Most Republicans are very concerned about the masking up of our K-12 children and university students, vaccine mandates, vaccine passports, and discrimination in schools based on who is or isn’t vaccinated. While we have made our voices heard at our local school boards, five of the major school districts in Pima County (TUSD, Amphi, Sunnyside, Marana, and Catalina Foothills) are mandating that our children wear masks in the classroom. At least 14 Arizona school districts have implemented COVID-19 mask mandates since schools opened this year. While Governor Ducey has said those mandates are illegal, a Maricopa County Superior Court judge ruled that districts currently could require masks because the law does not take effect until September 29th. Governor Ducey has offered the “carrot rather than the stick” by creating two grant programs that would provide funds to families and school districts that reject mask mandates. As you would anticipate, State Superintendent Kathy Hoffman called Governor Ducey’s plan an “outrageous attack on public education”. School districts that follow all state laws and avoid closures of in-person instruction can apply for a per-pupil funding boost from the $163 million of federal grant funding. Schools must come in compliance by August 27th.
The City of Tucson
The Pima County Republican Party supports the efforts of our Precinct Committeemen who are leading the charge at our school district meetings, rallies for our healthcare workers, and rallies for our First Responders who are being forced to vax. The Tucson Police Officers Association requested a judge place an injunction to stop the city’s vaccination policy from taking effect. TPOA argued the measure was against state law signed by the governor earlier this year preventing local governments from enacting vaccination mandates. The city attorneys argue that the law doesn’t take place until September 29. Judge Gordon ruled in favor of the City of Tucson. This overreach of local government is alarming.
What Can We Do?
The question that I keep getting is what can we do about it. Pima County Republican Party had a briefing from the Goldwater Institute on Saturday regarding Critical Race Theory (CRT) and Social Emotional Learning (SEL), and it was excellent. During the Q & A, I brought up that Pima County is just short of anarchy with our City Council and Board of Supervisors ignoring the Governor and the rule of law. The answer was not the one I was hoping for—remove the funding from the districts and shut them down and defund the City of Tucson, pull all state funds from the Board of Supervisors and shut down the county. Unfortunately, the answer that I got was in line with what we are doing—attend school board meetings and use the Call to the Public as an opportunity to voice your concern. Attend the city council meetings and board of supervisor meetings and voice your concern. Write emails. Make phone calls. Hold rallies.
As of Monday, August 23, I will suggest this:
To Governor Ducey: There are 37 days until September 29th. Governor Ducey, effective September 29th, the citizens of Pima County are asking you to ARREST every GOVERNING BOARD MEMBER in school districts that require masks; ARREST the Tucson City Council members and mayor who vote to continue requiring masks of our city employees, ARREST the Board of Supervisors who vote to require masks of our county employees. The democrats have made this political and the Republicans are going to do what is in the best interest of the people of Pima County.
To our Precinct Committeemen:
Approximately one-third of our voters are PND or Independent. They do not agree with the debacle that the Biden, Romero, and Bronson administrations are implementing. Our Governing Boards who have relinquished their power and authority and are following the NEA, ASBA, and AEA have lost touch with the children, parents, and taxpayers. Contact your PNDs and INDs and re-register them.
Elections have consequences, and we are living them right now. Join me as we change Pima County.