Blog For Arizona

Feb 19 City Council Meetings: Bus Fare Hike, Ronstadt Transit Center Redevelopment

by Pamela Powers Hannley

At the Feb. 19 study session and evening meeting, the Tucson City Council will consider two issues that could greatly affect bus service in our town.

During the study session, they will consider a proposal to increase bus fares. At the regular evening meeting, they will hear public comments about the proposed redevelopment of the Ronstadt Transit Center. (Proposals and background here.) In between these two meetings, the Tucson Bus Riders Union will have a rally outside of the City Council Chambers, beginning at 4 p.m. (Details and related articles below.)

Points to ponder as we glide into the New Year

By Karl Reiner

August 2014 will mark the 100th anniversary of the beginning of World War I. The war to end all wars did not end war, it was the starting point for the turmoil that led to World War II. The year 1914 began with a sense of self-assuredness and hope in a Europe where colonialism was an accepted fact of life. Peace had reigned for 40 years, communications were improving and trade was on the increase. Advances in medicine and sanitation were having an effect, living standards were on the rise. Economic ties were thought to deter conflict, Germany and the United Kingdom were each other's largest trading partners. Some observers  saw a problem, they believed the European powers were spending too much on armaments.

The European nations were also facing surges of socialism, nationalism and labor unrest intermingled with hefty doses of communism and anarchism. Although there had been limited conflicts in the Balkans, the people of Europe believed their leaders would be able to keep things under control. Germany and England were in race to build more warships. Russia, bruised from setbacks in the Balkans and the loss of the 1904-05 war with Japan, was stoking nationalism. France remained bitter and vengeful for the drubbing it had received from the Germans in 1871. Germany, unified by Bismarck, was no longer bound by his restraint. It sought empire and world respect.

The complicated transformation of the kingdom of oil

By Karl Reiner

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia occupies the largest part of the Arabian Peninsula's land mass. Approximately the size of the U.S. east of the Mississippi River, the country is predominantly uninhabited desert. Having one of the lowest rates of rainfall in the world, Saudi Arabia suffers from severe water scarcity. It also has the distinction of being the world's largest country without a permanently flowing river. As the birthplace of Islam, Saudi Arabia has two of the religion's holiest shrines in Mecca and Medina. These locations attract millions of religious travelers annually.

For centuries, nomadic, patriarchal tribes migrated through the desert lands with their animals, changing location with the season. In 1932, ibn Saud, the leader of the Al-Saud family, unified the country after a 30 year struggle. Saudi Arabia is a monarchy. Its people follow a conservative form of Sunni Islam. The nation's legal system is based on Sharia law, the king is the chief of state as well as the head of government. When oil was discovered in commercial quantities in 1938, the country began to make economic changes. After the oil price increases of the early 1970s, development took off.

Red light runnners and illegal campaign signs

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

The Tucson Weekly today explores a dead-letter issue in the Tucson City Council race now that Tucson's political gadfly, John Kromko, and his political committee Tucson Traffic Justice failed to qualify a ballot measure banning traffic cameras for the November ballot.

The report itself is relatively innocuous, pointing out that Democratic city council members support the red-light cameras at designated intersections because they have substantailly reduced the number of accidents (the number of collisions at the monitored intersections has decreased from 188 in 2006 to 74 in 2012) and prevented injuries. It's fair to say the cameras have probably saved lives. The Tea-Publican candidates have doubts about the red-light cameras because "freedom!" to run red lights and to jeopardize other motorists on the road, or some such nonsense. Candid Camera Conflict.

One comment from Tea-Publican candidate Mike Polak jumps out:

"How do you know it didn't malfunction?" Polak asked. "They do malfunction, because our roads are in such poor condition here."

Polak's initial question is fair. I have challenged the cameras in court, to no avail (Arizona's courts treat the calibration of the cameras as proprietary and a trade secret not subject to discovery).

But Polak's statement that cameras malfunction because our roads are in poor condition? Damn, Dude. "Mr. Science" you are not. There is no cause and effect between a malfunctioning camera and poor road conditions. And by the way, our roads are in such poor condition because your Tea-Publican friends in the Arizona Legislature have been sweeping stealing HURF funds and state revenue sharing from the City of Tucson for years to "balance" the state budget with gimmicks. Maybe you should demand that your friends in the Arizona Legislature give back the money they stole from the City of Tucson.

They're baaack! Energy deregulation in Arizona?

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

Many of the states that went down the path of deregulation in the 1990s did an about-face when the results, typically, were not what was expected. The California Energy Crisis of the early 2000s and the Enron scandal -- remember them? -- led some states to reconsider deregulation. In Arizona, the Court of Appeals in 2004 ruled parts of the state’s deregulation rules were unconstitutional. Quick Reference Guide to Electricity Deregulation - Arizona's Energy Future (APS).

