General stuff
National elections rundown: Democrats now control both houses of congress, so the major parties will have to work with eachother in order to get anything done.
* The first Muslim to be elected to congress will take office at the beginning of next term. (He's also black, and a democrat.) Go religious tolerance!
Local elections: Arizona retained its democrat governor, and the state legislatue is close to a 50/50 split. Considering that the last few elections filled it with reactionaries, I can only consider that to be a Good Thing.
* AZ became the first state to vote against a proposition to make anti-gay-marriage stuff a part of the state constitution. It's still illegal by state law, but laws are easier to change.
* All of the anti-illegal-immigrant propositions passed. Even the stupid ones. *facepalm* Kinda makes up for the gay marriage thing.
* Smoking has been banned in all indoor public spaces. My asthma thanks the electorate.
* Starting Jan. 1st, the minimum wage in Arizona will rise marginally above the poverty line (it used to be the standard $5.15/hr, which is substantially below). It will automatically adjust for inflation each year, so we don't have to vote on the measure again a few years down the line.
Disability Services: I've officially got the paperwork for accommodations done. It'll grant me use of a soundproofed room, and time and a half on tests, but not a calculator. Good enough.
* The first Muslim to be elected to congress will take office at the beginning of next term. (He's also black, and a democrat.) Go religious tolerance!
Local elections: Arizona retained its democrat governor, and the state legislatue is close to a 50/50 split. Considering that the last few elections filled it with reactionaries, I can only consider that to be a Good Thing.
* AZ became the first state to vote against a proposition to make anti-gay-marriage stuff a part of the state constitution. It's still illegal by state law, but laws are easier to change.
* All of the anti-illegal-immigrant propositions passed. Even the stupid ones. *facepalm* Kinda makes up for the gay marriage thing.
* Smoking has been banned in all indoor public spaces. My asthma thanks the electorate.
* Starting Jan. 1st, the minimum wage in Arizona will rise marginally above the poverty line (it used to be the standard $5.15/hr, which is substantially below). It will automatically adjust for inflation each year, so we don't have to vote on the measure again a few years down the line.
Disability Services: I've officially got the paperwork for accommodations done. It'll grant me use of a soundproofed room, and time and a half on tests, but not a calculator. Good enough.