Hello to All Our Common Sense Neighbors!
Our newsletter is an outreach to the growing community of Voters who want to participate in Arizona elections, but have questions about positions and policies.
We believe that by focusing on the top 10 issues, people can become informed and vote in a way that provides most people in Arizona with what they want, most of the time.
Those 10 issues are: Cost of Living, Affordable Housing, Immigration and Border Security, Jobs and Economy, Budget and Fiscal Responsibility, Crime and Public Safety, Government Fraud/Waste/Abuse, Healthcare Costs and Access, Education, Water Security.
Each month, we will strive to keep you updated with current events and trends.
We believe that an Informed Voter becomes a Common Sense voter.
While we will send these newsletters out on a regular basis, please check out our “Did You Know?” blog. This section will contain frequent posts and updates of current happenings.
In the meantime, we want to hear from you.
Please share your top three most important issues and your thoughts on how to create fact-based solutions for your concerns via our contact page.
We read every response.
Respectfully,
AZ Common Sense
Previous Newsletters:
February 2026
Dear Common Sense Voters,
As Common Sense voters in Glendale, Peoria, Sun City, Surprise, SCW, Avondale, Goodyear, Buckeye and beyond, we value staying informed, challenging the status quo, and making decisions that strengthen our communities. This month’s newsletter brings you critical updates on health care, infrastructure, and community events to empower your voice. Let’s dive into the current issues!
THE PEORIA MAYORAL RACE IS POISED TO INFLUENCE ARIZONA’S FUTURE
Peoria, Arizona, is a rapidly growing Phoenix metro city with vast undeveloped land—especially the Peoria Innovation Core—poised to create high-quality jobs in tech, manufacturing, and semiconductors while preserving quality of life and strong infrastructure.
The 2026 mayoral race is critically important with Mayor Jason Beck announcing his retirement, as the next leader will shape land use, economic partnerships, job growth, and sustainable development during this transformative era.
Based on the official City of Peoria Clerk’s Office election information as of early February 2026:
- Michael Finn: Current Peoria City Councilmember, former Mayor Pro Tem and current Vice Mayor. He announced his shortly after Beck’s withdrawal announcement. Finn has over a decade on council,
business experience including as CFO for Peoria Unified School District, and focuses on fiscal responsibility, safe neighborhoods, thriving economy, and completing projects like the Innovation Core. - Art Miller: Former Peoria Police Chief. He brings extensive public safety experience, a focus on transparency, community collaboration, and ideas for smart city management to his campaign for a safer,
more vibrant Peoria. He has an active public service background, with community mentions of his run including petition drives and local engagements.
The race appears to be primarily between Art Miller and Michael Finn at this stage as other candidates have either dropped or have not completed their filings. If no more than two candidates file for mayor, the primary may be dispensed with per city charter.
WHO ARE MY ELECTED OFFICIALS?
UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL-FEB 28 SAVE THE DATE
The West Valley Republican & Independent Coalition invites you to a “Meet The Candidates” event Sat Feb 28, 2026, from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM at 10147 Grand Ave, Sun City.
Arizona State and local candidates have been invited to attend and make their presentations to YOU, THE VOTERS.
and West Valley legislative districts will be in attendance.
They will each have 10-15 minutes to speak.
This is a great opportunity for you to hear directly from the candidates and ask questions on their positions and platforms so that we can make
informed endorsements as the primary season unfolds.
Door prizes, raffles, and political merch! Drinks and snacks will be provided.
A food truck will also be available.
BREAKING NEWS – OUR AZ PRIMARIES WILL NOW HAPPEN IN JULY
The Arizona primary election dates have been moved from the first Tuesday in August (August 4, 2026) to the second-to-last Tuesday in July (July 21, 2026) for 2026 and permanently thereafter due to a new bipartisan law, HB 2022, signed on February 6, 2026.
The primary reason for this change is to provide election officials with additional time to meet federal requirements under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA), ensuring military and overseas voters receive their general election ballots at least 45 days in advance—even if primary results are delayed by recounts or other
processes—thus avoiding potential disenfranchisement.
