Update from July Pinal Partnership Government Relations Committee meeting: elections, 2020 Census & COVID-19
The Pinal Partnership Government Relations Committee, led by Co-Chairs Rebecca Timmer with Wilson & Co and Ben Bitter with the Town of Florence, hosted their monthly meeting on July 21, 2020 and heard various updates about elections, the 2020 Census and economic impacts of COVID-19.
Ben kicked off the meeting talking about elections around Pinal County from statewide, county and city/town offices; the primary is two weeks away. He updated on Florence candidates, Mayor McFarland updated on Casa Grande, Coolidge and Eloy candidates, Heather Wilkey updated on Queen Creek candidates, Dale Wiebusch updated on Maricopa candidates, Mitch Basefsky updated on CAWCD candidates and Neal Carter, a candidate for Representative District 8, discussed various Arizona Corporation Commission Candidates.
We then discussed the 2020 Census. Ben gave various statistics on current reporting percentages: the country has a 62.2% response rate, Arizona has a 58.9% response rate and Pinal County has a 54.1% response rate. Dale Wiebusch says he expects door-to-door census colleting to begin on August 11. To get more facts, response rates, etc, go to www.2020census.com where you can drill down to local or tract levels.
We discussed COVID-19 and heard the latest numbers; keep doing what you are doing and wear your mask.
Heather Wilkey with the Town of Queen Creek updated on their Small Business Grant Program to reimburse businesses for costs incurred in connection with enhanced sanitization, employee safety, and customer safety related to COVID-19. (investtheqc.com/together). Queen Creek uses the US Small Business Association’s definition to ensure small businesses versus larger corporations will get grant money. Mayor McFarland updated on Casa Grande’s, Ben updated on Florence’s and Dale updated on Maricopa’s. We urge anyone needing assistance to reach out to their local leaders or feel free to reach out to Pinal Partnership for guidance. You can also check out our comprehensive COVID-19 resources page.
Mayor McFarland, Dale, and Hesston Klenk with Resolution Copper (on behalf of the Town of Superior), echo previous comments as well as mention their communities want to maximize the benefits of the funds.
Representative Shope, who is running for Senate and his counterpart Senator Pratt is running for Representative, said he was on Morning Scoop with Arizona Capitol Times recently and discussed the tourism and lodging industry which is hurting the most, but not so much outside of Phoenix and Tucson; people want to get out of the cities when they can. The auto sales industry is doing well because people are redirecting funds usually spent elsewhere to large purchases they otherwise might not have made, which is helping to drive the economy. Retails sales are up, housing starts are sky high and we remain one of the fastest growing states. There is a lot to be positive about, but we must keep doing what we’re doing so we can come out stronger.
Congressional actions may come in the next several weeks that may assist unemployed and the general population in response to COVID-19. If there is a package going forward, Arizona is advocating for federal funding for infrastructure.
The next Government Relations Committee meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, August 25 from 8-9am via Zoom. Committee meetings are open to all members of Pinal Partnership. Please contact Melissa Johnson if you would like information to join the committee and/or as a member of the Partnership.
