The governor has no legal authority to order schools to reopen. But he’s right, it’s time. Meanwhile, the Legislature is struggling to find the right balance regarding its role in an emergency.
Category Archives: State and local
Sinema, Kelly flunk first big test of bipartisanship
The Covid relief bill was a perversion of the budget process to enable a partisan cramdown on Keynesian stimulus and non-Covid redistribution. More to come.
A clever gutting of Prop. 208’s high income tax rate
Proponents said that it wouldn’t impact small business. State Sen. J.D. Mesard figured out a way to ensure it doesn’t without running afoul of the Voter Protection Act.
Could defamation lawsuits make political discourse more civil and honest?
A thought surfaced by the Dominion Voting Systems defamation lawsuits and one filed against state Sen. Wendy Rogers.
Ballot subpoena decision should have been appealed
It embraces a dangerously broad view of the scope of the Legislature’s subpoena power, and puts ballots and voting machines in the untrustworthy hands of the Senate GOP caucus.
GOP Senate a sorry display of representative government
Republicans in the State Senate are acting as though voters gave them a mandate. Voters didn’t.
Need for Voter Protection Act reform illustrated
Why should Dreamers have to wait until 2023 to receive in-state tuition?
Flake, McCain, Trump and the return of earmarks
Flake and McCain killed earmarks, an important conservative victory. Trump embraced deficit-swelling Keynesian stimulus. Yet it is Flake and McCain who are pariahs in today’s GOP.
On emergency powers reform, lawmakers only doing half the job
The Legislature should have a greater role in declaring emergencies. But the laws about what additional powers can be exercised in an emergency also need an overhaul.
Let community colleges offer four-year degrees
Allowing community colleges to offer four-year degrees would dramatically improve the state’s trajectory. A bill moving through the Legislature has unnecessary and harmful limitations, particularly for here in Maricopa County. Nevertheless, it’s time for this idea to gain a toehold in reality.