Two stories have dominated the news this past week. 

ELECTION “AUDIT”. The Arizona State Senate mandated an additional  “audit” of the 2020 election.  No observer has been more on top of this issue than Jen Fifeld of the Arizona Republic. For example, when “auditors” had access to ballots it was she, and not the “auditors” who noticed that they also had black or blue markers on the desks, which could have been used to change votes.  This is absolutely prohibited and it was Jen, and not the “auditors,” who noticed.  And Amy Chan, an attorney and former Elections Director for the State of Arizona can speak to many of the legalities involved in this “recount” with highly relevant expertise. You could not find two more informed – and complimentary – experts on this topic.

FLAT TAX PROPOSAL. With little prior public discussion, the Governor and Republicans in the legislature tried to completely revamp the state’s tax system in a way that would both substantially reduce revenues (likely gutting education spending) and shifting the tax burden to the lowest income taxpayers in the state.  But because Repubicans control both legislative chambers by a single vote, there are 48 Republican legislators any one of whom has the power to kabosh the entire effort.  And some of these exercised this power. Chuck Coughlin and Tony Cani are among the state’s most astute political observers. They tell us what they know about what is going on behind the scenes.

Either one of these two issues would easily command a full show.  But both are fast-moving and we could not wait an extra week to cover either.

The Think Tank airs from 6-7pm Saturdays and Sundays from 9-10pm on KTAR 92.3 FM. After broadcast, podcasts are available at ktar.com.   Older shows are archived at www.mikeoneil.org which can also be used to reach the host via Facebook, Twitter, or email.

Two stories have dominated the news this past week.&nbsp;
ELECTION &ldquo;AUDIT&rdquo;.&nbsp;The Arizona State Senate mandated an additional &nbsp;&ldquo;audit&rdquo; of the 2020 election.&nbsp; No observer has been more on top of this issue than&nbsp;Jen Fifeld&nbsp;of the Arizona Republic. For example, when &ldquo;auditors&rdquo; had access to ballots it was she, and not the &ldquo;auditors&rdquo; who noticed that they also had black or blue markers on the desks, which could have been used to change votes.&nbsp; This is absolutely prohibited and it was Jen, and not the &ldquo;auditors,&rdquo; who noticed.&nbsp; And&nbsp;Amy Chan, an attorney and former Elections Director for the State of Arizona can speak to many of the legalities involved in this &ldquo;recount&rdquo; with highly relevant expertise. You could not find two more informed &ndash; and complimentary &ndash; experts on this topic.
FLAT TAX PROPOSAL. With little prior public discussion, the Governor and Republicans in the legislature tried to completely revamp the state&rsquo;s tax system in a way that would both substantially reduce revenues (likely gutting education spending) and shifting the tax burden to the lowest income taxpayers in the state.&nbsp; But because Repubicans control both legislative chambers by a single vote, there are 48 Republican legislators any one of whom has the power to kabosh the entire effort.&nbsp; And some of these exercised this power.&nbsp;Chuck Coughlin&nbsp;and&nbsp;Tony Cani&nbsp;are among the state&rsquo;s most astute political observers. They tell us what they know about what is going on behind the scenes.
Either one of these two issues would easily command a full show.&nbsp; But both are fast-moving and we could not wait an extra week to cover either.
The&nbsp;Think&nbsp;Tank&nbsp;airs from 6-7pm Saturdays&nbsp;and Sundays from 9-10pm on KTAR 92.3 FM. After broadcast, podcasts are available at&nbsp;<a href="https://protect-us.mimecast.com/s/V_TACkROrXunkxpjf2IDVJ?domain=ktar.com/" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="0">ktar.com</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp; Older shows are archived at&nbsp;<a href="https://protect-us.mimecast.com/s/IzFtCn5Ng6hGX8Y2tZrA_h?domain=mikeoneil.org" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="1">www.mikeoneil.org</a>&nbsp;which can also be used to reach the host via Facebook, Twitter, or email.

Hosted by KTAR political analyst, Dr. Mike O'Neil, 'The Think Tank' aspires to bring together some of the state's most interesting, thoughtful and influential leaders to discuss the economic, political and social issues facing the state and the nation.

Hosted by KTAR political analyst, Dr. Mike O'Neil, 'The Think Tank' aspires to bring together some of the state's most interesting, thoughtful and influential leaders to discuss the economic, political and social issues facing the state and the nation.

The program is hosted by KTAR political analyst Dr. Mike O'Neil. "The Think Tank" is where the Valley's most influential and opinionated leaders come together for one-hour every weekend. We discuss and debate the major economic, political and social issues of the week, making genuine attempts to reach at least one piece of common ground.

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