by Daniel Stefanski | Nov 18, 2024 | News
By Daniel Stefanski |
Another Arizona governing body has intervened in a critical issue in place of the state’s attorney general.
Last week, the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) intervened in a matter at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), protesting BlackRock, Inc.’s Request for Reauthorization and Extension of Blanket Authorizations to own utilities. The Environmental Social Governance (ESG) – related filing was led by a coalition of state attorneys general from around the nation and the ACC.
The coalition requested that FERC decline to approve BlackRock’s application unless the following four conditions are met:
- “The Commission must require that Applicants, including all affiliates and subsidiaries, limit their collective ownership to 20% or less of the shares of each FPA-covered utility.
- “Applicants must function only as passive investors.
- “Applicants must hold the shares subject to their fiduciary duties to their investors, including the duty to act in the sole financial interest of the investors.
- “The Commission should require specific reports by Applicants of every instance when the asset managers voted contrary to the recommendation of utility management on a shareholder proposal or board of director nomination, as well as an explanation of how such votes were consistent with the asset manager’s commitments to FERC.”
Freshman Commissioner Kevin Thompson, who pushed hard for the commission to join the legal protest, told AZ Free News, “We need utilities to make decisions based on what makes the most sense for ratepayers and the integrity of our grid, not the policy goals of ESG-minded asset management cartels. This Commission is taking a more proactive role in federal matters that impact Arizona ratepayers and our grid because FERC and other federal agencies have rapidly been exerting their influence in matters that should be left up to state regulators and our utilities.”
Joining the Arizona Corporation Commission on the filing were the States of Utah, Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Wyoming.
The Corporation Commission’s involvement with this coalition mirrors the Arizona Legislature’s repeated efforts the past two years to join with other state officers in attempts to defend laws and protect the interests of their constituents. Both the Commission and the Legislature have been forced into acting as the state’s defacto attorney general due to Arizona’s top prosecutor, a Democrat, being unwilling to stand against certain infractions or questions of legality for state and federal laws.
The intervention into the ESG-related matter marks another instance of leadership by Arizona Republicans on this issue. The ESG movement has sought to advance an environmental agenda to bring an end to traditional and reliable energy investments across the country and world, and many have challenged the legality of such efforts in various industries. Before the current Democrat administration, the state had a Republican Attorney General Mark Brnovich, who led a handful of early ESG skirmishes. Arizona Treasurer Kimberly Yee has also joined other state financial officers over the years to oppose pro-ESG actions.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Daniel Stefanski | Nov 18, 2024 | News
By Daniel Stefanski |
Arizona’s Corporation Commission will be completely governed by Republicans after the party experienced a clean sweep of three contests during November’s General Election.
Republicans emerged victorious over their Democrat opponents for three Corporation Commissioner spots on the ballot. Those individuals were newcomers Rachel Walden and Rene Lopez, and incumbent Lea Márquez Peterson, finishing in that order. Márquez Peterson received 100,000 more votes than the fourth-place candidate.
After winning the election, Walden released a statement, saying, “It is a great honor to be elected to the Arizona Corporation Commission. Thank you. To all of the volunteers who knocked on doors, made calls on my behalf, and put up signs. I am so grateful for all of the grassroots efforts. But I am especially grateful for the hundreds of thousands of votes. Thank you for trusting me to serve on the Arizona Corporation Commission. I look forward to serving you to make sure our utilities are affordable and reliable.”
Lopez wrote, “Thank you to everyone for your vote and to: Jessica, Brianna, Andrew & family for your sacrifices in supporting me on this journey. All the PCs, LDs, clubs, Rep Women’s clubs for the opportunities, your work and support. Rachel and Lea for the year long grind. We did it!”
Márquez Peterson said, “Thank you to every campaign volunteer and supporter across the state. I’m honored to continue to serve at the Arizona Corporation Commission for a second term!”
In an exclusive statement to AZ Free News about the coup for Republicans, current Commissioner Kevin Thompson, said, “Despite liberal activist groups spending millions of dollars this cycle to defeat Republican Commission candidates, Arizona voters demonstrated they want Commissioners who will ignore activist politics and prioritize reliability and affordability for ratepayers.”
Thompson added, “The current Commission has focused on the long term reliability of our grid and doing what is best for Arizona, not the activists who want to turn us into another California at the expense of ratepayers. I’m confident the incoming Commission will build upon that work and make sure Arizona remains successful and affordable for the foreseeable future.”
Despite Democrats winning the major statewide offices in 2022 (Governor, Attorney General, and Secretary of State), Republican majority control of this Commission has been a bright spot for those attempting to keep leftwing policies from taking root and blossoming in Arizona. According to its website, the ACC works to ensure “safe, reliable, and affordable utility services,” and Republicans have been instrumental in directing policies to do just that for the state. Without a single Democrat on the panel going forward, starting in January, Republicans will have even more of an opportunity to enact their vision for Arizona utilities and other areas within their jurisdiction on the Commission.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Daniel Stefanski | Nov 17, 2024 | News
By Daniel Stefanski |
Fresh off their successful efforts to keep a majority in the Arizona Legislature, Senate Republicans voted to keep their chamber’s leader for another term in office.
On Tuesday, Senate President Warren Petersen won reelection from his colleagues in the chamber. Petersen faced a brief challenge from another member, but earlier that day, it was reported that the incumbent president would have a clear field to the nomination.
In a statement after his victory, Petersen said, “My esteemed colleagues of the AZ Senate have re-elected me by acclimation as Senate President. I am grateful for their confidence. The media got something right. This is the most conservative legislature in history. We will continue to deliver a conservative agenda that will protect liberty and promote prosperity.”
