The City of Buckeye approved with little comment Tuesday its 2026 state legislative priorities just a week before the 52nd regular session convenes.
In short, the list can be summed up as Buckeye will do all it can to maintain local control of decision-making authority from water resources to public safety to housing.
John Raeder, the city’s chief government affairs officer, presented a long list of priorities, which was unanimously approved by Buckeye City Councilmembers.
“Buckeye is represented by Legislative District 23, which is primarily south of the Gila River and extends on the east side of State Route 85 and is represented by Sen. Brian Fernandez Rep. Michelle Peña and Representative Mariana Sandoval,” Raeder said. “Legislative District 25 consists of the bulk of the city, including the area north of the Gila River and west of SR 85 and represented by Senator Tim Dunn, Majority Leader Michael Carbone and Representative Nick Kupper.”
Raeder’s list was couched by an overarching statement that “every priority in the plan” is part of Buckeye’s commitment to “transparent and fiscally responsible governance that provides a safe and sustainable quality of life for our residents, while preserving local decision-making authority.”
The following is the list as it was presented Tuesday:
Fiscal Responsibility
Fiscal responsibility will of course support local authority to adopt revenue sources that meet community needs, while opposing unfunded mandates and legislation that reduces local revenue.
Economic growth and housing
Economic growth and housing will support innovative, water management policies that respect, local authority, support, economic development, tools, and tax credits, support community driven housing solutions such as Buckeye’s lead resolution to streamline the annexation process and oppose legislation that preamps the city zoning building fire code or design review authority,
Innovative, and high-performing organization
For innovative, and high-performing organization will support clear, timely and effective legislation that of course respects municipal authority and oppose unnecessary costly redundant requirements that place undue burdens on city staff.
Safe community
“Safe community can be summarized by supporting additional resources for our first responders well again preserving our local authority. This includes supporting funding for pay training and equipment support for wildland fire, mitigation efforts support for streamlining the certificate and necessity process, advocating for increased funding for 911 response systems, protecting the long-term viability the public safety personnel retirement system, and opposing any reduction in public safety funding, and opposing legislation that limits local authority to set public safety, surface levels and policies.
Water and transportation infrastructure
“Water and transportation infrastructure includes supporting Colorado River operating guidelines that promote durable and equitable operations and supporting and protecting state funding to widen Interstate 10 from Citrus Road to SR 85 will support the state aviation fund and programs that strengthen and expand Buckeye Municipal Airport and oppose efforts that limit local authority over transportation systems or roadway management.
Luke Air Force Base
“Luke Air Force Base is an important part of the community and we will work to ensure compatible land uses that prevent encroachment and support legislation that strengthens protections for the base.
Federal Partnerships
“Finally at the federal level, we will pursue federal funding for city infrastructure through grants and appropriations. Collaborate with US Army Corps of Engineers on water, infrastructure and development initiatives, and partner with the FAA to accelerate improvements at Buckeye Municipal airport.
No Crystal Balls
“While we do not have a crystal ball, a few things are emerging for the upcoming session and our legislative priorities have been crafted to ensure that we are prepared to represent the city
Colorado River Consultation
“First, as I mentioned, the Colorado River Consultation.
The Upper Basin and Lower Basin states have not reached agreement on a new framework for allocating Colorado River water and the Nov. 11 federal deadline passed without resolution and the new federal deadline is Feb. 14,” Raeder said.
“We are expecting cuts to municipal and industrial supplies of at least 20% or about 760,000 acre feet in the state which would be a significant impact on water providers across Arizona any agreement will require ratification by the legislature and we will be watching closely and I’m included a priority to support operating guidelines that support, durable and equitable operations.
Data Centers
Second, data centers will be a major topic this session we respect proposals to limit or eliminate the data center tax incentive on certain equipment. We may also see bills that preempt local land use decisions.
We’re prepared for this with our priorities to support economic development, tools, and tax credit credits while opposing preemption to the city’s zoning authority
Housing and short-term rental
Third, housing and short-term rental rentals remain front and center will be watching for bills again that preempt local decision-making authority and the league is pursuing additional tools for attainable housing, including Tax Increment Financing and other financing tools are also being discussed.
“As I mentioned before, Buckeye has a league resolution to streamline the annexation process, and there’s also growing momentum to give cities more tools to limit the number of short-term rentals.
“This aligns with our priorities to support innovative, community driven housing solutions and to oppose preemption of building design review authority,” Raeder said.
Tax conformity, and the budget deficit
“Tax conformity, and the budget deficit will also be closely tied.
“Federal tax changes in HR-1, a.k.a. the one big beautiful bill act, included and increased to the standard deduction and new deductions for tipped income and eligible overtime.
“The Joint Legislative Budget Committee is estimating that conformity will have a $441 million impact this year, and an impact of $1.15 billion over the next three fiscal years.
“The governor has already directed the Department of Revenue to prepare to implement many of these changes, but not all of them, so this will be a significant area of debate.
“These impacts could affect state shared revenue, and projects like the I-10 widening and we will all be watching closely for any efforts to shift costs to local governments.
“This aligns with our priority to oppose legislation that reduces local revenue sources.
Transportation
“Finally, transportation remains our top priority,” Raeder said. “Over the past two sessions the city has successfully protected I-10 widening funding and supported adjustments to account for inflation,” Raeder said.
“The legislature has spread the state’s $133 million obligation across three fiscal years with $27 million in Fiscal Year 2026, $30 million in 2027 and $ 76 million in Fiscal Year 2028.
“We will continue to advocate vociferously for this project which of course aligns with our prior priority to support state funding to widen I-10 from Citrus Road to SR 85 and we expect construction will begin early this year.
Raeder said his department’s goal was to keep councilmembers informed so the city can “advocate effectively for the city at the federal, state, local and regional level.”
This story will be updated
