🚨 TUSD Board Member Dr. Ravi Shah's $2.9 Million Conflict of Interest Scandal Exposed!
💰 Federal Spending Crisis: "We spend $1.39 for every $1 in taxes," warns Congressman 🏘️ Tucson's Homelessness Policy Failure: Zero Accept Help as Park Cleared
Based on the 9/26-27/24 Wake Up Tucson Shows on KVOI-1030AM.
🙊 Notable quotes from the show
"For every dollar your federal government takes in the tax receipt, we spend a $1.39." - Congressman David Schweikert, discussing federal spending
"I will refrain from participating in any manner in the matter identified above." - Ravi Shah, in his statement of disqualification (which he allegedly later violated)
"This really raises some significant concerns about TUSD's understanding of their compliance, what they're supposed to be doing in the state laws." - Tara Ratliff, on TUSD's vaccine video policy
"It's a blatant violation of best practices to have the CEO of the organization involved with anything to do with an independent auditor." - John Black, audit committee member, on Superintendent Trujillo's involvement in the audit process
⏮️ ICYMI: From the Last Show…
😽 Keepin’ It Simple Summary for Younger Readers
👧🏾✊🏾👦🏾
📻 The radio show talked about big problems in Tucson schools 🏫 and the city 🏙️. They said some people in charge might be doing things that aren't fair 🚫. They also talked about money problems in the country 💰 and worries about future elections 🗳️. The show thinks Tucson needs to do better at helping homeless people 🏠 and keeping everyone safe 👮. They want grown-ups to pay attention and speak up when they see something wrong 🗣️.
🗝️ Takeaways
🚩 TUSD board member Ravi Shah was accused of a serious conflict of interest involving a $2.9 million contract
💼 76% of federal spending goes to mandatory programs and interest payments
🏠 Zero individuals accepted shelter or services during Santa Rita Park homeless encampment clearance
🗳️ Lack of candidates for school board elections in several Tucson districts raises concerns
💉 TUSD allegedly forcing parents to watch vaccine videos before accepting exemption forms
📈 Economic experts warn of potential recession and inflation resurgence
📻 What They Discussed
On September 27, 2024, the conservative radio show "Wake Up Tucson" aired an episode that delved into local and national political issues. Hosted by Chris DeSimone and Matt Neely, the show featured interviews with
Congressman David Schweikert,
Phil Kerpen from American Commitment and local guests
Tara Ratliff,
Shawn McClusky, and
John Camarano.
The episode covered various topics, from alleged conflicts of interest in the Tucson Unified School District (TUSD) to national economic concerns and local election predictions.
🏫 TUSD Turmoil: Allegations of Conflict and Audit Interference
The show dedicated significant time to discussing alleged improprieties within TUSD. Guest Tara Ratliff presented evidence suggesting that board member Ravi Shah may have violated conflict of interest policies by voting on contracts benefiting a company his then-husband worked for. The timeline of events raised serious ethical questions:
August 2020: Shah's then-husband Tim started an LLC hired by Higher Ground, later contracted by TUSD.
November 2020: Shah was elected to the TUSD board.
November 30, 2020: Shah signed a conflict of interest statement.
December 6, 2022: Shah allegedly voted to increase Higher Ground's contract from $1 million to $2.9 million.
August 2023: Shah signed a no-conflict statement despite ongoing connections.
December 2023: Shah's divorce finalized.
The hosts expressed shock at the apparent brazenness of the conflict, with Chris DeSimone stating,
"So he did. For all those companies. He did not abstain. And at the same time he was still on the LLC for the third party for Higher Ground that was getting money from TUSD. Correct."
The discussion also covered the ongoing conflict between TUSD's internal auditor, Martha Smith, and Superintendent Gabe Trujillo. Smith has completed 64 audits over five years, uncovering numerous issues within the district. Her recent audit of the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion office reportedly had 32 findings, including potential violations of TUSD policy, state law, fraud, and theft.
