In a stark lamentation of bureaucratic indifference, Pinal County Supervisor Stephen Q. Miller shared his vexation over the stymied efforts to address the water crisis besieging his jurisdiction. The plight in Pinal, as Miller portrays it, springs from a state-mandated freeze on Certificates of Assured Water (CAWs), stalling residential developments, and for years, the local leaders have crafted potential solutions—only to hit a legislative wall. "I expect that bill to be given the attention it deserves," Miller emphasized regarding a bill developed to combat these water-related issues in Pinal County, reports Pinal County official website.
An essential piece of legislation that fell victim to this pattern was SB1616, intended to enable Pinal County's funding for crucial water infrastructure and sources. Despite being a step in what Miller believes is a right direction, the bill was shunted from its relevant committee and was never heard—ultimately meeting its demise. Miller sees this as a sign that Pinal County is being disregarded, calling on state legislators to provide the long-due respect and support for local solutions to the water debacle.
In his appeal, Miller highlighted Pinal County’s struggle due to the halt on new CAWs by the Arizona Department of Water Resources. This decision, based on concerns over water supply, has stalled home-building and forced young families into costly build-to-rent communities, denying them the opportunity to build equity through homeownership.
Miller is well-immersed in several organizations striving to resolve these water crises, including Pinal County Water Augmentation Authority and Pinal County Groundwater Users Advisory Council. His dedication has fueled a trove of meetings, discussions with water providers, and policy developments—all aimed at concocting a sustainable multipronged approach for Pinal's water future. "We are not out of water," Miller states, expressing the critical need for legislators to advocate for the progressive measures developed by his teams in Pinal County.
The call to action is clear: Pinal County desires the death of the indifferent streak that has foiled its legislative initiatives and seeks representatives willing to elevate its cause. With a roster of important bills in limbo, such as SB1616, HB2753, SB1393, SB1611, and HB2298, Miller stands firm, demanding transparency and action from those at the state level.ty water.
