by Matthew Holloway | Oct 27, 2025 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
U.S. Rep. Eli Crane (R-AZ02) led a bipartisan group of Arizona lawmakers in sending a letter to the National Park Service (NPS) last week, requesting $28.36 million to upgrade aging water infrastructure serving Page and surrounding communities.
The funding, sought under the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA), would rehabilitate systems managed by Page Utility Enterprises (PUE) that supply water to Page, nearby Navajo Nation areas, and the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. Cosigners on the letter addressed to Acting NPS Director Jessica Bowron included Reps. Andy Biggs (R-AZ), Paul Gosar (R-AZ), and Greg Stanton (D-AZ).
In a post to X, Crane wrote, “Despite the ongoing shutdown, my team and I remain focused on #AZ02. Yesterday, we urged @NatlParkService to help upgrade the water delivery system serving Page and nearby communities that serve as a gateway to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.”
The current aging infrastructure, over 60 years old, includes a 12-inch intake pipeline through Glen Canyon Dam that is undersized and vulnerable to fluctuations in Lake Powell’s water levels, according to the letter. Peak seasonal demand often exceeds capacity, and if lake levels drop below the intake level, PUE could lose the ability to deliver water to customers.
Recent wildfires, including the Dragon Bravo and White Sage fires, have burned thousands of acres in northern Arizona, further straining the drought-impacted region and highlighting the need for long-term solutions, the lawmakers wrote.
The proposed project would involve installing a new water intake and pump station on the south side of Lake Powell, along with an 18-inch replacement pipeline. This would double daily delivery capacity from 3.3 million gallons to 6.6 million gallons.
The GAOA, enacted in 2020, provides up to $1.3 billion annually through 2025 for public lands infrastructure and recreation access. The representatives noted that the Page project aligns with the program’s goals and should be prioritized if remaining funds are available or if the act is reauthorized.
“I’m proud to lead this bipartisan letter to ensure Page and surrounding communities have reliable water delivery infrastructure,” Crane said in a statement.
“With the Dragon Bravo and White Sage fires devastating the region, we must do more for what is a critical gateway to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. I’m grateful to Reps. Stanton, Gosar, and Biggs for joining this effort, and we will continue pushing for a positive outcome.”
The bipartisan letter from the Arizona congressmen emphasized the project’s role in supporting public health, economic stability, and tourism in the region, which relies heavily on the national recreation area.
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
by Matthew Holloway | Oct 17, 2025 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
Rep. Eli Crane (R-AZ-02) has introduced the North Rim Restoration Act of 2025 to streamline federal contracting and accelerate recovery from the Dragon Bravo Fire.
The fire, sparked by lightning on July 4, burned 145,504 acres in Grand Canyon National Park and the Kaibab National Forest before being declared fully contained, almost four months later, on September 29th. It destroyed key infrastructure across the parks, including the historic Grand Canyon Lodge, leading to partial closures of the North Rim that are likely to continue throughout the 2025 season. The closures have reportedly impacted park staff, local communities, and the tourism revenue from the site that generates billions annually for Arizona’s economy.
The bill grants the National Park Service emergency contracting authority to bypass standard procurement delays for fire recovery efforts, including forest management, maintenance, rebuilding, and infrastructure upgrades. It requires the agency to submit progress reports to Congress every 180 days.
Original cosponsors include Reps. Andy Biggs (R-AZ05) and Abe Hamadeh (R-AZ08), as well as House Natural Resources Committee members: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Chairman Paul Gosar (R-AZ09), Subcommittee on Federal Lands Chairman Tom Tiffany (R-WI07), Congressional Western Caucus Chairman Doug LaMalfa (R-CA01), and Rep. Celeste Maloy (R-UT02).
“While the Dragon Bravo Fire dealt a setback for Northern Arizona, we won’t let this tragedy define our future. We have an opportunity to rebuild stronger and better than before, and we can’t let unnecessary regulations get in the way,” Crane said in a statement. “This legislation paves the way for an efficient recovery, and I’m grateful for the bipartisan support on this approach. I also want to thank our heroic firefighters and first responders who brought the fire to full containment, as well as the local leaders in Coconino County who are committed to restoring this treasured place.”
