Committee Co-chair Rebecca Timmer kicked off the meeting with discussion on goals for 2026:
Cole Libera from Rose Law Group indicated session discussions are underway.
- Last year was focused on water, with PCWAA (Pinal County Water Augmentation Authority) and the Colorado River rights continuing to be topics of priority
- Budget and funding will be tight as the federal government shutdown will require the state to backfill what is currently not funded. Statewide and county impacts will increase as time goes on.
- Transportation will be a focus in the next session, focused locally on RTA Next, a Pima County initiative to renew their sales tax.
- Individual priorities for cities, towns and counties will emerge as bills start to be introduced
- No new freshman members and 2026 races for Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State and congressional seats could shift dynamics with a lot of new faces.
Fareed Bailey from SRP indicated $67 million is available for new spending, but state will need to make tough decisions by conforming to HR 1 (Big Beautiful Bill), which impacts DES and tax policy changes.
Inviting a speaker from JLBC, the budget committee or member of the congressional delegation to address the committee on the topic could be helpful. Fareed will work with Cole, Rebecca and Richard to arrange for a speaker.
Rebecca suggested the December breakfast meeting could be good timing for that speaker.
Craig gave an update on the ASU Decision Theatre meeting last week: The Decision Theatre is AI driven and will be utilizing data provided to propose a transportation corridor for Pinal County
- First working session last week with core group of municipal partners, board members and committee chairs to set framework on how to move forward.
- Pinal Partnership and the county have an MOU and county is funding $300,000
- Loop 505 is already being referenced by ADOT for the new transportation corridor in Pinal County
- Goal to have 2028 ballot proposal for new road ½ cent sales tax to fund Pinal County Regional Transportation Plan
Mitch Basefsky from CAP updated the group on the Colorado River discussions
- CAP University is happening this Thursday, and registration is open at the following link: Register Here
- Weekly negotiations are ongoing between the 7 basin states. Upper basin states are not budging on no cuts.
- November 11th deadline for consensus agreement on EIS process and review will be shared at December 16th annual meeting.
- Lower basin allotment of 7.5 million acre feet has only been tapped at around 5 million acre feet, but the federal government will likely provide alternative drafts starting in December.
- AZ Reconsultation Committee is conducting listening sessions on how share of AZ cut will be distributed; AZ is the only state that has to go to legislature and governor for approval.
- Federal government is most interested in safeguarding power levels at Lake Powell at the detriment of Lake Mead; resulting in deeper shortages for lower basin.
- Disagreement ongoing regarding the 1922 compact of what upper basin is required to deliver to lower basin. Initial alternatives did not recognize the upper basin’s legal requirement to distribute 7.5 million acre feet to lower basin.
- CAP and the Governor’s office have started a coalition to have AZ speak with one voice to counter messages from upper basin negatively depicting AZ as wasting water: irresponsible water practice. Here is the link for the Coalition website: protectingarizonaslifeline.com
- Rebecca suggested that Mitch could share more on the coalition and how to connect during the next meeting.
Rebecca is lining up Ted Maxwell to speak on RTA Next.
Craig and the lobbying team are meeting with legislators and will provide a recap to the group. A draft is being created to share with the committee prior to meeting with the legislators. Intergovs will be invaluable support in working with Cole and the lobbying team on transportation, water and energy.
Craig will be providing the Energy Committee presentation draft being prepared for municipal partners and planning and zoning commissions relating to increasing energy demand and the need for diversity of solutions.
The next Pinal Partnership breakfast on November 7th is sold out and will be on the State of San Tan Incorporation. Please email rina@pinalpartnership.com if you wish to be on the waiting list.
The next PPGRC Meeting will be on November 25th.
Visit https://pinalpartnership.com/meetings-and-events/ for more information.
