Back when he was my rep in the old LD23, I called Kavanagh to ask how we could better fund schools. Of his many offensive (and racist) replies I particularly enjoyed when he referred to people that could afford private school but send their children to public school “leeches on society”. A man who has only ever made his living with a government check referred to me as a leech because my child attended her neighborhood school. But, that’s what you get with Kavanagh- rank hypocrisy and a hefty dose of boorish incivility.
Positive change, especially when those in power oppose it, is always hard. And progress can require many failures to have a single success. But youthful energy is a critical part of these changes. I hope that these students keep pushing despite the failures, and that they take encouragement from the success that did happen. And the more experienced among us play our role by pointing out the limitations - both roles are necessary for positive change.
Mya’s experience with Ken Bennett gives me a glimmer of hope. Soon to be snuffed out by a cascade of right-wing bullshit, I’m sure, but enjoying it for the moment.
I'm glad that Bennett won't support the transgender ballot measure and thrilled to read about Mya's successful activism, but Bennett told on himself (and the entire GOP) when he said he won't support the measure because he has nieces and nephews who may be impacted. This is another example of the "GOP empathy gap" in which the GOP cannot support (or oppose) any measure unless it directly impacts those they know and love (remember Dick Cheney supporting gay marriage because of his gay daughter or any number of GOP members of Congress who have become open minded on abortion when their daughters have needed one?). The GOP needs to consider the impact of any measure on society as a whole, not just how it impacts their immediate circle. Rant over.
The overwhelming majority of legislators don't make time to meet with students and receive no criticism but those of us that do are criticized if we disagree with them. Unbelievable.
I asked you about funding resources for schools. We talked about falling income taxes and sales tax (due to the recession). I said, well, I understand all that. A lot of people are out of work. You said (and, I’m paraphrasing) that the people who have really been impacted most are construction workers and most of them are illegals and you asked if I’d ever been by a KB Homes job site- they were all “illegals”.
I was so shocked by what you said and your tone that I called a reporter at the Arizona Republic. I related the conversation because, to my mind, this was newsworthy that a representative at the state legislature was so blasé about how the recession was affecting people, the condemnation that anyone would cost tax payers money by sending their children to public schools and the derisive use of brining up “illegals”. I said to the reporter, “he doesn’t know i didn’t record the call. The reporter laughed and asked, “Are you new here? This isn’t a secret. Everything he said would elevate him with his voters. This isn’t a story.”
But, I’m sure that over your many, many, many years in the legislature, hopping from house to the senate and back again, you can point to proposed legislation or bills that you voted for or advocated for that proves that you do think Arizona students and their parents deserve well funded public schools. Surely, you can point to the number of times you darkened the doorstep of one of the public school districts in your jurisdiction to see how you can be of assistance in your legislative capacity (and, no, coming once in 16 years to show up grousing about masks and asking to have a superintendent fired doesn’t count.)
Please, show all of us proof that you are the more believable party in this “she said, he said” scenario. I, for one, am incredibly interested to see you try and spin yourself as some kind of public schools champion. 🙄
It may not be helpful to say this...but, Arizona would be a better place if John Kavanaugh would just go away.
Back when he was my rep in the old LD23, I called Kavanagh to ask how we could better fund schools. Of his many offensive (and racist) replies I particularly enjoyed when he referred to people that could afford private school but send their children to public school “leeches on society”. A man who has only ever made his living with a government check referred to me as a leech because my child attended her neighborhood school. But, that’s what you get with Kavanagh- rank hypocrisy and a hefty dose of boorish incivility.
I never said that
Positive change, especially when those in power oppose it, is always hard. And progress can require many failures to have a single success. But youthful energy is a critical part of these changes. I hope that these students keep pushing despite the failures, and that they take encouragement from the success that did happen. And the more experienced among us play our role by pointing out the limitations - both roles are necessary for positive change.
Mya’s experience with Ken Bennett gives me a glimmer of hope. Soon to be snuffed out by a cascade of right-wing bullshit, I’m sure, but enjoying it for the moment.
I'm glad that Bennett won't support the transgender ballot measure and thrilled to read about Mya's successful activism, but Bennett told on himself (and the entire GOP) when he said he won't support the measure because he has nieces and nephews who may be impacted. This is another example of the "GOP empathy gap" in which the GOP cannot support (or oppose) any measure unless it directly impacts those they know and love (remember Dick Cheney supporting gay marriage because of his gay daughter or any number of GOP members of Congress who have become open minded on abortion when their daughters have needed one?). The GOP needs to consider the impact of any measure on society as a whole, not just how it impacts their immediate circle. Rant over.
Very disappointed if the statements from Fontes & Terech are accurate.
The overwhelming majority of legislators don't make time to meet with students and receive no criticism but those of us that do are criticized if we disagree with them. Unbelievable.
You did.
I asked you about funding resources for schools. We talked about falling income taxes and sales tax (due to the recession). I said, well, I understand all that. A lot of people are out of work. You said (and, I’m paraphrasing) that the people who have really been impacted most are construction workers and most of them are illegals and you asked if I’d ever been by a KB Homes job site- they were all “illegals”.
I was so shocked by what you said and your tone that I called a reporter at the Arizona Republic. I related the conversation because, to my mind, this was newsworthy that a representative at the state legislature was so blasé about how the recession was affecting people, the condemnation that anyone would cost tax payers money by sending their children to public schools and the derisive use of brining up “illegals”. I said to the reporter, “he doesn’t know i didn’t record the call. The reporter laughed and asked, “Are you new here? This isn’t a secret. Everything he said would elevate him with his voters. This isn’t a story.”
But, I’m sure that over your many, many, many years in the legislature, hopping from house to the senate and back again, you can point to proposed legislation or bills that you voted for or advocated for that proves that you do think Arizona students and their parents deserve well funded public schools. Surely, you can point to the number of times you darkened the doorstep of one of the public school districts in your jurisdiction to see how you can be of assistance in your legislative capacity (and, no, coming once in 16 years to show up grousing about masks and asking to have a superintendent fired doesn’t count.)
Please, show all of us proof that you are the more believable party in this “she said, he said” scenario. I, for one, am incredibly interested to see you try and spin yourself as some kind of public schools champion. 🙄
Agree 100 percent.