NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday January 16, 2008

Tim Bee already has one foot out the door

After months of ignoring the resign to run law, it appears State Sen. President Tim Bee plans to make it official. Just days after describing the challenges of this Legislative session, news has surfaced that Bee intends to announce his candidacy for Congress.

“It is completely irresponsible of Tim Bee to detail all of the challenges of the Arizona Legislature while spending much of his energy cozying up to state lobbyists to help his Congressional campaign. I don’t know where Tim Bee has found the time in his day to devote his full attention to solving these complicated issues at the state level while also campaigning to get a Washington, D.C. zip code. Just ask Bill Konopnicki how tough it is,” said Emily Bittner, a spokeswoman for the Arizona Democratic Party. “Tim Bee has had one foot out the door for months.”

While Bee has spent months campaigning for Congress, he has failed to address several critical issues facing Arizona: school funding, congested transportation infrastructure and a state budget shortfall. He has also supported President Bush’s veto of health insurance for Arizona children from working poor families.

“If Tim Bee can’t do his job as Senate President, how can you expect him to do the job of a U.S. Congressman?” Bittner said.

Bee is expected to preside over a contentious legislative session, with two budget negotiations. Last year, when lawmakers didn’t face a budget shortfall, the session ran until June 20.

“Arizonans deserve a Senate President’s full attention for the entire legislative session, not the divided attention of someone who’s taking his directions from Karl Rove on how to get his next job,” Bittner said.