Co-chair Rebecca Timmer opened the meeting with announcements from the committee:
Maricopa Councilmember Bob Marsh and Katy Proctor (and the region) are celebrating Maricopa’s accomplishments for SR 347 widening, with inclusion on ADOT’S 5-year plan and ½ cent tax approved for funding.
Bryan Seppala of Resolution Copper indicated August 19th is the projected date for land exchange to be final. Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) has been republished, been 15 years in the making. Bryan will send out a letter of support to distribute to the committee. The committee discussed providing a support letter that will need a final decision of the executive board to proceed.
Craig McFarland indicated the House passed the Ag to Urban bill, mirror bill also passed in Senate, anticipating governor’s signing this week. He expressed his appreciation to the lobbying team and Water Resources Committee members. Committee members expressed their appreciation for all of the individuals that helped get it across the finish line. Click here to see Craig’s President’s Message.
AAED leadership had their retreat last week which included conversation regarding the upcoming partnership on the Lucid Event August 28th and appreciate collaboration with like-minded groups.
Liz Goodman and Cole Libera, lobbyists for Pinal Partnership, updated the committee on current session activity. Liz and Cole are leading the lobbying efforts along with support from their team at Rose Law Group.
- House Budget was passed without Governor’s interaction and was dead on arrival. Senate passed a different budget version negotiated with the Governor and Senate President Peterson and adjourned without permission from the house, highly unprecedented move.
- House Speaker Montenegro is moving forward with passing a continuation budget the Governor will not support, threatening government shutdown on the 30th.
- Liz indicated they are in touch multiple times a day with lawmakers during this time to ensure the Senate’s budget is successfully passed and signed.
- From now until the end of session, the lobbying group will continue to keep the partnership appraised during summer break.
Craig’s transportation letter on behalf of Pinal Partnership was sent to the appropriations committee and working with members advocating for the bills to get in the budget, Click here for link to the transportation letter.
Mitch from CAP updated us on the work by the Arizona Reconsultation Committee or ARC on the Colorado River pact. They are considering “natural flow” scenarios to Lake Mead as a basis for renegotiation, based on supply deliverable for the next three years. The goal is to break the log jam with upper basin states and they’re meeting every week to continue negotiations, with CAP doing a lot of the modeling. Click here for the article.
We’re taking a break in July and the next Pinal Partnership Breakfast is August 1st at the Radisson in Casa Grande. Visit https://pinalpartnership.com/meetings-and-events/ for more information.
The PPGRC and all Pinal Partnership committees will take a break in July. The next PPGRC meeting will be on August 26th.
