Countdown to Government Shutdown: (less than) 48 hours
Posted by AzBlueMeanie: Advertisement The alleged budget compromise deal between our Accidental Governor and the GOP insane clown posse leadership sorta blew up on Saturday when leadership could not count enough heads to pass the series of a dozen bills, including the main sticking point: referring a sales tax increase to a special election ballot … Read more
Bush v. Gore gives Horne victory in Horne v. Flores
by David SafierI'm a little late with this post, but I was out of town when the Supremes decided Arizona isn't obligated to spend more money on ELL education. Howard Fischer's story on the decision in the Star is basically accurate. The Supreme Court sided with Horne and said the federal judge was wrong in … Read more
I must have hit a nerve
by David SafierA few weeks ago, I wrote a column for the Explorer whose theme was, conservatives lack an empathy gene. I began with the empathy fuss over Sonia Sotomayor's nomination to the Supreme Court, then went local. I have rarely seen a less empathetic, more heartless group of people than the Republican state legislators … Read more
Anti-tax zealots trying to enforce Grover Norquist’s “no new taxes” pledge
Posted by AzBlueMeanie: The East Valley Tribune Le Templar blog reports State budget countdown: Anti-tax groups lobby against budget plan: Anti-tax groups are trying to rally their members and supporters to slam state lawmakers with phone calls and emails that object to a “handshake deal” on the state budget between Gov. Jan Brewer and legislative … Read more
AZ GOP flat tax proposal will raise average Arizonan’s income taxes
Posted by AzBlueMeanie: The GOP insane clown posse leadership is asserting that their "flat tax" income tax proposal is "revenue neutral." A legislative report predicts that the flat tax will actually result in nearly a half billion dollar reduction in state income taxes in 2012 if enacted. Tax issues stall talks in House on budget … Read more
LE$$ for Education. It’s Good for Business
by David SafierRepublicans say they're turning Arizona into a business magnet. Companies fleeing high tax states like California will flock to Arizona for our low tax rates. Maybe. But it won't happen without a good PR campaign to sell the state. Since we don't have much money for the campaign, what with all the budget … Read more
Melvin: Taxes for backsides and baseball
by David SafierI've mentioned before that Al Melvin didn't sign the recent No Tax Pledge, even though he supported it earlier, because he liked the idea of new taxes to improve local roads. He was absolutely against taxes . . . until his backside met too many potholes. "I feel my pain," he muttered and … Read more
