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

As America works to rebuild the economy following the brutal impact of Covid, it is crucial that actions are taken to revive the livelihoods of individuals and small business owners in Arizona. Although it is widely agreed upon across the political spectrum that an RFF system would be detrimental to America’s current tax system, members of Congress must make their voices heard and stand against this harmful system if proposed as legislation.

Fortunately, doing what’s best for students is also usually best for the economy. Arizona’s public schools are not the enemy. They are the way to restore public trust and confidence, and the surest sign that Arizona is coming back. We can come back weaker, or we can come back stronger.

HB2248 is designed to strip the ACC’s authority to adopt clean energy policies that protect health, reduce air pollution, and save on electricity costs. While it seemed the bill was stalled, HB2248 passed out of Senate Appropriations on March 31, and could be on Gov. Doug Ducey’s desk shortly.

Our notion of the common good calls us to be in solidarity with those impacted by climate change while avoiding the temptation to pass this problem along to future generations as a result of our own neglect or narrow interests. This is why as a nation we -- including Members of Congress -- must prioritize action on climate.

Arizona’s Sens. Kyrsten Sinema and Sen. Mark Kelly will be lauded as heroes if they can persuade their colleagues to change the ABC Test to the IRS Test. Failing that, voting no would be the only way to prevent potential disaster for independent contractors in Arizona and across the country.

Relaunching America’s computer chip industry could create hundreds of thousands of good-paying manufacturing jobs. The U.S. can resume its position as the world’s leading manufacturer of semiconductors — something that would strengthen national security and America’s industrial self-sufficiency.

Addressing public safety is urgent for communities throughout the state that experience loss, violence, and trauma every day. These are communities that have been left behind by the current system.

If Sinema wants to keep her reputation of legislating in line with Arizonans (and her job), she should start to actually do that by eliminating the filibuster and getting to work to raise wages, pass democracy reform, and more.

HB2454 would be a huge step in the right direction for Arizona patients and providers who want to make healthcare — of which telehealth is an essential and lasting piece — as safe, accessible, and affordable as possible.

As we look ahead to the future, we must find new and innovative ways to produce the energy we need to support our growing economy and the businesses and communities that call Arizona home. Fortunately, we have legislators prioritizing the clean energy, technology and innovation sectors by focusing on policy solutions that will have a real and positive impact on Arizona’s economy, both in the short-term as our economy recovers and for years into the future.