Stacey Barchenger
Arizona Republic
Arizona’s largest power company has sworn to state regulators its record keeping on political spending last year was accurate after scrutiny that it did not previously provide the complete picture of how much it spent to influence policymakers.
José Esparza, Arizona Public Service Co. senior vice president of public policy, signed an affidavit filed with the Arizona Corporation Commission stating that the accounting was “true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief.” At a commissioner’s request, the company on Tuesday also filed an updated report that details political spending from February through June, which slightly favored Democratic groups.
Corporation Commissioner Anna Tovar asked the company in July to update its annual report of spending from 2022 and disclose expenditures made in the first months of 2023. APS’ deadline was Tuesday.
“I was pleased to see APS responded to my request for information,” Tovar said in an emailed statement. “I believe transparency is in the public interest and utilities should report all political contributions, nonprofit contributions, and lobbying expenses to the Commission.”
Commissioners Anna Tovar (left) and Kevin Thompson (right) of the Arizona Corporation Commission attend a special open meeting following Thompson and Nick Myers’ swearing-in ceremony at the Arizona Corporation Commission building in Phoenix on Jan. 3, 2023.
The commissioner’s request came after The Arizona Republic found a discrepancy of $320,000 between what APS told regulators on the Corporation Commission it spent, and what recipients of APS money reported on campaign finance documents filed with the secretary of state.
Part of that discrepancy was a six-figure contribution APS made in late 2022 to the Arizona Democratic Party for the “governor’s fund.” That $100,000 donation was in addition to $250,000 the company previously contributed to Gov. Katie Hobbs’ inauguration fund — enough to cover the cost of the governor’s entire inaugural ceremony.
