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Recent Articles from Don Harris
Digital learning day
At least 28 states, including Arizona, will participate in the first Digital Learning Day on Feb. 1, to celebrate innovative teachers and instructional strategies focusing on the use of technology.
Arizona Ready
Even with the most up-to-date computers and other technology gizmos, key educators say schools will not be able to deliver quality education without effective teachers at the front of the classroom.
‘Fab Five’ Arizona makes history, elects women to top 5 posts
Ten years after an Arizona governor was impeached and barely a year after another governor was forced from office by a federal conviction – both of whom were men – the Grand Canyon State made political history.
The colorful and tumultuous political career of Evan Mecham
Evan Mecham occupies a place in Arizona political history that has all the earmarks of a Greek tragedy. How else can you explain the events of Mecham’s political life?
Barr & Giss: Practicing the fine art of legislative legerdemain
Burton Barr, who was memorialized when his name was given to the Phoenix Central Library, wrote the book on political wheeling and dealing in the Arizona Legislature.
But, even before Barr burst onto the Capitol scene in 1964, Harold Giss was pulling the legislative strings. Both were pragmatic practitioners of lawmaking.
A vital investment: School advocates seek to change attitudes on education spending
Arizona women in a position to influence public policy in education are passionate about the programs they oversee and the students they guide, but inevitably it all comes down to money.
Winning: Political manipulators ply trade from D.C. to Chicago to Mesa
It seems that sleazy political tricks are oozing through every crack in the sidewalk. From Washington to Chicago to Mesa, political figures will say and do just about anything to get elected — or to prevent someone else from getting elected.
Babbitt & Bolin: Linked by the length of their terms
Democrats Bruce Babbitt and Wes Bolin represent the long and short of Arizona’s gubernatorial reigns.
Bolin, born Harvey Wesley Bolin in 1908, set a longevity record as Arizona secretary of state, serving almost 29 years, from 1949 to 1977. And when Raul Castro resigned as governor on Oct. 20, 1977, to become U.S. ambassador to Argentina, Bolin moved up to the Governor’s Office.
Keeping rural arizona ‘Afloat’: USDA development program provided $750 million to bolster outlying areas
The three most prevalent words in politics these days are jobs, jobs, jobs.
On one hand, incumbents are doing and saying what they think they should in order to hang onto their jobs, and challengers are scurrying about trying to figure out ways to snatch those jobs for their very own.
But the jobs that really matter are the ones that constituents still have, are in danger of [...]
DeConcini & Goddard Democratic families rose to political heights
Two generations of two high-profile Arizona Democratic families — the DeConcinis and the Goddards — landed influential state and federal positions dating back to the mid-20th century.
Udall — the name says it all An Arizona political dynasty
The Udall name has dominated Arizona’s political landscape and beyond for the better part of the 20th century, with Morris King Udall, affectionately known as Mo, the only member of the family to reach for the presidency of the United States — so far.
The Creightons: An Arizona political news legacy
Three generations of an Arizona family developed deep political roots, but were never tempted to run for office.
