Arizona - Screwed Again - By Choices Made in the Voting Booth

Holy crap! This is scary.

When you talk about the fox guarding the hen house - this one may take the cake.

Pro-corporate extremist members of the American Legislative Exchange Council in charge ofproviding protections for consumers - not a chance in hell.

There are days when I feel so sorry for states like Arizona - where everywhere you turn is the extremist American Legislative Exchange Council running their state.  But there are other days when it just pisses me off that people are so damn dumb that they keep re-electing ALEC members to government.

Arizona Corporation Commission

Background and Organization

Background

Article 15 of the Arizona Constitution establishes the Arizona Corporation Commission. Only 7 states have constitutionally formed Commissions. Arizona is one of only 13 states with elected Commissioners. In the 37 other states, Commissioners are appointed by either the governor or the legislature.

In most states, the Commission is known as the Public Service Commission or the Public Utility Commission. Our Commission, however, has responsibilities that go beyond traditional public utilities regulation. These additional roles include facilitating the incorporation of businesses and organizations, securities regulation and railroad/pipeline safety.

By virtue of the Arizona Constitution, the Commissioners function in an Executive capacity, they adopt rules and regulations thereby functioning in a Legislative capacity, and they also act in a Judicial capacity sitting as a tribunal and making decisions in contested matters.

The Commission is required by the Arizona Constitution to maintain its chief office in Phoenix and it is required by law to conduct monthly meetings.

The Commission staff is organized into eight Divisions. Each Division is headed by a Director who reports to the Executive Director.

Utilities

Securities

Corporations

Safety

Hearings

Legal

Administration

Information Technology

Commissioners:

Gary Pierce - ALEC

Brenda Burns- ALEC

Bob Burns- ALEC

Bob Stump- ALEC

Susan Bitter Sweet - LOBBYIST

Technical Solutions' principal, Susan Bitter Smith, CAE, has been a registered lobbyist in Arizona for twenty five years.

Present and past governmental affairs clients include the Arizona Cable Telecommunications Association, Americans for Affordable Electricity, Alltel, the Arizona Internet Service Provider's Association, Cingular Wireless, Direct Impact, La Posada Resort, DMJM Arizona, Inc., United States Fireworks Safety Council, Professional Medical Transport, Biodyne Health Systems, Citizens for a Sound Economy, Maricopa Integrated Health System, Health Insurance Association of America, Spectrum Health Systems, Kidney Care Partners, and the American Mineral Resource Alliance.  In addition, we have provided pro bono advocacy services for Arizona State University, the ASU Alumni Association and Mother's Against Drunk Driving.  Technical Solutions is the Arizona outreach operative for Hill and Knowlton, Inc. and local operative for Multi-State Associates.