Issues and Answers |
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What's Up For Next Year? With the election now behind us, it's time to return to Phoenix in January, 2007 to continue my work for District 3. Thanks to all of you who supported my efforts for re-election. One of the areas of our district that hasn't received a lot of attention in the past is the "Arizona Strip," which is north of the Colorado River from Beaver Dam to Page. I've been trying to focus on some of the needs of constituents there and have made several trips to the north. Currently I'm working with the Canyonlands Regional Economic Development Alliance (CREDA). This group was formed to bring together communities and counties in both northern Arizona and southern Utah to work for economic development throughout the region. Supervisor Pete Byers and I attended the last meeting in Fredonia on August 25th, where Coconino County Supervisor Carl Taylor reported that he had received expressions of interest on many different fronts and that the next step was to form an organized entity. Grants may be available that will actually allow CREDA to set up with staff that will actively pursue development issues. I've also met with folks in Beaver Dam who are considering incorporating their corner of Arizona. They also have some issues with the potential diversion of water to Nevada, and I've been helping them make the necessary contacts with AZ Dept. of Water Resources and other state agencies to decide how to proceed. I've continued my work to help the Colorado City School District. I met with the interim Superintendent and a group of teachers earlier in August, and they all agreed that the district has done nothing but improve under the leadership of Peter Davis, the receiver put in place last December. When I last spoke with Mr. Davis in July, he reported that the finances of the district had improved to the point that it was not necessary for him to access the loan that was made available by my legislation this past session. I will continue to work with the school on a necessary road improvement project they have been struggling with for some time. Here are what I believe will be the most important issues that will come before the legislature this coming year: Illegal immigration -- I've already presented my views on what we should do. I'm confident that the legislature will continue to address what we can do on the state level and just hope that we can get those measures actually signed into law. Water -- obviously on everyone's mind as we continue to experience growth, both in Mohave County and statewide. I will continue to work against Active Management Areas (AMAs) for the rural parts of Arizona. I believe these issues can best be handled at the local/county level. The Arizona Water Institute is a recently formed consortium of the three universities and the state Depts.of Water Resources, Environmental Quality, and Commerce, all working together to quantify exactly how much ground water we can reasonably expect to access and the best conservation practices. They also hope to become self-sustaining as they develop patentable methods that could be utilized outside of Arizona. I am confident that this will become a valuable resource as we plan for sustainable development. Taxes -- as I'm sure you will remember, this year's budget provided significant personal income tax relief. I believe that we should now focus on the reduction (or perhaps even elimination) of the business personal property tax. State revenues are continuing to grow, and while we know that this level cannot continue indefinitely, there will still be additional income to state government. A big battle will be how those additional funds will be spent. Rather than creating new programs, with ever expanding budgets, I would favor business tax cuts which will help existing businesses and be an incentive for new or relocating companies. Personally, I hope to focus on school finance and means to simplify and make more transparent how we really go about funding our K-12 educational system. Much work was done in this area by Rep. Tom Boone last year, and I have already spoken with him about continuing what he started as he moves on to a leadership position. I have very much enjoyed the past two years and am looking forward to continuing as an effective and responsive representative for our area. Rep. Nancy McLain |