THE VOICE OF THE EAST VALLEY SINCE 1891 AND WINNER OF THE PULITZER PRIZE FOR LOCAL REPORTING
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Southeast Edition
THE SUNDAY
Tribune EAST VALLEY
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Sunday, January 5, 2020
Politics, construction will fuel 2020 BY GARY NELSON Tribune Contributor
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hey say hindsight is 20/20. Foresight, not so much. But if there’s one safe bet, it’s 2020 will be a year for the history books. The East Valley will not sit meekly on the sidelines as the nation debates the fate of its obstreperous president by way either of impeachment or the ballot box or both. The region – tinged blue on the west and blazing a solid red on the east – will be every bit as embroiled as Washington, D.C., in the epic debate over America’s future. The East Valley’s tens of thousands of voters could play a deciding role in a pivotal U.S. Sen-
ate race and they will decide as well whether or not the two congressional seats representing the region remain split between the major parties. Legislative seats, school board and city council slots and three mayoral gavels also are in play. Apart from that, the region’s physical shape will continue to evolve, thanks to numerous major construction projects. First, a look at the political landscape.
President
With incumbent Donald Trump the presumptive Republican nominee, early campaign action will be on the Democratic side as voters in Arizona’s March 17 presidential primary help
winnow down what was originally a slate of 20plus would-be nominees. The state Republican Party canceled its primary to thwart any possible challengers to Trump.
U.S. Senate
Ordinarily, Arizona would not elect a senator in 2020, but this is a special election to fill out the term of Republican U.S. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., who died in Aug. 2018. Republican Martha McSally, R-Ariz., who was appointed to the seat by Gov. Doug Ducey, stands against several GOP primary opponents. Among the Democrats, former astronaut
see AHEAD page 7
2020 Census brings secure temp jobs to EV BY NICOLE D’ALONZO Tribune Staff Writer
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cross the East Valley and the rest of Maricopa County, 2020 Census recruiters are gearing up to fill more than 30,000 well-paying federal jobs in data processing, call-centers and out in the field. For “census junkies” – or people who want federal government job experience on their resume – East Valley census field offices, at full employment capacity, will hire about 1,300 field workers and managers by March, said Ryan Winkle, East Valley and South Phoenix area census office manager. “The census is one of the only constitutionally mandated jobs with the exception of the military,” said Winkle. “The census affects all federal funding that comes to the state and there are two really big outcomes that touches every person.” The U.S. Constitution mandates the census be taken every 10 years to count all people living in the country. Answers to 2020 Census questions will influence policy-making and planning for the next decade. The data impacts the number of U.S. House of Representatives seats in each state and affects legislatures’ redistricting. It also dictates how
Eric Torgerson is senior site manager for the Pearl Interactive call center in Tempe, a key place where East Valley residents can find well-paying jobs working on the upcoming Census. (Pablo Robles/Tribune Staff Photographer)
billions of dollars in federal funds will be spent by state and local governments. According to iCount 2020, for each person counted in Mesa, the state receives $3,195 yearly
for 10 years for vital services including schools, emergency services, hospitals and roads.
see CENSUS page 8