Author Archive: Web Steward
Appalled by coyote calling contest
As a lover of wildlife and the natural world, I was dismayed to read in Sunday’s paper (02/10/19) about an event planned in this community as highlighted in Letters to the Editor. As per Sally Evans’ article she had seen a flyer advertising a “coyote calling contest” to be held out by Leupp Road in […]
Continue readingArizona voting doesn’t need to be more difficult
Voting in Arizona has been one of the most pleasurable and easy experiences of my life. We also haven’t had any issues with corruption of votes or voter fraud until this last election, it seems. Because the people voted for a politician others in the government didn’t like, suddenly we supposedly have a crisis of […]
Continue readingReintroduced EICDA needs support of O’Halleran
The newly reintroduced Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act of 2019 (EICDA) finally provides hope for bending the greenhouse emission curve downward. With bipartisan sponsors, the bill provides a gradually rising price on carbon but doesn’t result in new costs to, or expansion, of the government. The collected funds are returned to Americans. Most of […]
Continue readingHope and optimism for Coconino County inmates
The two-part series by Alexandra Wittenberg on The Literacy Center in Flagstaff that has classes for inmates from the Coconino County Detention Center is an outstanding piece of local journalism that sheds light on a wonderful organization (Teaching empathy through literature, 2/10/19, A1). The volunteer tutors at the Center are helping prisoners gain perspective on […]
Continue readingLEGISLATIVE ALERT – WEEK OF 2/18/19
by Darrell Boomgaarden, Legislative Chair Lots going on so this will have to be brief. Use RTS (Request To Speak) Updates: SB 1320 – Oppose – transfer of ESA oversight to Treasury from Education – sponsored by D Livingston who’s wife ran unsuccessfully for superintendent of schools – a position now held by a […]
Continue readingChanging Minds
by Ann Heitland, First Vice Chair An interesting article by a former rocket scientist dropped into my inbox and since it pursues a theme we’ve been discussing, I wanted to share it with you along with some highlights that I took from reading it. The article is “Facts Don’t Change People’s Minds. Here’s What Does.” As […]
Continue readingWhy This Week Was A Win
The bill Trump signed Friday (no doubt without reading) would have been quite different had the Democrats not won the House in November. Elections do matter. Without the need to compromise with Democrats to pass a funding bill, the Republicans in the Senate would never have defied Trump as much as this new law does. […]
Continue readingLD-7 Democrats Sponsor Anti-Fracking Bill
Take note that while all three LD-7 members of the legislature– Myron Tsosie (D), Arlando Teller (D) and Jamescita Peshlakai are co-sponsors of the fracking ban legislation, it is no longer a bi-partisan bill. Walt Blackman (R) from LD-6 apparently buckled to his party leadership and corporate interests and is no longer listed as a […]
Continue readingDemocrats Act in AZ Legislature
Last week, 18 Democratic-led bills were heard and fifteen passed out of committee, a majority with unanimous support. (That’s an 83% success rate.) These bills highlight how Democrats continue to fight for all Arizonans: Medical treatment for veterans (Rep. Espinoza HCM2001: deported veterans; medical treatment) Financial relief for college students (Sen. Navarrete SB1373: appropriation; Maricopa […]
Continue readingVoter Suppression: Republicans’ Favorite Thing
This week a new voter suppression bill reared up in the Arizona Legislature. This week Republican Rep. Townsend introduced a bill (HB2616), which would prohibit anyone employee of any organization (except political parties) from registering people to vote. This would include some of Arizona’s leading voter registration organizations and is yet another move by the […]
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