4Tucson Government Domain Blog Archive

We are all appalled that Russia has ruthlessly invaded the sovereign country of Ukraine. Our prayers go out for peace and safety of the Ukrainian people. This isn’t the first time Russia has brutalized Ukraine.

Last Tuesday, the Arizona Senate Education Committee voted to pass SB 1657 that greatly increases parent’s ability to send their children to private schools, especially low income families. This is done by expanding student eligibility for Empowerment Scholarship Accounts (ESA's).

Schools thrive when parents are involved in their children’s education. In order for parents to participate, they need to know what’s being taught in our schools.

I think we can all agree that men and women deserve equal rights. Back in 1972, Congress passed Title IX legislation to ensure women received equal treatment in education and sports. What’s not equal is when biological men demand to compete against women in interscholastic and intramural sports.

Today we solemnly celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day. I was a student in 1963 when Dr. King made his famous I have a dream speech, highlighted by; “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character”. It resonated in me then and still does to this day.

Today, January 10, 2022, is opening day at the Arizona Legislature. At 4 am this morning I joined a group of Tucson pastors and church leaders on a full to capacity coach bus headed to the Arizona Capitol to participate in a 7 am prayer walk led by Center for Arizona Policy and BridgeBuilders International to pray for our leaders.

My father often told me “you can be disappointed but never be discouraged”. That wisdom has always inspired me to be as courageous as possible when facing adversity.

Mark Twain once said, “Whiskey is for drinking, water is for fighting”. In Arizona it’s been the case since before statehood. At this moment a water war has begun between Pima County and the City of Tucson with Pima County suing the City of Tucson over drastically raising its water rates to Tucson Water’s 71,000 customers who live in unincorporated Pima County. The rate increase begins December 2021.

Believing in Jesus comes with the responsibility to follow His teachings. As Christians we have a duty to be good stewards of what God has entrusted us with and that includes ensuring that our government doesn’t violate scripture. If we allow ungodly people to pick our leaders we will certainly have a corrupt, immoral government.

The City of Tucson has a new Police Chief. Immediately after former Tucson Police Chief Chris Magnus was confirmed as the head of US Customs and Border Protection, the Tucson City Mayor and Council decisively appointed Tucson Deputy Chief Chad Kasmar as the new chief.