State Parks under attack (again)

[PaleoRob]

Looks like the temporary reprieve that the state parks got is going to vanish again. State legislators are planning on shutting all state parks and slashing pay for all state employees (does that include the legislators as well?) in order to save money. Never mind that the state treasurer said that the state could lay off every single state employee and still be in the hole, but oh well.
No much of a person to get on a political rant, but I feel that our legislature over the past decade or so has generally done us a terrible disservice, and their current behavior is right in line with that. Why not let the voters decide themselves if they want a sales tax increase? Uh oh, the uninformed masses might do something that goes ideologically against what you like. Guess what? The public should get the final word, not you. So irritated this morning.

[JimmyLyding]

Well, the ONLY thing that any of the primary/secondary education seems to be concerned about is AIMS.. don't get me started on what I'm paying the U for my wife's postgraduate work Really, as much as I hate to say it.. with kids, leaving Arizona is beginning to be the best bet for their futures

I love how Sorority Susie from CA can stay here a year and get in-state tuition, too. CA plates on her beamer still, and all...

Actually, Jeff, they've cracked down on that big-time.

[Jeffshadows]

Well, the ONLY thing that any of the primary/secondary education seems to be concerned about is AIMS.. don't get me started on what I'm paying the U for my wife's postgraduate work Really, as much as I hate to say it.. with kids, leaving Arizona is beginning to be the best bet for their futures

I love how Sorority Susie from CA can stay here a year and get in-state tuition, too. CA plates on her beamer still, and all...

Actually, Jeff, they've cracked down on that big-time.

Not around here. I have fifty or sixty specimens living within a stone's throw of my pad...

[azbackpackr]

We have had so many fly-by-night charter schools in our town that most of us have lost count. One woman actually somehow got title to the vehicles and property and was able to sell the property, and absconded with the money and vehicles to another state. As for the "education" the kids receive at these places, it's a joke.

I knew a woman who taught at one of the schools. Of course, she had no teaching degree. However, she was an honorable person, and when the owner of the school asked her to lie about the attendance numbers, she refused, so she was fired.

I'm sure there are some charter schools that are good, or at least ok, and have good intentions. Both of my sons attended a couple of the schools that used to be here, to pick up several high school credits they needed. They said it was a bit hit and miss as to what was being taught. They did encounter some good teachers, some bad.

[Jeffshadows]

I completely forgot about that Part, Liz: Most of the people working for that school I was describing had NO formal education experience or credentials. I have no idea how these places operate the way they do...

[PaleoRob]

Well, the ONLY thing that any of the primary/secondary education seems to be concerned about is AIMS.

Do we have a choice? If "we" (and by we, I mean the students) perform badly, than "we" (by we I mean the school district) loses some of what little money does get to us, or if it goes on long enough with failing AIMS, the state can come in and take over the school and "we" (and by we, I mean the teachers) can get fired.
I don't mind being held accountable for my actions - I welcome it. I don't like the idea that I am held responsible for someone else's actions. So unfortunately things are being more and more structured around AIMS because that's the only thing that will keep teachers employed and school districts in the black.
And AIMS is such a low-ball deal too. It is a freaking crying shame that we are drilling kids on the basics instead of teaching them how to apply the basics - if they can apply the basics to their own lives, they can understand the basics better and see how they can apply to more than the simple situations that AIMS sets up for them.

[chumley]

Without attempting to defend Charter Schools (many are indefensible), I will point out that Arizona's education system was in the bottom 5 prior to 1994 too. Again, not saying Charters were/are good for the system. Just that Arizona's education system was effed up long before that attempted fix came along.

[BobP]

I taught Taekwondo at a charter school several years ago. I donated my time. These kids got to do a lot of cool things and the teachers and administrators were awesome. They seemed like they really cared about each individual.This particular charter had the feel of a private school. I thought that was kinda the norm for charters at the time. Just like everything, there's great,good,bad, and worser(my public skoolin shining thru ;) ).

[JimmyLyding]

Well, the ONLY thing that any of the primary/secondary education seems to be concerned about is AIMS.. don't get me started on what I'm paying the U for my wife's postgraduate work Really, as much as I hate to say it.. with kids, leaving Arizona is beginning to be the best bet for their futures

I love how Sorority Susie from CA can stay here a year and get in-state tuition, too. CA plates on her beamer still, and all...

Actually, Jeff, they've cracked down on that big-time.

Not around here. I have fifty or sixty specimens living within a stone's throw of my pad...

Waaaaay off topic here.
I'd be shocked if they're receiving in-state tuition.
How does a person establish Arizona residency?

To become a resident of Arizona for tuition purposes, three basic requirements must be met:

1. Twelve Months Continuous Physical Presence

An adult person (18 years or older) person must physically reside in the state for the twelve consecutive months immediately preceding the term for which resident classification is requested.

