Our previous editorial focused on the wisdom of reforming tax policy to recruit the ultra-rich to Arizona like Phil Mickelson. And why shouldn’t the Grand Canyon State? After all, the competition is stiff with no income tax states like Texas and Nevada. Furthermore, the private sector constantly engages in a never ending quest to land the whales. At casinos. In … Read More
Luring Mickelson: Good PR & Policy For Arizona
At a time when Paul Ryan and others are smart to be channeling Jack Kemp and re-engineering GOP messages for the lower and middle classes, it is an appeal to the highest crust that could be a good move here in Arizona. This week Phil Mickelson is defending his Waste Management Phoenix Open. A Sun Devil, he is the most … Read More
McCain Ego vs. Kyl Example
So the Arizona Republican Party censured John McCain this past weekend. If they were hoping this would dissuade the senior senator from re-electing it may have had the opposite effect. After all, a man who withstood the Vietcong probably chuckles at the potbellies of rightward lunacy. They remind us that just because one can do something, doesn’t mean it is … Read More
All Hail Gordon James!
Can you imagine Arizona conservatives shouting such? It would be quite a turn of events after James’ wife and former John Shadegg staffer Lisa James attempted not once but twice in previous cycles to seize the Arizona Republican Party chairmanship for moderates. James lost but couple’s commitment to a leftward tilt for their party remained. No matter one’s Republican politics … Read More
Ritz Developers Readying Trojan Horse For Paradise Valley
Sometimes you just can’t make this stuff up. The last time Paradise Valley paid much attention to the large, empty real estate between Mockingbird and Scottsdale Road and Lincoln and Indian Bend Roads was November, 2008. Then, Paradise Valley voters were wise to pass by a nearly 2-1 margin a mixed-use plan that had a new Ritz-Carlton at its core. … Read More
When Christine (Jones) Met Arizona Voters
Billy Crystal watching Meg Ryan faking it was one of the most memorable movie scenes in recent memory. It’s fair to say that’s how engaged Republican primary voters are feeling as they evaluate whether upstart Christine Jones is faking her espoused conservative bona fides or whether she really has the financial resources to become a player in the 2014 Arizona … Read More
Cathedral To The Rowdy: Just Do It
The cathedrals of Europe tend to be of the religious variety, serving both as cornerstones of faith and tourism. Here in the United States our cathedrals are the shrines of sport. Wrigley Field. Fenway Park. Augusta. Churchill Downs. They are magnets for economic impact. In Arizona we do have a rather Grand, natural cathedral three hours to the north. Closer … Read More
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