Arizona Lawmaker Requests AG Investigation Over Anti-Proposition 127 Resolutions
Download mp3 (4.51 MB)A Democratic state lawmaker is asking the Arizona Attorney General to investigate whether cities and counties broke the law in their effort to fight a clean energy ballot measure.
State Rep. Ken Clark has submitted a letter to Mark Brnovich’s office raising concerns about resolutions passed by local lawmakers around the state urging their constituents to oppose Proposition 127.
“Public dollars should be used to support public works, such as libraries, roads, and schools. They should not be used to promote the political views of private corporations, such as APS,” Clarks wrote.
On Wednesday, Clark and Chandler attorney Tom Ryan plan to speak at the capitol about the allegations.
MORE: A Guide To 2018 Arizona Ballot Propositions
As KJZZ reported earlier this month, at least six local governments have taken formal positions opposing the measure after elected officials deliberated in a public meeting: Greenlee, Gila and Navajo counties, as well as Holbrook, Pinetop-Lakeside and Snowflake.
Some of the resolutions came at the urging of Arizona Public Service and cite statistics from an Arizona State University study that predicted dire consequences for jobs and electric bills if the measure passes.
Proposition 127 would require that half of Arizona’s energy comes from renewable sources like solar and wind by 2030.
“This is very black and white,” said Ryan. “They’re putting their funding from the state of Arizona at risk.”
In May, the Navajo County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution against Proposition 127, but then last week amended the resolution.
Instead of urging residents to vote no, the language was changed to urging them to "educate themselves.” The resolution still lists many of the negative implications of passing the ballot measure, though.
“It’s an important proposition and we felt it was important for voters of Navajo County to understand it,” said Navajo County Manager Glenn Kephart.
He called the revised resolution a “neutral statement.”