For official confirmation from the Arizona Secretary of State’s office, see the February 6, 2026 statement outlining the updated timeline following the
bill’s passage: https://azsos.gov/news/1015.
ESA’s REIGN ACROSS THE AZ POLITICAL SPECTRUM
Arizona’s Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program, its flagship universal school choice initiative, has surpassed 100,000 enrolled students as of late January 2026.
This marks a dramatic ~10x growth since the 2022 universal expansion, when enrollment was around 11,000–12,000, making Arizona’s ESA one of only five nationwide programs to hit this scale, joining Florida, Ohio, and North Carolina.
Proponents, including Superintendent Tom Horne, hail it as proof of parental demand, empowering families with options like private schools,
homeschooling, tutoring, and curricula—a “remarkable endorsement” of school choice amid National School Choice Week.
Governor Katie Hobbs opposes it, calling it a wasteful, unaccountable entitlement that diverts funds from public schools and contributes to closures.
The Majority Legislature has blocked Hobb’s reform proposals that seek to erode this popular program.
Debates continue over costs, now exceeding $1 billion annually, accountability, and potential reforms but the enrollment surge signals strong momentum for parental education options in Arizona.
HIDDEN COSTS OF AZ’s DATA CENTER BOOM: PROTECTING FAMILY AFFORDABILITY
Arizona’s explosive data center growth is fueling the AI surge, but without measures to make these facilities cover their own costs, families face higher energy bills that strain household budgets in our high-cost state.
Rapid Growth and Energy Strain -Phoenix is now a prime data center hub, driving massive electricity demand. Data centers could reach 16% of Arizona’s total power by 2030, per Electric Power Research Institute reports. Each large facility matches the consumption of tens of thousands of homes, necessitating billions in new generation, transmission, and grid upgrades to prevent outages during heat waves and population growth.
Threat to Strained Water Supplies -Phoenix-area centers consume hundreds of millions of gallons yearly for cooling, with projections of a nearly 900% surge—from ~385 million to over 3.7 billion gallons annually if all planned facilities are built. Combined with power-generation needs, this could increase water stress by up to 32% in basins reliant on the dwindling Colorado River and groundwater. While some use reclaimed water or low evaporative
tech, unchecked expansion risks deepening shortages that already limit housing and household supply, forcing stricter conservation and higher costs on Arizona families in our arid region.
So that residents do not bear the brunt of subsidizing data centers’ power needs:
- Support ending tax exemptions: Back proposals to recover $38M+ annually and eliminate corporate handouts.
- Advocate for cost allocation: Urge ACC rules requiring data centers to cover grid upgrades upfront via contracts or collateral—no shifting to household ratepayers.
- Promote self-generation: Require on-site renewables, batteries, or other solutions to lessen grid burden.
- Vote for accountability: Choose leaders prioritizing ratepayer protection over unchecked incentives.
- Engage in rate cases: Submit ACC comments for separate/higher data center rates.
- Join advocacy groups.
If you want make your voice heard in this debate contact your commissioners via email at [email protected].
Arizona’s data center boom offers potential if handled responsibly so that Arizona can make economic gains without hidden costs to utilities or household users……Stay informed and contact legislators to ensure fair policies.
THANKS A LOT, CALIFORNIA
Arizona voters, buckle up—because your wallet is about to feel the pain at the pump, and a big part of the blame lands squarely on California’s policies and decisions.
Arizona has no oil refineries of its own, relying heavily on imported gasoline —about one-third from California refineries producing a special West Coast
blend. Disruptions there directly hit Arizona.
Massive Refinery Closures in California – Citing the high cost of doing business and overregulation, Phillips 66’s Wilmington refinery shut down by
end of 2025, and Valero’s Benicia refinery began phasing out in early 2026. These remove 17% of California’s gasoline refining capacity, tightening
exports to Arizona and risking shortages during peak summer demand.
Ripple Effects on Supply and Prices-Analysts warn of higher regional prices and volatility. Arizona competes for scarcer supply, with historical
disruptions causing immediate spikes e.g., 50-95 cents overnight. Projections suggest sustained increases while national prices trend lower.
