Senator Shope Named Chairman of Committee on Natural Resources, Sets Sights on Hobbs' Failure to Address Housing Affordability

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                         

Thursday, November 14, 2024

Senator Shope Named Chairman of Committee on Natural Resources,

Sets Sights on Hobbs' Failure to Address Housing Affordability

PHOENIX, ARIZONA— Senate President Warren Petersen announces Senator T.J. Shope will serve as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Natural Resources during the 57th Legislature and will negotiate the Senate's required approval of Arizona's entrance into the post-2026 Colorado River Operation agreement.

Held captive to the environmental, city, utility, and tribal monopolies with a stranglehold over Arizona's water supply, the Hobbs Administration has waged a war against housing affordability and commonsense conservation through legislative vetoes and administrative action. Legislatively, the Hobbs Administration reneged on the inclusion of Pinal County in an "Ag-to-Urban Conservation Program" following months of negotiations with the administration and legislative Democrats at the table. Administratively, Hobbs is rushing a rulemaking package that the administration knows effectively excludes Queen Creek and Buckeye, the two remaining affordable growth areas in Maricopa County.

"As the sponsor of the Ag-to-Urban Conservation Program, Chairman Shope intimately understands that Arizona has the ability to conserve water while increasing housing affordability in both Maricopa and Pinal counties. These two areas have been the targets of the Governor's anti-growth agenda," said President Petersen. "If the Executive continues to fail to effectively address housing affordability in Colorado River negotiations, Chairman Shope will lead the Senate's defense of Arizonans during the required approval of any Colorado River deal by the Legislature."

"In representing Pinal County, I understand the importance of agriculture and homebuilding to Arizona's economy," said Chairman Shope. "The Ag-to-Urban Conservation Program would have allowed these two important sectors to work together to increase housing supply while conserving water, but Governor Hobbs elected to stand in the way. I am grateful the President is entrusting me with this important role to strengthen Arizona's water security while increasing housing affordability."

###

For more information, contact:

Kim Quintero

Director of Communications | Arizona State Senate Republican Caucus

kquintero@azleg.gov