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Arizona can’t afford racinos
As a 25-year veteran of the gaming industry, I’ve seen how racinos alter the course of gaming and gaming regulation within a state. Although I have yet to see a bill this year that would allow race tracks to add slot machines and table games, my greatest concern is the ripple effect that will occur in the wake of such legislation.
Politeness in politics is OK, but candor is indispensable
Tucson – like Dallas before it, and Columbine, and Virginia Tech, and … the list is as endless as the tears those names evoke – has become more than just the site of senseless slaughter. It has become a rallying cry, a cause. In the weeks since the Jan. 8 mass shooting, many politicians and other well-intentioned people have seized upon Tucson to teach the entire population of the United [...]
‘Spice’ no safe marijuana alternative
The toxic substance is widely available in smoke shops and liquor stores, as well as in wide supply on the Internet, advertised as “state legal.” Along with that description, companies promoting Spice should add “unsafe” and “potentially lethal” on the packaging.
In debate over luring business, governments can never win
Last month, the Mecklenburg County (N.C.) Board of Commissioners awarded SPX Corp. a $3.1 million grant over five years to build a 230,000 square-foot office building in Charlotte and purchase two new aircrafts.
‘No Labels’ aims to combat harshness of political rhetoric
The shrill sound of too much of what passes for current national political discussion is a wake-up call to all Americans that the harshness of our political rhetoric has reached potentially dangerous levels.
Cities and towns led by example during great recession
As the Legislature faces the unenviable task of tackling our economic and budget crisis, the League of Arizona Cities and Towns remains committed to being a positive partner with Gov. Jan Brewer and state lawmakers to move Arizona forward.
Was Saturday’s rampage really unimaginable?
We don't yet know what role, if any, the actions of the Legislature played in what happened on Saturday. But if ever there was a time to re-examine the cliff we are headed toward, this tragedy certainly provides it. (Laurie Roberts/The Arizona Republic)
Let’s step back, as Giffords asked
In an interview last March, Giffords anticipated almost everything being said now and explained why what happened on Saturday is a violation of our national self-image as "a beacon." Our pride, she said, is that "we effect change at the ballot box" and not through "outbursts of violence." (E.J Dionne Jr./The Washington Post)
Transparency website casts dim light on government spending
Amid all the dark budget news in Arizona, the recently launched state budget transparency website provides taxpayers with a ray of light. This new website — Arizona OpenBooks (http://openbooks.az.gov) — while far from perfect, should bring transparency and greater accountability to future state budgets.
Homeowners, commercial property owners, need to know future tax obligations
Reducing taxes is attractive for those who pay and the GOP plan is good for business, bad for homeowners. Conceptually, it is very simple however: property tax revenue results from assessed valuations multiplied by tax rates.
The problem is the government spends money and then expects taxpayers to pay, similar to a spendthrift college student with a parent’s credit card.
Pelosi and Reid not the only problems
As a Republican activist for more than 35 years, I am sorry to say that I cannot be very optimistic about the resurgence of Republicans.
Pearce’s ‘rule of law’ banter belies birthright-citizenship proposal
For months, Pearce has been working on legislation to deny citizenship to those born in Arizona to illegal immigrant parents. Details are sketchy, but that’s the gist.
