Direct election of the president would require uniform, national election standards. H.R. 1 isn’t a good start to that discussion.
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.