”

(from left to right) Russell Smoldon, Manager of State & Local Government Relations, Salt River Project, & Senator Bob Burns
(from left to right) Russell Smoldon, Manager of State & Local Government Relations, Salt River Project, & Senator Bob Burns
Richard Stavneak, Director, Joint Legislative Budget Committee
Richard Stavneak, Director, Joint Legislative Budget Committee
Steve Barela, State & Local Tax Manager, Arizona Public Service
Steve Barela, State & Local Tax Manager, Arizona Public Service
Larry Lucero, Manager of Government Relations, Tucson Electric Power
Larry Lucero, Manager of Government Relations, Tucson Electric Power
Barb Dickerson, Director, Multistate Tax Services, Deloitte Tax, L.L.P.
Barb Dickerson, Director, Multistate Tax Services, Deloitte Tax, L.L.P.
Jason Bagley, Government Affairs Manager, Intel Corporation
Jason Bagley, Government Affairs Manager, Intel Corporation
(from left to right) Rep. Andy Tobin, House Majority Leader-Elect, Rep. Chad Campbell, House Minority Leader-Elect, Sen. Steve Pierce, Senate Majority Whip-Elect, Jason Bagley, Government Affairs Manager, Intel Corporation
(from left to right) Rep. Andy Tobin, House Majority Leader-Elect, Rep. Chad Campbell, House Minority Leader-Elect, Sen. Steve Pierce, Senate Majority Whip-Elect, Jason Bagley, Government Affairs Manager, Intel Corporation
Rep. Chad Campbell, House Minority Leader-Elect
Rep. Chad Campbell, House Minority Leader-Elect
Rep. Andy Tobin, House Majority Leader-Elect
Rep. Andy Tobin, House Majority Leader-Elect
Senator Steve Pierce, Senate Majority Whip-Elect
Senator Steve Pierce, Senate Majority Whip-Elect
Joe Crosby, COO & Senior Policy Director, COST
Joe Crosby, COO & Senior Policy Director, COST
Russell Smoldon, Manager of State & Local Government Relations, Salt River Project
Russell Smoldon, Manager of State & Local Government Relations, Salt River Project
Senator Bob Burns
Senator Bob Burns
(from left to right) Susan Anable, Director of Public Affairs, Cox Communications, Larry Lucero, Manager of Government Relations, Tucson Electric Power
(from left to right) Susan Anable, Director of Public Affairs, Cox Communications, Larry Lucero, Manager of Government Relations, Tucson Electric Power