Weekly Report

January 29, 2007

Starting our fourth week of session, the pace is even more hectic than before. We continue to hear agency requests for budget increases in both my Sub-committee and the full Appropriations Committee. We are trying to hold the line on spending, but each week we hear from folks (from both inside and outside the agencies) who want us to provide additional funding. This past week advocates for the AZ Historical Society made phone calls and sent e-mails urging my committee to approve specific requests for more money when we give our report on Monday. I'm afraid they will be disappointed.

Two of my bills will be heard in other committees this week. On Monday, Financial Institutions and Insurance will hear a proposal to license mortgage originators, just as real estate sales agents are licensed. This is an attempt by the mortgage brokers to regulate themselves and to curb abuses that they have observed. On Wednesday, Water and Agriculture will hear the bill I sponsored on behalf of Bullhead City. The City wants to become the water provider to Laughlin Ranch and needs a technical correction to existing statute to be able to do that.

The sponsor is expected to present his/her bill to each committee and to stand for questions about it. Fortunately I sit on FII, so I'll be in the room anyway. For the water hearing, I'll have to leave another committee for the presentation. It can get to be quite a balancing act to both work your bills and still do the other committee's business.

This past week also brought County officials and Community College officers to Phoenix for meetings of their organizations. I was pleased to meet with folks from both Mohave and Coconino Counties, as well as with Dr. Tom Henry from MCC. These informal meetings provide me with an opportunity to hear what's important to the various groups and also to let them know how, or if, I can help them. As every recognizes, communication is vital to getting anything accomplished.

I was particularly pleased to receive an update from Carl Taylor, Coconino County Supervisor, on the progress being made by CREDA (Canyon Area Economic Development Alliance). Support from both Northern AZ and Southern UT has come together, and it looks like this effort will really take off. The Arizona strip is in dire need of economic help, and this joint effort appears to be the vehicle to provide that help.

Don't forget to check the Legislature's website, www.azleg.gov. You can follow committee meetings, track bills, and generally keep up with what's being done for you in Phoenix. And thanks for giving me this opportunity to visit with you.

Until next week,

Nancy McLain