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Now's the time to contemplate legislative proposals for 2009! CSA's policy development process helps county supervisors and staff identify priority policy items designed to help counties deliver efficient, responsive services to constituents. Click here for your legislative proposals packet.  The Senate unanimously approved Cochise County Administrator Michael Ortega's appointment to the Greater Arizona Development Authority (GADA) Board this week. Governor Napolitano appointed Ortega to serve until January, 2013.Mr. Ortega will be a valuable addition to GADA, and begins his service with many years of experience with local governments in Arizona. He has led Cochise County since last year, and previously served as City Manager for Douglas, Arizona. He was also a top engineer with the Arizona Department of Transportation and the Pima County Department of Transportation and Flood Control.
In addition, Mr. Ortega serves as an Arizona Town Hall Board Member, chairs the Arizona Rural Development Council, and previously served as the co-chair of the Border Issues Committee with the Arizona-Mexico Commission.
 The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) held its third public hearing on the Statewide Transportation Investment Strategy, a list of priorities that could be funded if Arizona voters approve the TIME Initiative in next November's election. The audience included Supervisors Mary Rose Wilcox (Maricopa) and David Snider (Pinal), who both urged ADOT to review the absence of a third lane to State Highway 347 from the City of Maricopa. Citing a recent transportation analysis that counted over 50,000 cars traveling the highway daily, proponents said it is "critical" that another lane be added. "We are not a community looking at a future situation," stated Supervisor Snider. "Solutions are needed now."
The project is an example of regional challenges brought on by the state's fast growth, and it impacts multiple local governments in the area. "This is a regional issue," argued Supervisor Wilcox. "It's not just a Maricopa or Pinal [County] issue."
ADOT's outline of potential transportation projects was met with general approval by the audience, although some questioned the efficiency of shifting transportation dollars to mass transit projects on a cost-per-mile-traveled basis.
The TIME Initiative would generate an estimated $42.6 billion for transportation investments, which would be divided between state highway projects (55 percent), passenger rail projects (18 percent), local government projects (20 percent), transportation-related enhancements (4 percent) and an Open Space Conservation and Wildlife Fund (3 percent).
County Supervisors Liz Archuleta (Coconino) and Don Stapley (Maricopa) represented counties at a "Powering Arizona" forum in
The forum began with a discussion led by Dr. Joseph Kalt, of That challenge was addressed through additional discussions, which allowed numerous experts from various energy sectors, including oil and natural gas, solar, and nuclear to discuss the options for finding new energy sources. Participants also received a presentation on a study of
The forum concluded with a roundtable discussion where
At the top of the agenda was a discussion on the proposal for a new e-filing system. Chief Justice Ruth McGregor asked the Commission to approve a change in the approach to seeking a vendor for the system: the original plan had intended to include multiple vendors, but finding a vendor willing to serve the criminal sector (which generates no fees) proved to be a challenge. Justice McGregor suggested this could be addressed by moving to a single vendor and making criminal service a part of the contract, a change that the Commission approved though the clerks of the court had expressed some concerns. The Commission also approved next year's The Commission meets again in the fall. Budget
Bipartisan discussions have begun again on FY09 budget planning, but there are no signs that a proposal will be released quickly. The two sides still differ on whether bonding is appropriate for school construction, a factor which significantly impacts the amount of budget cuts that are necessary.
The legislature adjourned early again this week to mourn the loss of Senator Jake Flake (R-5); work is expected to begin again next week.
Visit our Advocacy webpage for up-to-date information on budget news as we hear it. Lot Splits
 The House sent SB 1491: subdivision reports; notice (Gorman) to the Governor this week, passing the measure by a vote of 52-3. The measure requires the Arizona Department of Real Estate to record a public notice with the county when land has been unlawfully subdivided. It also permits the Real Estate Commissioner to impose civil penalties against persons that subdivide lands without a public report. The measure did not, however, help Senator Gorman's constituents who wanted a solution that would grant access to their homes that were on land designated as illegal lot splits. A conference committee on the bill adopted an amendment that further clarified that division by plat should be recorded, along with its legal description, and established time frames that the Real Estate Commissioner must follow when recording a cease and desist order.
Non-Profits
HB 2219: county buildings; nonprofit entities (Alvarez) was signed into law this week by Governor Napolitano. The bill, which applies to counties with a population of 100,000 or less, was brought forward by representatives of
A conference committee on the bill removed Senate amendments, which would have essentially eliminated the purpose of the measure. The House and Senate both approved the final version of the measure last week; the new law will be effective for only one year.
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This week, the legislature considered the following bills with county impacts. Click here to obtain archived videos of legislative proceedings.
The legislature will continue to work on the handful of proposals left to be considered, but behind-the-scenes efforts will focus on FY09 budget discussions.
Visit the legislature's daily calendar for up-to-date information on next week's activities.
Visit the CSA Calendar of Events at www.countysupervisors.org/calendar.
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The Supreme Court's Commission on Technology (Commission) held its annual planning meeting last week at the Supreme Court in |
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