The Political Notebook

Robert Robb provides analysis of the Arizona primary races for Governor and U.S. Senate. Will the Democrats' early attacks against Martha McSally pay off? Will courting the Trump vote end up hurting the Republican Senate nominee in the general? Is David Garcia making too many mistakes to survive?

Beth Lewis and Dawn Penich-Thacker of the education group Save Our Schools join the podcast to talk about their efforts to defeat the expansion of vouchers in Arizona. Thanks to their referendum campaign, the voucher expansion law will be on the ballot this November as Prop. 305.

Tom Collins is the executive director of the Citizens Clean Elections Commission in Arizona. We talk about the legal functions of the commission, the rationale behind its existence, and the current effort to limit its independence. At the end of the podcast, we debate the legacy of LeBron James.

Arizona realtors are pushing a ballot initiative to ban a sales tax on services. How might this affect the bigger picture of taxation and revenue? Will anyone (besides tax policy wonks) care enough to seriously oppose the initiative?

An analysis of two more Arizona ballot initiatives: Outlaw Dirty Money, and Clean Energy for a Healthy Arizona

What's in the Invest in Ed ballot initiative? Will it pass?

Is there room for other political parties in the U.S.? Will an independent run for president in 2020?

What will be Justice Kennedy's legacy? Will McConnell succeed in jamming through a replacement?

Danny Robb talks about government contracts during the Space Race, the positive externalities of exploration, and the existential reasons to keep exploring. This is the second of a two-episode series. The previous episode is about the history of European exploration.

Danny Robb joins the podcast to talk about the history of exploration. How did public-private partnerships encourage the continuation of European exploration of the Americas? Part 1 looks at the politics of European exploration. Part 2 will look at the politics of the Space Race, and the future of space exploration.

Do Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan, and Barack Obama have anything in common?

How much solar energy and how fast? Are we running out of water in Phoenix?

Does #RedforEd have a second act? Did Doug Ducey steal the education issue? What's up with the Invest in Education initiative?

Skepticism about Ducey's pay proposal for teachers. Getting rid of the frustrations with dealing with healthcare.

Are #RedforEd's demands realistic? What's the most practical way of achieving them?

A conversation with Matt Emerson, author of "Why Faith? A Journey of Discovery"

What does the churn in the Trump White House mean for the negotiations with North Korea and trade with China? Will Trump fire Mueller?

Is criticizing pro-education ads the way to get an increase in teacher pay?

Is there a path forward for more funding for K-12 education and teacher pay that doesn't involve a strike? Would a strike help or hurt the cause?

A review of current politics: What are Democratic prospects in Arizona's congressional races? The changing Trump effect on the Ward-McSally primary. Is Ducey in trouble? Why can't millennials stand Trump?

Is there really such a thing as common sense gun-control? Will Trump make a difference?

A shoutout to leaders who exemplify Arizona: Jon Kyl, Alfredo Gutierrez, Jerry Colangelo, Lou Witzeman

Was the release of the Nunes memo necessary or irresponsible? Is there a pathway to legalization for dreamers that goes around Trump?

A conversation with Richard de Uriarte, longtime Arizona journalist and political observer. Topics: Trump and the media; the changing politics of Arizona and Phoenix

Who's to blame for the government shutdown? Republicans? Democrats? Or the filibuster rule? Is there still hope for a deal providing legal status for Dreamers? Will we just get a replay as the new deadline approaches?