Lobbying Congress is a Big Part of the Job

Lobbying the US congress for money is a big part of a supervisors job. We need money from the federal government to help fund roads, schools, law enforcement and search and rescue. I have been there building relationships and fighting for the funds we need.

Lobbying the State Transportation Committee

This week I testified at the House of Representatives Transportation Committee. I brought to the committee's attention that the rural counties and rural cities were not getting the funds they need to maintain their roads.

I applaud our County Road Department for the good job that they do.

Congressman Tom O'Halleran's Visit

What a week! The State Legislature Session is finally over. We had some wins and we had some losses, but over all we did fine. This week we had Congressman Tom O'Halleran here in Duncan and Clifton. I appreciate everyone who took the opportunity to express your concerns with him. We talked about the border and immigration, the river, water and what is happening to the farmers and their families, endangered species, and housing in the County. Thank you everyone. It takes a community to get results.

Water Hearing with Arizona Senators and Representatives

Last night I got to talk about our water concerns with some of the Arizona Senators and Representatives. Please come to the meeting today at 10 at the Graham County General Services Building. You are welcome to voice your concerns to them in a public meeting. They want to hear what your needs and concerns are.  I was at the meeting early and spend time with Senator Gail Griffin and Representative Drew John.

I also spoke personally with Senator Gail Griffin.

This is Senator Sine Kerr, with Representative Brenda Barton in the background. Also in attendance were Representative Rusty Bowers and Senator Tim Dunn. I spoke to all of them as well. They want to hear from you about your water issues.

Lobbying in Washington DC

I made another successful trip to Washington D.C. with my fellow supervisors. We talked to our representatives and senators. We discussed issues important to Greenlee County and the State of Arizona including water issues, forest issues, endangered species issues, hard rock mining issues, PILT (Payment in Lieu of Taxes) and SRS (Secure Rural Schools.) On the home front, I attended the Governors Water Augmentation, Innovation and Conservation Council. We are also working on noxious weeds in the southern part of the county.

Rusty Bowers' Effort to Help Us in Our Water Issues

A big thank you to Speaker Rusty Bowers for his Herculean effort on House Bill 2476 Water Forfeitures. Several local farmers came to testify at the hearing. We need to continue to tell our stories and to protect our way of life.

Senator McSally Comes to Greenlee County

Thank you, Senator Martha McSally for coming to Greenlee County to hear our concerns. She listened to the Mayor of Duncan, the Mayor of Clifton, and myself, your Greenlee County supervisor.

Legislative Forecast Luncheon

Last Friday, I attended the 2019 Legislative Forecast Luncheon sponsored by the Arizona Chamber of Commerce. Senator Krysten Sinema, Senator Martha McSally and Governor Doug Ducey spoke of their goals for the next year. I hope to build a relationship with them and their staffs, so that when Greenlee County needs help, I am in a position to ask for it.

This week I had a meeting with Richard Stavneak, director of The Joint legislative Budget Committee. He went over the projections for the economy of the state for the next two years.

At the Eastern Counties Organization Meeting, we are busy planning for the Legislative Summit where we bring in all the newly-elected senators, representatives and all legislators, to informed them of all the projects and the alliances that we have with various organizations in the state.

Wolf, State Funding, and Freeport McMoran

It has been a busy week. I attended a Wolf meeting. Then I met with Representative Becky Nutt and Senator Gail Griffin on the state budget and how it affects our county. I also met with Richard Bark a representative of FMI.

Lobbying Staff of the President of the United States

The past few days I've talked with staff members of the different agencies of the President of the United States. I talked with senators and representatives of Arizona on forest, wolf, payment-in-lieu-of-taxes or PILT, Secure Rural Schools, and infrastructure concerns of Greenlee County.  

We had meetings with different staff members at the Executive Offices of the President.

Supervisor Gomez and I had the opportunity to talk to representative O'Halloran. 

Working to Keep County Issues in Front of Those Who Can Help Us

It has been a very busy week. I have represented the county in many arenas.

I had the opportunity to talk with Senator Jeff Flake about issues important to the county. I also met with Hunter Moore of the governor's office on water issues. I attended the County Supervisors Association meeting where we talked about the upcoming legislative session. During the week I also met with the Eastern Counties Organization to talk about natural resource and the upcoming legislative field trip.

It takes a lot of work to keep Greelee County's issues in front of the people who make the decisions to help us.

