Day 2 of Pima Dems’ Al Melvin Week

by David Safier

Yesterday, on Day 1 of Al Melvin Week, the Pima Dems threw a spotlight on Cap'n Al's vote proclaiming that it's OK by him if the anti-Ethnic Studies bill limited history teachers' ability to teach about the Holocaust and other instances of genocide and mass murder. Even after most Republicans who voted with him decided they had made a major mistake and changed their votes, Melvin stuck to his guns idiocy.

Day 2 is about Melvin's votes to cut every program and every salary in sight — except his own.

In March, Melvin voted for a pay cut for the vast majority of state employees but against cutting his own pay. While he didn't explain his vote, his political boss Senate President Bob Burns simply said: "We sacrifice enough."

That's so Melvin. And so Bob Burns. And so Republican. Cut everyone else to the bone. But their own salaries? No way. "I'm too . . . too me to take a pay cut!"

"Al Melvin likes to say he's a belt-tightening guy," said Pima County Democratic Party Chair Jeff Rogers. "Just don't ask him to sacrifice personally. It's a bridge too far."

[snip]

"'We're all in this together' is not a phrase Al Melvin seems to understand," Rogers said. "He's new to the senate but his ideas are old. After 44 years of control, the party in power has created the biggest budget mess in America. It's time voters show them the door and Al Melvin should be at the front of the line."