In our National Government and states like Arizona, Kentucky, and Colorado, there is either gridlock between our public servants or the Republican Party is not paying attention to what the people want or both.
The President unveiled an infrastructure plan that should serve as the starting point for debate to forge a plan to rebuild our roads, bridges, schools, airway, broadband, utilities, rail, shipping, and airline industries. Has anyone heard about any hearings to discuss it? Has anyone seen a bill that is being considered? A March 29 CNBC article said that infrastructure would have to wait until after the midterms. This is unacceptable as infrastructure needs have been paramount in some areas for decades. This is supposedly one of the areas where there is bipartisan consensus. If so, where is the approved bill from Congress that is about to be signed by the President?
Another area where there is supposedly bipartisan consensus is Public Education. If that is so, why is the Governor of Arizona, Doug Ducey trying to pass a teacher raise without bargaining with teachers (which most want to be done) and without taking into account falling school staff salaries and school capital funding shortfalls (which most of the people want to be addressed?) Why is he trying to pay for this teacher raise through either rosy economic forecasts and on the back of people in need like those on Medicaid? Why is he not considering raising taxes by closing corporate loopholes or raising the state income tax on high earners (which most favor)?
What is there to be done when there is gridlock or a political party out of step with mainstream reality? In Arizona and other states, the people have the power to file a petition to put a measure on the ballot if they get a fixed number of signatures. If successful, the measure can go on the ballot and be voted on by the people. Proponents of funding increased education expenditures through an increase in taxing high-income earners have filed such a petition. If they get enough signatures (and the reception the walkout among Educators in Arizona seems to indicate that will not be a problem), the people will have the opportunity to take matters into their own hands and decide what to do with education funding.
With a potential Blue Wave about to sweep the country, this may be one of the few immediate avenues (assuming the Governor and his allied do not get their act together) people have along with electing Pro-Education public servants to enforce the will of the people. Maybe the people need to resort to similar methods with regards to our crumbling infrastructure and other critical areas of need if our "leaders" cannot act for the public good. Hopefully, the people who run as Progressives and win in November will get the message.
https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/politics/arizona-education/2018/04/27/arizona-invest-education-act-initiative-school-funding-teacher-pay-redfored-walkout/559319002/
https://www.cnbc.com/2018/03/29/trump-infrastructure-plan-will-likely-wait-until-after-the-midterms.html
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