Curious about hot local issues where you live

[cally]

I vote on Tuesday and my hardest decision is who to support for Superior Court Judge. There are 10 men and one woman running for two spots. I know almost nothing about them but I get a phone call a night. The front runner is a Republican so I will not vote for him. This race stems from a a recall about three years ago where a few judges were acused of being insentive to women and children in divorce proceedings. The recall failed but most of those judges are now retiring.

I've already decided the other issues.

I'm curious about important issues in your locality.

(Any bets on how quickly this thread will die? :-))

[slappypan]

1. property taxes/school funding

The big issue in my community is a referendum on increasing property taxes to pay for schools. My neighbor with two school-age daughters is very concerned and has been handing out signs on our block. Skyrocketing health care costs are causing the budget problems. I will probably vote a reluctant yes — I don't have children but I think good schools are important.

[cally]

2. Vote yes...it will raise your property value

if you have good schools in your neighborhood. Not to mention that it's the right thing to do. :-)

[gmoney]

3. State Supreme Court...

Didn't even know we voted for State Supreme Court justices, but it's important. (They don't put the D or R notation next to them on the ballots, either.)

Like everywhere else, we have a local school levy and a county library levy... I plan to vote for both levies, and if they pass, it'll cost me about $400 a year, and my homeowners just went up about $250 a year, too. So much for the pittance I got BACK from Bush. I don't have kids, but I believe that educating kids is the ONLY hope of salvation for my community and our nation. Plus a strong school system protects my property value -- I live within about five blocks of an elementary school, a middle school, and a high school.

[cally]

4. I didn't know we voted for them either

I thought it was always a yes or no. I've never seen a race like this. There are signs all over and many canned phone calls. I need to be a quick study and figure this one out.

[readmylips]

5. AZ: Gas Prices Double/Aid for Military Fams Low

Gas Prices Doubled. Has been in the local paper all week. Gov Napolitano called for a federal investigation. The AZ repigs are down her throat for calling an investigation. What's wrong with repigs? They're all against investigations that are crucial to the nation.

2nd Story: below:

Aid for state military families runs low

Mark Henle/The Arizona Republic

Zach Locke is one of the people helped by two funds set up to assist military families in Arizona.

Little money remains in two charitable funds that help Arizona military families cope with financial strains.

Unless the money is replenished, the families of the 1,900 Arizona National Guard members and reservists serving in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere may lose one of the safety nets that helps them and others mobilized for Operation Iraqi Freedom survive economic hardship.

The Arizona National Guard Family Assistance Fund, established last March, has helped 347 families with grants or loans totaling $306,000 for things like rent, car repairs and medical bills. Fund administrators also have doled out $30,000 in gift cards to grocery stores.

Only $16,000 remains and the gift cards are gone. But there is no end in sight to the war in Iraq, or the need for Guard members and reservists to continue serving there, in Afghanistan and elsewhere.

Etc.....

Guard officials say many families have faced significant financial problems because of the difference between civilian and military pay.
"Some of these families are stretched penny to penny, paycheck to paycheck."
.....great for faith base, they can't even help our soldiers...

[cally]

6. Is that issue discussed?

It's very important but I never hear about it.

[seaglass]

7. We are on our third attempt in two years to get funding

for deperately needed school renovations for 3 schools.

Unfortunately in January we had a property reassessment that substantially increased taxes and we have a strong senior contingent who cannot afford any additional costs. In addition many of the townies are bullshit that the buildings have not been properly maintained.

I'm not optimistic that it's going to pass.

[cally]

9. We've passed them here

by exempting seniors from any property tax increase. Many of us were shocked to find that over 50 percent of parents in our district do not vote. There is a big push this time to get folks registered and to the polls.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

8. educational reform

the courts have ruled that small schools in Arkansas must consolodate. The furor has brought the state legislature to a standstill for about a year. People are mad-and will become madder on Monday, when the state sales tax goes up almost 1%. Personal property tax for businesses is going to start, as well as charging sales tax for services, which has infuriated the business community. I take an opportunity to mention how much Bush's policies have contributed to these latter issues.

[cally]

10. I don't understand

Why do they have to consolidate and what is the problem with it? Is it a remnant of segregation?