For utilities, ‘fairness’ is a corporate bottom line
As a solar PV owner in both Arizona and Wisconsin, it comes as no surprise to me that the utilities, and unfortunately the governmental body that should be protecting individuals, not corporate interests, are throwing us under the bus.
I watched it happen in Wisconsin and now here. The arguments are identical — that this is an issue of fairness (how can one argue with “fair?”) leading me to think that the American Legislative Exchange Council is at work.
So what about “fair?” Is it fair that I and other solar PV owners subsidize the utility desires for increased infrastructure even though I generate most of my own power?
Is it fair that I invest a considerable amount of money to install solar PV under one set of rules for excess energy my solar panels generate and those rules are changed after the fact to diminish my payback?
Fairness is in the pocket of the beholder.
Jim Perry
Green Valley
Passing Prop. 123 means more gov’t duplicity
With a heavy heart I have voted “no” on Proposition 123. Many of the state’s best leaders and thinkers have urged us to vote “yes,” including the Star’s Sarah Garrecht Gassen, Sen. Steve Farley, Fred DuVal and Mayor Jonathan Rothschild, as well as the Arizona Education Association.
Like them and thousands of teachers, parents, principals and children I am committed to the state’s full funding of our public schools, colleges and universities.
But the duplicitous majority party ruling our Legislature and our devious governor and his henchmen continue to demonstrate their tyranny over the citizens of the state and our legally expressed desires.
As Grumpy the dwarf said, “Mark my words!” If Prop. 123 passes they will move the goal posts, i.e., shift the “thresholds” or tamper with calculating the state’s revenue and void the will of the people again.
John M. Wilson
Foothills
Prop. 123 opposition voice needs wider reach
Bravo for Stanley Feldman’s piece in the April 29 Star, “Vote ‘no’ on Prop.123 — it’s a bad deal,” in which he clearly and dispassionately explains seven good reasons in opposition.
This should be run by every newspaper in the state and covered by TV and radio since the opponents cannot come near to matching the high-dollar campaign in favor.
These dollars have come in large part from ideologically driven office holders and others who do not support public education and who would drive Arizona’s pitiful funding even lower to make good on Gov. Ducey’s pledge to further lower taxes for business and the wealthy.
Dino J. DeConcini
former Tucson city
attorney
and former chief of staff
to Gov. Raúl H. Castro
, Midtown
I-10 dust danger is simply nuts
I left El Paso very early last week to beat the dust on Interstate 10 to Tucson. At 8 a.m., with minor winds, dust already partially obscured the highway near San Simon.
There are many more acres of desert being cleared to plant more commercial groves. When the water runs out, as it has in California, we will be left in the dust.
The surface of denuded desert does not stabilize quickly or easily. We already have this recurring, treacherous situation on I-10 to Phoenix.
Who do we bill for the extra policing, the high-tech signage on the highway, the property and lives damaged, some tragically lost — for more nuts?
Carolyn Leigh
West side
