Arizona Capitol Times Your Inside Source for Arizona Government, Politics and Business

I tend to reason through my personal experiences using common sense, but I have learned as Will Rogers once said, “Common Sense ain’t so common.” If it doesn’t make common sense I usually don’t accept it as fact or the truth. Voting in Arizona just doesn’t make the common sense smell test.

The prosecution function has come a long way in the last two decades across the country and here in Maricopa County.

Eisenhower said five decades ago, “…Only an alert and knowledgeable citizenry can compel the proper meshing,… so that security and liberty may prosper together.” So vote, because what we know is voting is a behavior. Engage civilly, because tolerance renounces bloodshed. Mostly, love thy neighbor…. Unless he is a bowtie-wearing, espresso-drinking, data-geek who can tell you the price of everything and the value of nothing — that is a political consultant. Stay away from them.

Recent attacks and inaccurate statements about the integrity and success of Primavera Online and its students demand a proper response. On behalf of the more than 200,000 students we have served over the past 18 years, the truth about us deserves to be told.

Our schools need a leader who will prioritize service to our children, schools, and communities — and as state superintendent, that’s precisely what I’ll do. It will take collaboration and legislative support across party lines. However, this election showed that communities across Arizona value public education and there is bipartisan support for pro-public education policies.

Nothing about this will be easy, but all of it is essential. Voting is a sacred right. I am proud to protect that right; proud to serve; and proud to have the opportunity to continue to make government work for the benefit of all Arizonans.

As a native Arizonan, I implore you to put aside your differences and return to the table in a reenergized effort to do all we can to protect Lake Mead.

Arizona has a long history of arriving at such solutions with future generations in mind. We have a rich, legacy of coming together where our water resources are concerned. Arizonans expect us to follow in this tradition -- and they expect us to act now.

At the end of the day, these solar activists are free to decide how to promote their cause, but they are not entitled to slander Arizona’s public servants in a barrage of unfounded and malicious attacks. Regardless of political affiliation, I believe most people still believe in standing up to disingenuous out-of-state bullies, that they can appreciate what is really going on here and that they will support my efforts to help clean it up.

Raytheon has set even more ambitious goals for the future to further reduce waste, save additional water and conserve even more energy. Environmental stewardship and sustainability aren’t just words on a page to us. It’s part of our commitment to future generations.