A Load of Bull

“They play this game that they try to protect children. That's a load of bull. They're only there for themselves."

These were the comments of State Representative Frank Antenori (Republican LD30) on a KGUN9 report about the changes the Republican controlled legislature made to state law, removing most of teachers’ contract protections. Antenori was of course referring to the Arizona Education Association, local district associations, and the members of those associations. Senator Al Melvin (Republican LD26) listed the destruction of teachers’ contract protections as one of the top ten accomplishments of the Republican controlled legislature in his monthly e-mail blast and has publicly expressed the same sentiment as Mr. Antenori did Wednesday night.

The 30,000+ members, including the approximately 8,000 Republican members, are the Arizona Education Association, and we can tell you exactly where the “load of bull” is.

Both of these Legislators made these comments in the week before the Republican leadership failed for the sixth time to pass, or even propose, a budget plan that would provide for Arizona’s future. Their current plan that includes an additional $144 million cut to K-12 education was foiled by one Senator, Thayer Verschoor (Republican LD22), who dared question the leadership. Apparently, Senator Verschoor was uncomfortable with the leadership’s plan to maintain, at all costs, the perception that they were not responsible for any tax increases by forcing other agencies raise fees. The Senate Republicans were again unable to pass a budget on Thursday and adjourned the special session until Monday, November 23rd.

"Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result." Albert Einstein.

This quote is certainly over used, but perhaps that is due to the truth it contains. The Insanity that has overtaken the Republican Leadership has put them on a path of self-destruction, unfortunately as they implode, the damage is likely to do immeasurable harm to our students and communities. There are a few rational Republican Legislators among the ranks. Please continue to contact them and encourage them to step forward. It is long past time for the legislators to put party allegiances aside and undertake the business of solving Arizona’s fiscal problems for both the short and long term.