Greg Patterson over at Espresso has been all over the TIME initiative’s possible signature shortfall. I mean who doesn’t love a little hubris now and then?
But, the fun doesn’t stop there. Many hacks believe a number of ballot measures may be lacking.
The list of possible flops includes Prop 100, No New Home Taxes and Prop 104, Arizona Civil Rights Initiative.
For the moment, it’s up to Jan Brewer and the 15 county recorders to determine who’s got the right stuff.
After that, expect a slew of lawsuits aiming to knock off low hanging fruit. I hear there’s at least one petition checking sweat shop going line by line.
Only time will tell which stay and which go.
7.31.2008
The Breakfast Meeting
This morning I went to a meeting to discuss Majority Rules (Prop 105) an initiative on the ballot this coming November. Our meeting was at Matt's Big Breakfast.
Matt's is probably the best breakfast in town with a full menu of delectable treats including Arizona's best griddlecakes. The location is small and almost always has a line out the door but during the week, if you're there early enough, there is usually seating available. If you have to wait, trust me, it's worth it.
Now that we've established that the meeting location was adequate and met the culinary needs of the meeting participants let's talk about Majority Rules. Prop 105 is intended to stifle the initiative process by requiring 50% + 1 of all registered voters to approve ballot initiatives that increase spending in any way. Think this through for a second, average turn-out for an Arizona election in a non-presidential year is around 62% causing a ballot initiative to gain 81% of the vote to make up for the 38% who stayed home. Here's the major flaw: There are more than 130,000 deceased voters still on the voter rolls in counties across the state. Majority Rules not only gives a voice to apathy but also to deceased voters.
That means ballot initiatives that increase state fees for an individual (i.e. licensing fees), creates a board or commission, or puts more money in Arizona's public schools would now be impossible to pass by the Arizona electorate.
This initiative literally gives full autonomy to the Arizona legislature to shape statutory and constitutional policy. I think most of us can agree that giving a legislature and a Governor, who has run the state into a $2.2 billion deficit, that kind of power is bad for Arizona's future.
Matt's is probably the best breakfast in town with a full menu of delectable treats including Arizona's best griddlecakes. The location is small and almost always has a line out the door but during the week, if you're there early enough, there is usually seating available. If you have to wait, trust me, it's worth it.
Now that we've established that the meeting location was adequate and met the culinary needs of the meeting participants let's talk about Majority Rules. Prop 105 is intended to stifle the initiative process by requiring 50% + 1 of all registered voters to approve ballot initiatives that increase spending in any way. Think this through for a second, average turn-out for an Arizona election in a non-presidential year is around 62% causing a ballot initiative to gain 81% of the vote to make up for the 38% who stayed home. Here's the major flaw: There are more than 130,000 deceased voters still on the voter rolls in counties across the state. Majority Rules not only gives a voice to apathy but also to deceased voters.
That means ballot initiatives that increase state fees for an individual (i.e. licensing fees), creates a board or commission, or puts more money in Arizona's public schools would now be impossible to pass by the Arizona electorate.
This initiative literally gives full autonomy to the Arizona legislature to shape statutory and constitutional policy. I think most of us can agree that giving a legislature and a Governor, who has run the state into a $2.2 billion deficit, that kind of power is bad for Arizona's future.
7.30.2008
Oh how I love thee, Scott Wyland and the Stone Temple Pilots
House bands are the staple of many a good lounge. As a political operator, I try to host many of my meetings in dark and formerly smokey places like the Chez Nous . Now there’s nothing wrong with Roscoe or Soul Power, but they aren’t my top choice for mood music. After last night’s show all I can think of is STP.
Here are 7 reasons to love STP in the form of a lame love poem. Enjoy.
Oh how I love thee, Scott Wyland and the Stone Temple Pilots
1) You, Scott, stumble on to stage in a three piece suit and cowboy hat and promptly fall and almost knock over the entire drum kit.
2) You, Scott and the Stone Temple Pilots, bang out with incredible force a set list that includes innumerable hits.
3) You, Scott, proceed to disrobe through the show.
4) You, Scott, throw nearly everything you get your hands on into the audience (e.g. clothing, bullhorn, towels, etc)
5) You, Scott, clearly ignore the advice of loved ones and medical practitioners and continue your heroin habit.
6) You, Scott and the Stone Temple Pilots, remind me of the limited happy days of my adolescence.
7) You, Scott and the Stone Temple Pilots, provide me with more than one song to populate my “getting’ luck play list.”
Here are 7 reasons to love STP in the form of a lame love poem. Enjoy.
Oh how I love thee, Scott Wyland and the Stone Temple Pilots
1) You, Scott, stumble on to stage in a three piece suit and cowboy hat and promptly fall and almost knock over the entire drum kit.
2) You, Scott and the Stone Temple Pilots, bang out with incredible force a set list that includes innumerable hits.
3) You, Scott, proceed to disrobe through the show.
4) You, Scott, throw nearly everything you get your hands on into the audience (e.g. clothing, bullhorn, towels, etc)
5) You, Scott, clearly ignore the advice of loved ones and medical practitioners and continue your heroin habit.
6) You, Scott and the Stone Temple Pilots, remind me of the limited happy days of my adolescence.
7) You, Scott and the Stone Temple Pilots, provide me with more than one song to populate my “getting’ luck play list.”
Time for a reality check...
Arizona's blogging community is getting larger by the day. There are dozens of blogs committed to talking about a wide variety of issues including politics and lifestyle. Here's the issue: none of the current blogs recognize that there is a clear community of political hacks who's career and lifestyle are slaves to the political environment of Arizona. This blog is intended to provide a forum for discussion, debate, and discourse for vital issues facing Arizona's political community. At the same time this blog will discuss many other topics related to the community such as fashion, music, art, and other culturally ambitious topics. Please join us daily for articles that will make you think about Arizona differently.
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