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Re: TEP needs a fact-checker

The op-ed makes a compelling case for holding monopolies like TEP, APS, and Southwest Gas accountable to facts rather than convenient rhetoric.

As an Arizona consumer advocate, I have observed firsthand how these powerful monopolies resort to deflection and fearmongering to protect excessive and unwarranted profits. The op-ed shows that claims these monopolies need higher profits to avoid funding problems and reliability risks simply do not withstand scrutiny.

Reliable power depends on honest accounting and transparent decision-making — not on repeating utility industry talking points. With massive rate cases from all three monopolies pending before it, the Arizona Corporation Commission must confront the challenge raised by Attorney General Kris Mayes’s expert.

Why has the commission, for far too long, forced customers to overpay monopolies well beyond what investors reasonably expect, resulting in the transfer of hundreds of millions of dollars from captive ratepayers to shareholders with each rate case?

Abhay Padgaonkar

Phoenix

DEI hires

The Artemis II Space Mission was a success. The pilot is Captain Victor Glover, a 49-year-old Black man. Captain Glover holds three masters degrees — Systems Engineering, Science, and Military Operational Art.

Captain Glover graduated from Air Force test pilot school and accumulated over 3000 flight hours with over 400 carrier landings and 24 combat missions. He became a NASA member and has served on the International Space Station and walked in space three times.

But, is Captain Glover qualified or just a DEI hire? In the words of Charlie Kirk, “If I see a black pilot, I’m gonna be like, Boy (interesting use of “boy”) I hope he’s qualified.”

Is it possible that Glover would not have been accepted as a student in Cal Poly to begin his career without DEI? Who Knows? What we do know is that he is qualified now.

And, if Trump can say about Robert Mueller, “I’m glad he’s dead,” then we can criticize Kirk for his divisive views.

Gary Haslett

SaddleBrooke

Where is the money going?

April 15th, the worst day of the year, is upon us: IRS Tax Day. If anyone was unlucky enough to be stuck with a tax bill, then this day is filled with dread and is a hit to the bank account. Others, with better planning, don't have the same issues, but the question is still the same: Where does the money go?

Remember when the new administration implemented DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency)? The goal was to identify where the money was going, a worthwhile goal. What I would like to see is a report that lists all taxes/funds received by Pima County with a second list showing where all those monies go. More than once, the county administrators have shifted funds to special projects and then propose a new tax/bond to cover the shortage. The question that the taxpayers need answered is simple: "What are we still paying for that has been forgotten, expired, or outdated, but is still being billed to taxpayers and paid?"

Loran Hancock

Northwest side

Water

We live in a desert, and we face enormous challenges regarding water. Yet we seem to be in a constant fight over the last few drops coming out of the Colorado River that feeds so many states. Isn't it time we look to Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE for their expertise in desalination plants?

Instead of draining our rivers to flood farmer fields and fill data centers, look to the oceans. Our rivers are drying up as we wait for a miracle of rain or snow pack. Wake up, politicians, wake up.

Eric Watt

Southwest side

The bad, the good and the ugly

The bad: Sgt. Matthew Blank will soon be deployed. His new bride, Annie, is in the process of getting legal status. Undocumented military spouses are eligible for permanent residency. She was taken into ICE custody as they attempted to register her for spouse benefits. This didn’t happen before Trump.

The good: Sen. Mark Kelly contacted DHS Secretary Mullins to push for Annie’s release. Next day, she was released. Annie teaches Sunday school and will soon earn a biochemistry degree. Hardly the worst of the worst.

The ugly. Trump, Miler, ICE, mass deportation of non-criminals.

Pre-deployment is already a very difficult time for soldiers and their families. I’ve experienced this. Adding potential deportation creates enormous pressure and distraction, exactly when soldiers need to be focused on what lies ahead.

The military uses immigration status assistance when recruiting. Then Trump’s ICE does this. He couldn’t care less. Not surprising given Cadet Bone Spurs' long, documented disdain for the military.

Dan Gipple

Southeast side

Faith is not a political prop

Donald Trump’s attack on Pope Leo is more than political rhetoric; it is a troubling display of arrogance toward a moral authority grounded in faith. When a sitting president mocks a Pope for preaching peace, calling him “weak,” we are no longer debating policy; we are witnessing contempt for the core teachings of religion itself.