The Coconino County Board of Supervisors praised the act stating, “Coconino County supports the North Rim Restoration Act, which gives the National Park Service the ability to respond swiftly and thoughtfully, not only to rebuild the physical structures, but to restore the enduring spirit of the Grand Canyon’s North Rim. We are deeply grateful to Representative Crane for championing this legislation and recognizing the devastation caused by the Dragon Bravo Fire and the heartbreaking loss for everyone who treasures this extraordinary place.”
Crane previewed the bill in an Oct. 9 post to X, writing, “Tomorrow, I’m introducing the North Rim Restoration Act of 2025. This legislation will eliminate bureaucratic hurdles and expedite the rebuild of the Grand Canyon. While the Dragon Bravo Fire dealt a setback for #AZ02, we won’t let this tragedy define our future.”
Crane also announced the availability of low-interest federal disaster loans via the U.S. Small Business Administration in early September. The loans will assist businesses, nonprofits, and tribal nations that endured economic losses from the Dragon Bravo and White Sage fires.
The bill has been referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
by Matthew Holloway | Oct 14, 2025 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
With tropical storm-fueled rains hammering various parts of Arizona and flood losses mounting, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced that low-interest loans are now available for the victims of severe flooding in Coconino, Gila, Graham, Maricopa, Navajo, Pinal, and Yavapai Counties, as well as tribal nations.
The SBA is offering low-interest federal disaster loans to eligible businesses, nonprofits, residents, and tribal nations—similar to those provided for the Dragon Bravo Fire victims in September.
In a post to X announcing the relief for Gila County, Congressman Eli Crane (R-AZ02) called for continued prayers for those hit by the massive flooding. Remnants of Hurricane Priscilla hammered the area over the weekend, adding to late September’s monsoon deluge that devastated Globe-Miami.
Crane wrote: “@SBAgov has declared an economic disaster due to the severe flooding in Gila County. Through this declaration, SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to eligible businesses, private nonprofits, and residents,” providing a link to resources.
He followed up: “Please continue to keep those impacted by the devastating floods in Gila County in your prayers. For those affected, @SBAgov is offering Business Physical Disaster Loans, Home and Personal Property Loans, and Economic Injury Disaster Loans.”
According to the SBA:
“Businesses and nonprofits are eligible to apply for business physical disaster loans and may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets.
“Homeowners and renters are eligible to apply for home and personal property loans and may borrow up to $100,000 to replace or repair personal property, such as clothing, furniture, cars, and appliances. Homeowners may apply for up to $500,000 to replace or repair their primary residence.
“Applicants may be eligible for a loan increase of up to 20% of their physical damage, as verified by the SBA, for mitigation purposes. Eligible mitigation improvements include insulating pipes, walls and attics, weather stripping doors and windows, and installing storm windows to help protect property and occupants from future disasters.”
The Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is also available to help small businesses, nurseries, and non-profit organizations with financial losses directly related to this disaster.
For more information, the SBA directs victims to visit this website. They can apply online, call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955, or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.
“When disasters strike, SBA’s Disaster Loan Outreach Centers play a vital role in helping small businesses and their communities recover,” Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA, said in a press release. “At these centers, SBA specialists assist business owners and residents with disaster loan applications and provide information on the full range of recovery programs available.”
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
by Matthew Holloway | Oct 7, 2025 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
Six Arizona GOP House members—Reps. Andy Biggs, Juan Ciscomani, Eli Crane, Paul Gosar, Abe Hamadeh, and David Schweikert—urged Democratic Sens. Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego in a letter to “do the right thing” by backing H.R. 5371, a clean continuing resolution to reopen the government.
In the letter, the congressmen told Sens. Kelly and Gallego, “Every single one of us voted for this seven-week, clean continuing resolution when it passed the U.S. House of Representatives on September 19th. This same kind of resolution, with no partisan extraneous policy riders, has garnered bipartisan support routinely in the past.” They also stated that the funding levels called for are precisely those that both Kelly and Gallego have supported in the past.
