Innovation For Public Schools: How To Outflank The Choice Movement

Like any monopoly the public school system has constantly fought change, during the past decade in the form of greater school choice. And it is losing in higher income areas like the Scottsdale School District where some 9,000 students choose charter or private schools. This is putting enormous pressure on the system there, populated by bureaucrats who don’t know how … Read More

This May Get The Phoenix Coyotes’ Attention

Arizona’s NHL franchise avoided a public vote following the Glendale City Council’s split decision to award its new owners a $15 million payment. Such a referendum election would have likely torpedoed the transition to new ownership since it would have delayed ratification of the city agreement until after the season was to begin. The saga that has been hockey ownership … Read More

25 Million Reasons and Counting

Tough on crime and tough on illegal immigration. That’s Andrew Thomas in a nutshell. What’s not to like? As a candidate for Governor, Thomas hopes to appeal to the most conservative voters in a split field and capture the GOP nomination. From there, he would look to ride the Republican voter registration advantage to a brand new office on the … Read More

Denny Barney Needs To Say He’s Sorry, And Quit Channeling Rick Renzi

Did Republicans just ignore all of the headlines over the years about disgraced former Congressman Rick Renzi who was found to abuse his position while in office for real estate gains? We ask because of the Arizona Republic headline today raising similar questions about current Maricopa County Board Chairman Denny Barney (Maricopa County chairman in ethics flap). While many Republicans … Read More

Be Like Bill: Here’s To More Wisdom In The GOP

As we are about to enter the 2014 campaign season television advertisements and flyers will flood mailboxes and airwaves. They will emphasize many words and messages. But nary a one will tout “wisdom.” They should. Allow us to explain using the example of Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery. Readers are surely familiar with former Maricopa County Andy Thomas’ travails. And … Read More

Voters Know Better

Some politicians just want it too badly. They are just too obvious. Everyone who sees what they are doing knows what they are doing. Yet these same politicians seem to have no idea that they aren’t fooling anyone. Exhibit A for today is Arizona Secretary of State wannabe Michele Reagan. For years she has wanted to be elected to statewide … Read More

Crickets From Critics In Scottsdale

Every community has critics. And that’s a good thing, especially in an age of a declining fourth estate. Their eyes, ears and energy can be just what’s needed to shine a light into some darker places. But in Scottsdale activism has become its own art form, its own sport. While there are certainly problems in one of America’s best cities … Read More

Why Barrett-Jackson matters, even if you're not into cars

From the Arizona Republic A meme spreading across Facebook proclaims “My favorite part of winter … is watching it on TV from Arizona.” This has been a good week to watch winter from afar, as the polar vortex dropped harsh cold as far south as Mobile, Ala. The good people at the Arizona Tourism Authority were absolutely gleeful putting up … Read More