Unbridled greed and market manipulation in the commodities market is endemic. The banksters of Wall Streetare not to be trusted. Just last week, Goldman Sachs was disclosed to be manipulating the price of aluminum. Goldman Sachs's Aluminum Pile - NYTimes.com:

Unlike investors in the past that bought up the commodities they were trying to control, Goldman is not buying the world’s aluminum. Rather, it is storing the metal for other banks, traders and aluminum producers in a complex of warehouses outside Detroit that it acquired in 2010. The problem, as described in The Times by David Kocieniewski, is that since the bank entered this business, the time it takes buyers to get the metal from those warehouses has shot up to more than 16 months, from 6 weeks. Goldman has attributed the delays to a shortage of trucks and forklift drivers. But Goldman also pays incentives to owners of the metal to keep it in the bank’s warehouses.

Route I-11 could boost Pima County's economy

By Karl Reiner

Work is continuing on seaport improvements at Guaymas, Sonora.  The Mariposa port of entry in Nogales is being enlarged.  Due to the expanding trade volume, freight traffic between the U.S., Canada and Mexico is increasing.  If the proposed I-11 interstate highway (which would be part of the Canamex trade corridor) is constructed, Tucson would be nicely placed to become a regional distribution center.

The Pima County Board of Supervisors may reconsider its opposition to the highway project.  Although opposed to the I-11 concept since 2007, county supervisors are now looking at the benefits from expanding Mexican trade as well as reviewing the reasons for their opposition.  American history is replete with examples of infrastructure projects that helped develop cities. I-11 could benefit Tucson in the same way.

Ronstadt Center Re-Development: When Is a Public Process Not Public?

by Pamela Powers Hannley

More than 90 days have passed since the Tucson City Council voted to begin a 60-90 day public comment period to gather information and ideas related to the proposed re-development of the Ronstadt Transit Center. During that time,  the Tucson Bus Riders Union held a public forum at the Rialto, compiled and organized hundreds written comments collected at the forum, met with City Councilwoman Karin Uhlich, and participated in collecting 2800 surveys from bus riders.

What has Corky Poster done? Poster is the architect and planner who was City Council hired to gather the public input. Rumor has it that Poster has held eight "stakeholder" meetings in recent weeks. With the information gathered at those meetings, he has compiled a report outlining consensus goals and objectives and said report was to be delivered to the City Manager's office last week before Poster left town on vacation. More photos and details on the secret public process and who the real stakeholders are after the jump.

Ronstadt Transit Center: Community Space or Capitalist Dream?

by Pamela Powers Hannley

The Downtown Tucson Partnership-- like other business groups before them-- has designs on the Ronstadt Transit Center (RTC). Since the early Feb. 5 City Council vote approving a 60-90 day public comment period before throwing the RTC to the dogs... er ... developers,  the Tucson Bus Riders Union held a public forum at the Rialto, compiled and organized hundreds written comments collected at the forum, met with City Councilwoman Karin Uhlich, and participated in collecting 2800 surveys from bus riders. 

When the Ronstadt Transit Center was constructed in 1991, it was billed as a community gathering place. Dance and music performances at the RTC were featured during Downtown Saturday Nights (pre-cursor to Second Saturdays but twice per month in its heyday). At the April public forum, dozens of speakers talked about improving the transit center, making it a focal point for community activities (as it once was), and building community-- not commercial develop-- at the site.

The big question is: in making its decision regarding the fate of the Ronstadt Transit Center, will the City Council listen to the 41-member Downtown Tucson Partnership or the thousands of Tucsonans who have voiced their opinion on this issue?

Today, May 17, a group of transit activists, downtown residents, and members of the Tucson Bus Riders Union will gather at the Ronstadt Transit Center in a community-building exercise. Wear white, bring your musical instruments, signs, and your community spirit to the RTC at 5 p.m. and let's see what happens. Meet under the clock, and don't disrupt the buses. This is a bus-friendly, community event-- not a protest.

For background on the most recent Ronstadt Transit Center struggle, check out stakeholder opinions after the jump.

Moving the mail across Arizona was a big project in its day

By Karl Reiner

In these times of calls for undefined smaller government and resistance to rescinding tax cuts, many Americans forget the role played by government-private sector partnerships in developing the nation's economy.  In a country plagued by growing income inequality and aging infrastructure, the lessons from the past should not be ignored.

Over 150 years ago, there was a terrific need to improve communications between the eastern states and California.  To remedy the problem, the federal government awarded a $600,000 per year contract to the Butterfield Overland Mail Company in September 1857.  The contract was for six years.

Is America too broke to maintain its infrastructure?

BY Karl Reiner

Due to tax cuts, unfunded wars and a housing bubble that resulted in recession, the U.S. government is mired in debt, unemployment is high and anemic growth dogs the economy. The consequences of the poor policy decisions and the over allocation of resources to the housing sector are being prolonged by a Congress beset by gridlock.  The political uncertainty causes businesses to delay investment decisions, slowing the recovery even more.

The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) issues a report card on America's maintenance and modernization of its infrastructure every four years. This year, the country got an overall grade of D+. It was up slightly from the previous dreary D.  Increased spending on bridges, drinking water systems, railways, roads, solid waste and waste water systems helped push the overall grade up a bit.

Arizona Dems Split on 'Back to Work' Budget Vote

by Pamela Powers Hannley

On Wednesday, March 20, 2013, the US House of Representatives voted on a series of amendments to the Republican Majority Budget, penned by Rep. Paul Ryan. 

The Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) amendment, dubbed the Back to Work Budget, was one of yesterday's votes. It lost 84 to 327, with no Republicans voting for it (not surprising) and 102 Democrats voting against it. 

How did Arizona's Democratic Party representatives vote on an amemdment spearheaded by one of their own-- Rep. Raul Grijalva? Not so good. Grijalva and Rep. Ed Pastor voted for the Back to Work Budget-- which would create jobs, reduce the debt, and protect Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. 

Representatives Ann Kirkpatirck, Ron Barber, and Kirsten Sinema voted against the Back to Work Budget-- despite letters and phone calls by members of the Arizona Chapter of the Progressive Democrats of America (PDA). Nationally, PDA hand delivered letters to 100 Congressional representatives and made 1000 phone calls. 

Frankly, I'm not surprised by Blue Dogs Kirkpatrick and Barber, but I am surprised and disappointed by Sinema. The three of them can expect to hear more from PDA.

Kozachik Kickoff Party: Pima Dems Love Fest (video)

by Pamela Powers Hannley

Yesterday's re-election campaign kickoff for Tucson City Councilman Steve Kozachik was a Democratic Party love fest for the feisty Republican turned Democrat. 

There were nearly as many Pima County Democratic Party faithful in attendance at Borderlands Brewery as there were at the traditional St. Patrick's Day fundraiser a few days earlier. 

Kozachik told the crowd of Dems, Greens, Occupiers, Progressives, and, I believe, a few closet Republicans that his campaign has hit the ground running with 800 signatures in just a few weeks. The Pima County Republican Party has not announced a challenger to the iconoclastic Kozachik, who proved to be too independent minded for them, after he bucked a loyality pledge to Governor Jan Brewer, spoke out against the Arizona Legislature's multiple attempts to hurt Tucson and Pima County, endorsed Democrats Richard Carmona for US Senate and Ron Barber for Congress, partied with Pima Dems on Election Night 2012, and-- the last straw-- spearheaded a campaign for universal background checks at gun shows.

More photos and video after the jump.

Tucson Progressives & Democrats Back the 'Back to Work' Budget

The following guest commentary about the current budget battles in DC was submitted to the Arizona Daily Star for publication. Since the Star chooses to primarily publicize Republican budget plans-- and no other ideas, including those proposed by Southern Arizona Congressman Raul Grijalva-- they didn't publish this commentary about the Congressional Progressive Caucus' Back to Work Budget. So, here you go...

On Tuesday, March 12^th, the Congressional Progressive Caucus released its proposed federal budget. Dubbed the “Back to Work Budget”, it will be presented as an amendment to the already discredited Paul Ryan and Congressional Majority budget. The CPC budget will reduce the Federal Budget Deficit by more than $4.4 trillion over the next 10 years, will create 7 million new jobs in its first year, and preserve existing benefits for Social Security and Medicare. The Congressional Progressive Caucus’ “Back to Work” budget will also make public healthcare affordable to the nation by offering a public option.  

More after the jump.

Progressive Caucus Releases 'Back to Work' Budget

by Pamela Powers Hannley

On Wednesday, the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) released its "Back to Work" Budget. Think of it as the polar opposite of the Republicans' "Stab Americans in the Back" budget penned by Congressman Paul Ryan and released earlier in the week. Special thanks to Congressman Raul Grijalva, co-chair of the CPC. Each year, the CPC releases a common sense budget plan. When will Washington DC listen, when will the Lame Stream Media cover it? Go to this link to tell your Congressional representative to vote for the Back to Work Budget.

Here is the summary from the CPC...

7 million new jobs in one year

$4.4 trillion in deficit reduction

We’re in a jobs crisis that isn’t going away.  Millions of hard-working American families are falling behind, and the richest 1 percent is taking home a bigger chunk of our nation’s gains every year. Americans face a choice: we can either cut Medicare benefits to pay for more tax breaks for millionaires and billionaires, or we can close these tax loopholes to invest in jobs.  We choose investment.  The Back to Work Budget invests in America’s future because the best way to reduce our long-term deficit is to put America back to work.  In the first year alone, we create nearly 7 million American jobs and increase GDP by 5.7%. [Details and graphics after the jump.]

A Somewhat Better Economy

By Karl Reiner

The economic recovery continues slowly.  Stock prices have recovered the value lost during the Great Recession.  The nation's unemployment rate has inched down to 7.7%.  Economic analysts know that a recession caused by a financial crisis has a longer recovery time.  They did not, however, expect the ongoing uncertainty created by a gridlocked Congress. The most expensive legislative body in the world can't agree on a budget or a plan for medium-term deficit reduction.

Despite its role in bringing about the economic collapse, Wall Street is doing well.  The industry has regained about 30% of the jobs it lost. The average yearly pay (including bonuses) for a Wall Street manipulator has rebounded to about $362,900. It is ironic that the industry that played a big part in bringing down the economy has gotten back on top of things so quickly.

The Hushed Infrastructure Problem

By Karl Reiner

Good education and infrastructure systems are major components in maintaining and promoting a nation's economic growth.  The role of infrastructure has been particularly ignored in recent years due to the testy Tea Party led standoff in Congress regarding budget priorities and deficit reduction.

