"Existing programs that save Tucson Electric Power customers money on their energy bills will be cut significantly. That's the bottom line reached at the end of the March 16 Arizona Corporation Commission public hearing....

Last summer, Pima County Interfaith Council (PCIC) leaders learned that local residents would be required to use an out-of-state bank for loans under Tucson Electric Power's 2011 Energy Efficiency Proposal. Knowing this would create a stumbling block for individuals, and knowing Tucson's local economy would benefit from local financing, PCIC requested that the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) require a local bank. ACC staff agreed to make this recommendation—IF—PCIC could find a local lender. PCIC leaders met with many bank and credit union officers.

Result: an innovative agreement between Tucson Electric Power and Vantage West Credit Union for loans to local ratepayers.

"The Department of Justice's announcement of allegations of civil-rights violations in the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office have added to the cascade of non-stop bad press for Joe Arpaio. It's quite different from five years ago in El Mirage, when there was scant willingness to recognize the department's neglect.

by Leah Mundell, Roxana de Niz, Rom Coles, & Gerald Wood; "Interfaith Council Works for Civility," Arizona Daily Sun

by Greta Huls, ""Ecumenical Services Comfort Hundreds," Episcopal Diocese of Arizona

"Candidates Address Faith Forum," by Michelle Ye Hee Lee, The Arizona Republic