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No, the Saudis haven’t stopped pumping Arizona groundwater
The law has crippled groundwater regulation in most of the state and large farming operations have been exploiting it for decades. This includes American and foreign-owned companies. Even if the state can stop foreign companies from abusing Arizona’s lax water laws, American mega-dairies and large-scale alfalfa farms will continue to pump the state’s aquifer water at alarming rates.
Hobbs defends decision to strip Saudi company of right to lease land to farm alfalfa
Gov. Katie Hobbs on Tuesday defended the decision to strip a Saudi company of its right to lease state land to farm alfalfa for export -- and get the water underneath it free -- but had no answers to what will become of the nearly 3,500 acres after that.
Land department cancels controversial lease of state land to company growing alfalfa
The state Land Department on Monday canceled one of the controversial leases of state land to a company that has been growing alfalfa for export to Saudi Arabia.
State’s largest pension fund selling interest in company that owns farm growing alfalfa
The state's largest public pension fund is selling off its interest in a company that owns a 3,000-acre western Arizona farm that grows alfalfa to ship to the Middle East.
Hobbs should terminate the Saudi lease in Butler Valley
In recent months Kris Mayes, the newly elected Attorney General, has urged Governor Hobbs to deny Fondomonte’s application to renew a lease. All Arizonans should also urge Governor Hobbs to direct the State Land Commissioner to reject the lease application and to restore the Butler Valley as a designated groundwater reserve to be held in trust for Arizona’s future.
Our ‘justice’ system: a paradox of errors and innocence
The release of Barry Jones after nearly 30 years on Arizona's death row, wrongfully convicted for a crime he did not commit, forces us to confront the unsettling of our justice system. Despite being a nation that upholds values of fairness and justice, we've seen these principles denied to too many individuals, especially those of color. As a Black woman, I am deeply disturbed by this pattern.
Fondomonte well rejection will have limited impact
The Arizona Department of Water Resources has revoked a pair of well-drilling permits it issued last year to a controversial Saudi-owned farming company that operates in western Arizona.
Hobbs heads east to sign military cooperation agreement
Gov. Katie Hobbs headed to Oman last week to sign a military partnership agreement with the Middle East nation.
Mayes, lawmakers slam Saudi water deal
Officials on both sides of the aisle want to do something about the deal that’s letting a Saudi-based company pump Arizona groundwater for nothing more than the price of a cheap land lease in La Paz County.
House committee moves to block sale, lease of state lands to foreign governments
Arizona lawmakers are moving to block the sale and lease of state lands to foreign governments and certain foreign corporations -- but not the one that has caused the concern in the first place.
Hobbs pivots water focus to conservation
Gov. Katie Hobbs wants to expand groundwater conservation efforts in Arizona’s rural areas.
It’s time to invest in building electrification
We can all agree that the United States is far too dependent on foreign oil. Now Arizona’s leaders in both parties – public and private sector leaders too – need to take urgent action to mitigate our reliance on dirty foreign energy supplies. They need to lead Arizona’s transition to clean energy sources.
