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Create a level playing field for ride shares, taxis
The for-hire vehicle industry, which has operated here in Arizona for decades under simple but highly effective standards designed to keep riders safe, proposes that UberX, Lyft and other “ride sharers” meet the same modest set of safety standards.
Your ‘Right to Try’ belongs on Arizona ballot
There’s an old saying that most citizens find scary, “I’m from the government and I’m here to help!” Even worse is what is happening now when the federal bureaucracy says,... […]
Proceed with caution when chasing empty promises
In the aftermath of the Glendale City Council’s March 18th workshop, touted by the Tohono O’Odham Nation as a victory for their proposed neighborhood casino, media headlines spoke of the beginning of “negotiations” between the Nation and the city. As a veteran of this five-year-long political and legal battle and the governor of the Gila River Indian Community, I write to offer a strong no[...]
American Friends Service Committee is incorrect on corrections
A sponsored analysis of Arizona’s sentencing policies by American Friends Service Committee (appearing in the March 14 edition Arizona Capitol Times in the “Courts and Corrections” Focus section) lacks relevant data about the state’s prison population and ignores smart, effective policies that are already in effect.
Senate Bill 1413 would diversify Arizona’s economy, make state more competitive
Arizona has an opportunity to keep building on the Arizona Comeback. We can continue to diversify our economy through strategic choices that help our state retain, expand and attract investment from industries with high wage jobs for Arizonans.
Attack on public education in Arizona needs to stop
We, the school district leaders in Arizona, are troubled that some of our current elected and appointed state leadership seem unwilling to provide a quality education for all of Arizona’s children.
Animal care is more than a job — it’s our responsibility
My husband, children and I own and operate our 4th generation family ranch in northern Arizona. We take great pride in the well-being and quality care of our livestock. We follow best management practices consistent with the veterinarian-endorsed Beef Quality Assurance Program, including training and certification to provide the best care for our cattle. It is just the right thing to do. We have a[...]
New standards and high-quality assessment are essential for Arizona students
When the Common Core State Standards were being drafted, many Arizona teachers provided input and feedback which were incorporated into the actual standards that were adopted by 45 states. I know because I was one of them, working alongside other Arizona educators, ultimately helping our state to leave a footprint on the standards themselves.
We must stay the course with Arizona’s College and Career Ready Standards
I’ve been implementing Arizona’s College and Career Ready standards for three years in my fifth grade classroom. But I’m going to let you in on a secret: it hasn’t changed my teaching very much. In fact, the standards finally caught up with what many good educators have been trying to do for a long time –move away from rote memorization and isolated skills and return to creativity and in[...]
Christian principles: A pastor’s view in the aftermath of the SB1062 debate
As an ordained pastor in the United Methodist Church, I was very troubled by SB1062, the so-called “religious freedom bill,” and much of the rhetoric surrounding it. While many argued that this bill would have strengthened religious, particularly Christian “freedoms,” I believe it sought to do the exact opposite — it would have used religion as a license to discriminate against anyone of[...]
For many reasons, it’s time to get rid of Common Core
Arizonans must reclaim sovereignty over our children’s education. SB1310, which would prohibit the implementation of the Common Core standards and test in Arizona, is a good start. Governor Brewer willingly handed over control of our state’s education to the Common Core group for 30 pieces of silver offered by the Obama Administration in exchange for changing our state’s education policies [...]
Hijacked bills would punish whistleblowers seeking to expose animal cruelty
Legislation originally meant to help pets in hoarding situations has been hijacked by the state’s agribusiness industry.
