Last Week This Morning: Billionaire tax?

By TJ Hernandez

Number one cause of death. A new report from the Arizona Public Health Association established COVID-19 as the leading cause of death in Arizona. Gov. Doug Ducey has failed to act over the last 18 months and in many cases, restricted local officials from enacting measures to curb the spread of COVID-19 even using federal relief funds as a political pawn. Ducey shamelessly bragged about his lack of leadership in D.C. last week, claiming Republicans saved lives. In reality, over 20,000 Arizonans have died, many as a direct result of Ducey’s political games.

Voting rights fail. Again. Republicans filibustered the Freedom to Vote Act on Wednesday, preventing the Senate from even beginning debate on the package. This is the third time this year that Republicans have blocked legislation to protect voting rights, as their counterparts in states across the country rush to pass anti-voter legislation. Pres. Biden is now signaling that he is ready for Senate Democrats to end the filibuster to protect the right to vote, after months of Republican obstruction. 

Tax on billionaires? House and Senate Democrats are continuing negotiations to pass the Build Back Better reconciliation plan. Some provisions such as Medicare expansion and measures to address climate change are being disputed, while Sen. Sinema’s opposition to raising taxes on corporations has Democrats considering a possible wealth tax on billionaires to help pay for it. 

Sinema loses veteran support. Five members of Sen. Sinema’s veterans advisory committee quit last week, telling her that she needs to stop “hanging her constituents out to dry”. Watch the new ad from Common Defense addressing her siding with donors instead of Arizonans.

Give your feedback. The Independent Redistricting Commission has been mapping all week and they are getting ready to approve draft maps on Thursday, Oct. 28. But they need your feedback by Tuesday morning before their public meeting! You can view the maps here. You can email your feedback directly to the commission at  ircadmin@azdoa.govor visit irc.az.gov/contact-us.