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First Monday in October
September 30, 2012
Posted by AzBlueMeanie:
The U.S. Supreme Court opens its new term on the first Monday in October. Last week the Court held its pre-term conference. One decision was reached at conference. The Court — by an apparent unanimous vote — told lower-court judges not to insist on close-to-zero differences in the population of each of a state’s districts for choosing members of the U.S. House of Representatives. Lyle Denniston reports, Opinion recap: Hedging on “one person, one vote” : SCOTUSblog:
Zero variance” in population is not the new constitutional norm for redistricting, the Court made clear. Just because computers can produce almost exactly equal-sized districts, the Constitution does not require it, the decision said.
After sitting on the case from West Virginia all summer long, the Court produced an eight-page, unsigned ruling that largely deferred to the wishes of that state’s legislature on how to craft the three districts for choosing its House delegation. The opinion can be found here.
* * *
Tuesday’s ruling gave state legislators constitutional permission to have some variation in size between congressional districts, if the lawmakers do so to protect incumbents from having to run against each other, to avoid splitting up counties, and to avoid moving many people into a new district from the one where they had previously cast their votes. In what appeared to be a novel new declaration, the Court stressed that lower courts should not demand that a state prove specifically how each of those goals would be satisfied by moving away from equally populated districts. And, in another legal innovation, the Court said that a variation that is not really very big does not become a constitutionally suspect one just because a sophisticated computer program could be used to avoid nearly all such variations.
If the difference between a state’s largest House district and its smallest one is small — such as the 0.79% deviation in the West Virginia plan — that does not become unconstitutionally large just because it could be avoided by “technological advances in redistricting and mapping software.”
Could They At Least Explain The Contradictions?
September 30, 2012
by
Posted by Bob Lord
At a debate last spring, the candidates were asked what one word best described them. Romney's response? "Resolute."
In a few respects, it's been hard to argue with that. He's been resolute in his refusal to release more of his tax returns. He's been resolute in his distortion of Obama's record. And he's certainly been resolute in his refusal to provide any specifics of his tax plan.
On the refusal to provide specifics, Ryan is no less resolute than Mitt. Indeed, Ryan never has shared much by way of specifics in his "Path to Prosperity." And today, Ryan maintained resolute on sharing specifics of the Romney tax plan. He told Chris Wallace that "it would take too long to go through all the math." But, he assured Wallace, the plan would "drop taxpayers' bills by 20%, without costing a dime, due to closed loopholes." And he told Wallace that you can cut rates by 20% by closing loopholes and still have preferences for the middle class, including those for home purchases, charitable deductions and health care.
Finally, to leave the audience utterly baffled, Ryan stated: "What we’re saying is people are going to get lower tax rates and therefore they will not send as much money to Washington.”
Democrats of the Red Rocks Annual Picnic
September 30, 2012
Posted by AzBlueMeanie: Announcement from the Democrats of the Red Rocks:
Horizon (PBS) on Prop. 115: Undermining the Judicial Merit Selection System
September 29, 2012
Posted by AzBlueMeanie:
Horizon (PBS) covers Prop. 115, misleadingly entitled "The Judicial Department." This measure is in reality an attempt by the Center for Arizona Policy (CAP) and far-right Tea Party conservatives to undermine the Judicial Merit Selection Sytem.
Proponents and opponents of Prop 115 debate the merits of this constitutional amendment that was referred to the ballot by the Arizona State Legislature. The measure would revise procedures for appointing judges and make various other changes to the judicial system.
Video replay below the fold.
Horizon (PBS) on Prop. 204: Quality Education and Jobs Act
September 29, 2012
Posted by AzBlueMeanie:
Horizon (PBS) covers Prop. 204, the Quality Education and Jobs Act (sales tax initiative).
A measure to permanently extend a one-cent state sales tax is on the November ballot. The Quality Education and Jobs initiative would use that money to pay for education and road, rail, transit and other transportation projects. Ann-Eve Pedersen, Chairman of the Quality Education and Jobs initiative, speaks for the initiative. State Treasurer Doug Ducey speaks in opposition to the measure.
Video replay below the fold.
Horizon (PBS) on Prop. 121: Open Elections/Open Government Act
September 29, 2012
Posted by AzBlueMeanie:
PBS is covering the propositions on the November ballot. Prop. 121, the Open Elections/Open Government Act aka the Top Two Primary or "jungle primary," is covered on Horizon.
Paul Johnson of the Open Government Act initiative speaks in favor of the top-two primary, while Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery speaks against it.
Video replay below the fold.
Arizona Illustrated LD 9 House Candidate Debate
September 29, 2012
Posted by AzBlueMeanie:
Moderator Jim Nintzel of the Tucson Weekly hosts the Arizona Illustrated (PBS) House candidate debate between Democrats Victoria Steele and Mohur Sarah Sidhwa, and Republican Ethan Orr.
Video replay below the fold.
The Glow: Lighted art walk in Oracle tonight (video)
September 29, 2012
