Arizona needs a statewide ban on novice drivers using cell phones
As Arizona celebrates its centennial, AAA Arizona also pauses to reflect on our 85-year legacy of advocating for safer roads. And while we have enjoyed recent successes, unfortunately, more work remains to be done.
Prop. 13 Arizona is a catalyst for economic growth, housing recovery
Arizona certainly needs property tax reform. We have the most complicated and complex property tax system in the nation, one that produces unpredictable and inexplicable property tax bills for homeowners and businesses. With a “share of the pie” system driven not by what your property is worth, but rather how much money the taxing districts want to spend, you are always one tax bill away fro[...]
Redistricting was hijacked by Democrats — give voters a chance to fix the process
In ordinary circumstances, the most politically safe and easy course of action is to do nothing. On the other hand, it’s especially risky to foment actions that would alter the outcomes of voter initiatives.
In the case of the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission, it’s important to conclude one way or another whether the intent and desires of the voters have been violated. I[...]
Cities and towns are vital to Arizona’s economic recovery
While Arizona has endured one of longest and deepest recessions in American history, the League of Arizona Cities and Towns has stepped forward to be a strong partner with Gov. Jan Brewer and state lawmakers as they sought solutions to reverse our fiscal crisis.
Arizona’s 91 cities and towns cut their spending by nearly 30 percent on average. We have responded to this crisis by doing [...]
Tribes celebrate 10 years of sharing gaming revenue with Arizonans
This year marks 10 years since Arizona tribes signed new gaming compacts with the state of Arizona. These compacts provide an avenue for tribes to share gaming revenues with all Arizonans. As of September 2011, tribes have contributed more than $640 million to benefit education, trauma and emergency care, wildlife conservation and business development through tourism. These are real, hard dollars [...]
Essential need for immigrant labor
I wonder how long it will be before we can have a discussion of immigration and labor issues without it being closed off with the phrases of “border security” and “open border and cheap labor?”
Stop insurance industry war on patients who rely on chiropractic care
Chiropractic patients in Arizona are being denied benefits and chiropractors are being forced out of business because a law designed to hold the insurance industry accountable is not being enforced.
Let communities make decision on nuclear waste storage
Recent articles about my proposed education fund and related spent nuclear fuel recycling program have produced some uninformed and negative reactionary responses. I urge everyone in the media, political arena and the voting public to educate themselves about this important subject.
AIMS test standards don’t aim high enough to prepare students
Let’s celebrate those Arizona K-12 public schools — both traditional and charter — that are advancing their students more quickly than their peers toward college and career readiness. Let’s study their strategies and share those strategies so that similar schools might use them.
Time to fight to keep public notices in Arizona newspapers
Long before transparency was the catch phrase of government watchdogs, Arizona newspapers have been the primary fighters in the battle to keep government records open to citizens. In the last few years, the transparency fight has moved to protecting the public’s right to know by keeping public notices in newspapers.
Minimum wage increase will help Arizona’s working families
While working families struggle to make ends meet in this sluggish economy, there is a bright spot on the horizon for Arizona’s lowest-paid workers: On Jan. 1, the state’s minimum wage increased 30 cents to $7.65, raising wages for more than 130,000 low-wage workers.
The increase not only helps hard-working Arizonans provide for their families, but also boosts the overall economy.
The truth behind SB1061 — the school lunch opt-out bill
If ever I needed to channel Paul Harvey, now is the time. Since SB1070, I don’t think I have ever witnessed more false statements, misunderstandings and outright lies than I have with the school lunch opt-out bill. So with great respect for a radio legend, here is the rest of the story.