Showdown emerges over budget and water in Arizona

• Governor proposes $3M for Colorado River litigation.
• Governor allots $30M to fight wildfires.
• Rep. Gail Griffin criticizes limited water funding.

January 28, 2025 — Arizona’s leaders are debating how best to protect the state’s resources—chief among them water. Two recent statements—one from Governor Katie Hobbs on January 17, 2025, and another from Representative Gail Griffin on January 21, 2025—reveal a widening divide on budget priorities for water security.

Governor Hobbs’ Budget Highlights.

In her January 17, 2025, budget announcement, Governor Hobbs detailed her plans to shore up Arizona’s natural resources.  As to water, the Governor’s statement reads,

Secure Arizona’s Water Future and Fight Wildfires

• • $3M for a newly created Colorado River Litigation Fund to defend Arizona’s interests and water users who depend on the state’s precious Colorado River water.
  • $30M in General Fund money for wildfire suppression to support ongoing efforts fighting wildfires to keep communities safe.

Representative Griffin’s Critique.

On January 21, 2025, Representative Gail Griffin, Chair of the House Natural Resources, Energy & Water Committee, criticized the Governor’s budget for being “weak on water.” In her statement, Griffin pointed out that the Governor’s proposal “allocates zero dollars toward long-term water augmentation, rural water supply development, water conservation, or groundwater recharge projects.”

Griffin commented, “As usual, the Governor talks a big game on water but does little to prioritize the solutions that matter.”  She noted that House Republicans have introduced several bills to enhance water security by funding a broader range of infrastructure projects.

Looking Ahead.

As the legislative session continues, lawmakers will likely keep sparring over the best strategies—and funding allocations—for preserving Arizona’s water supply.  In the meantime, the current low forecasts for river flows and releases downstream from Lake Powell are dismal and could kick off more legal problems.

Image:

A view of the Arizona State Capitol Building in Phoenix, by Visitor7.  Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license.

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