Barrett: Has The Political Tide Turned?

Arizona capitol

Do the recent events at the historic State Capitol show a change in the political tide? Good or bad is dependent totally on whether you’re a “D” or an “R”. The numbers each party is fighting for change is only two, yes 2! The number needed to swing control of the Capitol in 2020. Now it is time to ask, will the events that occurred as displayed have the desired effect for one side more than another? Or seal a fate of doom? Only the voters can answer that question.

The Arizona State Board of Education on June 24, 2019 held a hearing and unveiled by public comments there was a letter dated May 15th, 2019. The letter was from Senator Martin J. Quezada to Superintendent Instruction Kathy Hoffman. In the letter Senator Quezada stated, “that we can and should go further by adopting a more comprehensive version that has been discussed and agreed on by a large group of stakeholder organizations that also worked to repeal the no promo homo law.”

The Senator Quezada it should be noted did not appear for the Education hearing. The hearing attendance required three additional overflow rooms. The initial speakers were Senator Sylvia Allen, Representative Kelly Townsend, Representative Walter Blackman, former Superintendent of Instruction Diane Douglas. The results the Board made no motion. The ruling sent back to the Legislators.

Days later, Secretary of State Katie Hobbs set a state precedent by placing a gay pride flag on the office balcony of the historic state Capitol building. Her immediate comment was she said it was an Arizona first. Photos of the flags hanging hit social media websites like wildfire. Videos appeared on Twitter, Facebook and soon boomeranged to Instagram of this historic first. Next came the Arizona Legislative Council removing the Gay Pride flag along with a transgender pride flag that soon joined the first. One of the many social media responders was Purple for Parents raising questions to many of the elected officials.

Is this the turning of the tide for 2020?

Catherine Barrett is an Arizona Governor’s Master Teacher and currently Chair of citizens initiative petition, A Classroom Code of Ethics For Public Schools K-12. You can find her on Twitter @ReadersLeadPD, and on Facebook at Yes4Ethics.

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About Catherine A. Barrett 13 Articles
Catherine Barrett is an Arizona educator and chair of the Classroom Code of Ethics organization.