In the U.S. two-party system, there’s no easy route to the ballot for a candidate from the abandoned middle.
Category Archives: State and local
Brnovich abuses his legal review authority over elections manual
A legal review is supposed to ascertain whether there are any manifest violations of state law. Brnovich has gone way beyond that.
Arizona Supreme Court usurps democracy in setting tax rates
As a result of the court’s actions, Arizona now has income tax rates not approved by any democratic process. Not by voters. Not by the Arizona Legislature.
Why are Republicans interrupting the Democratic meltdown on immigration?
Overpromising what state action, such as Ducey’s Border Strike Force, can do distracts from the real issues, both substantively and politically.
How Ducey used and misused his Covid emergency powers
Ducey’s management of Covid-19 reveals that the state’s emergency powers laws need an overhaul.
Title 42 shouldn’t be part of the immigration debate
It’s fair for Republicans to use immigration as an issue against Biden and Democrats. But misusing a public health measure for immigration control shouldn’t be part of it.
What the high court actually said about Arizona’s proof of citizenship requirement
Contrary to claims, the court never said that Arizona couldn’t enforce its state law requiring proof of citizenship for new registrants.
Brnovich takes a powder on GOP election lawsuits
Brnovich has stood tall on one point of principle: defending state laws against legal challenges. Not anymore.
The rise of the populist right in the GOP
The dominant populist right doesn’t have the same respect for, and deference to, free markets as the diminished small government, free market conservatives. Examples from the Arizona Legislature.
To give a big boost in K-12 funding a chance, put the vitriol on pause
Despite justifiable hard feelings on both sides, there remains an opening for a grand bargain on income tax rates and school funding.