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

Over the next several weeks and months, Arizona’s business and industry will slowly begin opening their doors in an effort to return Arizona to a new “normal.” Although much will be the same, much will also be different. Change can be challenging and at times scary, but the East Valley Institute of Technology, or EVIT, is committed to educating and training high school and adult learners to help usher in the next chapter of our state’s economy.

Governor Ducey’s “Stay Home, Stay Healthy, Stay Connected” order to mitigate the COVID19 pandemic has dramatically “flattened the curve,” reducing spread and protecting our hospital system and health care professionals. But, the order was set to expire April 30. As Arizona looks toward re-opening, it is important to consider how we re-enter without jeopardizing the gains achieved by a month in lockdown.

During these uncertain times, the economic impact of coronavirus-driven cancellations, postponements and shutdowns continues mounting.

It’s simple: the world and the market have changed. By the same token, it’s time for PURPA to change for the 21st Century.

In Arizona, our leaders and utilities have proven that they are prepared to step up to take care of consumers during this unprecedented crisis, while still looking ahead to the future by working toward a strong energy policy for the state that will modernize Arizona’s energy sector, drive economic development, and help repair some of the economic damage wrought by this novel virus. That is something for which all Arizonans can be proud.

Cheap, reliable, and clean electricity is important in the best of times, but it becomes most critical in times like these, where we face fear, uncertainty, and economic hardship.

Isn’t it bad enough to lose your job without losing your employer-based health insurance along with it?

In the COVID-19 era, the most mundane of activities—like going to the grocery store or gas station—can feel perilous. Every surface we touch could host a virus we can’t see but we know can be deadly. But what if that wasn’t the case? What if we could make everyday surfaces into virus killers? We can and we should.

After heaping contempt and suspicion on the families participating in Arizona’s Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program for years, partisan activists should acknowledge that their diagnoses of the program’s ailments have been wrong, and their solutions poorly prescribed.

As the terrible burdens and risks posed by the COVID-19 pandemic have changed everything in our daily lives, we know that our awareness of the importance of lung health is only growing.