PIMA COUNTY, July 26, 2024 – The Pima County Department of Environmental Quality (PDEQ) is issuing a ground-level Ozone Action Day for the Tucson metropolitan area today. Individuals who are especially sensitive to ozone air pollution may experience shortness of breath, coughing, throat irritation, wheezing, and breathing discomfort. 

 

If you are especially sensitive to ozone, you may want to limit your level of exertion outside between noon and sunset when elevated levels of ozone pollution are more likely to occur. Intense physical outdoor activity causes heavier breathing, which allows ozone to penetrate deeper in the lungs.

 

Those who are most likely to be sensitive to ozone include children, adults who are active outdoors, people with respiratory diseases, and certain individuals who have an unusual sensitivity to this particular pollutant. Those people who are feeling symptoms should seek medical attention, if necessary.

 

There are many types of emissions that generate ground-level ozone. Motor vehicle exhaust, industrial and power plant emissions, gasoline vapors, chemical solvents, as well as natural sources, emit oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOC) that form ozone in the presence of intense sunlight and heat. 

 

Actions to reduce the production of ground level ozone:

 

Reduce driving – combine errands into one trip. Ride the bus, walk, bike, or share a ride with friends and family. Avoid idling your vehicle’s engine. Re-fuel your car after dark or during cooler evening hours when vapors are less likely to form ozone. While re-fueling, always stop at the click. Make sure your gas cap is tightly sealed after re-fueling. Avoid using gas-powered lawn and gardening equipment. Check your tire pressure monthly and keep tires properly inflated for peak performance. Conserve electricity to reduce emissions from power plants. Use low-VOC or water-based paints, stains, finishes, and paint strippers and ensure that they are sealed properly. PDEQ’s Clean Air Program educates Pima County residents about the potential health effects associated with elevated levels of air pollution and promotes actions to reduce air pollution.

 

PDEQ monitors air pollution in our region at 16 air quality monitoring sites. Real-time air pollution levels are available online at the PDEQ website.

 

To receive Air Pollution Action Day advisories, sign up here.

Phoenix — Ahead of Tuesday’s primary, democracy advocates are urging the Secretary of State to address barriers to polling place access as Arizonans prepare to face already-long wait times during the current heat wave. The Arizona Secretary of State has also begun implementing excessive security measures for election processes that could lead to even longer lines for Arizonans outside of polling places. This escalating trend includes the recent fencing of designated election locations and employing bomb-sniffing dogs for citizens returning signatures for their ballot initiatives.  

 

Arizona is experiencing record-breaking heat and has already seen a rise in heat-related deaths. Implementing such extreme and untested security measures to election infrastructure adds fuel to election conspiracism while creating additional barriers to the ballot box. 

 

Long lines are already a massive obstacle Arizona voters face when casting their vote — if “security measures” like bomb-sniffing dogs were to be employed on Election Day, it would only slow down the voting process and subject voters to even longer wait times in deadly heat. Instead of investing in costly and vote-suppressing alternatives, the state can invest in cost-effective measures that will improve the voting experience, like shade-oriented polling locations, shade umbrellas, and misters at polling places. 

 

Common Cause Arizona and Living United for Change in Arizona (LUCHA) are urging the Secretary of State to address heat mitigation efforts and the long lines that will subject voters to dangerous climate conditions. The Secretary of State’s Office also has a duty to ensure that election security measures do not negatively impact voters or their access to the ballot.  

 

Statement of Common Cause Arizona Program Director Jenny Guzman: 

 

“All Arizona voters deserve to cast their ballots equally, equitably, and free of harm — that includes being able to make their voices heard, even in extreme conditions. We know that our summers are only getting hotter, making heat relief an overdue investment for our elections. Fans, hydration stations, and shaded waiting areas would help encourage more folks to cast their ballot during these hot summer months.

 

We also know that excessive use of force and increased security measures cause voter disenfranchisement — it does not make voters feel safer or increase turnout. In our tumultuous political landscape, we must protect election workers and voters from threats of political violence through tested and trusted protocols that do not impact the election process or accessibility of the ballot.

 

Arizonans can trust that their votes will be securely and accurately counted. It is now up to the Secretary of State to ensure that the voting process will be a safe and seamless experience for all Arizonans, no matter where they live in the state.”

