Arizona Daily Star endorses Fred DuVal for Governor

The editors of the Arizona Daily Star today exhibit that they are at least more intellectually honest and thoughtful about public policy and its consequences than are the partisan hacks at The Arizona Republic who would endorse a potted plant for office if it had an “(R)” behind its name on the ballot. GOP tribalism by The Republic  has been a great disservice to this state for far too many years.

The editors of the Arizona Daily Star today endorsed Democrat Fred DuVal for governor in a thoughtful endorsement. Governor: Education, social stands make DuVal our choice:

The Arizona Daily Star endorses Fred DuVal for governor.

We share DuVal’s belief that public education must be the cornerstone of Arizona’s plan to attract and build businesses, add jobs and make our state a place people want to, and are able to, live and prosper.

Democrat DuVal’s determination to improve schools and create a more educated workforce isn’t a short-term fix for the economy, but it will send a crucial message to businesses and the nation: Arizona is investing in people, in innovation and for the long-term.

We agree with DuVal that Arizona should take the deal offered by school districts to settle an ongoing court fight over $317 million in voter-approved education funding sidetracked by the Legislature. His Republican opponent, Doug Ducey, wants to fight the ruling, wasting time and money.

Arizona has a lengthy history of failing our children. According to a Star report from the time, Arizona’s inflation-adjusted spending per pupil fell 6 percent from 1988 to 1998.

In the 2000 Quality Counts study, which is done annually by Education Week with the Pew Charitable Trusts, Arizona ranked last in the nation for education funding. Fourteen years later, Arizona ranks 44th — hardly an improvement that will entice CEOs to move their families and businesses here.

We also support DuVal’s collaborative approach to identifying and accomplishing common goals. He has experience working within Arizona and the federal government to find shared ground among people who disagree on many issues.

Those skills will be put to the test working with a Republican Legislature to make public education the state’s priority not just in talk, but action.

DuVal also stands for civil rights for all Arizonans in marriage equality, and is a supporter of reproductive rights and women’s health care. He’s a strong voice against SB 1062, odious legislation that dressed up discrimination as religious freedom and is sure to be come back in the next session. His views on social issues best match ours.

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Our main criticism [of Doug Ducey] is the plan he has put forth to spur growth. He has run on a platform, as he described it in the primary, to reduce the state’s personal and corporate income tax, “driving it down to zero.” That would eliminate 40 percent, or about $4 billion, from the budget.

Ducey now says he wants income taxes to be as “close to zero” as possible and that it will take a term or two to get there. He told us, “The idea is there would be more money in the growing economy” to generate state revenue.

It is a stretch to believe that growth would fill 40 percent of the budget bucket, not to mention that growth means more people and more demand for services such as schools and roads.
Ducey also says he will reduce spending by eliminating duplication, using technology, etc. This is in line with the “I’ll cut waste” pledge every politician makes. If fat exists, we wonder why the Legislature and governor haven’t removed it already.

Ducey also pledges to reduce taxes every year and to veto any tax increase.

Kansas tried something similar to his tax idea, and the state is now in dire economic shape. Arizona can’t afford a similar experiment. We have long advocated for an overhaul of Arizona’s tax system to make it more simple and fair, but peeling off the income tax by itself won’t accomplish that.
Ducey, who spent the last four years as state treasurer, surely is able to present a more detailed tax plan.

DuVal’s plans for education also don’t have a lot of leaves on the tree. He offers ideas for how to improve — bring back state funding for all-day kindergarten, remedy a teacher shortage by forgiving a portion of student loans for new graduates who agree to teach in Arizona schools for a certain number of years — but few concrete plans. DuVal served six years on the Arizona Board of Regents and is capable of presenting a more thorough education plan. Where will he get the money, or what will he cut?

He will need more than generalities to lead, but he is starting with the right issue as his top priority.

The Star favors Fred DuVal for governor.