Think Tank discusses Arizona politics, COVID relief funding, more

The Think Tank welcomes attorney Tom Ryan and political consultant Chuck Coughlin to discuss several of the most pressing Arizona issues.

BY MIKE O'NEIL/THE THINK TANK

Mar 26, 2021, 10:30 AM

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(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, Pool, File)

The Think Tank welcomes the return of the Think Tank “A Team,” attorney Tom Ryan and political consultant Chuck Coughlin, to discuss several of the most pressing Arizona issues.

Arizona is getting $12.2 billion of America Rescue Plan Act relief. But there is a requirement that they money be used for the specified purposes, not to fund tax cuts. Attorney General Mark Brnovich has indicated he will sue over this provision. Will his court challenge have a chance?

Proposition 208, passed by the voters last November provides additional education funding paid for by a tax on ultra-high income earners. The Voter Protection initiative, also passed by the voters, prohibits the legislature from any action whose purpose is to undermine the will of the voters.

The governor and Republicans in the legislature think they can evade this provision with artful legislation. Will this survive a court challenge?

The Arizona State Senate “won” the right to “audit” the Maricopa County election results. But they seem to have no idea of how to do this given that the County has already subjected the results to two independent audits.

Senate President Karen Fann does not appear to have a face-saving way to get out of this mess. (Like the dog that finally catches that car: “What do I do now?”)

With Gov. Doug Ducey’s support, Native American gaming legislation is in the works that will augment the tribes’ gaming footprint, but also pour a small fortune into the hands of the billionaire owners of the four major league sports franchises (who also all benefitted from publicly financed stadiums).

We conclude with a discussion of the demise of civility in our politics with a discussion of a couple of pertinent incidents this week in our own legislature.

The Think Tank airs on KTAR 92.3 FM on Saturday from 6-7 p.m. and Sunday from 9-10 p.m.

Podcasts are available after broadcast.