 

Statement of LUCHA Political Director Chris Gilfillan:

 

“We support empowering voters throughout the state. But, what we know is that militarizing something like “bomb-sniffing dogs” at our polling locations won’t make voters feel safer. Voters feel safest when they’re in a welcoming and comfortable environment. Investing in our election infrastructure is important, and it’s equally important to ensure this is accomplished by meeting voters where they are and with what they need without encumbrance.”

STATE CAPITOL, PHOENIX – Republican members of the House Municipal Oversight and Elections Committee have written to county recorders statewide calling on them to promptly update voter rolls and enforce state law that mandates proof of citizenship for voter registration using state forms. The recent ruling by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals on the ‘Mi Familia’ case has highlighted the importance of adhering to A.R.S. § 16-121.01(C). This critical law requires county recorders to reject any state-specific voter registration applications lacking satisfactory proof of citizenship. Non-compliance with this requirement is classified as a class 6 felony. In a letter sent Wednesday, the Representatives also reiterate the obligation of county officials to remove foreign citizens from voter rolls in accordance with state and federal laws. Given the unprecedented levels of illegal immigration under the Biden-Harris administration, the Committee members stress the urgency of maintaining accurate voter records. “This law, which the Legislature passed in 2022, is critical to the integrity of Arizona’s elections. It also prevails over the 2018 Consent Decree entered into by the Arizona Secretary of State and Maricopa County Recorder in League of United Latin American Citizens of Arizona v. Reagan, No. 2: l 7-cv-04102-DGC (D. Ariz. June 18, 2018). Consequently, enforcement of A.R.S. § 16-121.0l(C) should ease your respective offices’ administrative burdens because you are no longer required to search the Arizona Department of Transportation database to search for evidence of citizenship on behalf of an applicant who does not supply citizenship documentation,” the letter stated.  “We also wish to remind you of your responsibility to remove foreign citizens from your voter rolls. See 8 U.S.C. § 1373 and 8 U.S.C. § 1644 (authorizing requests for information to the Department of Homeland Security about an individual’s citizenship or immigration status for any lawful purpose). State and federal laws require removal of ineligible voters from your voter rolls. In light of the unprecedented flow of illegal immigration across the southern border under the Biden Administration since January 2021, it is imperative that you prioritize maintenance of your voter rolls and removal of foreign nationals.”   The letter is co-signed by Representatives Jacqueline Parker (Chair), Alex Kolodin (Vice-Chair), Justin Heap, Rachel Jones, and Austin Smith. A copy of the full letter is attached and posted here: https://bit.ly/4cXbFZB .

We are pleased to be one step closer to making sure Arizona voters get accurate and impartial information about our citizen-led effort to restore abortion access before they vote this fall. Though we expect and are prepared for an appeal, this is important progress toward giving Arizona voters the power to make an informed decision in support of protecting our reproductive freedoms once and for all.

Phoenix, AZ – Yesterday, major credit-rating agency S&P Global Ratings released a report upgrading Arizona’s credit outlook from “stable” to “positive.” The report noted the state’s robust economic growth, low cost of living, increasing personal income, and gross state product surpassing the nation’s as factors for its upgrade. This upward revision is also a result of Governor Hobbs’ successful negotiation of  a bipartisan budget, overcoming the projected nearly $2 billion deficit previously forecasted. 

 

“This report reaffirms that Arizona’s economic position remains strong and our future remains bright,” said Governor Katie Hobbs. “We are building an Arizona that lifts up the middle class, supports smart and sustainable business growth, and leverages the endless opportunities our state has to offer. The results are undeniable, and I will keep working every day to make sure all Arizonans continue to benefit from our booming economy.”

 

“The S&P upgrade to Arizona’s credit rating outlook is a testament to our state’s strong economic performance,” said Danny Seiden, President and CEO, Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry. “Arizona’s population and gross state product are growing, personal incomes are rising, and our reserves are solid. This announcement shows that policy matters and Arizona is on the right track. We’ll continue to work with the Governor and state Legislature to advance policies that promote a healthy and competitive business environment.”

 

The report also cited Arizona’s notable population growth, strong reserves, low debt burden, and responsible fiscal management as factors for the outlook upgrade. 

 

For more information, see here.