OPINION
THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | OCTOBER 3, 2021
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Hold big tech accountable for sti�ling small developers BY REP. JEFF WENGINER Guest Writer
W
hat comes to mind when you think about tech hubs around the country? For many, it’s probably California’s Silicon Valley or an open-concept of�ice space in a New York high-rise. But did you know that tech hubs are popping up around the country in the least likely of places? Nebraska has the Silicon Prairie, Colorado is home to Silicon Mountain, and our great state of Arizona plays host to Silicon Desert. Silicon Desert is home to small to medium-sized tech start-ups and Fortune 100 companies alike. As a small-business owner, I know how critical it is to provide companies with
Plastic grocery bags pose an environmental threat
I am writing to raise awareness to the problem of plastic pollution, speci�ically plastic grocery bags. In 2021, the estimated number of bags consumed will be over 5 trillion! Less than 1 percent of those are recycled. Those that aren’t recycled will take up to 1,000 years to decompose. The plastics industry must be held accountable for the disposal of post-consumer products. One approach is a tax or fee for each plastic bag. That revenue would be invested into innovation for environmentally safe products or to fund recycling. Unfortunately, the plastic’s lobbying group, The American Chemistry Council, with an annual budget of $122 million dollars, is �ighting this on all fronts. The East Valley Tribune highlighted this problem in the article from March 16, 2016, “Ducey Sacks Tempe Over Plastic Bags Issue,” revealing Gov. Doug Ducey signed legislation HB2131, sponsored by Rep. Warren Petersen, R-Gilbert, making it illegal for local governments to impose any tax, fee or deposit on dis-
the tools they need to survive and grow. That’s why I was proud to vote in favor of Arizona House Bill 2005, which would have provided alternative payment methods on Android and iOS for developers and consumers, introducing competition and lower prices where none exist today. What you probably didn’t know is that every time you buy a digital product or spend money in a video game, Apple and Google are taking a 30 percent transaction tax, sti�ling competition, hurting innovation, and arti�icially raising prices on consumers. Today, this issue has reached the steps of the U.S. Congress. In August, the Open App Markets Act was introduced in the U.S. Senate, and a companion bill was later introduced in the U.S. House. This bipartisan, bicameral legislation would promote a fair app ecosystem and
allow developers to innovate while providing choices to consumers. While the legislation overreaches in some areas, the guiding principles of introducing competition, reducing consumer costs, and anticompetitive behavior from Apple and Google are critical. Many developers face harmful restrictions and protocols at the hands of large tech companies, like the 30 percent transaction fee on purchases made through in-app payments as well as unfair self-preferencing methods. These harmful tactics diminish innovators’ ability to bring products to market and reach a broad consumer audience. Furthermore, these behaviors limit choices for consumers in the app marketplace. The Open App Markets Act is a step in the right direction to hold large tech corporations accountable for practices that
sti�le competition for developers in the U.S. and worldwide. We must halt anti-competitive tactics and level the playing �ield by allowing consumers and developers to decide how they pay for their product, ban self-preferencing schemes, and break down the barriers preventing developers from directly communicating with their consumers. As a small business owner and chairman of the Arizona House Commerce Committee, I want to see our state’s tech innovators and developers grow and prosper. I urge the entire Arizona Congressional delegation to support the provisions that encourage competition, marketplace fairness, and innovation, while reducing customer costs. Arizona’s Silicon Desert is counting on you. Rep. Jeff Weninger represents LD17, which includes south Chandler and Sun Lakes.
posable bags. Politicians supporting bills like HB2131 are contributing to the plastic pollution problem. Safeguarding our environment will take a concerted effort on everyone’s part. Corporate leaders, politicians and the public will all need to do their part to decrease the production of plastics that are depleting resources, poisoning the environment and overburdening waste management attempts. Let your government of�icials know that you are concerned for the health of the planet and do your part to reduce your use of single-use plastics. -Lisa Semrau
Despite the challenges of the pandemic, the resilience and resourcefulness of my students at Kyrene del Pueblo Middle School have been my guiding star. I can invest in these kids because I invest in myself as a teacher. After a decade in the classroom, I went back to school and earned a master’s degree in education media design and technology from Full Sail University. My experience at Full Sail reignited my passion for teaching and provided me with more instructional tools and resources. I know many of my fellow teachers are equally passionate about ensuring their students get the best education possible. I am con�ident that students in Kyrene – and across Arizona – will return to in-person learning with passionate and competent educators by their side. These are the teachers that will help them to go on to accomplish great things this school year. - Nicholas Poveromo
toughest challenges of their lives. They could be facing threats of death or violence or trying to keep their loved ones safe in the face of extreme danger. That’s what I dealt with every workday for over 25 years as a 911 dispatcher in Maricopa County. It was my job to keep those callers calm while also making sure that the help they needed reached them before it was too late. First responders have a tough job. It’s their sworn duty to put themselves in danger, to run into the �ire, to rescue our neighbors facing the worst crises imaginable. It’s important that elected of�icials have our backs. During the worst months of the pandemic, communities had to make tough decisions about how to keep their residents safe in the face of severe budget shortfalls. Fortunately, Mark Kelly stood up for us. He delivered 7.6 billion in funding to Arizona to prevent layoffs of police of�icers, �ire�ighters and other �irst responders so they can continue keeping Arizonans safe. Thank you, Mark Kelly, for standing up for law enforcement and �irst responders. -Louisa Pedraza
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
As a teacher, Kyrene del Pueblo school is my guiding star
The content I teach as a middle school technology teacher is always changing and that makes for exciting classes that can also be challenging to instruct. The dynamic nature of technology pushes me to constantly refresh my skills and �ind new ways to connect with my students – which has been especially important during remote learning.
Kelly is standing up for law enforcement, �irst responders
People calling 911 are facing the
