Radical Leftists and solar panel companies are freaking out over the upcoming Arizona Corporation Commission meeting on Wednesday, October 11 at 10:00am! But, based on the available public comments, they are the only ones who have contacted the Corporation Commission to express their desired actions regarding what’s on the agenda.
Currently, Arizona regulations force utility companies in the state to buy the extra solar power each solar customer puts into the grid. The Arizona Corporation Commission sets the rates that utility companies pay those customers.
On Wednesday, the Corporation Commission could vote to change the amount utility companies pay to match the break-even cost of the companies. This would reduce the vast majority of Arizonans’ energy bills.
In 2007, the Corporation Commission implemented a policy that required utility companies to pay retail price of solar power to their customers who put solar power back into the grid.
Those customers are still getting that rate today, even though the price of solar power has decreased tremendously over time. The customers are locked into that amazing deal for 20 years from the date of installation.
The 2007 policy ended in 2016 when the Corporation Commission decided utility companies should pay wholesale pricing to customers. However, there was a “great negotiation” between those who wanted the policy to remain in place—the Radical Left & solar power companies—and the Corporation Commission. The new policy implemented allowed for a maximum of only a 10% reduction in the price utility companies pay these customers every year. Since 2016, customers are locked into the rate they are paid for 10 years from the date of installation. Oh, and yes, those customers who installed solar panels between 2007-2016 are still locked in to get paid retail pricing for 20 years from the date of installation.
Because the maximum reduction of the rate utility companies pay to solar power customers who give to the grid is only 10% per year, there is still a huge discrepancy between the true wholesale solar power price and the rate utility companies are forced to pay these customers.
APS calculates their “Avoided Cost” at almost $0.05. This means APS would nearly break even on paying five cents per kWh to solar panel customers giving power to the grid. However, APS is forced to pay nearly $0.09 per kWh. For ten years, APS has to pay this rate to every solar panel customer who gives power to the grid, even though solar power is more than likely going to continue to fall.
The Arizona Corporation Commission sets the maximum profit rate of utility companies. APS’ is set at 8.7%. Being forced to pay customers more for their energy than the break-even cost causes utility companies to charge customers who do not have solar and are not giving to the grid a higher price for energy to meet profits.
If APS is allowed to truly match wholesale pricing for all solar panel customers giving to the grid and pay each one of them just under five cents per kWh, APS would be forced to cut the cost of energy for all of their customers, use the extra funds left over to reinvest, and/or expand its energy providing capabilities.
That’s why, if you really believe in clean energy or just want cheaper utility bills, it’s important to make your voice heard by speaking up, giving public comments, or submitting written public comments.
Right now, the only folks who have been doing so are those who own solar panels and don’t want their pay to decrease or solar panel companies who may face tougher economic hardship. But all customers deserve a say in our state’s energy prices both now—and in the future.
Jeff Caldwell currently helps with operations at EZAZ.org. He is also a Precinct Captain, State Committeeman, and Precinct Committeeman in Legislative District 2. Jeff is a huge baseball fan who enjoys camping and exploring new, tasty restaurants! You can follow him on X here.
It’s time for COVID mandates to go away forever. And last month, one Arizona town took a step in this direction when it passed a resolution that needs to be a trend in every city throughout our state.
With a desire to take proactive measures to protect citizens’ constitutional rights, the Queen Creek Town Council passed Resolution No. 1540-23 with a unanimous vote during its regular meeting in September. And it’s quite clear. While the town recommends that people exercise personal responsibility to prevent illness, it committed to not implementing mandates concerning masks, vaccines, business closures, curfews, or “any similar measure.”
Have you ever shown up to vote and were told at the voting location that your voting information does not match the information on your driver’s license? If this has happened to you, have you wondered if your vote was counted?
We finally know why this happens! And there’s someone fighting for you!
EZAZ.org put out a Call to Action for its Grassroots to speak at the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors Meeting on September 27. One of the talking points included that voters are unknowingly being re-registered as a different political party or even in a different county than the county they live in. One of the commenters utilized this talking point.
Maricopa County’s legal team followed up by stating that during the MVD and Service Arizona process, when someone re-registers their vehicle in another county, sometimes the opt-out box is mischecked and changes voter registration without the voter knowing. Maricopa County Elections Director, Scott Jarrett, agreed.
👁🎥Maricopa Caught on VIDEO🎥👁@maricopacounty Board of Supervisors County lawyer & @RecordersOffice's Election Director admitted voters' registrations are being changed without the voter's knowledge‼️‼️‼️
Yes, this is the same elections department run by Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer. Both offices stated that the MVD and Service Arizona process is allowed under state statute. They are saying their hands are tied, and they can’t do anything about it.
