Has the ACC become nothing more than a shill for... (purchaser, utilities)

[William Gordon]

The year was 2003 when we left the land of liberals and moved to Arizona. To say I found AZ politics a wee bit strange would be an understatement. The one bright light from my perspective was the Arizona Corporate Commission (ACC).

Their role was to act as the sounding board/buffer between the utilities companies and the purchasers (home owners). In the end, the companies would plead their case for rate increases and the ACC would determine how big the increase would be.

When moving here I was delighted with our utility rates; it certainly appeared the ACC was doing a good job of keeping them in check. Then a funny thing happened, everything changed. Like all things politics, money became more important than people.

Recent Supreme Court decisions created a whole new paradigm. Campaign limits and dark money began to influence elections and worse yet, appeared to affect how those on the board voted. Of course they deny it, but what one says is far less important than what one does.

In the recent primary nearly 2 million dollars of dark money flowed into a couple of the candidates coffers. Really? Worse yet, the same two are opting out of candidates forum's where they may be forced to answer tough questions. Sad, because the courage of one's convictions should be solid enough to stand up for what they believe in.

With all that said, the simple question is: Has the ACC simply become a shill for the utilities companies and the builders looking to develop new communities?

[ajonesaz]

I know someone who ran for public office this last run a month back. Within a week of starting the campaign, APS called and offered a campaign contribution. I am not sure where I would go to find the info, but the political contributions of APS must be huge, I don't understand why they always ask for rate increases. By the way, this was a tiny position in a small and mostly irrelevant city. The utility company should not be that involved in politics.

[thinkalot]

I went to a forum and saw the 2 candidates that showed up. I don't know about those 2 either. They did not take money but I wasn't thrilled with their responses either.

[Colt AZ]

Unfortunately, politics and its money began infiltrating the ACC some time ago. Hearing these candidates speak is like listening directly to the utility companies.

[Catavenger]

LOL - 1st time I ever heard someone who thought that the Corporation Commission wasn't ran by the corporations - I think Colt Cassidy hit the nail on the head!