Arizona Capitol Times Your Inside Source for Arizona Government, Politics and Business

All across the country, at all levels of government, Americans are changing the way they think about the criminal justice system. Just this month, President Trump launched his first official campaign ad during the Super Bowl, and chose to focus his message on criminal justice reform. That he chose to run his first major ad, which reached over 100 million viewers, on criminal justice reform shows just how popular this issue has become.

When a patient goes to their personal doctor because they are experiencing a significant health struggle, they do so with the trust that their doctor will recommend a treatment based on a specific understanding of the unique complexities of their condition. All too frequently, however, the treatment agreed between patient and doctor is being delayed if not wholly pre-empted by a process imposed by insurance companies known as “step therapy.”

While it can feel like the world is in the midst of an energy transition—where one source of energy is replaced by another—that’s not what’s happening. Instead of transition, we’re in a period of addition. The growing use of wind and solar power is actually coming on top of increased consumption of coal, natural gas, and oil.

Americans are increasingly unable to cope with the ever-increasing costs of housing. Rising costs in Arizona and across our nation should be of interest to policymakers. One program that’s being used is the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program.

One item that disturbed me is to learn about a bill moving at the capitol that seems to prioritize a deal for utility companies at the cost of community and local governments. As a deacon and regular voter, I vote for people at different levels of government to represent me. I feel that local issues should be decided by local governments, such as ensuring cities should have their own choices about how to power homes and other buildings.

Our ability to ensure access to quality mental health services is as important as our efforts to provide high quality medical care to all who enter our doors At Valleywise Health, we are dedicated to allocating the resources and attention that mental health deserves.

It doesn’t take many improperly immunized individuals to upset the balance of herd immunity, as few as 6% of the population can put the rest at risk. Should that occur, fingers will begin pointing. Not to be missed in that will be lawmakers who worked to lessen vaccine policies versus protecting the public health.

The Empowerment Scholarship Account program hate groups want to make this week's issue about money! Their “slush fund” argument is ridiculous and falls flat quickly when looking at the facts.

A foundational principle of Arizona governments is home rule. Communities must have a right to determine how they want to proceed with the services utilities provide, whether that service is gas, electricity, Internet, water, telephone, or anything else. Just because one utility is afraid of what’s happening in California doesn’t mean Arizonans need to give our rights away. Let the cities and counties decide what’s best for them. It’s just that simple.

There is a lot of rhetoric from politicians and political activist organizations about ending ESA and sending those funds back to public school. However, they never offer plans about how they will better serve children with special needs and disabilities.