Pamela Powers

Long-time blogger and political activist, Pamela Powers holds a masters’ degree in public health from the University of Arizona and a bachelors’ degree in journalism from the Ohio State University. She has worked for many years in communications and public relations. Powers stepped down from her position as the managing editor of the American Journal of Medicine to serve Legislative District 9 in the Arizona House. Powers won her seat in November 2016 and won her re-election bid in 2018. She continues to work part-time social media editor for the journal. In addition to Blog for Arizona, she writes her own blog, The The Tucson Progressive and has contributed political stories to the Huffington Post. Powers Hannley is co-director of Arizonans for a New Economy, Arizona’s public banking initiative. Political website: PowersForThePeople.net Facebook Page: Pamela Powers Hannley for House Tucson Progressive on Facebook: Tucson Progressive Twitter handle: @p2hannley Instagram: p2hannley

22 Republican-controlled States Pass New Voter Restrictions

August 13, 2014 by Pamela Powers

In just one year, since the SCOTUS decimated the Voting Rights Act, 22 states have enacted voting restrictions. According to the The Diane Rehm Show, states that were previously covered by the Voting Rights Act and/or states that had the most growth in minority voters since 2008 AND states controlled by Republican governors and Legislatures are most … Read more

We’re #3! States Where It’s Hardest to Find Full-Time Work

August 11, 2014 by Pamela Powers

It’s not surprising after 20+ years of trickle down economics and corporate welfare that Arizona has one of the worst performing economies in terms of job growth and employment opportunities. The 6 Republicans running for governor are preaching more of the same— more corporate welfare, more tax cuts for the rich, more Teapublican tinkering. We … Read more

Tucson Loves the Streetcar: 60,000 Ride in First 3 Days (images)

July 28, 2014 by Pamela Powers

Tucsonans celebrated the debut of the modern streetcar in a BIG way this past weekend– by riding it en masse. Following multiple ribbon-cutting ceremonies along the route on Friday, July 25, 2014, 17,000 Tucsonans rode the SunLink streetcar on the first day alone.

A total of 60,000 people total rode the streetcar for free over the three-day weekend and flooded special events, restaurants, bars, and retail venues along the route. If social media is any indication, the well-organized celebration was a smashing success, with hundreds of smiling streetcar riders posting Facebook selfies, Tweets, and random video clips of the festivities and their experiences on the streetcar, at the pop-up downtown beach, or at the multiple events. The city is to be commended for orchestrating a complicated roll-out of a new mass transit service. From ice-cold water bottles and helpful volunteers at all of the stops to a pop-up beach party off of Congress, every detail was well planned and well executed.

The modern streetcar was part of the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) vote in 2006. The RTA package included something for everyone– road widening for the sprawl promoters and bus pullouts, improved bike paths, and the streetcar for the sustainability activists.

But the streetcar is far more than a mass transit service. Here are the top 10 reasons why the modern streetcar (and mass transit) are good for Tucson– and good for you.

‘Uncovering the Truth’: Day Laborer Network Leaders Travel to El Salvador

July 22, 2014 by Pamela Powers

Leaders from the National Day Laborer Organizing Network (NDLON), faith leaders, and academics are in El Salvador to assess the situation and determine why thousands of Central American children are traveling to the US, seeking asylum and relatives.

From NDLON:

Between Over-Complication and the Overly Simple:

Day Laborer Network Leading US “Deported Dreams” Delegation

in El Salvador

Migrant RIghts Organizers, Faith Leaders, Academics to Convene Forums, Initiate Community Development, Release Study Profiling Deportees

On the last day of college, the director of the National Day Laborer Organizing Network, Pablo Alvarado, left his home country atop a train headed toward the US with his little brother who had become the target of threats by death squads. Decades after their journey North, Alvarado is leading a delegation in the opposite direction to expand the conversation on migration, investigate root causes, and release a study of those Salvadorans who were returned by deportation instead of by choice.

Beginning Sunday, July 19th to the 27th, the National Day Laborer Organizing Network will bring organizers from the front-lines of the domestic immigrant rights movement accompanied by faith leaders and academics, hosting public forums on the dynamics of migration and releasing a new study “Deported Dreams” by the University of Central America in San Salvador.

“We are going to uncover the truth of what’s happening in Central America without the political spin,” explains Alvarado. “To advocate effectively, we have to be grounded in reality and that is what we are going to witness in El Salvador.”

Winos’ Guide to the Tucson Beer District

July 22, 2014July 22, 2014 by Pamela Powers

Tucson has many new bars and restaurants along the modern street car route, but unfortunately, many of them are dedicated to beer. I hate beer. I don’t care how trendy beer is these days. I still hate it. There I said it.

Both Zocalo and the Tucson Weekly recently published feature stories about “famous” Tucson bartenders who make fancy mixed drinks. Also not my thing.

What about my people? The wine drinkers. Where should we go for a decent pour at an affordable price in the downtown area? As a public service and in honor of the modern street car’s debut later this week, I have compiled a totally non-scientific review of 41 bars and restaurants along or near the modern street car route– from wine drinker’s point of view. Check out the rankings and photos after the jump.