Meeting with our State Representatives and Corporation Commissionor

I spent the day with Andy Tobin, who is an Arizona Corporation Commissionor. I also met and talked with representatives, Drew John and Becky Nutt. I expressed to them concerns we have here in Greenlee County.

At noon, Andy Tobin and I met with the Loma Linda residents to hear their concerns about the current water system.

Governor Ducey's Visit to Greenlee County

After listening to the schools, the towns, the Cattlegrowers and Freeport, its interesting to notice that the county issues are similar to their issues. This should be true since the county represents them. Thank you, Governor Ducey for coming to Greenlee County. It was good to see old friends who are on Governor Ducey's staff.

Salt Cedar Problem, Healthy Forests and River Restoration Projects

It has been a busy week of meetings with State leaders regarding the Salt Cedar problem as well as healthy forests, and river restoration projects. The State Forester, Jeff Whitney, came to Graham County and flew the river from our county to the New Mexico line, evaluating the Salt Cedar and its impacts on our river basins. We also visited about fire mitigation and the importance of forest management as we look to keep our forests healthy. There was a great meeting of over 34 county and state leaders, as well as industry, to discuss the 4FRI initiative. We were privileged to have staff from US Senators McCain and Flake, as well as Congressman O'Halleran come to discuss this important project as it relates to forest management. I wrapped up my meetings with a briefing on the Black River Restoration Project, of which 92 thousand acres in the Apache Sitgreaves Forest are included in the project. Many of these acres reside in Greenlee County, and we are trying to restore the watershed using different management tools such as mechanical thinning. It has been a great few weeks, with a lot of information shared and efforts to manage our natural resources for future generations to enjoy. As a Greenlee County Supervisor, I will continue to have a seat at the table during these conversations, and make sure our county's natural resources are managed effectively.

Lobbying at the Capitol

Busy week as I made my way to the AZ State Capitol for a series of meetings. Met with my friend Representative Drew John who is now representing us at the Capitol, and was a former County Supervisor in Graham County. Rep. John and I discussed issues important to county government that are moving through the legislature. We have been able to support bills that are important to our county, as well as oppose bills that will have a negative impact on our state and region. I was also able to meet with State Mine Inspector, Joe Hart, and I consistently remind him of the important role that mines play in Greenlee County. It was a great few days of meetings, and I am thankful for my relationships with state leaders. It is my goal to keep our county healthy and prosperous!!

Lobbying our Leaders in Washington

A big thank you to our AZ elected leaders in Washington DC for taking time to meet with Supervisors from Eastern Arizona. We had some excellent discussions, and many ideas were shared with them that will help our county grow and prosper. I am grateful to have a seat at the table for these discussions as I have made it my mission to help Greenlee be a great place to live, work, and play.

Working with Senator John McCain

More D.C. meeting's today, and had a great visit with Senator John McCain. We furthered our discussion regarding the natural resources in our county, and the important role they play in our economic growth and prosperity. Our county delegation representing many of the eastern AZ counties provided insight to Senator McCain regarding the issues we face in rural Arizona. It is my goal, along with my fellow county supervisors, to make sure we have a voice with those who represent us in Washington and help them understand the needs and desires of our constituents as well as our county. Please share and support, and provide me with any thoughts or feedback that I can take to our leaders in Washington and Arizona.

More D.C. meeting's today, and had a great visit with Senator John McCain. We furthered our discussion regarding the natural resources in our county, and the important role they play in our economic growth and prosperity. Our county delegation representing many of the eastern AZ counties provided insight to Senator McCain regarding the issues we face in rural Arizona. It is my goal, along with my fellow county supervisors, to make sure we have a voice with those who represent us in Washington and help them understand the needs and desires of our constituents as well as our county. Please share and support, and provide me with any thoughts or feedback that I can take to our leaders in Washington and Arizona.

Working with Representative Paul Gosar's Office

I have been in Washington DC this week talking with leaders at our nations capitol about issues facing rural counties in Arizona. We need to create jobs, promote business and industry, and create economic growth for our region. Joshua Ronk from Representative Paul Gosar's office was just one of the great meetings we had to discuss the issues and concerns that I am fighting for.

Please share with me your thoughts and feedback so I can continue the fight to make Greenlee County a great place to live, work, and play!

The Beginning of a New Year of Lobbying

The first few weeks of this year have been very busy. The Greenlee County Board of Supervisors has assigned me to work with the legislature. This week I attended a training for newly elected supervisors. I started building relationships with our Arizona Senators and Representatives, and started lobbying for or against bills that affect Greenlee County. Over 500 bills have already been presented.