The congressmen explained, “Our goal in passing this bill was quite simple: keep the government open and functioning for all those who depend on it for a paycheck, and the critical services that our federal government provides. Our state is home to ten military installations, over 34,000 federal civilian employees, approximately 20,000 active-duty service members, over 450,000 veterans, and countless additional federal entities.
“Senate Democrats, yourselves included, are making unrelated policy demands that have nothing to do with government funding. It is far past time to stop holding Arizonans hostage and to put the American people first. Our constituents demand that you stop playing political games with their livelihoods.”
Ciscomani wrote via X, “Arizona’s House Republicans are united — and we’re calling on Arizona’s Senators Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego to stop playing politics and prioritize Arizonans.”
In a statement on Monday, Rep. Crane added, “Last month, the House of Representatives passed a funding extension to prevent a government shutdown. Unfortunately, Senators Kelly and Gallego have repeatedly voted against this approach. A prolonged shutdown harms Arizonans, with many federal employees furloughed or working without pay. I urge our senators to back this sensible measure and help end the government shutdown.”
Hamadeh’s office also offered a statement in support via X writing, “Congressman Hamadeh is proud to stand with his Arizona Congressional Republican colleagues in demanding that Kelly and Gallego start putting Arizonans’ interests over Chuck Schumer’s.”
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
by Matthew Holloway | Oct 4, 2025 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
Arizona Republican Congressman Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ06), Andy Biggs (R-AZ05), and Eli Crane (R-AZ02) have publicly vowed to forego their paychecks until the government shutdown, imposed by Senate Democrats, has been resolved. In contrast, Democratic Sen. Ruben Gallego told NBC News he can’t afford to miss one, saying, “I’m not wealthy, and I have three kids… So it’s not feasible, not gonna happen.”
In a post to X accompanying a letter to Congressional Chief Administrative Officer Catherine Szpindor, Ciscomani wrote Tuesday, “If our troops, border agents, and air traffic controllers aren’t paid in a shutdown, Congress shouldn’t get paid either. I’ll withhold my pay. Period. But it should never come to this – Washington, specifically Senate Democrats, must do its job and keep the government open.”
Rep. Eli Crane’s office issued a statement, saying, “As many of you are aware, the federal government officially entered a shutdown yesterday. While the House of Representatives passed a funding extension through November 21, 2025, the measure still requires 60 votes in the U.S. Senate before heading to the President’s desk.
“Unfortunately, only two Democrats and one Independent currently support this effort, meaning the government will remain shut down until five more Democrats vote in favor of the bill.
“In the meantime, Rep. Eli Crane (R-AZ) has requested that his pay be withheld for the duration of the shutdown. He believes it is inappropriate to receive a salary while many Americans are furloughed or facing delayed paychecks.”
In a post to X, Biggs, amidst a campaign for Arizona Governor, also shared a letter to Szpindor, similarly asking that his pay be withheld, writing, “Members of Congress are no more important than American citizens. I’m asking for my pay to be withheld until the Democrats come to their senses and reopen the federal government. Many congressional Republicans made the same request. Our Democrat colleagues can’t say the same.”
According to NBC News, when asked about the vows from other members of Congress, Gallego responded, “I’m not wealthy, and I have three kids. I would basically be missing, you know, mortgage payments, rent payments, child support… So it’s not feasible, not gonna happen.”
Crane, alongside Rep. Ralph Norman (R-SC), has cosponsored a constitutional amendment designed to prohibit any congressional lawmakers from receiving any payment during future government shutdowns and would even prevent them from claiming back pay.
In a post to X, Norman was direct writing, “No back pay either!!” He also stated, “During shutdowns, federal workers are told to ‘do more with less.’ Meanwhile, Congress still cashes paychecks. That’s wrong.“
Rep. Ciscomani blasted Gallego’s response in a statement, saying, “Senator Gallego should be ashamed of himself. We represent thousands of federal government employees – men and women in our Armed Forces, the Border Patrol, air traffic controllers, and many, many others. They, too, have mortgage payments, rent payments, and child support. This shutdown isn’t ‘feasible’ for them, either. Senator Gallego’s response to this shutdown is an embarrassment. It’s selfish. He should be leading by example, not thinking of himself.”
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
