Over the last three years, state lawmakers and Gov. Jan Brewer have knocked down various efforts to restore the state's tax credit for movie and TV production in Arizona, which was in place from July 2005 until it sunset in 2010. Critics of the legislation say that it puts government in the business of picking winners and losers.

State Sen. Al Melvin is taking another whack at bringing back the tax-incentive program as the primary sponsor of SB 1242.

If the bill passes, it will set allocate $70 million in tax credits to benefit production companies filming in Arizona, provided they meet certain qualifications. To receive the credit, the studio must submit specific details of the production (such as relevant members of the cast, crew, and a script or synopsis of the film) and must spend at leas $250,000 here in Arizona to be eligible to get cash back.

Melvin introduced SB 1242 yesterday. He argues that the bill could create hundreds of high-wage jobs connected to movie, advertising and TV production. That would, in turn, stimulate other areas of the state’s economy, including the tourism, construction and the hospitality sectors.

“It just makes a lot of sense that we would level the playing field between ourselves, New Mexico and some other states,” Melvin told KVOA in December.

Tucson Film Office Director Shelli Hall has put together a list of “10 Reasons Arizona Needs a New Film Incentive,” which lays out economic arguments that might be more persuasive than just asking lawmakers to throw money at those no-good, immoral Hollywood types.

From Airman magazine: Director Andrew Breese took time-lapse footage of the storage area of the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group, often called the "Boneyard" around here. Beautiful pictures of decaying planes! Why not?

Gallardo's statement:

While other states have been moving forward to make equal rights for every American, Arizona has moved backward. In 21 states it is illegal to fire someone because they are lesbian, gay or bisexual. Nine states and the District of Columbia recognize same sex marriage. But in Arizona, adoption agencies are actually required to discriminate against single, gay and lesbian adults.

Here's Gallardo's press release:

The folks at RateBeer.Com, crunching data like a drunk Nate Silver, have declared that Dragoon Brewing Company is Arizona’s Recent Best New Brewer. Check out the full list here.

Following up on yesterday's Fudgie the Whale quest, a different representative of the Carvel corporation swooped in today to crush my dreams. If I'm not willing to drive to Mesa (AND I'M NOT), there will be no Fudgie Fridays here at the Weekly.

Hi Dan,

I wanted to write in regards to your post on Tuesday January 29th, and let you know that Fudgie the Whale is not available through grocery stores. Nick was under the impression this was the case and sadly it is not. None of our signature cakes are available through grocery stores as they are exclusive to our shoppes.

I know that Nick had stated this was the case, and I am truly sorry for any confusion and disappointment this has caused....

Please let me know if you have any additional questions and I will assist you in any way I can.

Thanks,

Melissa A. Smith

This week Heroes and Villains' resident-undead-assassins-gone-good Cynthia and Bobby review Talon—quite possibly the only dude go toe-to-toe with Batman and evade gettin' locked up in Arkham Asylum afterward.

...probably because he was created by the guy currently writing Batman.

We mean little demons in a fun way, really. It's Kidical Mass. We like to start them early in Tucson:

FROM RIDE ON, TUCSON! TO CYCLOVIA:

KIDICAL MASS KEEPS THE MOMENTUM GOING

Living Streets Alliance and El Grupo Youth Cycling announce two spring rides for kids, families, and kids at heart

Tucson (January 28, 2013) — On Saturday, Feb. 9, Tucsonans of all ages and abilities are invited to gather at the Mercado San Agustín, 100 S. Avenida del Convento at 10 a.m. for the first of two in a series of kid-friendly, safe, and fun “Kidical Mass” bicycle rides exploring area neighborhoods. The Feb. 9 route will include a tour of Manzo Elementary School located in Barrio Hollywood, recently recognized as one of only two top green schools in the US.

It's been just a little over a month since malintZINE hit the internets. In 40 days it's already garnered more than 14,500 views. By the time you read this, it could easily be close to 16,000. That's how fast it's taken off.

The blog describes itself as a "an online zine by radical women and queer people of color." From the blog, its grown to have a presence on Facebook, Twitter and tumblr. If you're new to the blog, start from the bottom up to understand why it started — in reaction to an effort by some members of TUSD's Mexican-American Studies movement discouraging discussion on domestic violence and the arrest of a former MAS leader.

MalintZINE aims to highlight sexual and gender violence issues front and center, rather than force women and others to be silent. Social movements don't grow and evolve unless they are called out on their bullshit and that's part of what this blog is doing. But it also features posts on Chicana feminism, gender identity, and poetry that reacts to what is taking place in Tucson right now.

Members of the collective have received a lot of unfounded criticism. Some complaints focus on the fact that most of the posts don't have bylines. Perhaps this newest post offers an explanation:

From the Americans for Responsible Solutions Facebook page:

• From the Americans for Responsible Solutions Facebook page

Gabby Giffords made a brief statement calling on senators to take on the issue of gun violence today at a hearing of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

TPM reports that Giffords told senators:

Thank you for inviting me here today. This is an important conversation for our children, for our communities, for Democrats and Republicans. Speaking is difficult, but I need to say something important. Violence is a big problem. Too many children are dying. Too many children. We must do something. It will be hard but the time is now. You must act. Be bold. Be courageous. Americans are counting on you. Thank you.

Giffords' husband, retired astronaut Mark Kelly, had four suggestions for the committee:

First, fixed on background checks. Zero holes and hour laws making a mockery of the background checks in our system. Congress should close the private sales loophole and the dangers people entered into that system.

Second, remove the limitations on collecting data and conducting scientific research on gun violence.

Enact a tough federal gun trafficking statute, this is really important.

Finally, let's have a careful and civil conversation about the lethality of firearms we permit to be legally bought and sold in this country.