By Kevin Reagan | East Valley Tribune
Chandler state Rep. Jeff Weninger’s district is hundreds of miles away from Bullhead City, but the Republican lawmaker has parachuted into a controversy involving that municipality’s effort to take over a private water utility.
Weninger is accusing Bullhead City officials of using public resources to advocate in favor of a proposition that would permit them to spend $130 million to buy EPCOR Water, which services the area.
Weninger filed a complaint with the state Attorney General, alleging city officials acted unlawfully by publicly endorsing Proposition 415.
The Bullhead City Council recently approved a November ballot initiative that asks local voters to authorize the purchase.
While he doesn’t represent the residents of Bullhead City, Weninger said he’s concerned the city’s actions were so “egregious” that it could snowball into more municipalities taking positions in future elections.
“I worry about how that’s gonna affect other campaigns all over the state,” Weninger said. “Just because it’s up there doesn’t mean it doesn’t set a precedent for what can happen statewide, including my district.”
