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Equalize the system that is stacked against independents
Voters responded with a resounding ‘no’ on Proposition 121, also known as the “top two” primary system, which would have created one primary for all candidates.
Election reforms should start by reducing excessive provisional ballots
Arizona must seriously examine its election system to avoid becoming the next Florida, circa 2000. With this in mind, Secretary of State Ken Bennett rightly recommended overhauling Arizona’s elections system and working to reduce the number of provisional ballots.
Republicans ignore foreclosure settlement agreement
Earlier this year, Joseph Smith, who monitors the $25 billion mortgage settlement fund for 49 states, declined to comment on the Arizona legislative Republicans’ decision to sweep $50 million from Arizona’s portion of this settlement.
GOP’s trouble is not with color, it’s with kind
The GOP doesn’t have a problem with black. Clarence Thomas, Condoleezza Rice, Allen West, Mia Love, Vernon Parker and many others are respected conservatives of color. The issue is the kind of black that Republicans prefer.
The looming specter of the political-industrial complex
A half-century ago, President Dwight D. Eisenhower cautioned Americans to be mindful of the “military-industrial complex.”
Obamacare’s insurance exchanges are all wrong
I spent 16 years in the United States Congress fighting for patient choice/free market health care reform. No member of Congress pushed harder for health care reform than I did. I fought Obamacare with every ounce of my being.
Contribution limits to candidates need to be removed to curb outside spending
In 2010, the general election for attorney general in Arizona was a tight one. Republican Tom Horne had endured an expensive primary that left him financially weakened going into the general election against Democrat Felicia Rotellini, who proved to be a stronger than expected candidate.
We can have both high-quality education and safe, cost-effective prisons
In 2012, the Arizona Department of Corrections’ budget increased by 11 percent. It was the only agency that increased its share of the state’s general fund. At the same time, education funding at all levels plummeted, with our state’s education system ranking 44 out of 51, according to “Education Week.”
The root of the health care problem
Where are we on health care? We have made a political debate out of health care, which exceeds any federal or state government’s capacity to solve. Whatever evolution the remedies take, statutory and regulatory thrusts and parries will be insufficient. Yet, wisdom in the deliberation and passage of such efforts will be required.
Prop. 117 is more gimmick than good public policy
Anyone who carefully studies this issue and is intellectually honest must come to the conclusion that the valuation limits proposed in Prop. 117 are bad for Arizona and for economic development.
Prop. 204 is a flawed product, bad public policy
Education has always been a major part of my life. My father, Dr. George N. Smith, was a highly respected teacher and school superintendent here in Arizona for over 35 years. As the superintendent of one of the largest school districts, my father lived education – at the dinner table, at church, even at the grocery store. During his tenure, Mesa’s schools were considered to be among the finest[...]
Small employers get shortchanged under rules for premium rebates
Everyone who has health insurance — whether individually or through their employer — may have recently received a premium rebate from their insurance provider due to the Affordable Care Act.
