What’s it like to be David going up against Goliath?

Meet the woman who singlehandedly challenged Arizona Public Service's price hike by petitioning the Arizona Corporation Commission for a rate review

BY MIKE O'NEIL/THE THINK TANK

Jul 26, 2019, 2:30 PM

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(Public Domain Photo, Facebook Photo)

Stacey Champion has been fighting Arizona Public Service. She’s a single mom, a small business owner and a citizen who just thought that the recent APS rate increase was not justified. So in 2017, she petitioned the Arizona Corporation Commission for a rate review.

You’ve probably read about Stephanie Pullman, the 72-year-old Sun City West resident who had her electricity cut off by APS over a $55 outstanding bill. The temperature at the time was 107, and the coroner ruled that the heat was the proximate cause of her death. Information about this case came to light as a byproduct of Champion’s filing.

We will discuss the chronology of Champion’s fight against APS, what happened and where it stands. Does the little guy ever have a chance? And what it is like as a single individual going up against a multibillion-dollar corporation? It’s a fascinating story — and a good civics lesson.

Is this a David and Goliath story? Recall that David won that one. Or is it more “Don Quixote”? Tune in to find out.

But before we get to Champion, our first segment will be with Richard Szuch, an attorney, who will discuss financial exploitation of aging baby boomers (and their elders). It seems the Arizona legislature did something right in protecting vulnerable groups against financial exploitation.

The Think Tank airs on KTAR News 92.3 FM on Sunday at 1-2 p.m. and repeats at 9-10 p.m.

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