The development of infrastructure affects an economy.  After the Theodore Roosevelt dam was constructed on the Salt River northeast of Phoenix during 1905-11, the economy of central Arizona rapidly expanded.  The $10 million dam project managed by the Federal Reclamation Service controlled floods, stored water and generated electricity.  For a time, it was the largest masonry dam structure in the world.  The dam remains in service having been renovated and enlarged in 1989-96.

Sequestration at a Fundraising Gimmick? Whose Bad Idea Was That?

by Pamela Powers Hannley

First, it was Kirsten Sinema on Facebook.

Then, Ann Kirkpatrick on e-mail.

And now, Ron Barber on e-mail.

All three of these Congressional Democrats used the sequestration battle to put out their hands and ask voters for campaign contributions.

I understand that these three are probably not the only misguided Congressional representatives to try this lame fundraising tactic. And I realize that with our flawed election system based upon cash Congressional representatives have to start raising money as soon as they get into office. BUT, using a fiscal crises that will cost Arizona tens of thousands of jobs-- when you personally have dong nothing to stop it-- is ludicrious and insulting to the voters. 

The only Southern Arizona Congressman who didn't send me a sequestration fundraising appeal was Raul Grijalva. Ironically, he was the only Arizona Congressman who was in the thick of the sequestration battle along with Congressman Keith Ellison. They are co-chairs of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, which proposed the Budget for All and offered sane alternatives to sequestration. Video after the jump.

Building a Sustainable Economy in Tucson: Public Forum Tonight

by Pamela Powers Hannley

Tonight-- February 11-- Sustainable Tucson will host a panel discussion and public forum focusing on creative ideas for building a sustainable economy in Tucson.

Tucson is one of the poorest cities in the southwest, has a fragile desert ecosystem, and relies far too heavily on defense, the University of Arizona, and tourism for its vitality. We need diversification and creativity in our economic development efforts.

Tonight's speakers represent wide-ranging ideas from public banking and time trading to TREO's efforts in building Tucson's economy. The meeting will be held in the downtown library's lower level meeting room. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.; program begins at 6 p.m. Details after the jump.

11 European countries pass Robin Hood Tax on financial transactions

by Pamela Powers Hannley

Eleven European countries, who collectively account for two-thirds of the EU's economy, have passed a new financial transaction tax.

Also known as the Robin Hood Tax in the US, a financial transaction tax charges a small percentage fee for every stock market deal. The new European law will charge a rate of 0.1% on any trade of shares or bonds and 0.01% on any financial derivative contract, according to an article in Think Progress. These tiny percentages would raise an estimated 57 billion euros per year if all 27 of the European countries adopted the law. (At an exchange rate of 1 EU = $1.33, that is an estimated $75.8 billion in US dollars per year of revenue generation.) In addition to raising funds, the financial transaction tax discourages speculative computerized trading. Also know as "rent seeking," computers are set up to buy stocks and sell them quickly-- sometimes when the profit is just pennies. If you do enough of this automated micro-trading, you can make a bundle of money; but this speculative behavior adds volitility to the market and produces nothing except fot the gamblers who are in the game. The Ed Schultz Show has a great explanation here. 

 In all, 40 countries worldwide have adopted a financial transaction tax. The 11 countries who have passed the Robin Hood Tax recently include two European powerhouses-- Germany and France-- plus Spain, Portugal, Italy, Belgium, Austria, Slovakia, Slovenia, Greece, and Estonia. The financial problems facing Greece, Spain, and Italy have been in the news for years. This tax will help cash-strapped governments to become more stable. 

Gosh, what other country is facing dire financial choices and needs an infusion of cash? Find out how the Robin Hood Tax would help the US economy after the jump.

Of austerity and cookies (video)

by Pamela Powers Hannley

These days, you can't turn on the TV or radio without hearing a "news" story or pundit "analysis" about the battle over deficit reduction by budget cuts or revenue generation.

Republicans want to balance the budget on the backs of the middle class and the poor by cutting "entitlements" (ie, Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, unemployment, Pel Grants, food stamps, and whatever programs are left of Johnson's War on Poverty). Heaven forbid that they would consider taxing the rich, taxing financial transactions, raising the income cap for Social Security benefits, or anything like that. 

Austerity is their battle cry. After the jump, watch this video featuring John Nichols of The Nation explaining the hoax of austerity.

PDA People's Inauguration live-- NOW

by Pamela Powers Hannley

The People's Inauguration-- sponsored by Progressive Democrats of America (PDA)-- is live streaming now here.

Great stuff-- War on Poverty, immigration reform, organizing the unemployed, Robin Hood Tax, eminent domain for economic development.

Jesse Jackson, Randy Parraz, Congressman John Conyers, and labor leaders just spoke.

Randy Parraz: "Change is coming to Arizona."

Jesse Jackson: The US should be as tough on gun manufacturers as we are on tobacco companies.

Bill Fletcher of the government employees union: Unions should organize the unemployed. He also called for the government to use eminent domain to take over forclosures and failing factories (before they close) to save people and communities from crushing poverty. [Why not? We saved GM.]

