Another hectic week, as we continued to hear agency requests in both Appropriations and the Sub-committee for appropriations which meets jointly with the Senate Sub-committee.  We have made many budget recommendations, trying to be as fair as possible to the departments.  They all present seemingly good reasons why their funding should be increased, but it's our job to evaluate the best uses of taxpayer money -- and many of the requests seem to be far in excess of actual need.  This is all part of the process of crafting the State's budget, but we all know that most everything will be re-visited when the actual negotiations with the Governor begin in earnest.

I'm also busy hearing bills in the other three committees on which I serve.  Most have been non-controversial, receiving nearly unanimous votes to send them on their way.  We have had some interesting discussions in the Transportation Committee, as we try to balance the needs of the Phoenix area against the needs of the rest of the state.  We had a presentation a few weeks ago regarding how the additional funding of $304 thousand given last year to the STAN (State Transportation Acceleration Needs) program had been utilized.  The approximate 62% allocated to Maricopa County went to I-10 southeast of Phoenix, as did the amount allocated to Pima County (Tucson).  When I asked where the relatively small amount allocated to the "other" 13 counties went, I was astounded to learn that it was all given to Pima County -- also for I-10 to improve the freeway between Phoenix and Tucson!

This is the battle we fight all the time, but I want you all to know that I continue to stand up for rural Arizona and will always do so.

As promised last week, here's a summary of the bills for which I am the prime sponsor and their status as of Feb. 8th:

HB2320       Requires that loan originators be licensed by the state.  This bill was brought to me by the mortgage brokers, who have been trying to rein in some unscrupulous employees with only slight success.  Passed Financial Institutions and Insurance and went on to Rules.

HB2321       Will allow Bullhead City to become the water provider to Laughlin Ranch as new development is annexed into the city.  Passed Water & Agriculture, Rules and should be in Committee of the Whole this coming week.

HB2595       Requires cities, towns and home owner associations to provide "reasonable accommodation" to amateur radio operators for their antennae.  The chairman of Counties, Municipalities & Military Affairs would not hear this bill.  This is the chairman's perogative for any bill.  I'm trying very hard to get in assigned to another committee so it can get a hearing and move on.

HB2663       Provides an AZ income tax credit of $250 for residents who have seen either their sewer bills increase dramatically (Lake Havasu City and Page) or  face connection fees of up to $13,000 (Bullhead City) for sewer improvements mandated by the Dept. of Environmental Quality.  Will by heard in Ways & Means on 2/12.

HB2698       Allows the community of Oatman to collect an additional 2% sales tax (bringing them to 7.75%) to provide a revenue stream which can be leveraged for loans or grants to build public restroom facilities.  The many tourists who visit the area are now forced to use "port-a-potties," and most are not very happy with that situation.  Will be heard in Ways & Means on 2/19.

HB2754       Makes some technical changes to the GADA (Greater Arizona Development Authority) program and provides an appropriation of $5M so they can continue to guarantee local bond issues.  Lake Havasu City did their sewer bond through this agency, and was therefore able to get the lowest possible financing costs.  As of Thursday, this had not been assigned to a committee.

HB2761       I wrote of this bill last week.  It requires doctors to notify the MVD when certain conditions exist that would impair a driver's ability to drive safely.  Will be heard in Transportation on 2/15.

These are very brief summaries and certainly do not take in all the details of these bills.  But these are the issues that I am working on, and three out of the seven are directly related to the needs of District 3.

Until next week,

Nancy McLain