The answers to our diseased political culture all point to ourselves.  Earlier this week, my wife, Patricia, and I were listening to the radio about the latest discussion surrounding the immigration and border security debate.  She looked at me and said, “Nothing ever changes.”  She’s right.  It has been nine years since the explosion of…

Last March, Maricopa Integrated Health Systems (soon to be Valleywise Health) announced the purchase and re-opening of Maryvale Hospital.  At the time, we hailed the announcement a big win for the Maryvale community. We said, “There is no better example of the nexus of these two goals – protecting the taxpayers and improving community health –…

For almost two years, HighGround has worked with a broad coalition of stakeholders and community partners to provide leadership, strategy, survey research, messaging, and communications support to pass the Arizona Drought Contingency Plan (DCP).   Along the way, we have experienced many different types of days – some challenging and others heartening. One day that sparked celebration…

HighGround has had the pleasure of working with both Ted Ferris and Peter Burns for many, many years. Both were instrumental in helping several gubernatorial administrations navigate the difficulties presented when recessions hit, and state and public revenues plummeted. Their wisdom is valuable because they have helped the state avoid bigger challenges countless times by exposing bad legislation like SB 1460. The…

In the realm of politics, most issues are navigated with the “fifty-percent plus one” mentality – finding consensus among the number of folks that it takes to win an election.  The fact of the matter is, very few issues in this current political environment can achieve near-unanimous support.  That is why our recommended threshold for…