Petersen added, “With our expanded majority we will make sure our communities are safe and that our kids have the best educational opportunities possible. We will continue to lower taxes and eliminate government waste. We will work with the Trump administration to make sure our border is safe. We will secure our water supplies and our elections.”
Senator Janae Shamp was elected as the Majority Leader, and Senator Frank Carroll as the Majority Whip.
Shamp wrote, “I am truly honored and humbled by the trust The Republican Majority Caucus has placed in me to lead the Arizona State Senate. Together, we will work toward policies that strengthen Arizona, promote opportunity for all, and ensure that our state remains a beacon of freedom, prosperity, and personal responsibility. We will move forward with a united vision, grounded in our shared values, and with a commitment to serving the people of Arizona with integrity and purpose.”
Both Petersen and Shamp are two of the most conservative members of the Arizona Senate. According to the Arizona Free Enterprise Club, Shamp has a 93% lifetime score, and Petersen has a 94% score. Senator Carroll also checked in with a 96% score in the 2024 legislative session.
The leadership elections for Republicans in the Arizona Senate this month marked a drastic change from two years ago, when Petersen faced large uncertainty due to races that had not been called yet and a very competitive challenge for the role of the chamber’s President. Since winning that election and becoming Senate President, though, Petersen has staked a claim to his leadership responsibilities, He has united his caucus in deft opposition to Democrat Governor Katie Hobbs’ radical agenda, managed to advance some conservative priorities in the face of a bitterly divided Arizona government, and joined state and national efforts to defend several laws in the absence of Democrat Attorney General Kris Mayes.
Petersen also spent much of his time in the lead-up to the November General Election campaigning for vulnerable and new members of his conference, earning even more goodwill among Republicans. Despite vicious attempts from local and national Democrats to overturn control of the state legislature, Petersen’s efforts to keep the majority paid off in a big way as Republicans expanded their majority after votes across the state were eventually tabulated.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Daniel Stefanski | Nov 17, 2024 | News
By Daniel Stefanski |
Arizona House Republicans have chosen their new leadership team for the upcoming term of office.
Last week, Arizona House Republicans met to elect their new team of leaders for the next two years. Representative Steve Montenegro received enough votes to become the next Speaker of the House, replacing outgoing leader Ben Toma. Representative Michael Carbone was elected as Majority Leader, and Representative Julie Willoughby as Majority Whip.
In a statement to accompany the announcement of his victory for Speaker, Montenegro said, “I am deeply honored by the trust my colleagues have placed in me to serve as Speaker of the Arizona House of Representatives. Together, we have a strong mandate from Arizonans to advance policies that uphold our principles, promote economic growth, and protect the freedoms and values that define our great state. This opportunity to lead is one I take with great respect for the role and with determination to address the challenges ahead. Our commitment to conservative principles will guide us as we work to secure a bright, prosperous future for every Arizonan.”
Representative Matt Gress posted a picture with the incoming leadership team, writing, “Congratulations to the next Speaker of the Arizona House, Steve Montenegro, along with our new party leaders, Republican Majority Leader, Michael Carbone, and Republican Majority Whip, Julie Willoughby. Under their leadership, the House will deliver common sense solutions for Arizonans. Let’s GOOOO!!”
Unlike the largely unified process and result in the Arizona Senate for Republicans this time around, their legislative allies in the state House of Representatives will have to heal from a speaker’s election that was divided and extremely competitive. To illustrate that point, at least one Arizona House Republican took to X in the aftermath of the speaker’s election to publicly decry the consequences of the result. A unified caucus will be critical to joining with Senate Republicans to stand against Democrat Governor Katie Hobbs’ continued attempts to advance her left-wing priorities in the state over the final two years of her first term in office.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Daniel Stefanski | Nov 17, 2024 | News
By Daniel Stefanski |
Days after their caucus decreased in size for the upcoming term in the Arizona Legislature, Senate Democrats chose their leadership team.
On Tuesday, Arizona Senate Democrats finalized their Caucus Leadership Team for the 57th Legislature.
The new Senate Minority Leader will be Priya Sundareshan (LD 18). The Minority Assistant Leader will be Flavio Bravo (LD 26). The Minority Whip will be Rosanna Gabaldón (LD 21), and the Minority Caucus Chair will be Lela Alston (LD 5).
In a statement after her election as Minority Leader for her chamber, Senator Sundareshan said, “It is a great honor that my fellow caucus members have elected me as their Minority Leader for the upcoming legislative session. The fight ahead will be uphill and the work will be hard. I am confident that along with my newly elected leadership team, we will deliver the very best possible for the people of Arizona. Our commitment to ensuring every Arizonan has access to a good paying job, affordable housing, quality education, and secure water for the next 100 years is unwavering.”
Sundareshan added, “While Republicans have expanded their majority, it is paramount that we communicate and provide a better, bipartisan pathway forward. No matter what setback we may face, our priorities will continue to center working class Arizonans, vulnerable populations, and our future generations.”
Gabaldon also acknowledged her election as Minority Whip on a post on her X account, writing, “I am honored that my fellow Democratic Senate Caucus members elected me to serve as Minority Whip. I look forward to working with the Leadership Team and the Democratic Caucus.”
The three Democrats are some of the most liberal in the Arizona Senate. According to the Arizona Free Enterprise Club, Gabaldón has a 3% lifetime score as of 2023, Sundareshan has a 4% lifetime score, and Bravo has a 7% lifetime score.
The returning and incoming class of Senate Democrat legislators have been relegated to bystanders in a divided Arizona government, where Republican leaders have largely run negotiations with Governor Katie Hobbs and her team on key matters over the past two years. In the final two years of Hobbs’ first term, the same arrangement is likely to occur, leaving legislative Democrats out of the loop on many issues.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
