John C. Scott
J.C. Scott: Farley holding health-care town halls
On Monday's edition:
We started the show with Christina Sandefur of the Goldwater Institute. The right-wing thinktank contends that Medicaid expansion did not pass with a two-thirds vote of both houses of the Legislature necessary to approve any new tax or increase an existing tax. While supporters of the measure frame the law as imposing a fee rather than a tax, Goldwater is pursuing a court challenge.
20 min: We were joined by Washington commentator Jimmy Zuma, who discussed a possible government shutdown, Rep. Raul Grijalva's new immigration bill and the announced retirement of IRS official Lois Lerner.
37 min: Next up was Pima County Bond Advisory Committee Chairman Larry Hecker, who talked about committee's recommendation not to go to voters with a bond proposal until 2015 at the earliest.
51 min: We started the hour with state Sen. Steve Farley (D-LD10), who invited listeners to join him Tuesday at 2 p.m. and Wednesday at 7 p.m. for tel-town hall on health care exchanges. To take part, dial 559-726-1200, then punch in access code 448012 followed by the pound sign. Farley also commented on the Medicaid expansion lawsuit being brought by the Goldwater Institute, preservation of downtown art projects, efforts to overhaul Arizona's income tax and the delay of further widening of Interstate 10 to Phoenix.
73 min: We talked with Arizona Capitol Times Editor Jim Small, who summarized reporting on the effects of new election laws on the "resign to run" rule and campaign donations, former Rep. Daniel Patterson's announcement that he is exploring a run for the Corporation Commission, the higher standard the the election bill referendum will be held to, the dynamics of the Senate with new lawmakers and Gov. Jan Brewer's decision to change the "Common Core" moniker to "Arizona College and Career Readiness Standards."
87 min: We finished the show with Middle East expert Prof. Stephen Zunes, who spoke in depth about the terrorist attack on a upscale mall in Nairobi, Kenya. Attackers have killed at least 68 people, injured 175, and are believed to still be holding 10 people hostage.
