By Parker Leavitt | The Republic | azcentral.com
Of nearly 1,200 bills introduced this year in the state Legislature, more than 200 would have an impact on Gilbert, and the town’s lobbying corps is closely tracking 25 or 30 with what officials call a “substantial impact” on municipal finances or services.
Gilbert employs a relatively lean team to represent its interests at the state Capitol, led by Intergovernmental Relations Director Leah Hubbard Rhineheimer and assistant Heather Wilkey. Mayor John Lewis in recent years has also become more involved in advocating for the town in front of state lawmakers.
Last year, it was a major overhaul of the state’s sales-tax system that had some cities and towns worried about budget implications that could have stripped away millions annually in revenue. Lewis emerged as a key player in the battle to mitigate impacts for high-growth communities such as Gilbert and found some success in helping bring about a compromise.
Top Gilbert priorities for this year’s session include restoring swept highway funds, exempting municipalities from a proposed law granting tax breaks to manufacturers and building a stronger relationship with Gov. Jan Brewer, Lewis said.