Trujillo has allegedly been interfering with the audit process, even recommending spending $50,000 on an external auditor to investigate Smith's work.
💉 TUSD's Vaccine Controversy: Parental Rights vs. District Policy
Another TUSD-related issue discussed was the district's alleged new policy regarding vaccine exemptions. According to Ratliff, TUSD is forcing parents who wish to submit vaccine exemption forms to watch a "pilot video" about vaccines before allowing their children to participate in school.
Ratliff characterized this as "coercion" and an "obvious overreach of their authority," stating, "This really raises some significant concerns about TUSD's understanding of their compliance, what they're supposed to be doing in the state laws."
🏛️ National Economic Woes: Congressman Schweikert's Fiscal Warnings
Congressman David Schweikert provided a sobering analysis of the national economic situation.
He highlighted that 76% of all federal spending goes to mandatory programs (Social Security, Medicare, etc.) and interest payments, stating, "For every dollar your federal government takes in the tax receipt, we spend a dollar 39."
Schweikert emphasized demographic challenges facing the U.S., including an aging population and declining birth rates, and their impact on healthcare costs and the workforce.
💼 Economic Outlook and Election Predictions: Phil Kerpen's Analysis
Phil Kerpen from American Commitment discussed recent Federal Reserve rate cuts, suggesting they indicate concerns about a potential recession.
He worries about a possible resurgence of inflation, potentially leading to 1970s-style stagflation. Kerpen also provided insights on potential outcomes for the 2024 presidential, Senate, and House races.
🏘️ Homelessness in Tucson: Santa Rita Park Clearance
The show discussed the recent clearing of a homeless encampment at Santa Rita Park in Tucson. The city gave residents two weeks' notice to vacate the park for a "deep cleaning." Advocates criticized the communication and resources provided to those being displaced.
Notably, city officials reported that zero individuals accepted offers of shelter or services during the clearance. The hosts criticized the city's approach to homelessness and drug issues, suggesting that current policies enable rather than solve the problems.
🗳️ Election 2024: From National Trends to Local Races
The hosts and guests provided analysis of upcoming elections at various levels:
National Outlook: They discussed potential swing states in the 2024 presidential election, including Arizona, Nevada, Georgia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.
Arizona Senate Race: The hosts suggested that Republican candidate Kari Lake might be trailing in the polls and would need a significant boost from Trump's performance to win.
Local Legislative Races: They highlighted LD 17 as a key race, noting that while it's an R+8 district, the Democratic candidates (Volk and McClain) have substantial funding.
School Board Elections: The hosts expressed concern about the lack of contested races in several school districts, including Amphitheater and Sunnyside.
👮 Constable Conundrum: Challenges in Law Enforcement
John Camarano, a candidate running unopposed for constable, discussed challenges facing the constable's office in Pima County. Issues included understaffing, lack of proper appointee vetting, and safety concerns for constables performing evictions. Camarano emphasized better background checks and vetting processes for constable appointees.
Throughout the episode, the hosts maintained a conservative perspective, criticizing Democratic policies and expressing concern about the direction of both national and local governance. They emphasized issues like fiscal responsibility, border security, and what they view as overreach by local government in areas like homelessness and education policy.
🦉 Three Sonorans Commentary
The Unheard Voices: TUSD's Struggles and Tucson's Systemic Inequities
In the latest episode of "Wake Up Tucson," the conservative radio show unwittingly exposed the deep-rooted systemic issues plaguing our community. While the hosts frame these problems through their right-wing lens, we at Three Sonorans see a different picture – one of institutional racism, economic inequality, and the ongoing struggle for social justice in Tucson.
The alleged conflict of interest involving TUSD board member Ravi Shah is troubling but merely a symptom of a larger disease. The real issue here is the corporatization of our education system, where private companies like Higher Ground profit from our children's learning. This is not just about one board member's potential ethical lapse; it's about the insidious influence of capitalism in our schools, diverting resources from our most vulnerable students.
