Sun, Jul 05, 2009

Opinion

Thorns & Flowers

Tucson, Arizona | Published: 06.20.2008
FlowerS to Rep. Raúl Grijalva, who along with Sen. Barack Obama, was named "Legislator of the Year," by the National Forum to Accelerate Middle-Grades Reform. Grijalva introduced and Obama is lead Senate sponsor of the Success in the Middle Act, which would provide $1 billion to states for improving the lowest-performing middle schools.
ThornS to the Arizona state Senate, which on Monday voted 12-12 (six senators didn't vote) to kill a bill that would have prohibited sales of animals on roadsides or on adjacent public property. The proposal was aimed at cutting down on puppy mills, and had been passed by the House. The tie vote kills the bill.
A SUNFlower to the Tucson City Council for passing an ordinance requiring that all new housing built in city be solar-ready. This means owners will spend less if they eventually decide to add solar water heaters or solar electric systems. The cost will be between $50 and $200 per house depending on the exact specs, now in the works, according to City Councilmember Nina Trasoff.