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Opinion
Previous Opinion HeadlinesMarch 10th, 2010 Minimum wageArizona's unemployment rate remains at a high 9.2 percent, and the state's lawmakers should be commended for focusing on the creation of more entry-level jobs. Kudos to the Range News editorial board for also recognizing the need to address high minimum wage rates for entry-level workers ("A lower wage for teens? May be something to it," March 3).Candidate forumAs usual, Kudos for Kathy Smith and the Chamber of Commerce for their professionalism at the candidate's Forum. It was enjoyable and everyone spoke their minds on some very serious subjects.Tony's SaluteI would like to thank all of my friends and customers for their support at the recent golf tournament at Turquoise Hills in Benson. Your generosity is beyond belief!Give law enforcement tool to stop texting driversLawmakers trying to prohibit texting while driving have succeeded in resurrecting the legislation in the Arizona Senate. Senators last Thursday gave preliminary approval to the bill on a 17-11 vote, which would be enough support for passage on a formal vote that could occur next week. Senate passage would send the bill to the House.Shirking responsibilityWe write today to express our vigorous opposition to FY10-FY11 budget proposals to shift responsibility for state programs and costs onto county governments. Especially disturbing is a component of the Executive's Budget Recommendation to shift responsibility for the incarceration, treatment and education of convicted juvenile offenders onto counties from the Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections. As the chief elected law enforcement officials of our respective counties, each of us recognizes that such a flawed shift of responsibility away from the state onto county governments is impracticable, jeopardizes public safety and threatens both the short and long-term financial solvency of county governments across Arizona.Willcox Ag DayOn Feb. 3, 2010, the Cochise County Farm Service Agency Office participated in the Willcox Ag Day. Being that Willcox is an agricultural community, we asked for donations from farmers, ranchers and agricultural businesses to donate items derived from their businesses that would promote and advertise their farms, ranches and businesses. We prepared seven FSA buckets with donated items from all over Cochise County. Throughout the day, we held drawings for the buckets. It was a huge success!Arizona Horse BillRex Allen Jr. saddles up to support the Colonial Spanish Horse as the State Horse of Arizona now in the State Legislature in House Bill 2634.March 3rd, 2010 A lower wage for teens? May be something to it.We think the House Commerce Committee is onto something. A few days ago, they passed a new measure that would set the minimum wage for those 22 or younger to 75 percent of the state's minimum wage rate.Damage controlEveryone knows that we, as a country, are hurt badly. Of all the profusely bleeding wounds that we have suffered, our financial state is the wound most threatening to bleed us to death. In the triage room of immediate issues, the horrendously damaged economy should be the first patient cared for, and the climate should be given a number and a gurney in the hall.Budget cuts could put food safety at riskDesperate for a balanced state budget, some have recently suggested that we waive a wand and make the Arizona Department of Agriculture (ADA) disappear. These same people suggest that ADA subsidizes Arizona farmers and ranchers and that it's done out of general fund monies.No synthesis hereThe principle that an "idea or event (thesis) generates its opposite (antithesis) leading to a reconciliation of opposites (synthesis)" is attributed to Hegel. If we look at the last 75 years of American history through this lens (known as the dialectic) then the New Deal/Great Society era appears as thesis which inevitably generated its antithesis in the guise of Laissez-faire/"Reaganomics".'Our Towns' enjoyedCongratulations on a great edition of Our Towns! I just had to email to tell all involved in producing this wonderful, positive, enlightening, well written, community oriented publication......THANKS! |
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