Author Archives: David Gordon

A Spirit of Bipartisanship, Inclusiveness, and Community at Arizona’s Inauguration Ceremonies

Posted on January 7, 2019 | 1 comment

Kathy Hoffman being sworn in as Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction. Photo courtesy of Thomas Tingle of the Arizona Republic.

The spirit of bipartisanship, inclusiveness, and community filled the atmosphere and themes in the comments conveyed by the speakers at today’s inauguration ceremonies for Arizona Governor Doug Ducey, Secretary of State Katie Hobbs, Attorney General Mark Brnovich, State Treasurer Kimberly Yee, State Superintendent of Public instruction Kathy Hoffman, and Mining Inspector Joe Hart.

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Posted in Activism, Arizona State Legislature, Budgets, Campaigns, Commentary, Community, Counties, Crime, David Gordon, Economics, Editorial, Education, Elections, Labor, Law Enforcement, Martha McSally, McCain, Mexico Border, Taxes, Water

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The Arizona Center for Economic Progress offers Progressive Ideas and Solutions to Meet the Needs of the State

Posted on December 27, 2018 | Comments Off on The Arizona Center for Economic Progress offers Progressive Ideas and Solutions to Meet the Needs of the State

In January 2016, the progressive oriented Arizona Center for Economic Progress formed under the umbrella of the Children’s Action Alliance. Located in central Phoenix, this organization, with ties to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities and Ford, Anne E. Casey and Arizona Foundations, has already impacted the public policy arena with Democrats (and some Republicans) like Senate Minority Leader Steve Farley and other Legislative District Candidates drawing on the progressive ideas and solutions championed by the Center’s 15 member staff.

The founding and current Director of the Arizona Center for Economic Progress is attorney, child advocate, educator (he was a founding principal for ASU Preparatory Academy), former State House Democratic Leader and State Senator David Lujan. On December 18, Mr. Lujan sat down with Blog for Arizona to discuss the purpose of the Center, its accomplishments and impact, and what projects it would like to pursue over the next two years.

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Posted in Activism, Arizona State Legislature, Ballot Referendas and Initiatives, Budgets, Campaigns, Commentary, Community, David Gordon, Economics, Editorial, Education, Elections, Housing, Infrastructure, Initiatives, Internet, Party Politics, Poverty, Propositions, Taxes

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An Interview with Superintendent of Public Instruction Elect Kathy Hoffman

Posted on December 17, 2018 | Comments Off on An Interview with Superintendent of Public Instruction Elect Kathy Hoffman
“I am looking forward to being the voice for public education and elevating the voices of teachers and students," says Kathy Hoffman.

“I am looking forward to being the voice for public education and elevating the voices of teachers and students,” says newly-elected Kathy Hoffman.

During the 2018 election campaign in Arizona, one person personified the Cinderella theme of coming from nowhere to win statewide office.

No, it was not Katie Hobbs. It was not Kyrsten Sinema. It was the incoming Superintendent of Public Instruction, Kathy Hoffman.

A speech therapist, Hoffman achieved the “Impossible Dream” of Arizona electoral politics this year by her meteoritic rise to become the state’s top educator. She bested seasoned political veterans David Schipara in the August primaries and Frank Riggs in the November general elections. After Senator-Elect Sinema, she was the top vote-getter among Democrats.

A new star in the Democratic Party, Ms. Hoffman sat down with the Blog for Arizona a third time to reflect on her victory, discuss her transition, and chart a course for her first year in office. The questions and responses are below.

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Posted in Activism, Arizona State Legislature, Budgets, Campaigns, Charter Schools, Commentary, Community, David Gordon, Editorial, Education, Elections, Governor, Initiatives, Legislation, Party Politics, Political Events

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Harold Baines belongs in the Baseball Hall of Fame

Posted on December 11, 2018 | Comments Off on Harold Baines belongs in the Baseball Hall of Fame

2019 Hall of Fame Inductee Harold Baines

Elitism and snobbery are not confined to the political class.

It also exists in other venues, including sports. Every year the baseball writers vote on candidates to the Baseball Hall of Fame. If a player languishes for ten years without getting 75 percent of the vote, they fall off the ballot. Some of these players are later recognized by Hall members (players, managers, and executives) who have formed era committees to consider the candidacies of exceptional players not confirmed by the writers. Yesterday this committee voted to select All-Star relief ace and one time all-time saves leader Lee Smith and All-Star Hitter Harold Baines to the Hall of Fame in 2019. While the selection of Smith was unquestioned, the selection of Baines was.

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Posted in Commentary, Community, David Gordon, Editorial, History

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New Maricopa County Democratic Party Executive Board ready to make Arizona Blue in 2020

Posted on December 10, 2018 | 1 comment

The new Maricopa County Democratic Party Executive Board. They are (from left to right): Treasurer: Tom Krepitch, 1st Vice Chair: Carol Maas, Secretary: Roberta Neil Miller, Chair: Steven Slugocki, Sergeant-at-Arms: Patrick Seifter, and 2nd Vice Chair: Lynsey Robinson

A jubilant crowd of Precinct Committeepersons and County Democratic superstars and candidates attended the Maricopa County Democratic Winter Convention at Central High School in Phoenix on December 8, 2018. Speaker after speaker vowed to work together with everyone in the audience and those who could not attend to continue the trend started in this year’s election of turning Arizona to a blue state. Delegates to the convention also voted for a new Maricopa County Democratic Executive Board to help pave the way to victory in 2020.

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Posted in Activism, Arizona Congressional Delegation, Arizona Congressional Races, Arizona State Legislature, Campaigns, Commentary, Community, Congress, Convention, Counties, David Gordon, Editorial, Elections, Immigration, Infrastructure, Kyrsten Sinema, Legislation, Maricopa, Party Politics, Political Events, Senate, Taxes, Uncategorized

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