Special Session Update: The GOP insane clown posse has a budget, if they can keep it
August 19, 2009
Posted by AzBlueMeanie: The House passed the final bill in the budget package Tuesday, repealing the state equalization property tax, but deliberately failed to convey the measure to the Senate, a maneuver intended to stall the process while Republican leaders try to convince Gov. Jan Brewer to sign the bills. (h/t Arizona Guardian). The maneuver
A genuine question about Medicare
August 18, 2009
by David SafierHere's something I honestly don't know the answer to. People say Medicare is heading into massive debt, and I believe that's true over the long haul. But my question is: does that means it's spending too much, or it's underfunded? Here's how I want to pose the question. Let's say we take the
The Dempire Strikes Back – The Public Option Returns
August 18, 2009
Posted by AzBlueMeanie: Over the weekend, Obama administration spokespersons including Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius, and President Obama himself, appeared to signal a a retreat on the public option. There was gnashing of teeth and loud wailing from the base of the Democratic Party. The netroots went into action immediately to remind
Housekeeping
August 18, 2009
I just installed threaded comments. That means you can now reply directly to a comment, or even to a comment on a comment. Your comments will feel more like a genuine conversation now. The drawback is that you have to sign in and create a free Typepad comment account. This prevents the need to use
A Simple Question
August 18, 2009
Sometimes the most basic questions are the most powerful. Representative Anthony Weiner (D-NY) appeared on Joe Scarborough's show on MSNBC to talk about his "Medicare for all" alternative to the omnibus healthcare reform bill rumbling through various committees (which now looks in danger of dropping any 'public' option). Weiner asked Scarborough what value the private
Sen. Jack Harper – dazed and confused
August 18, 2009
Posted by AzBlueMeanie: State Sen. Jack Harper, R-Surprise, likened the behavior of legislative Democrats during budget talks this year to that of Sunnis who ruled Iraq with an iron fist for more than two decades. Political Insider: Sen. Harper: Capitol Democrats behaving like Sunnis and Saddam Hussein: The minority Sunnis, led by dictator Saddam Hussein,
Special Session Alert: Trouble Brewering – Accidental Governor Ready to Blink?
August 18, 2009
Posted by AzBlueMeanie: The House Appropriations Committee approved the conformed version of the state equalization property tax repeal bill on Tuesday. Arizona lawmakers miss deadline for property-tax repeal According to several news sources, Senate President Bob Burns says he cannot find support for the Accidental Governor's temporary sales tax increase, and he will transmit the Senate budget
Star agrees on need for more charter school regulation
August 18, 2009
by David SafierNo need for me to add to what the Star wrote in today's editorial. Arizona was a pioneer in the charter-school movement 15 years ago and the subsequent proliferation of tuition-free, independent public schools bears out the theory that the market will respond if given essentially free rein to meet demand. Unfortunately, the
