The good news about Biden’s trip? No significant accomplishments.
The Political Notebook 7.15.22
Voting initiative’s strategic vulnerability. Ignore meaningless victory and concession speeches. Bowers and the Trump temptation.
Somewhat better rules for the administrative state
Taken together, the high court’s decisions on Remain in Mexico and climate change constitute a modest step toward reinvigorating the constitutional authority of both the president and Congress.
The Political Notebook
Nasty and inane GOP guv debate. Robson’s 2020 election evasions. Will Democrats intervene to help Lake?
Why the voucher fight in Arizona will be different this time
No cap means that voucher supporters will mount a more vigorous yes campaign. But a couple of vulnerabilities in this voucher proposal will make winning a referendum election more difficult.
Bipartisan state budget delivers, but nonpartisan one would be better
A nonpartisan budget wouldn’t increase K-12 funding without authorizing its expenditure or waste half a billion dollars on a border security talking point.
Biden’s scapegoating letter to oil companies
Biden’s letter about high gas prices displayed an obtuseness about the role price signals play in a market economy.
GOP legislators embrace earmarks
Leaked budget includes a billion dollars of transportation projects chosen through pure politics, not a prioritization of statewide needs.
Federalism the loser in bipartisan gun violence deal
Red flag laws, mental health and school safety should be the responsibility of state and local governments, not a broke national one.
Time for a skinny state budget
Mismanagement of the budget process by GOP legislative leaders and Ducey hasn’t left enough time for a considered, bipartisan decision about what to do with the gargantuan surplus. That should be done in a special session.