Congressman Jim McGovern now: "Hunger is a political condition."

More coming. Tune in. Tweets at @pdacommunity, @ProgressiveCentral and @p2hannley. Photos on PDA's Facebook page. Do it. Be the change you want to see. You are not alone in this struggle.

Geography, Roads and Consequences

By Karl Reiner

Geography and road systems influence economic and military events.  In the summer of 1863, Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee made the decision to consolidate his army in a small southern Pennsylvania town where roads intersected.  His decision had major consequences.  It resulted in a battle that changed the course of the Civil War and made Gettysburg into a national landmark. 

Infrastructure development played an important role as China became the world's second largest economy.  Its massive road building program is on track to complete over 52,000 miles of expressways by 2020.  Another 167,000 miles of rural roads will have been newly constructed or rebuilt.  The road building program is government managed and financed.  The program is years ahead of schedule, stressing domestic supplies.  China produces about 16 million tons of asphalt a year while it uses 20 million tons.  Imports have to make up the shortfall.

The lack of roads can serve sinister purposes.  The rolling desert country southwest of Tucson is sparsely populated.  Down Rt. 286, about 70 miles from Tucson, is the border port of entry at Sasabe.  The small town of El Sasabe, Sonora sits across the border.  Approximately 60 miles farther south is Altar with a population of about 8,000.

The New New Deal ... a book by Michael Grunwald

book review posted by John Denker

The New New Deal is a recent book by Michael Grunwald. It is very interesting, important, informative, readable, thorough, and persuasive. It revolves around the so-called Stimulus Act of 2009. There are three parts to the story: (1) The economic collapse and the election in the autumn of 2008; (2) the drafting and passage of the Stimulus Act in the winter of 2008–2009; and (3) the implementation and the consequences from 2009 to 2012.

I wish everybody would read this book, in order to know what was done and how well it worked. This is important, because many of the same policy issues are still with us, in connection with today’s fiscal negotiations and in the longer term, forever. We need public support for making the right decisions.

Steve Benen called this “the best book on the Obama presidency to date.” It injects some desperately needed reality into the discussion.

<...more...>

Thinking 'outside the box' on school closures & community education

by Pamela Powers Hannley

Tonight Tucson Unified School District's lame duck governing board will vote on closing up to 14 schools around the district: Brichta, Corbett, Cragin, Lyons, Manzo, Menlo Park, Schumaker and Sewell elementary schools; Carson, Hohokam, Maxwell and Wakefield middle schools; Fort Lowell/Townsend K-8; and Howenstine High School.

According to the Arizona Daily Star, the schools will be voted on individually at the meeting to be held at Catalina High School, beginning at 6:30 p.m.  

Public schools are the backbone of our community. This is a sad day for Tucson. In multiple stories about the public forums on school closures, dozens of parents and activitists have spoken out in favor of saving particular schools. "This side of town needs those schools. You can close all of them." "This school has wonderfully creative programs. You can't close it." "This is a top-rated school with full enrollment. You can't close it." And on...

Unfortunately, these reasons won't be enough to save most of the schools. With a $17 million budget deficit and 13,000 empty seats (the equivalent of 26 schools) TUSD is looking at data, expenditures, and enrollment-- how can taxpayers get the most bang for their buck-- not emotion, not program specifics, and not community cohesion. 

In a recent Star article, TUSD Superintendent John Pedicone admitted that the district won't realize the projected full $5 million from the school closures because the district has to maintain the closed schools until they are closed or leased. Of the nine schools closed in 2010, three remain vacant and a deal to level a fourth recently fell through. 

Allowing as many as 18 public schools to sit empty is a dramatic waste of resources. Tucson needs out-of-the-box thinking on this issue. For some ideas, read on. 

UA students & activists ask DeConcini: 'Why did you sell your soul to CCA?' (video)

by Pamela Powers Hannley

Today, the Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR) is meeting on the University of Arizona campus. One of ABOR's most infamous members is former Senator Dennis DeConcini.

Why is DeConcini being villified through social media and the blogs? Because he's also a stockholder and member of the Board of Directors of the Corrections Corporation of America (CCA), which builds, owns, and manages private prisons across the country.

Arizona has multiple CCA prisons-- thanks to close ties between CCA and Governor Jan Brewer, former State Senate President Russell Pearce, American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) boosters in the Arizona Legislature, and DeConcini. More background and a video shot on the UA campus, after the jump.

Tucson's grey water ordinance promotes greener desert, wise water use

by Pamela Powers Hannley

In 2008, the City of Tucson passed a grey water ordinance requiring new homes to include a stub-out to enable grey water usage. 

Four years later, City of Tucson Development Services Manager Ernie Duate wants the City Council to march backwards and dump the ordinance. Why? Because homebuilders are whining. Grey water plumbing can add $600-1000 to the cost of a new home. On a $150,000 home, that's 0.04% to 0.06% of the cost. According to home builders, that extra cost prices people out of the housing market. (In some ways, this story is similar to the dirty coal story I published yesterday because capitalists are lobbying government to lessen or eliminate envrionmental laws.) 

