Category Archives: Education Policy

Podcast December 17, 2023

The “Think Tanks” That Control The Republican Party. Steve Williamson and Gary LaMaster examine the rightwing organizations that hold sway over the GOP by creating policies, selecting judges, and funding candidates. Since the 1970s, these so-called think tanks have grown … Continue reading

Posted in Abortion, Autocracy, Bigotry, Campaign Finance, Civil Rights, Conservative Paranoia, Conservatives and Reactionaries, Constitutional Issues, Corporations, Corruption, Disinformation, Domestic Extremism, Economic Theory, Education Policy, Energy Policy, Fiscal Policy, Foreign Policy, Front Organizations, Government, Israel, Judicial System, LGBTQ Issues, Middle East Policy, Military Policy, Misogyny, National Politics, Political Action Committees, Political History, Political Polarization, Presidential Elections, Privatization, Public Education, Public Policy, Religion, Supreme Court, Taxation, U.S. Court System, Voting, Women's Rights | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Podcast December 17, 2023

Oliphant Interview – Podcast September 4, 2023

A Years’ Long Commitment To Fairness And Equity. Steve Williamson and Karen McClelland welcome Bob Oliphant back to the show. Oliphant is a former law school professor and dean who has been tracking geographic inequities in the availability of Yavapai … Continue reading

Posted in Community, Community Activism, Continuing Education, Education, Education Funding, Education Policy, Ethics, Interviews, Public Accountability, Public Education, Tax Revenues | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Oliphant Interview – Podcast September 4, 2023

Deardon Interview – Podcast August 7, 2023

Reflecting On 50 Years In Public Education. Karen McClelland welcomes Dennis Deardon, former superintendent of Sedona Oak Creek Unified School District, who recently retired after nearly 50 years in education. He says, “The political landscape has certainly changed in the … Continue reading

Posted in Community, Education, Education Funding, Education Policy, Interviews, Local Politics, Public Education | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Deardon Interview – Podcast August 7, 2023

War On Woke – Podcast July 17, 2023

The Right Wing’s War On Woke. Though it seems no one can actually define what Woke means, the so-called War on Woke has become the GOP’s latest attempt to divide us based on rewriting history, discriminating against the LGBTQ community, … Continue reading

Posted in Arizona Politics, Banking And Finance, Bigotry, Business Cultural Change, Civil Liberties, Civil Society, Community, Community Activism, Conservative Paranoia, Conservatives and Reactionaries, Conspiracy Theories, Constitutional Issues, Cultural Change, Cultural Diversity, Democratic Governance, Disinformation, Domestic Extremism, Education, Education Policy, Elections, Ethics, Founding Fathers, Front Organizations, Human Rights, LGBT Issues, LIberals and Conservatives, Local Politics, Morality, National Politics, Native American Issues, Political Clubs, Political Lies, Public Education, Racism, Religion | Tagged , , | Comments Off on War On Woke – Podcast July 17, 2023

Del Palacio Interview – Podcast June 26, 2023

The Critical Importance Of School Boards. Steve Williamson and Karen McClelland welcome to Devin Del Palacio to discuss his views on education as a long-time volunteer and advocate. He has been a school board member for 8 years, served at … Continue reading

Posted in Arizona Politics, Civil Society, Community Activism, Democratic Governance, Domestic Policy, Education, Education Policy, Elections, Government, Infrastructure, Interviews, LIberals and Conservatives, Local Politics, Political Polarization, Public Education, Public Service, Voting | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Del Palacio Interview – Podcast June 26, 2023

Sonderegger Interview – Podcast March 27, 2023

Unifying Progressives For 2024. Steve Williamson and Karen McClelland welcome Aubrey Sonderegger of PORT (Progressive Organizers Round Table), a group created to unify progressive organizations in northern Arizona. Sonderegger is a mother who says she got involved in politics after … Continue reading

Posted in Arizona Politics, Civil Liberties, Community Activism, Democratic Governance, Domestic Extremism, Education, Education Policy, Elections, Environmental Issues, Fiscal Policy, Funding, Government, Interviews, Investment Banking, Monetary Policy, National Politics, Political Polarization, Public Health Policy, Tax and Investment Policy, Voting, Women's Issues, Women's Rights | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Sonderegger Interview – Podcast March 27, 2023

Casteen Interview – Podcast March 20, 2023

Bigotry Under The Banner Of Religion. Karen McClelland welcomes Jeanne Casteen of Secular Coalition AZ. The organization is a lobbying group and watchdog for policies that erode the separation of church and state which is enshrined in the Constitution. Article … Continue reading

Posted in Anti-Gay Discrimination, Arizona Politics, Bigotry, Child Protection, Civil Liberties, Civil Rights, Community Activism, Constitutional Issues, Cultural Change, Cultural Diversity, Democratic Governance, Demographic Trends, Domestic Extremism, Education, Education Policy, Elections, Government, Interviews, Legal Issues, LGBT Issues, Local Politics, National Politics, Political Polarization, Public Education, Public Policy, Religion, Theocracy | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Casteen Interview – Podcast March 20, 2023

Indicavitch Interview – Podcast February 27, 2023

Fending Off Republicans’ Continuing Attacks On Education. Steve and Karen welcome Nicki Indicavitch, State Outreach Director for Save Our Schools Arizona. A mother of five kids, she became involved with the organization after discovering how difficult it is for public … Continue reading

Posted in Arizona Politics, Community, Conservative Paranoia, Conservatives and Reactionaries, Conspiracy Theories, Cultural Change, Domestic Extremism, Education, Education Funding, Education Policy, Government, Interviews, Local Politics, National Politics, Political Polarization, Privatization, Public Education, Special Interest Legislation | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Indicavitch Interview – Podcast February 27, 2023

Year-End Review – Podcast December 26, 2022

Looking At 2022 In The Rearview Mirror. Co-hosts Steve Williamson and Karen McClelland are joined by contributors Stephen Hanks and Gary LaMaster to discuss what they consider some of the biggest stories of 2022. Topics range from the ethically and … Continue reading

Posted in Arizona Politics, Civil Society, Conservatives and Reactionaries, Conspiracy Theories, Disinformation, Domestic Extremism, Domestic Terrorism, Education, Education Funding, Education Policy, Elections, Government, Local Politics, National Politics, Political Lies, Political Parties, Political Polarization, Public Education | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Year-End Review – Podcast December 26, 2022

Quezada Interview – Podcast September 19, 2022

Investing In Arizona. Not Politics. Steve Williamson and Karen McClelland welcome Arizona Senator Martin Quezada, candidate for Arizona State Treasurer. Quezada says that treasurer is a much different role than serving in the Senate. “The role of treasurer, ideally, should … Continue reading

Posted in Arizona Politics, Banking And Finance, Climate Change, Economic Policy, Education, Education Policy, Elections, Environmental Issues, Ethics, Fiscal Policy, Global Warming, Government, Interviews, Monetary Policy, Political Candidacy, Public Accountability, Tax and Investment Policy | Tagged , | Comments Off on Quezada Interview – Podcast September 19, 2022