By Daniel Stefanski |
A year-long legislative effort finally came to fruition for an Arizona community.
Late last week, Arizona State Representative Alexander Kolodin and Senator Justine Wadsack announced that the Rio Verde Foothills community once again – and finally – had access to water.
In a joint statement, Kolodin and Wadsack said, “After more than a year of failed attempts to resolve the issue, today we stand in celebration as water flows once more to the residents of Rio Verde Foothills. Three months ago, we sent a bill to Hobbs urging she sign the legislation to help restore water for over 700 residents that had relied on the City of Scottsdale for over 30 years. At that time, we applauded the community’s resolve and said, ‘Hold on tight, relief is on the way!’ We are elected to office to get things done for the people of Arizona. Where every other level of government failed, this Republican majority delivered.”
The “X” account for the Rio Verde Foothills Standpipe District also acknowledged the development in this ongoing saga, writing, “Official per RVFSD: The water will flow on Monday 10/9. Thank you to the board for your work, and tireless effort, countless meetings, emails, and support of community partners. Thank you to the City of Scottsdale and EPCOR. Thank you to all who helped. Moving forward!”
State Representative Laura Terech also weighed in on the situation, adding, “I am relieved to see water access restored to the Rio Verde Foothills!”
Few legislators worked with more intensity at the Arizona Legislature over this issue than Kolodin in the recently completed session. It was Kolodin’s HB 2561 that was added onto SB 1432 as an amendment before both chambers sent the bill to the Governor’s Office. After SB 1432 passed the legislature, Kolodin thanked many of his colleagues, including Senator John Kavanaugh, Wadsack, Terech, and Representative David Cook, for their efforts in ensuring the proposal’s success. Kolodin wrote, “This is not the first water crisis Arizona has faced and it will not be the last. But, today, we proved that the era of kicking the can down the road is over. This legislature is ready, willing, and able to roll up its sleeves and solve the problem – together.”
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
