Powers For the People

Labor Unions Protest Amazon on May Day (video)

Posted on May 6, 2023May 5, 2023 by Pamela Powers

Protesting outside of an Amazon warehouse on May 1, International Workers Day, has become an tradition for Tucson labor unions. Organized by the Pima Area Labor Federation (PALF), the 2023 event drew about 50 protesters on a blustery day. AFL-CIO Organizing Specialist Ryan Kelly highlighted many union organizing accomplishments in the past year.

This video includes the speeches from several Tucson union leaders. It was heartening to see so many young people rising in the ranks of a revived union movement in the US. (My apologies for the wind and the street noise.)

‘Tamale Bill’ Isn’t about Tamales (video)

Posted on May 5, 2023June 2, 2023 by Pamela Powers

Pamela Powers, A View from the Left Side

The Arizona House made the New York Times on April 25, 2023, not because they crafted a bipartisan budget that fully funds education. No. Not because they voted to protect our ground water. No. Not because they repealed the horrific Flat Tax. No. The Arizona House made the news because there was a heated debate to over turn Governor Katie Hobbs’ veto of The Tamale Bill (HB 2509). Hobbs vetoed the bill over public health concerns. Unfortunately, the grandstanding on the Floor of the House focuses on politics not public health. I applaud the governor for her veto. Regulating food vendors to protect the food supply is an issue. E. coli and salmonella are dangers.

When Libertarian Speaker Pro Tempore Travis Grantham proposed HB2509, he wasn’t trying to help street vendors who are illegally selling uninspected meat, poultry and dairy products. HB2509 is a broad expansion of the cottage foods bill passed in 2018. HB2509 is deregulation of food service to the point of being dangerous.

I applaud the governor for her veto. Regulating food vendors to protect the food supply is an issue.

Street food is fun and adventurous. Let’s make it safer. This video explains the current law and the changes that HB2509 would have put into place. HB2509 was a bad bill. It was NOT the solution. It is model legislation from Americans for Prosperity and the Institute for Justice.

I’m Back (video)

Posted on April 27, 2023May 5, 2023 by Pamela Powers

I retired from the Arizona Legislature in January 2023 after serving for six years. In many ways, I was an embedded journalist in the Arizona House, not just a Legislature. During those six years, I created hundreds of update videos and two seasons of my podcast A View from the Left Side.

After a few months of shifting gears, transitioning out of the Legislature, and making changes in my personal life, I’m back in action.

Look for more video updates and podcast episodes about the Legislature and many other topics. I’m free to say what I want now that I am no longer a politician. Also, I’m working on a Powers for the People Substack and will let you know when that is operational.

Stay tuned for more news and commentary.

10 Props in 14 Minutes: What You Need to Know About Arizona’s Ballot Propositions (video)

Posted on October 17, 2022October 18, 2022 by Pamela Powers

Election Day, Nov. 8, is fast approaching.

Early ballots are arriving in mailboxes all over Arizona.

Signs are popping up on street corners, in front yards and on vehicles around town.

Social media is abuzz with clever memes and video pop-ups to snag your attention and sway your vote on candidates and issues.

Traditional television advertising is carpet-bombing living rooms across the nation with negative messages fueled by special interest groups, billionaires, and dark money.

This tsunami of mixed messages from random sources with questionable credentials leaves many voters overwhelmed and wondering which messages are true and which messengers are trustworthy.

This is where constituent education comes in …

Continue reading 10 Props in 14 Minutes: What You Need to Know About Arizona’s Ballot Propositions (video)

Arizona’s 10 Ballot Propositions: The Good, the Bad & the Ugly (video)

Posted on October 7, 2022October 10, 2022 by Pamela Powers

Arizonans will face a long ballot when they cast their votes in the November 8, 2022 election. Besides voting on statewide, legislative, judicial and school board candidates, there are 10 propositions on the ballot. Of the 10 propositions, eight were referred to the voters by the Legislature. For the Legislature to make a ballot referral, the body must pass enabling legislation. Six of the legislative referrals are bad ideas that limit the rights of Arizonans or attempt to game the system. Five of them are Constitutional Amendments.

My views on the propositions are in the graphic. Below, you can read more about the propositions and watch the two part video from The Arizona Ground Game (TAGG) Speed Dating the Ballot Propositions event held on Sept. 17, 2022 and inserted at the end.

Continue reading Arizona’s 10 Ballot Propositions: The Good, the Bad & the Ugly (video)

Podcast: National Infrastructure Bank Would Rebuild US, Create Jobs & Restore Global Competitiveness

Posted on August 6, 2022September 13, 2022 by Pamela Powers

In our history, beginning with President George Washington and Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton, the US has created four National Infrastructure Banks (NIB). Under Presidents Washington, John Quincy Adams, Abraham Lincoln, Herbert Hoover, and Franklin Roosevelt, National Infrastructure Banks built and upgraded infrastructure across the country from roads, damns and bridges to health clinics, schools and the national parks; provided productive work and good pay for thousands if not millions of Americans; increased production and manufacturing capacity nationwide; and created economic vitality.

Continue reading Podcast: National Infrastructure Bank Would Rebuild US, Create Jobs & Restore Global Competitiveness