Retiree: APS rate hikes will hurt us

Independent Newsmedia/Charlene Bisson

Tell Us What You Think

What are your thoughts on proposed Arizona Public Service rate hikes? Tell us in 300 words or less at yourvalley.net/letters, or email your comments, name, address and contact number to AzOpinions@iniusa.org.

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OPINION — Summer in Surprise is sweltering, with temperatures routinely exceeding 100 degrees. Like every household in the state, my husband and I must run our air conditioner to stay cool. He is 83, I am 70, and we are both retired.

We played by the rules, lived within our means and saved carefully to retire in Arizona, which was once known for affordable living. Yet, it feels harder and harder to make ends meet.

The costs of basic necessities — food, gas, water and insurance — have grown to be astronomically expensive while our fixed income stays about the same. The value of our retirement is shrinking.

To cover bills, I face unbearable decisions, sometimes skipping medications for myself and my husband, or putting off necessary knee and dental work.   

To add insult to injury, Arizona Public Service wants to raise utility rates by 14% this year. My monthly bill already jumped from $70 to $90. Over 12% of my monthly bill goes straight to APS as profit, yet I am already on a payment plan to avoid cancellation.

Arizona ranks 12th in retiree population, and this increase will stretch fixed-income families to the breaking point. We have already cut back everywhere we can. We haven't seen our grandchildren in Florida in years, and I barely drive anymore.   

Ordinary Americans are being squeezed by billionaire corporations, in my opinion. That is why I am calling on the Arizona Corporation Commission to reject APS’s proposed rate increase and protect Arizonans’ pocketbooks. 

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