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

Discussions at the Capitol surrounding public education have largely been about funding — and with good reason. But too often these conversations turn into partisan talking points, and students are the ones who pay the ultimate price. Yet there is a piece of legislation that serves as an example of what can happen when lawmakers and community members come together.

When I purchased my home in Phoenix 35 years ago, I picked a neighborhood where my kids could play, where my wife and I could sit outside in our front yard on spring evenings and enjoy the chatter of children and wave hello to passing families out for a stroll.

Today, Arizonans are excited to fuel higher pay for teachers and all the other educators who support our students. Instead of pretending we can move forward without new funding, our leaders should establish a dedicated and sustainable way to pay for what we value so highly.

Please, Gov. Ducey , do not allow for my peers to believe that their Governor has left them behind. And do not allow me to represent a Governor that will not support education.

The Arizona-Grown Fruit and Vegetable Incentive bill is a win for everyone – for children and families living in poverty, for seniors on fixed incomes and for rural and urban farmers across the state.

We believe transparency isn’t just a word. It’s a must for the state of Arizona when it comes to public safety results and the use of your tax dollars.

At The Pew Charitable Trusts, we base our policy recommendations on facts and data. Our analysis is rigorous. And we support dental therapy because the evidence is clear – it expands access to dental care.

I would say to those Arizona dentists who believe it won’t help their practices – don’t hire them. But don’t deprive your colleagues—especially those working in safety net clinics and rural communities—of the opportunity to improve their practices and the health of their patients.

Despite intensive efforts by lawmakers, health care providers, the criminal justice system and other stakeholders, Arizona appears to be losing the battle to stem the rising number of opioid overdose deaths.

Arizona has a long track record of successfully managing our state’s most precious resource: From the founding of the Salt River Valley Water User’s Association, to the historic Groundwater Management Act, to the formation of the Central Arizona Project.