I always support the legislative pay raise (Proposition 304). This year’s proposal would increase the salary from $24,000 to $35,000 a year.
The reason isn’t that I think it will make a bit of difference in who runs or how the state is governed. It’s just a matter of fairness. The job is fulltime for about five months, with significant time commitments the remainder of the year. That merits more than the current recompense.
(Published in the Arizona Republic, Oct. 26)
Prop. 303 is a legislative referral of a statute. The same number of votes required to refer it could have enacted it directly.
Amending the state constitution won’t provide increased authority over federal programs.
GOP legislators complain about Prop. 480’s taxes, but they are responsible for the current burden.
The county hospital and clinic system is a relic, but there are reasons to keep it. Prop. 480’s price, however, is steep.
Despite pettifogging by the City of Phoenix and its unions, for voters the issue should be straightforward: Should taxpayers or public employees take the risk for the performance of the stock market?