Duarte also claims that no one wants the grey water piping. According to the Arizona Daily Star, more than 800 homes have been built with grey water piping since 2008 and not one homeowner has come to Development Services and paid the $800-1000 permit fee to complete the grey water installation. Many Tucsonans have "grey water system" like mine, pictured here. It is amazing how much water gushes out of that old washing machine's hose during just one load of wash. (I wish I had the piping in my house.) 

I take issue with Duarte's claim that no one wants grey water piping. What happened to the US and Tucson economies since 2008? The housing and financial markets colapsed. Millions of people lost their jobs and their homes. Tucson became the most empoverished city in the Sun Belt. People who still own homes are just trying to keep them. Just because no one volunteered to pay an extra $1000 to install grey water doesn't mean that no one installed grey water or that no one wants it. More wrangling after the jump.

'CCA, go away': Florida residents say 'no' to nation's largest deportation center (video)

by Pamela Powers Hannley

Private prisons are a "infecting our nation like a virus," according to Florida activists who are fighting against the construction of one of the nation's largest immigrant deportation centers. 

From their website...

We do not agree with the federal government privatizing our immigration detention centers throughout the nation when there is clear evidence that privatizing our prisons creates a clear public safety threat. For ICE to continue to privatize these institutions and bring this safety threat through their "secure communities Initiative" to our community is unacceptable. Depriving someone of their liberty is a non-delegable governmental function and privatizing of such a function is infecting our nation like a virus.

What about Arizona? Governor Jan Brewer and many in the Arizona Legislature are loyal private prison boosters-- to the detriment of our residents. Corrections Corporation of America (CCA) runs six private prisons in Arizona. In addition to the well-know immigrant detention centers, CCA also runs DUI prisons. CCA likes to have all of their beds full. Is it any wonder, then, that Arizona has some of the toughest immigration laws and toughest drunk driving laws? Watch anti-CCA protesters in Florida after the jump.

Analysis & commentary: TUSD deseg plan, MAS, & beyond

by Pamela Powers Hannley

The first of three public forums on the Tucson Unified School District's (TUSD) proposed desegregation plan took place on Monday night. 

Fellow BfAZ blogger Dave Safier posted a very detailed first-person account of the forum here this morning, and today's Arizona Daily Star's also offered a thorough account that overlaps somewhat with Safier's but also includes other facts. (KGUN 9 video here.)

Safier writes from the viewpoint-- as he admits-- of commentator who has "expended thousands of words trying to explain the value of the MAS program". The Star reporter gives a newsier account of the meeting and offers some more basic background.

Why a third article? Here, I offer here some history, a broader analysis of the issues, and a call for action. Read more after the jump.

AZ voting irregularities + misinformation + rule-bending + 600,000 uncounted ballots = statewide disgrace (video)

 by Pamela Powers Hannley

Eariler this week, Arizona Secretary of State Ken Bennett announced that more than 600,000 ballots from Tuesday's election had yet to be counted. According to the Wednesday Arizona Daily Star the breakdown is:

Maricopa County: 460,000

Pima County: 80,000

Pinal County: 27,000

Coconino County: 11,000

Navajo County: 5,600

Gila County: 3,400

Apache County: 2,457

Cochise County: who knows? (And why don't they know?)

The 2012 Arizona election is one for the record books with the vast numbers of uncounted ballots, the largest number of provisional ballots ever, pre-election suppression of Latino vote in Maricopa County, polling place misinformation spread by Jeff Flake's campaign, questions about the integrity of Pima County's voting machines, and evidence that the Pima County Elections Department asked for and was granted permission by Bennet not to follow state law when processing ballots. (How many other counties were given a pass on the law by Bennett? An image of the letter is after the jump.) 

Now, MSNBC's Rachel Maddow is using Arizona-- and specifically Pima County-- as the poster child for need for election reform-- because Pima has a history of voter suppression. (Us?)

In 2008, the ACLU named Pima County #1 in the country for voter suppression when F. Ann Rodreguez's department threw out 18% of the provisional ballots-- rather than spend the estimated 45 minutes per ballot to verify addresses. (Why was she re-elected?) We can't let this happen again. This year we must hold her feet to the fire. Every provisional ballot must counted. If you are one of the 1000s of Pima residents whose vote has not been counted, go here to check on your early ballot and go here to check on your provisional ballot.  

After the jump, watch Maddow skewer Arizona for having more than 600,000 uncounted votes. No one should concede until all ballots have been counted. Today's Arizona Daily Star said that could take another week. We need election reform.

Tucson Modernism Week: Nov 9-11

 

by Pamela Powers Hannley

The Tucson Historic Preservation Association is sponsoring Tucson Modernism Weekend which begins this evening with a reception at the Chase Bank on Broadway (pictured here) and continues throughout the weekend with lectures, a car show, a mid-century modern style show, a pricey Mad Men cocktail party on Saturday night, and much more (schedule here).

No doubt, the preservation group has an ulterior motive for this three-day event focusing on mid-century modern style and architecture.

