by David Safier
Here's a good way to measure of the level of Republican wingnuttery in Arizona. I'm about to praise Vic Williams, and by extension, Jan Brewer, for being at least a little supportive of our public schools.
In today's Explorer, Williams has an op ed saying he's planning to vote for Prop 100:
I, as a citizen and as a voter in Arizona, will support and vote "yes" for Proposition 100, a temporary, one-cent sales tax.
Furthermore, we as legislators need to display leadership and guidance on this extremely important budget question. As your representative, it is my duty and obligation to you, the people I serve, to make my "yes" vote public on Prop 100. It is your right to know where I stand on this issue.
I'm not sure if Williams intended to make a sly dig at his fellow R, LD-26 legislator, Al Melvin, but a few weeks ago, Melvin wrote an op ed in the Explorer where he refused to say how he's voting on Prop 100. By Williams saying he's making his vote public and explaining his reasons, he's portraying Cap'n Al as something of a wimp.
Williams goes on to say, he voted for all those budget cuts, but he wants to restore some funds for education.
I hope Williams' piece brings a few more supporters for Prop 100, but there's no way I can write a post about Vic without being at least a little snarky.
There's very possibly a new kid in town in the R primary for the LD-26 House seat: Wade McLean, the former superintendent of the Marana School District. That would put 3 people in the primary: Williams, McLean, and Terri Proud. Proud is somewhere to the right of the Tea Partiers. OK,I'm exaggerating, but you get my point. McLean would be the strong pro education candidate. Williams could get caught between the groundswell of extreme right wing support for Proud and a moderate R vote for McLean, whose name familiarity and proven support of public schools could make him very popular with lots of Republican voters. It's possible Williams could be odd man out.
Williams, whose finger is always in the wind, probably thought it was a good idea to have at least one pro education vote under his belt before the primary, and to let people know about it, to help him in case McLean enters the race.
OK, I'm done being snarky. On the balance, I'm pleased Williams made his pro Prop 100 stand public, whatever his reasons.
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There are plenty of people opposed to prop 100.
They’re known as vermin.
Well, as a voter in District 26 (and someone who has lobbied with the AEA in Williams’ office) I’m just happy to hear some common sense coming out of my district for once, at least on the two issues above. Good for him.
And Williams voted against the birther bill. Good job!