It’s official: U.S. higher ed is the best in the world
February 5, 2012
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by David Safier A poll has been taken in other countries, certainly in Asian countries, and the consensus is, the U.S. has the finest system of higher education in the world. It's not a poll, exactly. It's students from Asian countries voting with their feet and their dollars, spending huge amounts of money to attend … Read more
Downtown developers, ‘crony capitalism’ and the Arizona legislature’s Rio Nuevo Board
February 5, 2012
Posted by AzBlueMeanie:
Craig McDermott included in his "This Week" post at the legislature this heads up:
"Thursday at 9 a.m., Technology and Infrastructure will meet in HHR1. On the agenda: HB2647, a Rio Nuevo bill…"
Here is the explanation. A group of Downtown Tucson developers and business interests wants the Arizona legislature to make big changes to Rio Nuevo, including a change that could guarantee them financial relief for future projects. Businesses press lawmakers to make Rio Nuevo changes:
Fletcher McCusker, one of the key promoters of downtown redevelopment, is unofficially calling the effort the "Downtown Tucson Initiative."
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Backers said the key to righting the scandal-ridden project hinges on several items:
• Creating incentives for developers to build within the district – potentially waiving development fees, eliminating impact fees, abating property taxes or allowing developers to keep sales taxes collected by their business for five to 10 years.
• Expanding the authority of the Rio Nuevo Board, which can only spend money on a convention center and the as-yet-economically-infeasible convention hotel.
• Streamlining the regulatory burden on developers, to provide more clarity in obtaining building permits.
• Building more accountability and standardization into procurement.
McCusker, whose backers include Jim Horvath, Buzz Isaacson, Kevin Madden, Don Martin and Scott Stiteler, said he fears that with the Rio Nuevo Board and city of Tucson at an impasse and threatening to meet in court, some legislators might decide to pull the plug on the project altogether. This would be a way to show the project still retains support and could get back on track, he said.
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McCusker said he doesn't believe the effort is stepping on any toes, since it's going to need backing from both the Rio Nuevo Board and the city to get through the legislative process.
Yes, Montini says, we need Bible classes, for . . .
February 5, 2012
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by David Safier E. J. Montini begins with satire, then leaves it to simply tell the truth. Here's how his column begins. An Arizona legislative committee last week approved a bill to create an elective high-school class called "The Bible and its Influence on Western Culture," a divinely inspired proposal that needs only two minor … Read more
The coming week…
February 5, 2012
By Craig McDermott, cross-posted from Random Musings First: an apology to readers for not finishing last week's legislative schedule post. My personal schedule got tight, and these posts take 6 – 8 hours to put together when the lege's committees are going full speed. Hence, the early start on this is meant to ensure … Read more
The latest on the Giffords seat special election
February 4, 2012
Posted by AzBlueMeanie:
First the Democratic side of the ledger, because really folks, that's what matters.
Friend of Blog for Arizona Carolyn Classen was kind enough to forward a copy of a Yellow Sheet Report (ungodly expensive subscription gossip rag), captioned: Giffords Set to Endorse Barber:
Multiple sources say that Giffords’ advisors held a conference call this afternoon to discuss what role she would play in the special election to replace her, and one source with knowledge of the conversation said Giffords is prepared to throw her support behind longtime aide Ron Barber to fill out her term.
However, her endorsement hinges on Barber entering the race, a decision the source said he will make by Monday. “If he decides to run, [Giffords and her team] will endorse him,” the source said.
If Barber, who reportedly is still unable to work full days because of his recovery from being shot in the same attack that wounded Giffords, opts not to run, the source said there is “no backup plan” and the congresswoman would not issue an endorsement.
I just came from a meeting of Legislative District 30 Democrats at which Rep. Steve Farley (D-LD 28) was the featured speaker. Rep. Farley informed Democrats that the report above is the current status for Democrats — Ron Barber is considering whether to run as a caretaker for the Giffords seat in the CD 8 special election.
MAS News Shorts
February 4, 2012
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by David Safier
My (virtual) desktop is piled high with MAS news I planned to post about as separate items. Instead, here's a brief rundown with links so you can read more if you wish.
- The latest news is the lawsuit filed by MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund) to reinstate MAS courses. The argument is, MAS was part of desegregation plan TUSD was required to fulfill, and cutting the program violates the post-unitary plan. You can read the court filing here. (h/t to Abie Morales at Three Sonorans for the link)
- The nationwide response to the MAS controversy is spreading. Students are holding teach-ins. The Network of Teacher Activist Groups has joined together with Rethinking Schools to create a No History is Illegal website: "A Campaign to Save Our Stories. They say shut it down. We say spread it around!" You can read stories and download curriculum (h/t Jeff Biggers on HuffPo).
- Las Adelitas protests TUSD retaliation against Dr. Sean Arce, Director of the MAS program, because he "brought his concerns to the Department of Education at the White House summit this week" and because he is participating in the lawsuit to reinstate MAS courses.
- Jeff Biggers has a series of four interviews with former MAS students who say the program has made a huge difference in their lives. Excerpts from the interviews after the jump.
Saguaro Eastside Democrats 8th Annual ‘I Love Liberty’ Party
February 4, 2012
Posted by AzBlueMeanie: This is the first "must attend" event of the campaign season for candidates running for office in Pima County. This meet & greet is your chance to introduce yourself to Democratic Party activists and donors.
Time for unions to stand united against this assault on working people
February 4, 2012
Posted by AzBlueMeanie: Police and fire unions have, for various reasons, supported and endorsed Republican candidates and causes over the years. This often put them at odds with other public sector unions and trade unions. Some of the teachers unions have endorsed Republican candidates on the specious grounds that it is a Republican dominated district and they wanted … Read more