2. Intent to Establish a Domicile

Objective evidence of intent to be a resident of Arizona is demonstrated by the absence of ties to the former state of residence for twelve consecutive months. Objective evidence of intent to be a resident of Arizona is further demonstrated by the following:

1. Date of and state in which Motor Vehicle is registered
2. Date of and state issuing driver’s license
3. Employment history, including assured future permanent employment in Arizona
4. Transfer of major banking services to Arizona
5. Applications for loans, scholarships, grants-in-aid, or other such assistance
6. Date and state in which registered to vote
7. Place of prior attendance in educational institutions, including high schools, and any information held by such schools affecting domicile
8. Marital status and work record of registrant and spouse
9. Change in permanent address on all pertinent records
10. State in which registered with Selective Service
11. Military records
12. Ownership of real property
13. All other material of whatever kind or source which may have a bearing on determining domicile or resident status

3. Financial Independence

For purposes of residency determination, financial independence means a student’s ability to meet his or her own expenses from self-generated funds under his or her control. A student will generally be considered financially independent if he or she is:

1. A veteran of the U.S. military, or
2. Not claimed as an income tax deduction by his or her parents or any other individual for two tax years, and has demonstrated objective evidence of self-support for the two years immediately preceding the semester for which resident classification is requested.

A student must couple his or her physical presence within Arizona with financial independence and objective evidence of intent to make Arizona his or her permanent home.

Note: any act considered inconsistent with becoming an Arizona resident (such as voting, securing or maintaining a driver’s license or automobile registration in another state) will result in a non-resident decision.

[dysfunction]

If that vehicle is registered to mommy or daddy... then it wouldn't be much of an issue for them to be 'in state' and have out of state plates.

[Jeffshadows]

If that vehicle is registered to mommy or daddy... then it wouldn't be much of an issue for them to be 'in state' and have out of state plates.

Precisely. I really love the ones who stay here for a couple of years and then get in-state tuition and resident preference for medical or law school, too. All while Tucson has a serious physician shortage...

[PaleoRob]

Waaaaay off topic here.
I'd be shocked if they're receiving in-state tuition.

I grew up in California, and had spent maybe a month, overall, in Arizona, before attending NAU. The state has (or had, this was a decade ago now) deals in place with various other (primarily Western) states to offer in-state tuition here in Arizona in order to attract more folks from these other states. I was told about this before I even accepted my NAU acceptance offer. I wouldn't be surprised.

[JimmyLyding]

I graduated from the U of A in 1998, and I knew more than a few classmates who used a relative's address or a single year's tax return to establish in-state residency. I have heard that this state's universities are now cracking down hard on this sort of stuff.

Before this topic devolves into something like "what are the best Mexican food restaurants in Globe," I think that the crux at the heart of the matter is whether or not our elected politicians' priorities are the same as the body politic.
What is more important to you, and what is more important to our elected politicians? These answers are different for everyone, and most answers lie somewhere in between these extremes:
Open spaces or endless sprawl
Endangered species or cattle
Community-friendly infill or everyone living on a ranchette with a well
Polluters paying for pollution or "business-friendly" policies
Guns allowed everywhere or restricted to certain places and uses
State parks that can be enjoyed by everyone or not

Remember on Election Day

[chumley]

the crux at the heart of the matter is whether or not our elected politicians' priorities are the same as the body politic.

Um, no. Duh.

Remember on Election Day

As if anybody else who gets in will be any different. (Different interests perhaps, but the same priorities: money and power)

[Jeffshadows]

I graduated from the U of A in 1998, and I knew more than a few classmates who used a relative's address or a single year's tax return to establish in-state residency. I have heard that this state's universities are now cracking down hard on this sort of stuff.

Understood. I'm still there and employed by a related entity and have seen the trend continue, which is not to say it hasn't declined. I do remember it being a lot worse back in '96 when I started.

[rally_toad]

No matter how politically incorrect it is to say, I think the common denominator is we both border Mexico and their people are sucking us dry...

oh gawd....

Ya man its those dang mexicans!

In actuality I think the common denominator is both are filled with people who own cats... they're the real problem!!!


You seriously believe that Vaporman?? Mexicans??!! Lets look at all the other states that are having problems, and many of them do not border mexico. However, all of them contain people who own cats.
I say if we get rid of the cats, we get rid of the budget crisis!!

[writelots]

Finally - a voice of reason. Hear here!

Wait, I own a cat.
Does this only apply to people who own "cats", as in plural?

[azbackpackr]

Meow! (What, no evil cat smilie?)

[rally_toad]

Does this only apply to people who own "cats", as in plural?

People who only own one cat are not contributing as much to the problem, but they arent helping. I'm partially to blame as I too own a cat. Have you ever heard that 2% of the population own 98% of the world's cats? Its the old cat ladies that are most to blame for the problems in our state and in other states throughout the country.

Vaporman, I propose that mexicans have nothing to do with it, unless you find some statistics or evidence that mexicans have more cats per capita compared with the rest of America.

[JimmyLyding]

Texas is one of the states that's doing the best during this Great Recession, and it not only borders Mexico but has lots and lots of Mexicans living there.

[rally_toad]

Texas is one of the states that's doing the best during this Great Recession, and it not only borders Mexico but has lots and lots of Mexicans living there.

Come on man. You had to go and bring facts into the debate??? Whats the point now? You ruined it.