Stringent Regulations and “Hidden Taxes” -California’s tightening rules — like Low Carbon Fuel Standard updates adding 47-65+ cents/gallon starting 2025—plus high taxes, cap-and-trade, and fees pressure refiners to exit, worsening the supply crunch.
Current Situation – As of early February 2026, Arizona’s average gas price is ~$3.08-$3.14/gallon, above the national average ~$2.90-$2.94, with
recent upticks. California’s green policies reduce emissions but export higher fuel costs to Arizona families, commuters, and businesses due to our
dependence.
It’s time to demand energy independence—whether through new pipelines from other regions, local solutions, or pressuring for balanced policies that
don’t punish neighboring states. Until then, when you fill up and see those rising numbers, remember:
Thanks a lot, California.
ARIZONA BORDER UPDATE-VERY PROMISING NUMBERS
As of February 2026, Arizona’s border security has seen dramatic improvements, with illegal crossings and migrant encounters reaching historic lows according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection data.
- Southwest border apprehensions in January 2026 totaled just 6,073 — a 93% drop from the historical monthly average of about 83,065 from FY1992–FY2024.
- Nationwide encounters hit record lows, with January 2026 at 34,631 — 87% below prior administration averages.
- For the ninth straight month, zero individuals apprehended by Border Patrol were released into the U.S. interior — every case processed under law, a modern – era milestone.
- Fiscal Year 2026 shows continued declines.
Arizona sectors like Tucson and Yuma reflect the national trend, with lower activity contributing to the overall drop — part of a broader plunge from peaks of over 2 million annual encounters in earlier years to 237,538 in FY2025, the lowest since 1970.
These numbers indicate stronger deterrence, faster processing, and reduced strain on border communities and state resources. While challenges like drug trafficking persist, the sharp reduction in crossings offers a clearer picture of progress on enforcement as of early 2026.
OFFERED WITHOUT COMMENT
BURLINGTON NORTHERN-WILL THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT STEP IN?
The BNSF Logistics Park Phoenix proposal—a $3.2 billion, ~4,320-acre freight rail intermodal and logistics complex near Wittmann, northwest of
Surprise, AZ, along the BNSF line and US 60—was dealt a major setback in November 2025.
On November 5, 2025, the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors unanimously denied BNSF’s request for a Major Comprehensive Plan Amendment. This would have changed the land use designation for ~800
acres (north of US 60, between 211th and 235th Avenues) from “Single Family Rural” to “Mixed Use Employment.”
Key reasons cited by supervisors, including District 4’s Debbie Lesko:
- Insufficient infrastructure and public services e.g., roads, utilities, emergency response in place to support such large-scale development.
- Misalignment with the county’s White Tank Grand Avenue Area Plan and overall rural character preservation.
- BNSF’s requested change was needed to correct a prior county mapping error that downgraded the zoning use of their land, but the Supervisors emphasized broader concerns like traffic, noise, pollution, safety including hazardous materials, and community impacts over “smart growth” or economic benefits.
The vote did not kill the entire project—it only blocked this specific amendment. The core rezoning process remains open, though delayed.
Current update as of February 2026:
No construction has started, and no new major approvals have occurred since the denial. BNSF remains committed and is actively advancing as
evidenced by:
- In January 2026, BNSF purchased ~56 acres across 14 transactions, including six homes and vacant lots in Wittmann for ~$9–10.12 million in cash. These parcels are adjacent to their existing holdings, consolidating control and signaling intent to proceed despite opposition.
- BNSF states the project is “moving forward” to strengthen Arizona’s supply chain, reduce regional train congestion, and support economic growth e.g., jobs, tax revenue. Their official site bnsflpp.com still promotes it actively, with no mention of cancellation.
The rezoning case, the companion to the denied amendment, has not been rescheduled recently, and local opposition continues, with concerns over quality-of-life and potential federal preemption via Rail Authority.
HOWEVER, railroads like BNSF often invoke Interstate Commerce Commission Termination Act of 1995 preemption to argue that local zoning, land-use denials, or permitting requirements cannot block or unduly restrict rail-served facilities.
The future remains uncertain, but BNSF is pushing ahead through land acquisition and regional coordination. How will local opposition
respond?……..Stay tuned……….