Pope Leo speaks from the Gospel: “Blessed are the peacemakers.” Trump responds by demanding that the Church align with his political worldview. Since when does a president dictate how a Pope should act?

Even more disturbing is Trump’s use of religious imagery, portraying himself in Christ-like form, healing the sick amid symbols of power and nationalism. This is not faith; it is self-elevation to something approaching divinity. It diminishes religion by turning sacred symbols into political props.

Religious leaders are meant to challenge power, not bend to it. A Pope calling for peace is fulfilling his role. A president portraying himself as a savior is crossing a dangerous line.

Lawrence Mazin

SaddleBrooke

What is real political correctness?

America knows how to send a team of astronauts safely around the moon and back, but we don’t know how to elect law-abiding politicians to office.

Our political mantra today is, “It’s all good.” We no longer seem to believe there is actual evil in society or in our government.

Folks, divorce is not good. Gambling is not good. Pornography is not good. Political lying is not good. Crime is not good. War is not good. How have we managed to lose sight of all this?

Our problem is that parents, politicians, and schools seem to have no idea how to teach democracy.

Teaching democracy requires that folks first understand law, political science, and history. Our Founders had this kind of education, but today we are severely lacking in it.

Kimball Shinkoskey

Woods Cross, Utah

Trump is mentally ill

Were his constant lying, egomania, poor judgment, and gross inhumanity not sufficient, Trump's posting a picture of himself as Jesus Christ healing a sick man is indisputable proof that this man is mentally ill. Yes — certifiably and indisputably psychotic. He belongs in a mental hospital, not the Oval Office. With such a man at the helm, our country and our world are in the midst of the darkest of dark times. How can we go on like this? What's next?

Stephen Saltonstall

East side

The will of the people

Congress is dysfunctional. It can’t even pass legislation that enjoys overwhelming bipartisan support from voters.

Two simple steps would help restore my faith: Passing the SAVE Act to ensure integrity and security in our federal elections and eliminating Daylight Saving Time.

Jeffrey McConnell

West side

Trump descriptors

If you are wanting to describe Donald Trump why not use educated documented descriptors used by educated experts:

“Solipsist” — They are so focused on their own perspective, sensations, and thoughts that they cannot truly recognize or validate the feelings, thoughts, or existence of others. Attributed to Robert J Lifton, Psychiatrist, Harvard lecturer, expert on political psychology and totalitarianism.

“Hypomanic” — Their actions exhibit reckless spending, hypersexuality, or taking on excessive, ambitious projects. Attributed to John Gartner, PhD, psychologist.

“Malignant Narcissist” — Deriving pleasure from humiliating or hurting others. A strong suspicion that others are conspiring against them, leading to defensive, angry outbursts. Deeply manipulative, frequently using gaslighting to maintain power. Refusal to accept blame for their actions. Attributed to Otto Kernberg, an Austrian-born American psychoanalyst and professor of psychiatry at Weill Cornell Medicine.

Don Dickinson

Oro Valley

The landslide that didn't happen!

When does this landslide garbage regarding the 2024 election end? President Trump won the popular vote by only 2.3 million votes. In 2020 Biden won by 7 million votes. In our divided country that's the definition of a landslide. By the way, Hillary Clinton won the popular vote in 2016 by 2.9 million votes. Is that a landslide Mr. President? Your thin-skinned ego is crushing the soul of this country. I only hope I live long enough to see you go away.

Dennis Rivera

Foothills

Who's the nuisance

Arizona AG Kris Mayes’ willingness to use novel interpretation of nuisance laws has spurred much needed action on rural groundwater reforms — reforms that legislators have been dodging for years at the behest of big donors. The focus on groundwater use in rural basins drew fire from Representative Lupe Diaz whose novel hydrogeologic interpretations and limited understanding of water matters has led him to believe his constituents are okay with the expense and hardship of hauling water when their wells dry up from the affects of big agriculture's unregulated pumping. I’ll guessing they’re not.

Sheldon Clark

Vail