Video: Andres Portela, Tucson Council Candidate, Ward 6

Our Voice, Our Vote–Arizona advocates for progressive public policies and mobilizing voters. Andrés Portela is an Afro-Latino activist running in the August 3 Democratic primary for the Tucson City Council to represent Ward 6. If elected, he would be the first African-American on the City Council since 1980 Andrés spoke about building community through prioritizing our H.O.M.E. Housing: helping families avoid evictions, placing the homeless in housing and installing a public advocate to fight predatory landlords. At one time Andres had to live in his car, but today he is married and owns a house. Opportunity: Using the [...]

By Larry Bodine|2021-06-09T13:12:07-07:00June 7th, 2021|Economics, Elections, Tucson|

The 4 Priorities of Congressional Candidate Kirsten Engel

State Senator Kirsten Engel outlined her four priorities for US Congress at the May 31, 2021 meeting of Democrats of Greater Tucson. "What do I see as my priorities? What am I going to work on in Congress? I would say there are four top priorities. "My top priority is building an economy that works for everyone through investments in hard and social infrastructure. And I think that this will enable us to expand our economy, safeguard our natural resources, fight climate change, and put people to work. And I would say that that investment in hard infrastructure is important. [...]

By Larry Bodine|2021-06-02T16:29:21-07:00June 1st, 2021|Arizona, Criminal Justice, Economics, Elections, Environment|

Marcos Ysmael: How to Find Help for Tenants Facing Eviction

Video editing by Anne Simmons. As the June 30 termination looms for the federal eviction moratorium, Marcos Ysmael, the Pima Country Housing Program manager, is acting to rescue Arizonians from eviction. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) might extend the moratorium on COVID-related evictions beyond June 30, he told Democrats of Greater Tucson at their April 19 meeting. Ysmael has 37 years of experience leading community development and housing programs. He is devoted to securing affordable homeownership and affordable rentals for Arizonans. Now, he's facing his biggest test yet: A pandemic-related recession that continues to force millions of [...]

By Lynn Shapiro|2021-04-24T15:12:13-07:00April 21st, 2021|Economics, Housing|

Running for Congress in CD2, Kirsten Engel Seeks a Thriving Economy and Infrastructure Development

Arizona State Senator Kirsten Engel (D-LD10) has an impressive resume that checks all boxes as a Democratic Congressional Candidate looking to succeed the retiring Ann Kirkpatrick in 2022. Senator Engel has been: A staff attorney for the Environmental Protection Agency. A staff attorney for the Sierra Club. The acting chief of the Massachusetts Environmental Protection Division. Visiting Associate Law Professor at Vanderbilt, University of California, and Harvard. Professor of Law/Environmental Law at the University of Arizona (a position she still holds.) Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at the University of Arizona from 2012 to 2015 A member of the Arizona State [...]

By David Gordon|2021-04-20T16:56:53-07:00April 20th, 2021|Arizona Democratic Party, Criminal Justice, Economics, Elections, Uncategorized|

Demanding a Budget for our Total Community Town Hall

Stop ThiefAZ brings together voices of leaders who advocate on social, cultural, economic & political issues by informing voters how these issues directly affect our lives and offering opportunities to make a difference. Join this event at http://bit.ly/2OHtMwX ZOOM: http://bit.ly/2OHtMwX Password: 849559 Or Telephone: 816 423 4261 Conference code: 507066 FACEBOOK page: SHARE with Partners https://www.facebook.com/StopThiefAZbudget

By Larry Bodine|2021-03-16T12:56:51-07:00March 16th, 2021|Economics|

What’s Next for Dems After the American Rescue Act

Public opinion polls tell us that President Biden’s vast rescue plan, the American Rescue Act, is quite popular—backed by over ¾ of the public, including a clear majority of people who say they are Republicans. Why, then, are the so-called Republican “leaders” -- members of Congress—not taking advantage of an opportunity to support the bill as it moves toward final passage? I have two theories: First, they are afraid of their party’s anger, and its shrinking base that remains wedded to the former president’s hateful and divisive politics. The “big lie” is that he actually won the election, and a [...]

By Paul Waugaman|2021-03-10T18:53:18-07:00March 10th, 2021|Economics|

The Economic Time Bomb Coming to a Neighborhood Near You

Now that Biden has been elected President, the Democratic Party had better prepare for the Republicans in Congress suddenly turning into deficit hawks. While the King of Debt Trump was in office, debt was good because deficits didn't matter. Just ask former Vice President Dick Cheney when former Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neill warned Cheney "that growing budget deficits -- expected to top $500 billion this fiscal year alone” -- posed a threat to the economy. Cheney cut him off, saying, "You know, Paul, Reagan proved deficits don't matter." This time Democrats have more to contend with than just deficits. Such [...]

By Clyde Steele|2020-11-10T15:39:39-07:00November 10th, 2020|Economics|

In Her Own Words: Kamala Harris Rallies Tucson for Joe Biden

In the spirit of the late great John McCain, I was thinking, let's start with a little straight talk. Now, you know, there has been some talk about my values. Well, let me just tell you, Tucson. I am a proud patriotic American. I love my country. And our values reflect the values of America. Our values tell us we have witnessed the worst, the biggest disaster of any presidential administration in this country's history. Our values tell us that. Our values tell us that we should not be in a moment where over 225,000 people have died in [...]

By Kamala Harris|2020-10-30T07:52:22-07:00October 29th, 2020|Arizona, Economics, Elections, Environment, Healthcare, Joe Biden|

Educator and Community Stalwart Rex Scott is Running for Pima Supervisor, District 1

This article first appeared on the Blog for Arizona Rex Scott has been part of the Pima County Community since 1991. A teacher, assistant principal, and principal in the local area, Scott, who also served as a City Council Member when he lived in Athens, Ohio, wants to take this professional experience and utilize it as the next District One Pima County Board Supervisor. If elected this November, Scott, a former Republican and Independent before becoming a Democrat 16 years ago, vows to be a bipartisan public servant who is a “fair, objective representative for all the people [...]

By David Gordon|2020-10-02T13:41:45-07:00October 2nd, 2020|Criminal Justice, Economics, Education, Elections, Environment, Local Candidates and Electeds|

Steve Diamond, Candidate for Dist. 4 Pima Supervisor, Aims to Oust Anti-Science Incumbent

In a year that indicates a Blue Wave may be coming, the trends are good news to the Democratic candidate Steve Diamon, candidate for District Four Supervisor. A labor activist who is a pragmatic problem-solver who believes in promoting inclusiveness and equity, being accessible and transparent, forging just consensus and building forward, Diamond believes “that strong local communities where we care for each other and uplift each other are our best hope for ensuring that future (for our country.) If elected, Diamond would concentrate on: Helping the residents of Pima County get through the COVID 19 pandemic. Protecting the environment. [...]

By David Gordon|2020-09-30T17:15:02-07:00September 30th, 2020|Economics, Education, Environment, Local Candidates and Electeds, Supervisor|