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[Blog for Arizona] Further musings on the City Council elections

David Safier — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 11:49:00 -0500

by David Safier

I wonder if the City Council election results would have been different if Trasoff and Uhlich came out strong and early against Prop 200. I know the smart money consultants said, Play it safe, you can't be against increasing police and fire protection. But what if they didn't "play it safe" . . .

First, a digression.

During the last presidential primaries, the Dem nomination came down to three choices, all intelligent, all personable, all reasonably qualified. With an unpopular R president, the election was ours, so long as we didn't do something really stupid.

The smart, careful, cautious folks said, for God's sake, don't nominate the black guy! The country isn't ready for that yet, and when his last name rhymes with Osama? Why don't we just give up and cede the election to the Rs?

The white woman? This isn't the time to risk everything by trying to break new ground.

[Blog for Arizona] Update: Tucson Election Unofficial Results

AZ BlueMeanie — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 09:07:00 -0500

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

The final numbers are now in for the City of Tucson election. As of 20:49:10 on November 6, 2009. with 100% of precincts reporting, here are the unofficial results:

City Council Ward 3

Karin Uhlich (D) 33,760 46.99%

Ben Buehler-Garcia (R) 33,656 46.72%

Mary DeCamp (G) 4,425 6.16%

City Council Ward 5

Richard Fimbres (D) 37,728 53.12%

Shaun McClusky (R) 33,129 46.65%

City Council Ward 6

Nina Trasoff (D) 34,675 48.62%

Steve Kozachik (R) 36,403 51.04%

Prop. 200 Public Safety First Initiative

Yes 21,868 29.79%

No 51,546 70.21%

Prop. 400 Home Rule Budget Override

Yes 35,343 49.35%

No 36,270 50.65%

Prop. 401 TUSD Operations Budget Override

Yes 29,503 41.27%

No 41,977 58.73%

Prop. 402 TUSD Technology Budget Override

Yes 27,974 39.

[Blog for Arizona] "Education Inc., Part III" -- Imagine Schools under the microscope

David Safier — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 21:53:00 -0500

by David Safier

On Imagine School's website, you can read a list of the corporation's Six Measures of Excellence. Most of them are the usual stuff -- values, achievement, character development -- but one, as the old Sesame Street song says, is not like the others. The final sign of excellence is the development of more and more schools.

New School Development enhances our ability to reach more children, more families, and more communities. As we increase our family of schools, more opportunities abound for Imagine Schools’ educators to grow professionally as well.

Forget their rationalizations about wanting more schools for educational reasons. Like many for profit companies, Imagine needs to grow to survive and prosper.

[Blog for Arizona] Update: Unemployment Benefits Extension Approved by Congress

AZ BlueMeanie — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:43:00 -0500

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

Arizona's Senator Obstruction, Jon Kyl, tied up the unemployment benefits extension bill in the U.S. Senate for weeks based upon petty partisanship and parliamentary maneuvering.

The bill bogged down in the Senate, first when senators from states with lower jobless rates demanded that the extension apply to all people exhausting their benefits, then with negotiations over adding the homebuyer and business tax credits. Then, Republicans held up floor action when Democrats blocked them from offering amendments on matters unrelated to the base bill.

"Opponents have put up obstacles at every turn to delay the passage of this bill, and as a result of these delaying tactics approximately 200,000 workers have lost their benefits in this last month," said Sen.

[Blog for Arizona] SWAG Update: Early Filers for 2010

AZ BlueMeanie — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:29:00 -0500

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

Now that local elections are all but over for the counting in Tucson (and a possible recount in Ward 3), it's time once again to update the early filers with the Arizona Secretary of State for 2010. You can play along at home at http://www.azsos.gov/cfs/CommitteeSearch.aspx

The big news today: Terry Goddard, the state's highest-elected Democrat, filed paperwork Friday morning announcing that he is exploring a run for governor next year. Political Insider Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon and former Arizona Democratic Party Chairman and 2006 U.S. Senate candidate Jim Pederson previously announced that they would not run. Former Tempe Mayor Neil Giuliano has also decided not to run

[Arizona Republic] Cities and towns vote to sue state -- again

AZ BlueMeanie — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:27:00 -0500

For the second time in two years, the League of Arizona Cities and Towns is going to court to contest what local governments believe are illegal moves by the state Legislature and Gov. Jan Brewer.
At issue are a two-year freeze on development-impact fees and building-code revisions, as well as a provision that cities and towns cannot provide any services to people unless those individuals show proof of citizenship.
"Somebody could come in, get a library card and, theoretically, the librarian can get sued," said Peoria Mayor Bob Barrett, who is a member of the league's executive committee.
Asked why not just ...

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[Blog for Arizona] Ed trivia doesn't get much more trivial than this

David Safier — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:10:00 -0500

by David Safier

Education scandal rags Education Week is abuzz with vaguely interested in the shocking not-terribly-exciting news that Washington D.C. Superintendent Michelle Rhee is engaged to former basketball star, former charter school operator and current Sacramento mayor, Kevin Johnson.

They've been carrying on a bi-coastal romance for some time. Johnson says it will be a long engagement.

I thought you'd want to know.

[Blog for Arizona] The Colbert Report Mocks Arizona's "Green Mile"

AZ BlueMeanie — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:00:00 -0500

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

The New York Times recently reported on Arizona privatizing its prisons, including turning over control of its Death Row to private companies. Arizona May Turn Death Row Over to Private Companies:

It is a dangerous place to patrol, and Arizona spends $4.7 million each year to house inmates like [Dale] Hausner in a super-maximum-security prison. But in a first in the criminal justice world, the state’s death row inmates could become the responsibility of a private company.

State officials will soon seek bids from private companies for 9 of the state’s 10 prison complexes that house roughly 40,000 inmates, including the 127 here on death row.

[Arizona Republic] Goddard files paperwork to explore gubernatorial run

AZ BlueMeanie — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:01:00 -0500

Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard, the state's highest-elected Democrat, filed paperwork Friday morning announcing that he is exploring a run for governor next year.
The step is a formality, the furthest the state's resign-to-run law allows a sitting office holder to go in preparing a campaign for a different position. As of Jan. 1, Goddard - who is term-limited next year - will be allowed to formally launch his campaign.
Regardless, Goddard's first official step toward the gubernatorial campaign is significant. He is the first Democrat to inch into the race and he does so as the overwhelming favorite to capture his party's nomination. ...

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[Blog for Arizona] Giffords op ed supports House health care bill

David Safier — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 10:24:00 -0500

by David Safier Kudos to Giffords for taking such a public stand saying she plans to vote for the House health care bill Saturday. She could try and do it quietly. Instead, she's making the case for her vote in...