A stretch of Broadway Blvd. in midtown has been slated for major demolition by the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) under a decades-old plan, which envisioned a different Tucson in 2012. Councilman Steve Kozachik and a group of citizens calling themselves the Broadway Coalition have been fighting the RTA's $71-million-dollar widening project and the demolition of 100 buildings, potentially including the Broadway Village designed by quintessential Tucson architect Josias Joesler (background here). Their goal is to scale back the Broadway project to better align it with Tucson's current needs and to protect historic modernist buildings.

To learn more about mid-century modern style, check out this weekend's events-- many of which are free.

TUSD candidate forum: How can TUSD be improved? (video)

by Pamela Powers Hannley

In this 7th video from the Drinking Liberally Tucson Unified School District (TUSD) candidate forum, candidates discuss how they would improve the district, including how they would increase graduation rates.

Watch this new video after the jump. To view all of the videos in this series, go to my YouTube channel or go here for all of my BfAZ stories.

TUSD candidate forum: What about recess and PE? (video)

by Pamela Powers Hannley

OK, I know. The elimination of recess and physical education from our schools didn't get as much media attention as removal of some other programs, but in a country of fatties, they're just as important. 

As obesity rates among US children and adults climb, it's only common sense to find funding and time in the school day for recess breaks and physical education.

Hear the Tucson Unified School District (TUSD) candidates' opinions after the jump. This is the fifth video from the Drinking Liberally TUSD candidate forum on September 26. To view all of the videos in this series, go to my YouTube channel.

TUSD candidate forum: What about TUSD's finances and projected budget shortfall? (video)

by Pamela Powers Hannley

This is the fourth video in a series shot at the Tucson Unified School District candidate forum hosted by Drinking Liberally Tucson on September 26, 2012.

In this segment, candidates talk about budget cuts and the district's finances. Each candidate got 1.5 minutes to answer the question; three candidates were allowed 30 second rebuttals because they or their policies were specifically attacked by another candidate.

If you want to see the TUSD candidates live, the League of Women Voters, YWCA, and others are sponsoring a debate tonight, Monday, October 1.

Watch this video after the jump. Watch the whole collection here.

Rothschild proposes transforming Congress St. into pedestrian mall

by Pamela Powers Hannley

If you want to read about Mayor Jonathan Rothschild's latest big idea for downtown Tucson, don't look for it online -- except here at The Blog for Arizona. The Arizona Daily Star published Rothschild's brain storm only in the "dead tree" editon, dooming it to the recycle bin tomorrow morning. 

As the light rail tracks are laid on Congress Street, Rothschild is proposing converting Congress into a pedestrian mall. I think this is a GREAT idea, and I also think that the Star-- which is beholden to a certain wealthy car dealer for most of its print advertising-- is trying to bury the idea by putting it in the print-only edition.  

Rothschild says that a pedestrian-only Congress Street will complement the modern street car, the new apartments and dorms downtown, the businesses, and the music/art scene. He's spot on, in my opinion. Alluding to Denver's 16th Street Mall-- pictured here-- Rothschild goes on to say, "Where it works, it's a great attraction."

In the past, some Congress Street business owners have lobbied to increase traffic congestion on Congress by proposing that it be converted to two-way traffic. Somehow they equated more congestion with more business. (Luckily, the City Council didn't fall for that one.) On the contrary, I think reducing traffic congestion and promoting foot traffic, light rail, and bicycles would be good for business, good for downtown, and good for the citizens of Tucson. 

With several cousins in the Denver area, I have spent quite a bit of time there. The ambiance of Denver's 16th Street Mall is relaxed and eclectic. The light rail comes in from the suburbs, right passed the Denver Convention Center and the famous blue bear statue, and glides through the pedestrian mall, which is dotted with cafes, outdoor seating, trees, trendy retail shops, and hotels. It is the perfect place for people sip wine or coffee and watch the scene. There are also bicycle rentals downtown to facilitate taking the light rail.

Allowing customers to move freely around Congress Street without worrying about dodging cars promotes a symbiotic relationship among the entertainment, retail, and food venues downtown. A pedestrian mall on Congress would be business-friendly, arts-friendly, tourist-friendly, and more sustainable and less congested than the current car-based downtown.  Dream big. Let's do it, Mr. Mayor. 

More photos after the jump.

Indian electrical grid failure: US politicians and power brokers should take note

by Pamela Powers Hannley

Buried in the back of today's Arizona Daily Star was this story about massive electrical blackouts in India. 

'Decisions not made' at root of massive India blackouts

Who cares? Right? Americans are focused on how many gold medals US Olympians have won yesterday and how many gaffes presidential hopeful Mitt Romney made in that same time period. 

But, we should care about the Indian electrical grid failure. In this story is a warning for our do-nothing, fiscally conservative, business friendly, low-taxes-for-corporations lawmakers: If you ignore the country's infrastructure long enough, you'll be sorry... in a big way.

Does this sound familiar? From the Star article...

...But taken another way, Tuesday's massive blackout, the second in two days, underscored the yawning gap between India's superpower dreams and a sweltering, gritty reality. Problems with an aging electrical grid, pricing system and inefficient mining practices combined to darken a stretch of northern and eastern India that is home to 600 million people, illustrating deep structural problems.

