More on the Lacking Leadership in our State

The Arizona Republic reports today that Governor Brewer will address a joint session of the Legislature Wednesday. She is expected to ask the Legislature to raise taxes. This is frustrating as we, the citizens of the State of Arizona, are going to be penalized for the the lack of leadership in the state - both now and in the past.

Matthew Benson from the Republic wrote a great article back in January that really reflects my opinion of the leadership our state had for almost eight years under Governor Napolitano - unclear to none. You never saw Napolitano really come out and champion issues (accept All Day Kindergarten). And, unfortunately, it seems like the lack of leadership continues right into present day.

A quote from today's article:

"[Governor Brewer's] appearance is welcome, said House Minority Leader David Lujan, D-Phoenix. 'We've been waiting for the governor to step forward,' Lujan said. 'We've heard very little from her.'"

Our state is in sever need of leadership:

• Leadership that is ever present by being constantly in the public eye and ear.
• Leadership that listens to the people and experts in their fields.
• Leadership that then acts and puts forth a direction and plan for real action, not just a "pop fly" that ultimately hurts the people of Arizona.

Really Getting Started

I've been chatting with people, working more on my platform and getting the blog ready. Today, however, I saw this article in the Arizona Republic and decided that it is time to fire things up and talk about the lack of leadership in the state.

Last year, our former Governor and the State Legislature expanded the use of photo radar in the state to everywhere in the state by giving money to the Department of Public Safety to put photo radar on the state freeways (as opposed to the old situation of just the municipalities doing photo radar). Now, this year, there are currently 14 bills in front of the Legislature trying to reduce the penalties associated with photo radar, or GET RID OF IT ALL TOGETHER! This about-face is where "leadership," or the lack of it, comes in.

I'm not really for or against photo radar. However, I'm very much against the state government spending time and money to put something in, then wasting more time and money to take it back out. The state, for quite awhile, has lacked leadership and does this kind of thing all the time - basically drifting aimlessly with no one at the helm while treacherous rocks loom ahead.

Case in point; I received an email from my daughter's school district last week - sent out to all the parents updating us on the "school and state budget crisis." Why isn't the State Legislature focused on the education crisis in this state - both at K-12 and the college level - as opposed to something that is said and done ( as well as has a 60% plus approval rating)?

These are examples of why Leadership and Education are major parts of my focus.