By Ronald Sampson To debate or not to debate; that is normally not a question for close races. If you’re up by a large margin, it is more reasonable to simply shrug off the demand for one, but one would be hard pressed to find examples of Arizona candidates refusing to debate in a tight race. Yet that is what … Read More
And Then There Were Two: How is the Scottsdale City Council Run-Off Looking?
Back in August, the majority of the contested Scottsdale City Council seats were sealed up then and there, as both Kathy Littlefield and Solange Whitehead secured enough votes to earn re-election and not need to head to November’s run-off. One seat remains however: Barry Graham and Pamela Carter will square off to replace Linda Milhaven. So how did we get … Read More
The Perils of an Unregulated STR Industry Rears its Ugly Head
We are not afraid to confront the short-term rental (STR) crisis here in Arizona. After the industry lobbied the state government heavily, the legislature essentially took away any local control and left municipalities toothless in their ability to fight back, After extensive public outcry, a partial reversal of those laws passed this past legislative session, which then prompted both Scottsdale … Read More
Pressure Mounts for the Need to Build More Apartments Now
The nearly absurd rise in housing prices which has led nearly directly to a rental crisis in Arizona is a major pressing issue that we have been on top of here at the Arizona Progress Gazette. Recent interest rate increases from the Federal Reserve have served the purpose of pumping the brakes on the economy, raising interest rates, and halting … Read More
Julie Gunnigle’s County Attorney Campaign Death Rattle: The Price of Listening to Activists Instead of Reason
By Alexander Lomax In her third run for elected office in the last four years, while Julie Gunnigle is now inching towards perennial candidate status, not unlike Rodney Glassman (sans party flipping), she has shown promise at times. Bold, well spoken and physically attractive (which unfortunately matters), she has positioned herself as someone worth watching in the Democratic political world. … Read More
Can Katie Hobbs Follow the Napolitano Path to the 9th Floor?
Arizona’s gubernatorial office, located on the 9th floor of the Executive Office downtown, has been constantly occupied by Republicans since the time of Janet Napolitano. This year, Katie Hobbs offers the best possibility for Dems to retake the 9th floor since Napolitano’s last term which ended in 2009. So can she follow that same template to victory? To be fair, … Read More
In a Divided State, One Issue Has Overwhelming Support: Stopping Dark Money
It may not be a stretch to say that Arizona is as divided as it ever has been. Many statewide races will likely go down to the wire and be very close to a 50/50 split, and rhetoric has heated up on both sides of the political aisle. But one subject is overwhelmingly popular, regardless of which side of the aisle … Read More
Scottsdale is Giving a Raise to Law Enforcement – Blue America Should Take Note
Many of us Arizonans have looked at the chaos, lawlessness and crime that has at times enveloped cities like San Francisco, Portland and Seattle over the last few years with a degree of derision, and for good reason. While instances of those issues are certainly trumped up by conservative media, there is certainly a strong degree of truth to them. … Read More
Why You Should Vote Yes on Proposition 308
There will be quite a few important choices on your ballot this fall. I’m sure that I don’t have to tell you that between a US Senate race, all of the statewide races and control of the legislature, quite a few important things hang in the balance. That said, for one group of people, even more hangs in the balance. … Read More
From Landfill to Landmark: Tempe Town Lake Again About to Show a Massive Return on Investment with Coyotes Plan
It is not news that the Arizona Coyotes time in Glendale didn’t work out as well as originally intended. However Glendale’s loss appears to be Tempe’s gain, not just in the temporary placement of the team there but in the spectacular infrastructure and entertainment options that are currently in the works in order to make the ‘Yotes a permanent part … Read More