I had a lovely day in Page on Saturday.  The weather was beautiful and the folks were friendly as always.  SRP, which operates the Navajo Generating Station there and was a major sponsor of the event, was kind enough to let me hitch a ride on their helicopter with employees from Phoenix who were going up for the "Page Attacks Trash" day.  The view from the helicopter provides a perspective not available in any other way, and just proves what a beautiful state we live in with vastly different topography as one travels from south to north . 

 

It also highlights the rapid development taking place in some areas and the truly urgent issue of ensuring sufficient water for those developments.  The managers from SRP were discussing the pressures being put on the Verde River by all the subdivisions in that valley, and the conflicts that water rights vs. water supply will bring.  We know all too well in Mohave County about limited water resources.  The challenge is to balance growth (which may be desirable, but not necessarily so) with what is necessary to provide for growth, including water, roads and other services.  I am not in favor of establishing "water management areas" throughout the State, but I am a firm believer that we need to start addressing water issues on a regional basis, with even more cooperation among decision makers.

 

We still did not hear the judges decision in the ELL matter, but both of my bills were heard in Senate Appropriations and both passed.  Unfortunately the Colorado City school district bill was amended by the Chairman, and that amendment totally defeated the purpose.  I'm hoping to have it stripped when it's heard by the full Senate.  The rural residency bill goes into what is known as "the box."  All requests for money not specifically identified in the budget have to compete for a relatively small amount that is left over when major items are accounted for.  The requests are always larger, and so there is much negotiation to see whose projects will get funded.  I'll be fighting for this one, along with some other issues, which include relief from the long-term care costs (ALTCS) paid by the County for a program run by the State and additional money for drug diversion and treatment programs in northern Arizona.

 

Tax relief measures continue to be a hot topic of discussion here at the Capitol.  There are several competing ideas, and as I've stated before, my preference is for property tax relief over income tax reductions.  The most likely plan is to reduce the County Education Equalization rate, which is collected by the counties but is really a state tax.  I have been assured that if this rate is reduced the counties will not increase their rates, so there will be a small difference seen in tax bills.  The education funding that is provided by this tax will revert to being paid by the State from general fund sources.

 

I've been stressing to county officials, from Mohave and other counties, that they need to do a better job of educating the public on who is actually assessing the taxes paid to the county.  There are many districts that set their own budgets.  The county then tells them what the property values are within those districts, and the district sets the rates necessary to cover their budgets.  The county takes the brunt of the complaints, because that's where the checks are sent.  Take a good look at your tax bill, either the one sent to you or available on-line if your taxes are paid from an escrow account.  Look at all the different entities that are billing you for their operating.

 

It's Monday, and we're going to the floor -- so that's all for now.

 

Until next week,

 

Nancy