BACKGROUND:

Stoked by a record drought, Arizona faces an unprecedented challenge. We cannot let Arizona go the way of California - where mismanagement, wasteful spending and extreme environmental policies have left the state experiencing massive water cutbacks, lessened the quality of life and resulted in raging wildfires.

The Western water supply shortage is real and worsening every year, with devastating impacts on our nation’s agricultural industry and our state’s economic future. Already, Arizona is experiencing water cuts due to low water levels in Lake Mead. These water cuts are harming Arizona farmers and their livelihoods. 

According to the 2018 Federal Farm Census, Arizona has 946,000 acres of farmland and all the farms across Arizona use 4.4-million-acre feet of water. With higher demand for water, our farmers have to cut back on usable land leading to less crop production. We are not able to fulfill our full potential. 

SOLUTIONS:

As a legislator, I would strive to be a problem-solver and my focus would lie on the nexus between water management and water procurement. And as a conservative, I would look for free-market solutions that protect our economy and taxpayers.

• WATER MANAGEMENT: We need to build upon our previous success. As a state, we use slightly less water than we did in 1950. Arizona recycles 90% of its wastewater and our water code, Title 45, is one of, if not the, best in the world. However, we can improve our water infrastructure through purposeful investments - including research into new technologies. Also, we can continue to incentivize and establish cross-sector partnerships with innovative companies, such as N-Drip, who are committed to developing water saving products that can benefit farmers without sacrificing crop productivity.

• NEW SOURCES: While we must strive to continue our water management success, we must address water procurement. Simply put, farmers currently have to cut back on water because there is not enough of it - that’s not an economic win. To solve this issue, desalination is a significant tool that our state must seriously consider.

• WATER TECHNOLOGY: As a legislator, it’s important to keep an open mind on tough policy decisions; other water security ideas include funding projects like canal lining, drip irrigation, aquifer recharge, and aquifer storage and recovery. Policy efforts that strengthen Arizona’s water augmentation benefits all of us, especially those in Central Arizona, facing bigger water cuts. 

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• A conservative approach: I firmly believe that the State does have a role in funding these initiatives given that water is a statewide concern; but before we commit taxpayer dollars, we must gather extensive stakeholder input. 

• Supporting agriculture and other key industries: As Legislative District 4’s next representative, I will work closely with the agricultural community, municipalities and counties, industry trade groups, our state’s extraordinary research institutions, and my legislative colleagues to craft thoughtful policies to overcome Arizona’s water woes.

• The next 100 years: Many Arizonans I meet want to make sure their children and grandchildren can continue to enjoy the quality of life they have enjoyed. Our policies should ensure Arizona remains a great place for people and industry for generations to come.