Last year we were successful in having legislation passed to form a district that enables us to acquire construction bonds on the same playing field as municipalities. There was a component of that legislation that was not able and now will not be able to be completed for another year at least. This required us to return to the legislature with a bill that separated the components which will allow us to progress with the Williams projects.
We secured a 44-14 vote in the House and moved on to the Senate. Then the budget battle reared its ugly head. This delayed most of the regular business at the legislature for about three weeks which caused us the hang by our fingernails until they returned to “normal” business. Once back on the agenda we were vindicated with a 22-6-2 vote (the two non-votes would have voted for us had they been present). That vote occurred at 9:31 PM on 23 April in the last batch of House bills considered before they adjourned Sine Die at 1:46 AM on the 24th. Governor Brewer signed the bill into law on 30 April.
Now, after the year’s delay, we can begin the process for acquiring the bonds. Stay tuned for further developments.
