Matt Roy | Independent Newsmedia
West Valley legislators addressed a crowd of real estate professionals and others at a public event last week.
The Western Maricopa Association of Realtors hosted its Visit with West Valley Legislators event June 27 at the group’s headquarters, 9001 W. Union Hills Drive, Peoria. Liz Recchia, WeMar’s government affairs director, moderated the panel discussion, which included District 21 Sen. Debbie Lesko (R-Peoria), District 20 Sen. Kimberly Yee (R-Glendale), District 22 Rep. Ben Toma (R-Peoria), District 21 Rep. Tony Rivero (R-Peoria) and District 19 Rep. Mark Cardenas (D-Phoenix), among others.
The legislators discussed a range of topics important to West Valley voters, including the ongoing fight over EPCOR’s recently approved wastewater rate consolidation, school funding and the state budget.
EPCOR consolidation
West Valley legislators shared their feelings about the EPCOR wastewater consolidation, which was approved in June by the Arizona Corporation Commission. Sun Cities residents and others have vowed to appeal that decision.
Mr. Rivero seemed to side with residents on the issue.
“I don’t support water rate increases in general,” Mr. Rivero said. “As a former city council member in Peoria, I opposed every water rate increase for a variety of reasons. Any kind of rate increase or tax increase hurts poor people, seniors and people who are under or unemployed, so I’m against any type of utility increase.”
