/Gage Skidmore via Flickr
By Elizabeth Whitman | Phoenix New Times
A new petition is asking Arizona Public Service’s new CEO, Jeff Guldner, who ascended to the top office on Monday, to launch a new chapter and to pledge not to spend any company money on elections.
Such a promise would be a tall order for a company with a tarnished recent history that is used to buying its way.
“For years, APS was among the most trusted institutions in Arizona,” says the petition, which was addressed to Guldner and published online by a nonprofit group on Monday. “As you are aware, that is no longer the case. Public trust in your company has eroded significantly due to aggressive efforts by your predecessor to use the company’s financial power to influence elections.”
The drive was organized by the Arizona Advocacy Network Foundation, which is legally distinct from but affiliated with the Arizona Advocacy Network, a political nonprofit. Among the network’s stated beliefs are that “political decisions driven by voters instead of money” are essential to “a vibrant democracy.”
The foundation simultaneously released a comprehensive report on Monday that detailed those “aggressive efforts” by APS.
