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Navajo County set aside time on Tuesday to thank their legislative delegation for the outstanding representation they provided to the residents and communities in the county during the last legislative session.  "The session was one of the most challenging the state has seen in many years," summarized Rod Ross, Navajo County Government Relations Administrator.  "Fortunately, we are represented by a delegation of lawmakers who understand the vital role that counties play in our state government and the statutory limitations they face.  We relied on each of these lawmakers to see us through the recent legislative session with as little harm as possible."

 

Navajo County's legislators provide leadership on a wide range of rural and tribal interests that are important to the county's citizens.  The county praised each of their legislators for providing representation for all parts of the county:

 

Senator Albert Hale: "As one of only two Navajos in the state legislature, Senator Hale has a keen understanding of the challenges and uncertainties faced by the residents of northern Navajo County.  Senator Hale has aggressively advocated for a greater allocation of resources to residents of the Nation and other Indian tribes, specifically through the investment of state dollars in telecommunications infrastructure, in the hope that this technology will facilitate an acceleration of economic development opportunities for residents and communities of the state's Indian tribes."

 

Representative Bill Konopnicki:  "Furthering his reputation as a champion for Arizona counties, Representative Konopnicki played a vital role in the recently-completed legislative session.  He laid the groundwork for some of CSA's most important legislative priorities, including serving as an important supporter of counties' opposition to the prisoner shift, the proposed caps on secondary taxing districts, and working to minimize the amount counties would be required to contribute to the budget deficit.  As a rural county, we are grateful for Mr. Konopnicki's stalwart and effective representation at the state Capitol."

 

Representative Jack Brown: "Navajo County is fortunate to be represented by one of the most respected and admired legislators in our state's history.  As the longest-serving state lawmaker at the Capitol, Representative Brown knows his way around a bad budget.  Throughout the session, he could be counted on to stand for rural counties' interests, and to calmly and with humor diffuse potentially tense and contentious situations.  Along with Representative Konopnicki, he was an early opponent of the prisoner shift and consistently supported rural counties in the budget negotiations.

 

Senator Sylvia Allen:  "Few lawmakers have had to take office in circumstances as emotionally and professionally wrenching as those encountered by Senator Allen after her appointment to the Senate in June.  As a personal friend of the late Senator Flake, she faced the challenge of having to simultaneously mourn his loss and carry on his work at the legislature...she did both with grace and skill, earning the respect and admiration of her fellow lawmakers.  Senator Allen cast a key vote on SB 1238, which allowed counties to enact fire bans in times of emergency; her support allowed the bill to move to the Governor for her consideration and, ultimately, approval."

 

Representative Tom Chabin, who is also a strong supporter of rural interests, was unable to attend the Navajo County presentation.

 

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