5.20.2010
In the “amusing in a sick way” department, we have an economic war brewing between 2 governments. No – not China v USA, it’s LA v Arizona. Los Angeles passed a city resolution banning city contracts and business with Arizona businesses in protest of Arizona’s recently passed immigration law. This follows similar actions by San Francisco and Berkley.
An Arizona elected official, Gary Pierce (AZ Corporations Commissioner) responded with this:
Dear Mayor Villaraigosa,
I was dismayed to learn that the Los Angeles City Council voted to boycott Arizona and Arizona-based companies — a vote you strongly supported — to show opposition to SB 1070 (Support our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods Act).
You explained your support of the boycott as follows: “While we recognize that as neighbors, we share resources and ties with the State of Arizona that may be difficult to sever, our goal is not to hurt the local economy of Los Angeles, but to impact the economy of Arizona. Our intent is to use our dollars — or the withholding of our dollars — to send a message.” (emphasis added)
I received your message; please receive mine. As a state-wide elected member of the Arizona Corporation Commission overseeing Arizona’s electric and water utilities, I too am keenly aware of the “resources and ties” we share with the City of Los Angeles. In fact, approximately twenty-five percent of the electricity consumed in Los Angeles is generated by power plants in Arizona.
If an economic boycott is truly what you desire, I will be happy to encourage Arizona utilities to renegotiate your power agreements so Los Angeles no longer receives any power from Arizona-based generation. I am confident that Arizona’s utilities would be happy to take those electrons off your hands. If, however, you find that the City Council lacks the strength of its convictions to turn off the lights in Los Angeles and boycott Arizona power, please reconsider the wisdom of attempting to harm Arizona’s economy.
People of goodwill can disagree over the merits of SB 1070. A state-wide economic boycott of Arizona is not a message sent in goodwill.
Sincerely,
Commissioner Gary Pierce
I’m not sure where this is going…but I’m sure more government actions will have more unintended consequences. Government IS the root of more problems than people realize. However, I’m sure someone will find a way to blame this too on Government Sachs – which in the world of politics, would make a handy scapegoat.
As a note: regular readers know that I am no fan of GS – I’d have liked to see them fail in 2008…
