Starting a Phoenix business should not take 58 steps
Phoenix should look at consolidating fees and streamlining the building and zoning permit process, which can be lengthy and opaque. Aspiring restaurant owners, for example, must submit seven sets of plans with their applications. This is too much.
Medicare is stronger than ever but cost-saving measures are at risk
This year, the Medicare enrollment period opened on Oct. 15, which means millions of seniors have begun selecting their coverage for 2024. As they enroll, it’s vital that seniors in Arizona know they will see lower healthcare and prescription drug costs thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, which was signed into law last year.
Businesses, student athletes should consider several factors
Contracts between businesses and student athletes for NIL-related endorsements should be crafted carefully to make sure that they conform with the numerous requirements from federal, state and school policies to make sure that they are enforceable.
Safety of children in schools linked to mental health support
Ensuring the safety of our children within the walls of our educational institutions is paramount. Keeping our schools safe requires more than building security. Effective school safety efforts require a multidisciplinary approach, including comprehensive mental health services.
Could a winter storm topple America’s electric grid?
America is relying more heavily than ever on natural gas to generate electricity. And doing so has made the nation’s energy supply more vulnerable.
Arizona Indivisible overwhelmingly supports Gallego for U.S. Senate
Arizona has undergone a political transformation from red state to national battleground. It’s why political ad spending is going to be the highest in the nation here and why grassroots organizations like Indivisible have identified our Senate race as a top priority.
Putting workers back in spotlight: challenging misconceptions on project labor agreements
A recent article in the Guest Commentaries section of the Arizona Capitol Times titled "We need to protect employers and workers" by the President of the Arizona Chapter of the Associated General Contractors of America (AZAGC) Inc. blurs the lines between corporate interests and the well-being of workers.
Groundwater management needs leadership from ground up
For the past several years, nearly every iteration of legislation to create a management framework for groundwater in rural Arizona has failed. A successful model must incorporate a significant leadership role for agricultural landowners to take the lead in water management, and more importantly, conservation.
Advancing equitable solar access through federal grant
Last month, Governor Hobbs' new Office of Resiliency took a pivotal step to break down barriers to accessing solar power by applying for $250 million from the U.S. Department of Energy's Solar for All grant. If awarded mid-next year, the funding will enable broader access to solar energy, particularly for those in low-income, rental, and disadvantaged communities.
What a difference a year makes for Arizona water
With November marking the first anniversary of the major overhaul of the Water Infrastructure Authority of Arizona (WIFA) – the body now charged with securing new water supplies and conserving water for Arizona – it’s a good time to reflect on the challenges we’ve faced, the progress we’ve made, and WIFA’s future.
When well-intentioned policies amplify over-policing
As the Food and Drug Administration gears up to potentially ban menthol cigarettes, it's crucial that we pause and consider the broader ramifications of such a decision. Although well-intentioned, this policy change could have consequences far beyond public health that can seriously harm minority communities.
Hey, media, mind your language
In a society where headlines often spawn snap judgments, the choice of words can skew the narrative toward compassion or contempt. The term "convicted felon" is laden with negative connotations and fails to consider the complex journey of individuals beyond their interactions with the justice system.