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Driving suicides to zero in central Arizona
As we observe National Suicide Prevention Week (Sept. 8-14) and World Suicide Prevention Day (Sept. 10), we have the opportunity to gain a better perspective on people struggling with thoughts of ending their lives and on those most at risk of doing so.
Common Core standards are common sense
Common sense, common ground, common good and common standards — why is there such a ruckus about common standards? Common standards make sense — they are the ground level of achievement for good grades across all years of schooling. They will raise the bar and improve the educational experiences and academic achievement for the 1 million Arizona public school students
Democrats’ agenda will resonate with Arizona voters in 2014 and beyond
As we considered sites for the Democratic National Committee’s summer meeting, we looked for a location that would demonstrate our party’s ability and willingness to compete in states that have traditionally been Republican strongholds. We chose Arizona.
Electric Deregulation: RUCO just wants all the facts
As the head of Arizona’s Residential Utility Consumer Office (RUCO), I have been following with great interest the thoughtful guest opinion pieces appearing recently in the Arizona Capitol Times regarding electric deregulation — both those in favor and those opposed.
APS solar proposal falls short for Arizona
Arizona Public Service has been granted monopoly status to provide power in certain parts of Arizona. It’s also a publicly traded company and has a fiduciary obligation to maximize profits for shareholders. This may lead the company to pursue policies that are in its interests but not those of its ratepayers.
Roads in peril: Elevating the discussion of Arizona’s transportation network
As we go about our daily commute and our lives, we often don’t give much thought to the roads that get us there. Traffic congestion and construction seem to be an accepted way of life, especially for those who live in the suburbs and commute to work each day.
Jack Pfister: A voice from the past speaks to Arizona’s future
Gov. Jack Pfister? It seemed quite possible in 1987, as Gov. Evan Mecham faced a potential recall and Arizonans tossed around the names of possible candidates to replace him.
Give Arizonans the choice they deserve when it comes to electricity
As the Arizona Corporation Commission deliberates opening up Arizona’s electricity market, anti-competition voices are busy making claims that the sky will fall if customers are empowered to choose their energy supplier.
Arizonans should say ‘no thanks’ to electric deregulation
For the second time, Arizonans are being asked to abandon the longstanding and straightforward structure for provision of universal and fairly priced electric service — rate-of-return regulation of utility companies — for a “de-regulated” structure that would involve multiple sellers of the same electricity. They should once again politely decline.
Feds auditing small business health plans
I recently had the “privilege” of reading a U.S. Department of Labor employee benefit audit letter addressed to a business with fewer than 50 employees.
Keep the momentum moving forward
Over the past nearly six years, I’ve witnessed a system of care that is making progress. There are still aspects of the service delivery that I think need continued, focused work; but, much forward momentum has been achieved, and the people served are benefitting. The key point here is that things are moving in the right direction.
