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

Arizona is home to more than 40,000 convicted felons. The state’s prison population has grown rapidly over the past 30 years, and it’s showing no signs of slowing down.

As a representative of Legislative District 7 and as a member of the Navajo Nation, I am writing in support of protecting Grand Canyon Watershed from harmful and unsustainable uranium mining and irresponsible development by establishing it as a national monument.

Phoenix’s public employee pension system is currently $1.5 billion in debt and on Nov. 4, voters will decide whether to make significant reforms to erase the debt or stick with the status quo. Opponents of the Phoenix Pension Reform Act claim it will cost taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars and that similar reforms in other states have been failures. But they’ve got the facts all wrong.

Too often we hear or read about programs and policies that are not working in Arizona. Or we learn about polarized factions lining up on one end or the other of an issue.

While a lot of things have changed since I entered public service 20 years ago, the American people still elect representatives for the same reason. Just like the first office I was ever elected to — and every office I’ve held in between — the people of Surprise elected me to help improve their lives.

As we approach election season, here are tips for making your vote count.

My friend, Barry Goldwater Jr., paid spokesman for TUSK ("Tell Utilities Solar Won't Be Killed"), has spoken on the race for Arizona Corporation Commission, and his words are an incitement to hearty debate. I write in defense of the candidate I have endorsed, Doug Little, whose candidacy has elicited a degree of ferocity that is entirely disproportionate to his views -- which are mainstream -- and disrespectful of his values, which are stellar.

As elected leaders of multiple West Valley communities, we want to cut through the over-heated rhetoric surrounding the Tohono O’odham Nation’s proposed West Valley Resort casino, which will benefit our region and all of Arizona tremendously.

As Arizonans sharpen their focus on the actions that will enable our state to become more competitive, emerging evidence points to the profound economic impact of arts and culture organizations. In fact, the arts not only enrich our community, but they contribute to a healthy economy.

If a citizen breaks the law and no law enforcement action is taken, what message does that send to everyone else? This is exactly what’s happening with our immigration laws in America.