Progressive Democrats of America Tucson Chapter is teaming up with Tucson MoveOn.org and The Screening Room to host a weekend of progressive films, this weekend, October 26-28. Six films on wide-ranging topics from the Koch Brothers to urban farming will be aired. You can come to one film or buy a weekend pass for only … Read more
by Pamela Powers Hannley Tucson has a reputation of being Arizona's hotbed of liberal thought, old hippie ideas, great music, and electic art, but how progressive is Tucson? Pretty darn progressive… – Recently 341 Pima County residents were elected as precinct committee people (PCs). These volunteers represent the Democratic Party's ground game. They show up to … Read more
by Pamela Powers Hannley
Each month, Progressive Democrats of America (PDA) members across the country visit their Congressional representatives and urge them to back progressive legislation. PDA Tucson visited Congressman Ron Barber's office today– the third time since he was elected.
One of the most important steps that Barber could take to help Arizona's economy and the country's would be to co-sponsor the so-called "Robin Hood Tax", which has now been introduced into the Congress as the Inclusive Prosperity Act (HR 6411) by Congressman Keith Ellison, co-chair of the Progressive Caucus (pictured above with Karen Higgins, vice president of National Nurses United). The Robin Hood Tax is a financial transaction tax on Wall Street.
From National Nurses United:
New York – The U.S. Robin Hood Tax Campaign today applauded the introduction in Congress of a bill that would impose a tax on Wall Street speculation. Introduced by Rep. Keith Ellison, HR 6411, the Inclusive Prosperity Act, would raise up to $350 billion in annual revenues that would be used to breathe new life into Main Street communities across America, as well as international health, sustainable prosperity and environmental programs.
The legislation embodies the Robin Hood Tax, a 0.5% tax on the trading of stocks, 50 cents on every $100 of trades, and lesser rates on trading in bonds, derivatives and currencies. It marks the return of a sales tax on financial transactions in place from 1914 to 1966 and targets the high-risk, high-speed trading that dominates the markets.
The letter PDA Tucson delivered to Barber today is after the jump. If you think Barber should co-sponsor the Robin Hood Tax, contact him by following this link.
Social media was on fire yesterday, as Arizona Democratic candidates and their surrogates battled it out on Twitter, Facebook, and e-mail blasts.
Although Arizona voters have had nearly a month to complete early mail-in ballots, August 28 is primary election day, and there are several hotly contested Democratic primary races between Blue Dogs and progressives. Some common themes run through these races, most notably the environment, the economy, campaign financing, and women's issues. In addition, some Latino groups are using support for two controversial laws as a litmus test– SB1070, the "papers please" anti-immigrant law, and HB2281, the law targeting Mexican American Studies (MAS).
Race analysis after the jump.
by Pamela Powers Hannley
Backers of the Open Primaries initiative knew from the beginning that changing Arizona's two-party primary system to an open, "top two" primary system wouldn't be easy. They expected challenges from Democrats and Republicans, and that's what they got.
Earlier in the summer, Governor Jan Brewer and the Arizona Legislature tinkered around with ideas to change or stop it. Secretary of State Ken Bennett tried to stop it by saying that it was unconsitutionally broad, but the courts squashed his attack.
As of mid-August, Open Primaries was back on the ballot, until this week, when Maricopa County said that there were an extraordinary number of bad signatures.
The latest news is that the Open Primaries/Open Government folks have filed a suit to get the initiative back on the ballot. Supporters claim that Maricopa County erroneously rejected.
Stay tuned for the next volley in this ping pong game.
For more background on the Open Primaries initiative– just in case you actually get to vote on it– check out the video debate between former State Rep. Dr. Ted Downing (pro) and former Mayor Tom Volgy (con). The event was sponsored by Progressive Democrats of American Tucson Chapter.
Videos after the jump.