Wisconsin Republicans hiring bounty hunters and ordering the arrest of the Wisconsin 14
March 3, 2011
By Craig McDermott, cross-posted from Random Musings Just a few weeks ago, the 14 members of the Democratic caucus of the Wisconsin State Senate left Wisconsin in order to block a vote on a bill to strip public employees of their collective bargaining rights. And since then, Republican Governor Scott Walker and the Republicans in … Read more
Well, that didn’t take long: Nullification bill returns, one day after defeat
March 3, 2011
By Craig McDermott, cross-posted from Random Musings Wednesday, SB1433, creating a legislative committee to oversee the "nullification" of federal laws that they don't like, was defeated in a bit of a surprise. Thursday, Sen. Lori Klein (R-Armed and Dangerous), the original sponsor of the bill, moved to reconsider the measure. The motion passed on a … Read more
Senator Bundgaard’s Breach of the Peace
March 3, 2011
by Michael Bryan Following the Bundgaard domestic violence allegations in the media, and having reviewed the police report, one aspect of this incident confuses me: why was Bundagaard released pursuant to legislative immunity? The Arizona Constitution provides for legislative immunity from arrest for state lawmakers "except treason, felony, and breach of the peace." According to … Read more
AZ Senate Republicans add the “Wisconsin exemption” to anti-union bill
March 3, 2011
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by David Safier You may have read about SB1365, the bill that forbids any automatic salary deductions for union members that can be used for political purposes without the members' express, written permission. It's another obvious attempt to cripple unions' political clout so Republican big money interests can have an unobstructed path to buying power … Read more
Melvin slams home mortgages, car payments, credit cards
March 3, 2011
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by David Safier I think Al Melvin's next bill will be to ban families from spending more than they make. Because he said state budgets have to be like family budgets. “These are difficult times,” said Sen. Al Melvin, R-Tucson. “The state budget is not different than a family budget; you can’t spend more than … Read more
No wonder Bill Gates is mad at those pampered, overpaid teachers
March 3, 2011
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by David Safier The nerve of this Wisconsin teacher, to do anything but thank the gods for her good fortune. After all, Erin Parker is only 30 years old with an inconsequential $26,000 in student debt, and in her second year of teaching, she's already making $36,000! I mean, come on, Erin, that's a salary … Read more
Star reports on latest AZ gun policy survey
March 3, 2011
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by David Safier The Star's Tim Steller has a good piece on the gun policy poll conducted in Arizona and four other states, which I posted about yesterday. Check out his opening paragraph: Once again, a survey of Arizonans is showing strong support for more restrictive gun laws. This is not particularly surprising anymore — … Read more
The Koz Steps Up
March 3, 2011
By Michael Bryan Although it burns my fingertips to write it, I have to praise virtue wherever I find it. Seldom do I locate civic virtue on the other side of the aisle, but Steve Kozachik of the Tucson City Council just did something virtuous, and perhaps even quite brave. Steve published a Guest Opinion … Read more
