Reduced crime rates were a big accomplishment. The unwarranted and excessive political scrutiny given to the Phoenix PD and Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office are the sort of thing that might put it at risk.
Category Archives: State and local
More rule by judicial philosopher-kings, this time for foster care
A lawsuit would have a federal judge make the decisions about Arizona’s foster care system, and take them away from our elected officials.
Arizona high court flinches in transgender custody case
The case wasn’t really about transgender rights. It was about parental rights in family court.
Yearning for a state budget process that used to be
Some of us old farts can remember when the Legislature was truly a co-equal branch of state government regarding the budget.
Why do Democrats instinctively oppose occupational licensing deregulation?
Gov. Ducey signed two bills on occupational licensing reform — one major, one mostly symbolic. Democrats overwhelmingly voted against both.
APS’s confession should lead to an appointed commission
Limiting APS’s campaign spending has legal and other problems. An appointed commission is a better reform.
Governance by judicial philosopher kings isn’t what the founders intended
Both the left and right run to judges rather than fighting to change outcomes through the political process.
Runoff elections are better than ranked choice voting
Despite the recent boomlet for ranked choice voting, a nonpartisan top-two primary system is still the best electoral reform for Arizona.
Arizona’s school assessment fiasaco continues
The most recent saga involves the federal government.
Move the Arizona primary to June
Legislators are about to move the Arizona primary to early August. That’s still not early enough to eliminate the disadvantage of contested primaries.