School sports: the first big cut

by David Safier Last year I wrote a series of posts half seriously, half facetiously suggesting we should cut all competitive sports from high schools so we can put more money in the classroom. Now I'm absolutely serious. Every superintendent and school board should have the courage to say, "We'll cut everywhere else before we … Read more

As easy as stealing cigarette (taxes) from a baby

by David Safier I'm going to miss Billie Stanton when the Citizen folds next month, a lot. She combines passion with research. Good combination. Stanton's latest column is about the Republicans stealing money from a fund, First Things First, designed to pay for early childhood education and health issues with a tobacco tax. Voters approved … Read more

Brewer on vouchers

by David Safier From the East Valley Trib: Jan Brewer spoke to a rally at the Capitol called to support the education measures already approved and to lobby lawmakers to expand existing tax credits. The same groups that organized this event also backed a limited voucher program enacted in 2006 to help children with special … Read more

Is Kavanagh somewhat warped?

by David Safier I know nothing about John Kavanagh except what I've learned during this budget cutting debacle, so I'm not sure I'm right, but, is he a bit warped? The first time Kavanagh used a death metaphor to defend the budget cuts, I thought it was just a spur of the moment thing. "There are … Read more

“The fix is in”

by David Safier A friend forwarded an email that began with this ominous line: My DC contacts say "the fix is in" to cut education funding and increase tax cuts in the stimulus package in the conference committee.  I don't know the basis for that, but let's hope that's not true. Education has already taken … Read more