Since the kickoff event over a week ago, where friends, family and supporters gathered for my formal announcement that I'm running for the Arizona House of Representatives from LD 21, I've kept busy. And so have the partisan extremists in the legislature. Their latest departure from reason, SB 1485, will effectively destroy unions in this state. It is even more destructive than Governor Scott Walker's union-busting efforts in Wisconsin.
I believe this is another example of the kind of extreme partisan politics that the good citizens of Arizona are sick of. Even conservative Arizona Republic columnist Robert Robb called the case for this jihad against public unions being waged by the Goldwater Institute and conservative Republicans "pretty weak." You can read his 02/08/12 column here.
With so many important issues facing this state, I can't see any possible justification for this blatant attempt to destroy unions. As Robb noted, the unions would be sure to use the referendum process to put S1485 on the ballot, "setting up a monumental political battle for which the proponents of S1485 appear completely unprepared.... At this point, I don't think the supporters of S1485 are really ready for the fight they are picking. Nor are the people of Arizona." Robb also noted that it's legally questionable whether the state can force the reforms on charter cities.
Is this bill ultimately likely to be good for the state of Arizona, or will it prove to be an expensive waste of time? We must elect reasonable legislators who will spend their time and energy on issues that will make life better for the citizens of Arizona.