The pushback against TUSD's internal auditor, Martha Smith, is equally concerning. When those in power attempt to silence watchdogs, it's often our communities of color that suffer most. The 32 findings in the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion office audit demand transparency and action. Our children deserve a school system that embraces equity, not one that merely pays lip service while perpetuating systemic inequalities.
The show's discussion of homelessness in Santa Rita Park reveals Tucson's failure to approach this crisis. The fact that zero individuals accepted offers of shelter or services during the park clearance is not, as the hosts suggest, evidence of personal failings. Instead, it exposes the inadequacy of the services offered and the deep distrust between marginalized communities and city authorities. We need compassionate, community-led solutions to homelessness, not further criminalization and displacement.
The concerns about the constable's office highlight the ongoing issues with our criminal justice system. While the show focused on the safety of constables, we must also consider the safety and rights of those facing eviction. In a city with skyrocketing housing costs and stagnant wages, evictions are a form of violence against working-class families, disproportionately affecting people of color.
The lack of candidates for school board elections in districts like Amphitheater and Sunnyside is troubling, but not for the reasons the hosts suggest. This is a reflection of the systematic disenfranchisement of our communities. When working-class people and people of color are too burdened by economic pressures to engage in civic life, our democracy suffers.
Lastly, Congressman Schweikert and Phil Kerpen's discussion of national economic issues reveals the shortsightedness of conservative fiscal policies. Their fearmongering about federal spending ignores the vital role of social programs in addressing inequality. Instead of cutting essential services, we should ask why the wealthiest individuals and corporations aren't paying their fair share.
As we move forward, we must recognize these issues for what they are – manifestations of long-standing systemic inequities. The solution lies not in the conservative policies espoused by "Wake Up Tucson" but in a radical reimagining of our institutions to center the needs of marginalized communities. Only through collective action and a commitment to true social justice can we build a Tucson that works for all its residents, not just the privileged few.
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👯 People Mentioned
Ravi Shah - TUSD board member accused of conflict of interest
Gabe Trujillo - TUSD Superintendent, allegedly interfering with audit process
Martha Smith - TUSD internal auditor facing pushback for exposing issues
David Schweikert - Congressman discussing federal budget issues
Phil Kerpen - President of American Commitment, discussing economic outlook
Tara Ratliff - Local activist presenting evidence against Ravi Shah
John Camarano - Candidate for constable discussing law enforcement challenges
Kari Lake - Republican candidate for Arizona Senate seat
Trump - Mentioned in context of potentially boosting Kari Lake's campaign
🧐 Propaganda AI-nalysis
The "Wake Up Tucson" show exhibits several propaganda techniques:
Fear-mongering: The hosts consistently paint a picture of crisis and impending doom, whether discussing the national economy, local education, or public safety.
Scapegoating: The show tends to blame Democratic policies and progressive ideas for various societal problems, without fully exploring complex issues.
Selective presentation: While raising valid concerns, the show presents information from a predominantly conservative viewpoint, potentially omitting contrary evidence or perspectives.
Emotional manipulation: The hosts use emotive language and sensational framing to elicit strong reactions from listeners, particularly when discussing issues like homelessness or education policy.
Repetition: Key themes and criticisms are repeated throughout the show, reinforcing the hosts' perspective.
Simplification of complex issues: Complex topics like federal spending and demographic shifts are often reduced to simple narratives that align with the show's ideological stance.
Appeal to authority: The show features interviews with politicians and think tank representatives, leveraging their perceived expertise to support the hosts' viewpoints.
While the show does raise some legitimate concerns, listeners should be aware of these propaganda techniques and seek out diverse sources of information to form well-rounded opinions on these issues.
 | A guest post by
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I am sorry i missed this when it came out. Sometimes i tire of analysis of the right wing radio show since i have to jump through alot of stuff before i get to your take on things. Yes, at the board meeting this was a shocker when expressed. Ravi did not answer for it or comment on it but continues to be backed by his big money backers to whom corruption really doesnt matter very much…. But continued control of the board, with or without Adelita G’s presence, does. I wonder why that is?