Erasure-gate in D.C. schools?
by David Safier This is a very long story, but I'll try to make it short. Washington D.C. school administrators and/or teachers may have cheated big time on standardized tests over a period of years. It's possible to probable the city's test score "gains," which helped push former D.C. Superintendent Michelle Rhee to national conservative … Read more
‘Flat Tax’ pulled from a final vote – for now
Posted by AzBlueMeanie: The ideological holy grail of the far-right — the flat tax — has been pulled from a final vote in the Arizona Legislature by the bill sponsor, Steve Court (R-Mesa). Mesa lawmaker drops flat-tax proposal – for now: Calling it too much to sell in a short time, the author of a … Read more
The Farley Report: March 29, 2011
Posted by AzBlueMeanie: Time once again for the Farley Report from Rep. Steve Farley (D-LD 28): From my Capitol office window I have been noticing small groups of Republicans going in and out of the front doors of the Joint Legislative Budget Committee (JLBC) all day. That means only one thing — we are nearing … Read more
Kavanagh amendment targeting universities
By Craig McDermott, crossposted from Random Musings …at first glance, it appears he may be serving as the hatchet man for the Goldwater Institute, but to give Rep. John Kavanagh his due, he's a smart man and could have thought of this all on his own. On Wednesday, the House Appropriations Committee, chaired by Rep. … Read more
Fool’s Gold: All Americans should pay some taxes (as if they don’t already)
by David Safier The Goldwater Institute is at it again, mixing lies and half truths with conservative/libertarian theology to come up with a "nothing" that sounds like "something." Take this statement in G.I.'s big, wet, sloppy kiss on the lips of the flat tax: It is certainly true some people currently pay little or no … Read more
Why Mexican American Studies should not be a series of electives
by David Safier I wrote yesterday the fix may be in to make the Mexican American Studies program into a series of elective courses rather than courses which fulfill core graduation requirements in history and English. My sources say Superintendent John Pedicone, who has taken a neutral stance on the elective issue in public, has … Read more
Update: Wisconsin Judge blocks implementation of ‘budget-repair’ law – again
Posted by AzBlueMeanie: Wisconsin Tea-Publicans' disregard for the lawful court order of Dane County Judge Maryann Sumi pissed off the judge. "What part of my order did you not understand?" The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel rfeports on today's copurt hearing. Judge again blocks implementation of collective bargaining law – JSOnline: "Further implementation of the act is enjoined," … Read more
