October 20, 2017

Episode 160: Schools to Zoos — What's On the Ballot

A look at the initiatives up for approval; and the reintroduction of prairie dogs in Arizona grasslands.

On this episode of Metro Week, election and more. Get to know some of the propositions on the ballot for the Nov. 7 election.

Proposition 204 would institute a half-cent sales tax within Tucson city limits in order to fund early-childhood education for three- and four-year-olds. We talk with the chair of the organizing committee, Penelope Jacks, and president of the Southern Arizona Leadership Council, Ted Maxwell, who’s come out strongly against the measure.


We delve into Props. 202 and 203, which would authorize a one-tenth of 1 percent sale tax for 10 years to fund improvements at the city zoo. We’ll talk with Nancy Kluge, president of the Zoological Society, and Pima County Republican Party Chair David Eppiheimer, who opposes the tax.

We’ll also take one minute to explore the handful of other initiatives voters are being asked to decide on, including a pay raise for the mayor and city councilmembers.


The Tucson Unified School District is considering a proposal to give University High School its own campus by moving its students to Catalina High and Catalina students to Rincon. We sit down with TUSD Board Member Mark Stegeman and opponent Emily Morrison, a Catalina High alumna.


Pima County and Arizona Game and Fish are working to reintroduce prairie dogs into the grasslands near Sonoita. We’ll take viewers to the recent release and ask why these little creatures are so important to the environment.

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