This means that a voter could get mismatched information or be registered under the wrong party affiliation for something like re-registering a vehicle, registering a new vehicle, or getting a new license… And the voter wouldn’t even know until it’s too late!
So, then what would happen? If someone shows up to vote and their voting registration information is different from the information on their driver’s license, the voting location provides what is called a provisional ballot.
The Arizona Secretary of State’s Office says, “Provisional ballots are a fail-safe measure designed to ensure that all eligible voters have their ballots counted.” The county is supposed to go back and determine if voters who cast provisional ballots were legal and then count the ballots of those who are legal. But if provisional ballots are such a fail-safe measure, then consider this.
There are currently over 9,000 provisional ballots not counted in the Arizona Attorney General race. Abe Hamadeh is still fighting in the courts because his team has discovered many of these voters tend to vote in every election and some were mysteriously re-registered in another county. There are only 280 votes separating Mayes from Hamadeh.
Abe’s team has been trying for months to get access to the envelopes of provisional ballots to verify information of those who did cast a vote in such a way, but the counties have not allowed this to happen. This is ridiculous!
It’s time for the MVD and Service Arizona to change its misguided process. And it’s time for the courts to force the counties to allow Abe’s team to inspect the provisional ballot envelopes. After all, real election integrity ensures that every legal vote is counted.
Jeff Caldwell currently helps with operations at EZAZ.org. He is also a Precinct Captain, State Committeeman, and Precinct Committeeman in Legislative District 2. Jeff is a huge baseball fan who enjoys camping and exploring new, tasty restaurants! You can follow him on X here.
The City of Phoenix posted on X today asking the public to come to their council meeting tomorrow.
On Wednesday, October 4 at 2:30pm, the City is going to vote on Agenda Item 37, which states that the City has the ability to tax its citizens $180 million if it doesn’t have the money elsewhere.
Now, it’s up to the public to put a stop to this.
Earlier this year, the City passed a $6 billion budget that includes a $137 million surplus. Also, in November, the City is asking Phoenicians to approve 4 different Bond Propositions that equate to half a billion dollars.
Now, the City wants to have the ability to go into $180 million in debt “to fund or refinance the costs of acquiring, constructing, expanding and improving real and personal property for technology upgrades, solid waste facilities and equipment, public safety property, systems and equipment, and other municipal facilities for the City of Phoenix. The debt will be supported by a pledge of excise taxes or other available funds for such purposes, and to pay financing costs granting an exemption to Phoenix City Code section 42-18 to include indemnification and legal remedy limitations. Further this request authorizes the City Controller to receive and expend all necessary funds related to this item.”
The City is leveraging its ability to implement a $180 million tax to move forward without a vote by the public. Phoenicians have the ability to let the City know whether or not to pass it through public comment.
To review the history of excessive spending in Phoenix, what has the City of Phoenix done when they get extra money?
Implemented a city-wide COVID lockdown without consulting with the Medical Director for Disease Control of the Maricopa County Department of Public Health who recommended to not lock down at that time and to only wear a mask if you are sick and absolutely must go out. – SOURCE
The City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department closed playgrounds, basketball courts, volleyball courts, and fitness areas because of COVID. – SOURCE
“Our goal by 2050 is to make walking, cycling, and transit commonly used and enjoyed in every Phoenix neighborhood. This goal will result in 90% of the population living within one-half mile of transit and 40% of the population choosing to commute by walking, biking, or transit. Currently, 86% of the population lives within one-half mile of transit, while less than 10% of the population currently commutes by walking, biking or transit.” To do this one action, the City is planning is to “[Develop] 15 vibrant compact complete centers throughout the city to provide the majority of services residents need within their local community.” – SOURCE – SOURCE
Implementing road diets – reducing the amount of traffic to slow traffic, altering driving experiences, implementing bike lanes, bus rapid transit, and/or light rail. – SOURCE
Implementing Meat Consumption Mitigation – Policies that will lead to future reduction of meat consumption – SOURCE
Sold $60 million of water rights to the federal government and stated that it will have no impact on City water customers. – SOURCE
Implementing housing first homeless policies – SOURCE – SOURCE
Teamed up with ASU to implement global policies to obtain the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals – SOURCE
Dedicated the Office of Arts & Culture to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. – SOURCE
Equity teaches people and has policies based on the belief that there is systemic racism, and that they are entitled to reparations and more because of the color of their skin. – SOURCE
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion teaches students and people that white people are oppressors. – SOURCE
Phoenix has its highest rate of inflation dating back to at least 2002. – SOURCE
The unemployment rate in Phoenix has skyrocketed nearly 38% in 4 months. – SOURCE
Phoenix air ranks among the most polluted. – SOURCE
Homelessness has increased every year since 2017 and is the highest it’s been since at least 2016. – SOURCE
Tried to house homeless people on a site the City knew was previously used for illegal dumping. – SOURCE
History of failed homeless shelter programs. – SOURCE
The City has spent $12 million to install cool pavement over the last four years. It actually makes people hotter. – SOURCE
Created the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. The office is meant to ensure equitable distribution of City services. – SOURCE – SOURCE
Created the Equal Opportunity Department. It can give people money if they believe they are a victim of housing discrimination because of gender expression or gender identity. – SOURCE
The Office of Arts and Culture hosted the Racial Equity Learning Cohort Program. – SOURCE
It’s critical for the people of Phoenix to stand up, speak up, give public comments, or submit written public comments. You can find out more about how to make your voice heard here. But don’t wait. The meeting is tomorrow, and it’s up to the public to put a stop to this radical tax.
