Breaking News: Letcher promotes 3, cuts jobs, saves city money
by David SafierOK, that headline isn't actually breaking news, and it isn't entirely accurate. But it's as close to the truth, or closer, than the impression left by the headline and first 3 paragraphs of Rob O'Dell's front page story in the Star, Letcher promotes 3, hires new aide: Spending is needed, he says, even … Read more
Teachers, never do this
by David SafierHere's part of the history of Thelma Melendez de Santa Ana who Obama just nominated to be assistant secretary for elementary and secondary education. She was in the lowest reading group in first grade, though the teacher was told by her parents that she could already read in Spanish. But the parents were … Read more
Fed approves $681 million Ed Stim money for Arizona
by David SafierEd Sec Arne Duncan said Arizona will receive $681 million in education money and can apply for another $335.5 million in the fall. It's money Brewer applied for on May 22. Does this mean worries about state budget cuts endangering stimulus money were unfounded? I don't know enough about the ins and outs … Read more
Who speaks for the GOP? “No One” does
Posted by AzBlueMeanie: Gallup has a new poll out which asked the burning question, "Who is the main person who speaks for the Republican Party today?" Top response: No opinion 37% Next top response: No one 14% That's 51% of respondents who cannot readily identify who is the main person who speaks for the Republican … Read more
So Fox News really is from a parallel universe
by David SafierI rarely make it all the way through a Charles Krauthammer column. The newspaper always seems to get torn before I get to the end of it, or I click away because I fear for the safety of my computer screen. So I was thankful to Talking Points Memo for pointing out this … Read more
Can’t we all just get along? Guess not.
by David SafierLet me try to sort this out. Dem legislators don't like the R budget. Guv doesn't like the R budget. R legislators don't like Guv's sales tax increase, and they won't even dignify the Dem budget with a comment. Dem legislators don't like Guv's sales tax increase, because it's the wrong tax increase. … Read more
You can’t take this guy anywhere
by David SafierIt was a solemn, bipartisan moment at the state legislature. A bust of the late Jake Flake was unveiled. Flake was known as a gentleman in the legislature, and people on both sides of the aisle spoke warmly about him. But first came Al Melvin. According to Daniel Scarpinato's blog, [Melvin] didn’t mention … Read more
