Now I can uncork that champagne

by David Safier

No way I can jinx the Prop 100 outcome now, it's in the bag (Silly solipsistic superstition, I know. Guilty as charged).

Prop 100 didn't just win. It won big. Almost 2-to-1 big. I told someone Monday I was hoping for at least a 5 point victory — I really meant 10 points, but I didn't want to jinx it (See solipsistic reference above). He said, "Just give me a one vote margin, that's all I ask."

Well, 64% to 36% is far better than I could have hoped for.

So what does the vote mean? To me, it says Arizona voters haven't swallowed the all-taxes-are-bad-no-matter-what message of the Republican legislators and party leaders, almost all of whom opposed the passage of Prop 100. It shows a huge vulnerability for them. Now, if they decide to pass a corporate bailout package, watch out!

Below are a few statements I've received this morning.

But before I excerpt them, let me give a huge vote of thanks to the Arizona Education Network. I've been saying for awhile, I want a progressive version of Goldwater Institute for my birthday, a group dedicated 24/7 to spreading a message — an honest one — through research, media contacts and citizen contact. AEN is nonpartisan, not progressive, but it has shown what happens when a group of people come together, research a topic — honestly — and work day and night to get their message out. These folks have done it without funding, amazingly enough. They have set an example and a standard for what progressives must do to balance the multiple right wing think tanks propaganda factories and their right wing echo chamber.

Some deep pocket progressives need to put some funding together, gather together intelligent, dedicated people together, and make things happen!

So, first from the Arizona Education Network.

"This shows that support for public education is not a partisan issue.  It is a universal value shared by all Arizonans, Republicans, Democrats and Independents alike," said MaryLee Moulton, Vice President of the Arizona Education Network.

"The overwhelming margin of victory should send a message to the legislature that Arizonans want public education to be well funded and are willing to pay for it," said Moulton.

Next, the Arizona Democratic Party.

"Today, Arizonans did what they could to support schools, kids and teachers who have suffered the largest cut to education in state history. Prop. 100 is not the ideal solution, but Arizonans know the status quo is unacceptable. The governor and Legislature cannot continue to balance the state budget on the backs of our children.

"Now that Prop. 100 has passed, Arizona will be watching Gov. Brewer to ensure she is not using Prop. 100 to fund a bailout for big corporations and the rich. Brewer's chief of staff, Eileen Klein, told The Arizona Guardian on Monday that another shot at the corporate bailout package is still possible before the Aug. 24 primary: 'We're working on it, but there's nothing definite yet,' Klein said. (The Arizona Guardian, May 17, 2010).

The Pima County Democratic Party.

Middle-class voters told lawmakers that, even in this economy, they will make the necessary sacrifices for the sake of kids in schools. Though the rich and out of state corporations are told schools and health care aren't their concern.

"It shows something about the people of Arizona's character that they would do this," said Pima County Democratic Party Chair Jeff Rogers. "Preferably, the voters should have been asked about closing loopholes that exempt spa treatments and country club memberships from sales taxes. Or asking the rich to hold up their end of the social contract."

However, the voters' decision did send a clear signal that they want change in Phoenix.

"The people of Arizona have had enough of ideological extremists ruling with an iron fist," Rogers said. "They have said 'enough is enough' to all this failure in Phoenix. They want a new direction. They will be able to choose that direction come November."

Finally, Terry Goddard.

I am glad Arizona voters decided to protect our schools, our universities and public safety. They clearly intended to support these specific purposes, not a massive corporate tax giveaway. Unfortunately, this Proposition is a band-aid, not a cure for our budget problems. Now comes the hard part: building an economic recovery for Arizona and a budget based on long term solutions, not gimmicks and temporary fixes. That will not happen if the Governor and Legislature keep driving away tourist dollars, fail to support our schools, and continue the gridlock and political games.