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In Their Own Words: #PowersForThePeople Voters Speak Out (video)

August 29, 2016 by Pamela Powers Hannley

Tomorrow is the Democratic Party Primary. August 30, 2016 has been in the back of my mind since I created my Pamela Powers Hannley for House Campaign Committee on August 19, 2016.

The campaign has been a heart-warming, physically-demanding, soul-searching, eye-opening, stress-inducing educational experience. Today’s post is not mine, though. It belongs to my supporters. Nine of my supporters– all LD9 voters, including several LD9 precinct committee people– agreed to make testimonial videos.

What do a world-renowned cardiologist, a stay-at-home Mom, two small business owners, two retirees, a college student, a painter, and a jeweler all have in common? They’re all voting for me in the August 30 Democratic Party Primary. Videos after the jump.

#PowersForThePeople: Pamela Powers Hannley on Progressive Radio Network

May 12, 2016 by Pamela Powers Hannley

Progressive candidates across the country are challenging the status quo. I was honored to be interviewed for the “It’s Our Money with Ellen Brown” progressive talk radio show this week.

You can hear the hour-long podcast here. During the first segment, public banking guru Ellen Brown interviews Tim Canova, a law professor and Federal Reserve Bank expert, who is running against embattled Congresswoman and DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman-Schultz in Southern Florida.

Canova’s campaign has similarities to my campaign in that he is a progressive running against a Democratic Party establishment candidate, his campaign is financed by small donations, and he supports public banking, postal banking, and relaxing marijuana prohibition.

My interview with Public Banking Institute Chair Walt McCree begins at around the 30 minute mark. McCree and I discussed Arizona’s rising debt (which has risen 94% since the Tea Party took over), the economic consequences of years of Tea-Party-imposed austerity for the 99% (and largesse for the 1%), the promise of public banking to rebuild Arizona’s economy, and the inspiration of the Nonpartisan League, who staged a progressive political revolution in 1916 and took over North Dakota’s state government.

This is my dream: that progressives will once again govern Arizona.

#PowersForThePeople Team #CyclingForChange in the AZ Legislature at #Cyclovia

April 11, 2016 by Pamela Powers Hannley

Congressman Ron Barber and Pamela Powers Hannley at Cyclovia

Although Cyclovia got a little soggy this year, the #PowersForThePeople #CyclingForChange team was undeterred. Six of us decorated our bikes with “Cycling for Change in the Arizona Legislature” and “Powers for the People” signage and rode in Cyclovia. While the guys rode the route, I talked with voters at the Himmel Park hub and collected signatures.

My husband Jim and I saw many friends at Cyclovia. What a great community event it is. Itnot only promotes gathering and communication, it also promotes exercise and health.

One of the people I ran into was Congressman Ron Barber. (He and his wife Nancy have two of the coolest bikes in Tucson.) Barber has been very supportive of my campaign, and we talked at length about strategy and progress as we dodged the raindrops.

What Wall Street Costs America: Say ‘No’ to Wall Street Fees with Public Banking

March 8, 2016March 7, 2016 by Pamela Powers Hannley

Arizona’s total debt service rose 94% between 2007-2014. Why is the state paying $312 million per year in interest on Wall Street debt when we could self-fund projects with public banking?

The cornerstone of my economic reform ideas is establishment of public banking at the state, county, and/or municipal levels.

In a nutshell, public banking advocates believe that austerity is a lie and that budget-cutting and layoffs by governments is unnecessary and harmful to citizens. There is plenty of money. The problem is that our taxpayer funds are held in too-big-to-fail banks on Wall Street and invested for the benefit of the banks’ shareholders– instead of being held here in Arizona and invested for the benefit of the citizens of Arizona. Public banks invest on Main Street for the public good — rather than allowing OUR MONEY to be gambled (and potentially lost… again) on Wall Street.

There are many ways a public bank could be constituted. For example, in my speech to the LD9 precinct committee members, I suggested taking 10% of the state’s surplus rainy day funds and using that to establish an infrastructure bank. This state bank could self-fund much needed improvements and new roads to make the state more competitive and easier to traverse. It also could lend money to counties and cities to build their projects. In turn, the state would make a modest interest rate on the loans.

Creation of a state public infrastructure bank would address several economic problems in one fell swoop:

Pima County Voters Revolt Against Bond Debt & Higher Taxes (video)

November 4, 2015November 4, 2015 by Pamela Powers Hannley

The surprise upset in yesterday’s Pima County election was the total defeat of the 99-project, $816 million, 27-year Pima County Bond Issue package.

Tucson’s 1%, who bankrolled the Yes on Pima County Bonds campaign and who would have benefited from a win, lost big. They raised over $304,000 to convince citizens that the county could successfully borrow its way to prosperity and a better life, but in the end the vote wasn’t even close. “Invest in ourselves” was a brilliant, professional marketing campaign that engaged citizens and politicians in the selling the bond issue.

The most vocal opposition came from Taxpayers Against Pima County Bonds, a right-wing, grassroots effort with little funds but a lot of spunk. The “No” coalition called for no new taxes and pointed out the risk of long-term indebtedness. They also pointed out the crony capitalism and corporate welfare that was woven into each of the seven separate packages.

On the left edge of the political spectrum, Arizonans for a New Economy, also opposed the bond issue as unsustainable debt to Wall Street and too much corporate welfare. Public banking proponents believe that governments should self-fund projects– not borrow from Wall Street. Perhaps some of the local anti-Wall Street, pro-Bernie Sanders supporters also revolted against more debt to Wall Street.

Citizens who supported the bonds are wringing their hands on social media today. How can we possibly get the things we want without the without going into debt?