Jeff Caldwell currently helps with operations at EZAZ.org. He is also a Precinct Captain, State Committeeman, and Precinct Committeeman in Legislative District 2. Jeff is a huge baseball fan who enjoys camping and exploring new, tasty restaurants! You can follow him on X here.
In the school choice ecosystem, Arizona has made commendable strides, particularly with the Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program which, as reported by AZ Capitol Times, has seen an enrollment surge of nearly 50,000 students this year. The Arizona Department of Education (ADE) is predicting, according to the article, “there could be as many as 100,000 students enrolled by this time next year, growth that ADE says reflects the popularity of the program.” This highlights a thriving demand side, driven by policy shifts that have democratized access to private education. However, the narrative doesn’t end here; the supply side awaits a similar unlocking.
The current influx of families into the ESA program underscores a burgeoning demand that is at risk of outpacing supply. Despite the newfound ability to opt for private schooling, many families are soon to find the seats in private schools limited. This reality sheds light on an imperative for the school choice movement—the need to scale up the supply side to match the demand for private education across the state.
Transitioning focus toward facilitating the establishment and expansion of private schools is the logical next step in Arizona’s school choice trajectory. However, achieving this necessitates robust financial instruments that go beyond traditional funding avenues, made even more pressing in an economic environment where the cost of capital limits traditional debt financing. Introducing a blend of philanthropic and mission-driven financing instruments can propel the growth of private educational institutions. By creating a conducive financial landscape, private school operators can be better positioned to expand to accommodate the growing demand.
Business leaders, foundations, philanthropists, and financial intermediaries committed to ensuring parents have the very best education choices for their children should band together to form capital market instruments tuned to the current supply side needs of the private school ecosystem. Something like a Private School Growth Fund is well overdue, and those hungry to see private school expansion should look to the lessons learned from the charter school world over the past 15 years. Examples like the Charter School Growth Fund and the Drexel Fund will help point the way for how supply side financing solutions play an indispensable role in turning policy advances into actual choices for parents.
Additionally, fostering a collaborative environment among policymakers, private school operators, and financiers will be instrumental in creating a sustainable model for private school expansion. This should be coupled with regulatory adjustments that encourage the sprouting and scaling of private schools.
Arizona stands at the cusp of realizing a fully-fledged school choice landscape. The momentum gained on the demand side presents a compelling case to now unlock the supply side. As the state navigates this new phase, the blend of policy, philanthropy, and private enterprise will be crucial in molding a balanced school choice market, capable of serving the educational needs of parents and children from every community across the state.
While the ESA program has significantly opened school choice options, the real testament to success will be in establishing a market where the supply of private schools meets the burgeoning demand, ensuring that the choice remains a genuine one for every family in Arizona.
Erik Twist is the Principal Partner and President of Arcadia Education. He served as President of Great Hearts Arizona from 2017 to 2022.
For months we have been hearing that a small group of disgruntled political consultants and power-hungry politicians would be releasing their plan to scrap our century-old primary and general election system in favor of a confusing jungle primary/ranked choice voting scheme that will disenfranchise voters and empower special interests.
Well last week a group called “Save Democracy Arizona” rolled out their proposed election reform ballot initiative, and it is about as dysfunctional a plan as what we expected.
Reading through their proposed constitutional amendment, a sprawling 4 pages of poorly written language drafted in secret, it is abundantly clear that this won’t make elections any more transparent or fair except for the special interests who support it. And it does far more to disenfranchise voters and destroy democracy than actually save it…
