Republican lawmakers fell short in their efforts to revamp election laws this session but could have a much better chance of success in 2023.
Read More »Election reform flopped in 2022, likely to return
Wanted: Candidates who listen to voters 
There are as many reasons to run for public office as there are candidates. Many are motivated by a particular issue or philosophy, which they emphasize in their election campaign. They tell us what they will do. Too often overlooked, ...
Read More »Let’s add more independents to the AIRC 
Every ten years Arizona remaps its legislative and congressional districts, based on the latest census data. In 2011, many Republicans in Arizona were convinced that the Democrats had gamed the system in their favor. The current remapping is getting the ...
Read More »The right against the right
VOTERS, this is NOT the time to ignore proposed Arizona legislation. Many of the bills your elected officials are bringing up in the next session of the Arizona Congress have NO merit and DO NOTHING to benefit your family. They ...
Read More »We spend $1B on prisons – why aren’t we safer?
It’s time for Arizona to get smart on crime and join other conservative states by adopting the reforms in SB1064.
Read More »Players in movement to remake Arizona’s criminal justice system 
Since conservatives got on board with revamping Arizona’s sentencing laws, bills to do that no longer lay unheard, not considered. And as the movement has taken hold over the past few years, a host of groups and people have made their presence known at the Legislature. Following are some of them.
Read More »They’re both right and wrong on prosecutors’ ‘Prisoners in Arizona’ report
Ultimately, we will never achieve meaningful sentencing reform in Arizona with both sides bashing the other and making “straw dog” arguments based on false mischaracterization of the other’s positions. Instead, we must take baby steps and then measure results as they inform public safety, in much the same way that the recently released APAAC report undertook its detailed and valuable account of recidivism in all categories of offenses. Knowing which categories of offenders recidivate least often can suggest sentencing reductions that are plausible and realistic.
Read More »Mining reform America and Arizona need would protect the environment
The president and Secretary Zinke are wrong to direct our government to reduce community input in mining decisions. Our communities need up-to-date mining laws that protect our families, our water and our future.
Read More »County prosecutors leaning hard on governor to veto civil forfeiture bill
Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery is asking Gov. Doug Ducey to veto legislation to make it more difficult for him and other prosecutors to seize property unless changes are made in the measure.
Read More »Tom Forese’s ethics ‘reform agenda’ stumbles out of the gate
On ethics, ACC Chairman Tom Forese talked big, then stumbled. The job at re-establishing Arizonans’ trust in the Arizona Corporation Commission will require concrete action.
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