Among them, analysts say, are a weak and indecisive national government, entrenched bureaucracy and a singular focus on local issues at the expense of the common good, all of which threaten foreign investment and undercut the aspirations of a young, vibrant population.

"The size of this is a surprise," said Pramit Pal Chaudhuri, foreign editor of the Hindustan Times newspaper. "But the fact it happened as a consequence of a whole series of micro-decisions not made, is not."

The trouble started shortly after midnight on Monday. India's northern grid failed, affecting 300 million people in seven states. With the help of power diverted from neighboring states and as far away as Bhutan, service was restored by evening.

It collapsed again shortly after 1 p.m. on Tuesday, taking two more of the country's five grids with it. That left the capital with only 1 percent of its usual power supply and tempers fraying in 90-degree heat. [Emphasis added.]

Maybe we can learn from India's mistakes and address our aging electrical grid before the US has a major, life-threatening power failure. Gosh, aren't there millions of people unemployed or under employed? What if we paired the nation's unmet infrastructure needs and our employment needs? What a concept.

Rio Reconsidered

By Michael Bryan

With the current controversies and investigations and audits and partisan bickering around Rio Nuevo, one can hardly fault some folks - even Tucson Democrats - for wanting to wash their hands of the whole vexing thing and just kill the program.

Let me try to convince you that it is a grave error to give up on Rio Nuevo, and we can and should fault those who want to kill the program.

What is Rio Nuevo? Most folks would describe it as an attempt to 'revitalize' Tucson's downtown. Some folks would recognize that it is a very large investment in that goal: about $250 million, so far. A slightly smaller number might know that it is a Tax Increment Finance district dedicated to that goal which has generated that investment.

What do I hope you will think about Rio Nuevo? That it is Tucsonans investing in Tucson's future.

Consider:

Tucson has never had a vital downtown as a major metropolitan city. We had a downtown that worked for a large town many years ago, but that has long since died. We are not trying to 'revitalize' anything; we are now trying to create a vital urban core, essentially from scratch. That is a difficult project for which no one has a rulebook or blueprint. Many have tried in other cities - even here in Arizona - and failed far more miserably than we.

Where does the money come from? Tucsonans paying sales taxes in the TIF district. It's our money. And we have decided how to spend it - and should continue controlling that spending locally, not by remote control from Phoenix. We are spending the Rio Nuevo funds here in Tucson, on Tucson's future - and that is an unalloyed good thing.

Where would the money go if not for the Rio Nuevo TIF? To the general fund in Phoenix for whatever our wackadoodle legislature decided to spend it on. Probably for more tax cuts for the wealthy and powerful. Think that's a better use of our money? I sure don't.

Was the money really spent with "little to show for it" (as is so often claimed) if it was spent locally on local jobs, local ideas, and local contractors on infrastructural improvements, buildings, and projects right here in Tucson? Hell, I would rather dump a quarter billion down our sewers here in Tucson than send it to Phoenix.

Let there be no mistake: those who continue to support the Rio Nuevo TIF are fundamentally supporting the future of Tucson. Those who want to kill it, want to harm Tucson. If a local politician wants to end the Rio Nuevo TIF, they are no friend to the people of Tucson, nor of the people of Southern Arizona who look to Tucson as their metropole. Don't ever forget that, and don't let them use your frustration with the process and priorities so far undermine your support for Tucson's future.

More discussion after the click...

Jobs with Justice urges Tucsonans to stand with postal workers on hunger strike (video)

by Pamela Powers Hannley

A contingent of US Postal Service workers and supporters will go on a hunger strike beginning tomorrow, June 25, in Washington DC, to protest post office closures.

Many post offices and mail processing stations nationwide have been slated for elimination and colsolidation, including Tucson's Cherrybell mail processing station.

Tucsonans came out in force to protest closure last fall when USPS representatives came to town to explain why it makes sense to ship Tucson's mail to Phoenix and then ship it back to Tucson for delivery. Despite strong protests-- last fall and again on tax day-- the federal government still wants to close Cherrybell.

Tucson's Jobs with Justice is holding a demonstration and press conference featuring union leaders and Pima County Supervisor Richard Elias on Monday morning. Here's the info...

Tucson's Jobs with Justice Coalition urges solidarity with postal workers. Help us save local jobs and keep our postal services locally.

Demonstration and Press Conference TO SAVE OUR POSTAL SERVICE AND JOBS!

Monday, June 25

Demonstration: 7:00 to 9:00 AM

Press Conference: 8:30 AM

Both events in front of the American Postal Workers Union office, 2937 E. 22nd Street, (just west of Country Club).

Connie Sadler-Nelson, American Postal Workers Union Local President, and County Supervisor Richard Elias will speak to the press.

Tucson is facing the closure of our Cherrybell Main Post Office. Congress is trying to kill the entire postal service, bust the unions, and eventually privatize the postal system.

Postal workers and community supporters will hold a Hunger Strike in Washington, DC from June 25 through the 28th to save the postal service.

Demonstrate your support for postal unions, Cherrybell Post Office, jobs and US postal service.

Refreshments will be provided: bagels, juice, coffee, cold water.

 

Watch the videos after the jump...