Funding for local public schools is on the ballot. Many Arizonans have received ballots in the mail for school bonds and overrides elections, which reapprove critical funding for public schools.  In Arizona, local K-12 schools rely on this funding due to the state legislature’s failure to invest in public education. Voting YES on school district ballot bonds and overrides to support public K-12 schools. For most Arizona counties, this is a vote-by-mail election only. Voters with a bond and/or override election (besides those in La Paz and Santa Cruz counties) will receive a ballot by mail even if they typically vote in person. Mail-in ballots must be mailed back by October 31st.

Chaos in the House. Instead of working together to address the needs of working families, MAGA extremists in Congress are preoccupied with fighting over the House Speakership after ousting Kevin McCarthy. Rep. Jim Jordan, who voted to steal the 2020 election and supports a national abortion ban, just lost his third vote for the top position. Arizona Reps. Juan Ciscomani and David Schweikert voted for him all three times. Meanwhile, they’re still pushing outrageous budget demands that would gut critical programs that invest in our economy while making working people shoulder the cost of more tax cuts for the wealthy.

What’s up with Arizona’s gas prices? No pun intended. Because the state is prone to pollution, parts of Arizona use a unique gas blend only sold in Maricopa County and parts of Pinal and Yavapai Counties. But supply issues this year have led to some price increases that have been painful on wallets. Lawmakers are currently looking at alternative solutions to address the costs.

October is LGBTQ+ History Month. Learn more about the origins of LGBTQ+ History Month, started in 1994 by a Missouri teacher.

Vote YES on school bonds and overrides, and mail your ballot back by October 31st. 

Learn how to register voters. The Pima County Recorder’s Office is hosting a community voter registration training on Tuesday, November 21st, at 2:00 p.m. Register here.

Phoenix Pride. While Pride is typically celebrated in June, Phoenix instead celebrates in October during LGBTQ+ History Month to avoid the summer heat.