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Recent Articles from Guest Opinion
State must broaden treatment medication for opioid addiction
Despite intensive efforts by lawmakers, health care providers, the criminal justice system and other stakeholders, Arizona appears to be losing the battle to stem the rising number of opioid overdose deaths.
Water critical to keep Arizona open for business
Arizona has a long track record of successfully managing our state’s most precious resource: From the founding of the Salt River Valley Water User’s Association, to the historic Groundwater Management Act, to the formation of the Central Arizona Project.
We need to work together to prevent water shortages
While Arizona’s water managers disagree on solutions to conserve the state’s water supply, none are equivocating about the problem. With drought a chronic condition and a never-ending demand for water, the Colorado River seems to continually face an epic low point.
Dental therapists and dental reform
Dental care in the Grand Canyon State is ranked 30th in the nation in terms of dental care and oral health, according to the research website WalletHub. Arizonans spend an average of $103.80 a year per capita on dental costs. That’s in the bottom third of the country.
Don’t follow Minnesota’s failed dental therapist experiment
Dental therapists are a distraction. They solve nothing. Legislative efforts to bring this position to Arizona divert attention from the real issues and real solutions. They set us up to be the next Minnesota, scrambling a few years from now after we learn that Pew’s hollow promises only delayed the day of reckoning.
They’re both right and wrong on prosecutors’ ‘Prisoners in Arizona’ report
Ultimately, we will never achieve meaningful sentencing reform in Arizona with both sides bashing the other and making “straw dog” arguments based on false mischaracterization of the other’s positions. Instead, we must take baby steps and then measure results as they inform public safety, in much the same way that the recently released APAAC report undertook its detailed and valuable account[...]
Ballot harvesting continues in the form of proxies at GOP precincts
So, legislators, we fought hard to eliminate ballot harvesting fraud from the primary and general election process. Let’s insert the same honesty and integrity into the political party voting process.
A good intention turns into a great bill for foster children
Together, we have made a good intention a great bill. I am thankful for everyone who not only participated to create responsible legislation, but to our Arizona parents, grandparents, kin, and foster and adoptive families who sacrifice so much to help our vulnerable kids.
Lawmakers give thanks for passage of sale tax extension, call for ‘new’ Prop 301
Our goal is to ensure Arizona’s vibrant school choices are funded equally and our teachers adequately compensated. We call for the formation of a Prop 301 task force to design and build the new Prop 301. We can’t get this done without all parties at the table. The Prop 301 extension starts that conversation. We hope you will join us.
Integrated health care works in Arizona
At its core, our partnerships with Mercy Maricopa and Mercy Care Plan underscore the power of population health. But we must never forget that our population is made up of individuals – people who want to feel better and have the confidence in their ability to manage their health so they can live their life. By collaborating with other healthcare stakeholders and taking a personalized approach t[...]
Our broken mental health system – with specificity
Arizona has laws that could prevent such shootings. However, the laws are not followed by the agencies charged with executing them. Our system has the capacity to handle these screenings within 48 hours but because of custom and long misguided standards, it does not. The result is that people do not get the treatment they need and they, and our communities are harmed.
Need for dignity for incarcerated women is not a stunt
Is making that point to our legislators a stunt? Is illustrating the humanity of women behind bars a stunt? I don’t think so. We are Americans – we can do better.
