On Feb. 18, the Tucson City Council is scheduled to consider a tax-break plan for HomeGoods to build an 800,000-square-foot distribution center.
The Star obtained an early transcript of the future debate.
BANG-BANG-BANG!
Mayor Redscreen: “Let’s bring this meeting to order. The first item on the agenda is to complete the deal for HomeGoods and their proposed distribution center near Tucson International Airport.
“You’ll recall they’re planning to hire around 400 employees the first year, all fully insured and paid at least $11.80 an hour, that figure increasing year over year. County just approved their part in the deal, and we can wrap it up for Tucson with our vote. Any discussion? Councilmember Uhug?”
Council member Uhug: “Yes, I understand the value of jobs to some people in Tucson, but I have looked through this plan and see not one mention of transit, keeping fares down or the Bus Riders’ Union. Seems like a major oversight.”
Redscreen: “Oversight?”
Uhug: “Well, I’d like to propose an amendment or two to the city’s tax-incentive plan, this giveaway to a Massachusetts corporation. First would be express buses from the Tohono, Ronstadt and Laos transit centers to the new HomeGoods building — paid for by the company — and second would be the Bus Riders’ Unit there.”
Redscreen: “The what?!”
Uhug: “This is a special HomeGoods unit staffed solely by Bus Riders’ Union members. They’ll help the new employees get SunTran cards, orient them to their transit options and give out the yellow Bus Riders Union T-shirts, which would also serve as HomeGoods’ standard uniform. At least in Tucson.”
Redscreen: “Well, I’m not sure the company even has uniforms. I’d like to remind the council we have HomeGoods executives in the audience here.”
Council member Quikatrik: “If I may, mayor. The Star featured my comments about this tax-break deal on the front page last week, and on the inside pages yesterday, and on the back page today. I’m hoping for front page again tomorrow. The point is, we have not yet received clarity from HomeGoods on whether the distribution center will be a gun-free zone.”
Redscreen: ”But, guns — .”
Quikatrik: “It would be irresponsible of this city and perhaps even open us up to liability if we grant HomeGoods incentives and bring them here without first ensuring a gun-free perimeter around their facility. And as you’ve read, I think a new gun smelter — a pilot project where gun owners can melt down their weapons outside the distribution center and receive HomeGoods gift certificates in return — ought to be a condition of any tax breaks.
Redscreen: [Deep exhalation] Yes, Councilmember Romalva?”
Romalva: “The city of Tucson owns five golf courses, — five! — losing us millions of dollars year after year, and they want to build on some open desert by the airport?! I want to know — did the city staff show HomeGoods the Silverbell golf course? Did we show them Fred Enke?”
Redscreen: “What about El Rio?”
Romalva: “Have you learned nothing Mayor Redscreen?! I am offended that you don’t understand El Rrrrio [extended rolled R] is sacred ground for the pueblo of the West Side.”
Redscreen: “I’m sorry. Discúlpame.”
Council member Runninggame: “Mayor I’ve got to say this is a real win for the city and my office in particular. They forgot to mention it, but I understand there were 195 postcards sent by my constituents encouraging them to come here. That was a crucial part of them picking Tucson, the Greatest. City. Ever.”
Redscreen: “I thought that was Tesla.”
Runninggame: “Who are we talking about?”
[HomeGoods executives stand up and start walking out.]
Redscreen: “Waaaiiiitttttt!!!!!”
State of state irony
The excitement about Doug Ducey’s governorship is palpable when you’re talking with Republicans and some conservatively-inclined independents.
He’s a fresh face from the business sector without the baggage that some recent Republican officeholders carried (see: Horne, Tom and Brewer, Jan). His platform appeals broadly to those on the right, and he’s trying to position himself as a governor for everyone, not a divider.
So I can understand why it’s a buzzkill for Republicans to hear the critiques arise immediately after his State of the State speech, critiques like mine in Wednesday’s column and even more pointed ones like that made by Rep. Rebecca Rios, a Phoenix Democrat.
She highlighted the irony that Ducey made an issue of deadbeat dads in his speech, but at the same time refused to ask the Legislature to pay the $317 million it owes public schools under a court order. In essence, she said, he’s letting the deadbeat Legislature off the hook.
Ducey will be fine, though. He’ll always have supporters like the dark-money king Sean Noble, who applauded the speech, saying “Governor Doug Ducey once again defies conventional wisdom by demonstrating that he will be a governor for all the people, ensuring opportunity for everyone.”
New schools chief disappoints the right
The new state superintendent of public instruction, Diane Douglas, was pushed into office by grassroots support from the right wing of the Republican Party because of her opposition to the Common Core standards. Tucson Unified School District’s ethnic-studies program was not a big issue in the campaign.
So it surprised and disappointed many of her supporters when she put out a statement Jan. 8 that supported ethnic studies in principle: “If any child educated in Arizona is not exposed to the suffering, trials and triumphs of all ethnic groups who have contributed to our state’s rich cultural mix, then we are failing to teach accurate history.”
The Arizona Republic praised her for finding a position of “nuance” in the ethnic studies debate, but the headline at SeeingRedAZ, a conservative blog said, “Diane Douglas disappointingly parses ethnic studies.”
There is palpable disappointment,” the article says, “at Douglas’ apparent willingness to expand and breathe new life into the discredited program.”
