Arizona Corporation Commission Candidate Debates Now Available as Webcasts and on Cable TV

Arizona Corporation Commission Candidate Debates Now Available as Webcasts and on Cable TV

PHOENIX, Oct. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Arizona voters are now able to go online to view the webcast or tune into their local cable TV to playback the Arizona Corporation Commission Candidate General Election Debate that was presented September 15, 2008 in front of a live audience at Rio Salado Community College in Tempe, Arizona. The six Candidates debated issues that have an enormous impact on Arizona's future and the finances, safety, and quality of life of all citizens, businesses, and organizations in Arizona.

The webcast can be viewed from the Arizona Telecommunications and Information Council Debate web site at http://www.tucsonlink.org/ACCDebates2008/ or on local cable TV through Cox Cable OnDemand Service. DVDs of the debate are also being distributed to Arizona's cable, public access, and broadcast media outlets throughout the state, so we encourage the public to check their local cable and broadcast media for availability. A Spanish language track is included on the DVD and open captioning for the hearing impaired is included on the webcast and the DVD.

The cost of electric and natural gas! High speed Internet to rural communities! Solar, nuclear and other alternative energy sources! Water quality! The safety of the pipelines that carry oil and gasoline across the state! Consumer protection! Arizona's investment in utility infrastructure! These were among the issues debated by the 3 Republican candidates: Marian McClure, Bob Stump, and Barry Wong, and the three Democratic candidates: Sam George, Sandra Kennedy, and Paul Newman, who are in competition for three open seats on the five-member Commission.

Ron Schott, Chair of the Arizona Telecommunications and Information Council, emphasized that "All voters should view these debates! This powerful body, often described as the fourth branch of government, sets the rates you pay for public utilities including telecommunications, water, electric, and natural gas services. ACC policies also determine the quality of these services and future utility infrastructure investments, including high speed Internet to rural communities, and solar, nuclear and other alternative energy sources. The debates covered all the services regulated by the Commission. In addition to regulation of utilities, the Commission protects buyers and sellers of stocks, bonds and other securities from investment scams and fraud. They oversee corporations including granting corporate status for businesses and organizations, maintaining public records and monitoring the integrity of Arizona businesses and organizations. Railroad safety and the safe operations of pipelines that move gas and oil across the state are also under their jurisdiction."

Separate Primary Election Debates were previously held for the Democratic and Republican ACC Candidates on July 15, 2008 and also made available by webcast, cable TV, and DVD. These three nonpartisan debates, sponsored by the Arizona Citizens Clean Elections Commission, were presented by the Arizona Telecommunications and Information Council (ATIC) in cooperation with an impressive list of other business, education, and community organizations. The debates were moderated by Mark Goldstein, ATIC Secretary and President of the International Research Center (http://www.researchedge.com/).

Attention Cable and Broadcast Media:

DVDs of the debate are being distributed to all Arizona cable, public access, and broadcast media throughout the state. While we are making every effort to compile a comprehensive list, to ensure that you receive a copy, please contact Mark Goldstein at mailto:atic@researchedge.com or 602.254.5887.

Presented By:

Arizona Telecommunications and Information Council (ATIC) http://www.arizonatele.com/atic/

ATIC is Arizona's recognized and authoritative organization guiding technology policy development, serving as a leading source of information and expertise on telecommunications and information technology matters. ATIC develops, promotes and supports initiatives and guides adoption of effective public policies that encourages wide-scale deployment and availability of telecommunications services and information technologies to ensure economic prosperity for the Arizona community, expand the region's global competitive advantage, enable continued educational advancement and support an enhanced quality of life. More information on ATIC, its activities, and events can be found on the web site at: http://www.researchedge.com/atic/ or contact ATIC at (602) 254-5887 or atic@researchedge.com.

Citizens Clean Elections Commission (CCEC)
http://www.ccec.state.az.us/

The Citizens Clean Elections Act is a campaign finance reform measure that was initiated by Arizona citizens and passed by voters in 1998. The Act created a new campaign financing system that provides full public funding to qualified candidates who agree to abide by Citizens Clean Elections Commission (CCEC) guidelines. Candidates for statewide offices (Governor, Secretary of State, State Treasurer, Attorney General, Superintendent of Public Instruction, Corporation Commissioner or Mine Inspector) and legislative offices (House of Representatives and Senate) are eligible to participate in the public funding program.

For More Information Contact:

Steve Peters, ATIC Debate Coordinator and Board Member (520) 321-1309 or stevepeters@tucsonlink.org

Access to the debate webcasts, more information, and a downloadable Word version of this press release are available at: http://www.tucsonlink.org/ACCDebates2008/.

Source: Arizona Telecommunications and Information Council

CONTACT: Steve Peters, ATIC Debate Coordinator and Board Member,
+1-520-321-1309, stevepeters@tucsonlink.org

Web site: http://www.researchedge.com/atic
http://www.arizonatele.com/atic
http://www.ccec.state.az.us/

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