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Did lawmakers kill the goose that lays the golden eggs?
Joint Technical Education Districts (JTEDs) bolster the economy, not just in Arizona, but across the nation. Premier career and technical education (CTE) programs improve high school student achievement, dramatically reduce drop-out rates, and create skilled workers who are prepared to fill almost half the jobs in this country that are middle-skill positions.
Amid changing demographics, Arizona Hispanic Chamber poised to lead
The recent debate over Arizona’s state operating budget helps illustrate the genuine challenges facing our economy. Just as real is the enormous promise and potential of Arizona’s most valuable asset: its diverse communities.
Bill establishing transition program for inmates was lost
Today's (April 13) story, "Winners and Losers," regarding those who gained from legislative action at this year's recently completed session and those who “lost” was telling.
Secretary Reagan misses the point
It looks like we touched a nerve. Recently the Arizona Advocacy Foundation led a coalition of non-partisan groups to produce an in-depth study of our state’s most recent election in the wake of the United States Supreme Court’s gutting of the Voting Rights Act.
Report ignores logical rules for running an election
A recent report from the Arizona Advocacy Network attempts, unfairly and inaccurately, to make claims about “thousands” of uncounted votes in recent Arizona elections. The report is exceptionally biased, cherry-picks its data and is grossly misleading.
Higher academic standards = a stronger economy
With the noise of HB2190 now in our rearview mirror, we can now focus on student achievement. High academic standards are here to stay in Arizona, at least for now, as Arizona lawmakers defeated yet another effort to prohibit the state from using the Arizona College and Career Ready Standards (ACCRS).
A renewed commitment to free trade will boost Arizona’s economy
Arizona’s growing tech industry, our border with Mexico, and proximity to West Coast ports make international trade a vitally important part of our state’s economy. In fact, Arizona exported $19.4 billion worth of goods in 2013, constituting more than 7 percent of Arizona’s GDP.
Time to stop stalling a national conversation about transportation
In Congress, members of both parties are trying to figure out how to fix the nation’s transportation funding problem. What they need to remember, though, is that funding is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the problems with our transportation system.
State’s lien system is a tool to fix problems
I often miss my time in the Maricopa County Treasurers Office, and last week was one of those times. Arizona’s newspaper of record published a story about legislation affecting a portion of Arizona property tax lien system.
Raising expectations for Arizona’s schools
As a product of Arizona public schools and former resident, I am saddened by the bill recently passed in the Arizona House of Representatives on March 11 to repeal the implementation of Common Core State Standards.
Eliminating Common Core would harm student achievement, waste taxpayers’ money
It was just a few years ago that Arizona took a positive step forward with the new academic standards in English, language, arts and math: the Arizona College and Career Ready Standards (ACCRS). Since its adoption in 2010, the ACCRS [better known as Common Core] have been implemented throughout the state’s public schools in grades K-12.
Responsible budget puts Arizona on right track
Every election, it seems, politicians give lip service to the need for fiscal responsibility and a balanced budget. But once they are in office, they lack the courage and resolve to actually achieve one. It’s always politically more convenient to spend more than we take in, hide growing debt and liabilities through clever accounting tricks, and leave the consequences for someone else to clean up[...]
