Howie Fischer, Capitol Media Services Chief Correspondent

Thursday, September 10, 2026 | 34:45

You probably shouldn’t watch the entire AZ Political Podcast while you're in the voting booth on November 3, but this episode might be good to watch before you vote so you’ll know at least a little about each of the eight propositions you’ll find on your ballot this fall.   For something more in-depth, consider attending KTAR’s “The Issues That Matter Town Hall” on the evening of September 15 at Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West. You can join LaDona Harvey, Mike Broomhead, experts and local leaders, and… me!  Reserve your (free) spot through KTAR News’ partner Arizona Talks.     But back to the AZ Political Podcast, where Capitol Media Service’s Howie Fischer, who’s covered the Legislature since the ‘80s, goes through each prop with me, revealing the ones he thinks are designed to make our lives better and the ones designed to make Gov. Katie Hobbs look bad — by putting bills she vetoed in front of voters to approve.   And, yes, there are props on this year’s ballot that are designed to do both.   And there are bills that, while carefully designed, can have unintended consequences.    The props, if approved, would do a lot of different things, like:   • Prohibit the government from taxing you based on how much you drive;   • Stop local governments from taxing food sales — without voter approval;   • Forbid schools from allowing people to use a restroom, locker room, or shower area not designated for their (at-birth) sex;   • Ban non-voter-approved traffic photo enforcement systems (a bi-partisan favorite, by the way); and,   • Require most non-rural school districts to spend at least 60% of their budget on “direct instructional expenses.” Interestingly, non-compliance would leave districts with even less money to use anywhere.   I hope you take the time to watch the “Proposition Primer Edition” of the AZ Political Podcast. Just, please, don’t watch it in the voting booth — or while driving a motor vehicle.    That’s something that’s already prohibited by law.