Standing Up To Powerful Interests

	Arizona PIRG Executive Director, Diane E. Brown

In over 20 years of working with the PIRGs, I have seen many public interest victories, but also many setbacks.

I have learned it is hard to predict whether or not public interest legislation will prevail in any legislative session. (That is why we are providing you with policies on our agenda on page two, not what we expect will happen).

I have learned you cannot underestimate the role of powerful interests creating impediments to protecting our water supply, preventing identity theft or putting cleaner cars on our roads.

For example, take a measure discussed in the Arizona Legislature this session that would require a unanimous vote by the County Board of Supervisors to adopt local water adequacy requirements. Congress, the Arizona Legislature, and other decision-making bodies do not need a unanimous vote to make decisions about health care, transportation, education or other important topics. Not only is this bad policy, it is a bad precedent.

Yet, I have seen developers, drug manufacturers, automakers and others employ tactics such as this on a range of issues—time and time again.

With your support, sometimes we are able to thwart these efforts and protect the public interest. Sometimes we are not as successful.

However, I do know that Arizona PIRG consistently stands up to powerful interests and works hard to represent you. We conduct research and present the facts, we work with a range of organizations and decision-makers, we conduct media outreach, and we work to inform and involve concerned citizens like you.

When we win, we conduct follow-up to ensure the adopted policies are properly implemented and enforced. When we lose, we continue to advocate and work hard for real policy solutions to problems in our state and our nation.

Regardless of the outcome, your support gives us the resources we need to stand up to powerful interests and ultimately to make a difference. Thank you.