Unelected Officials Hold the Key to Your Home Purchase Decisions

In the wake of the recent election, Senator Sine Kerr has voiced concerns over rising inflation and the pressing housing crisis affecting many families in her district. The Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) recently imposed a moratorium on new home construction in areas dependent on groundwater. Kerr argues that this action reflects an overreach of authority by unelected officials, bypassing the legislative process and undermining the power of elected representatives.

Kerr contends that this decision was made without proper authority, neglecting critical factors such as the need for affordable housing, job retention, and economic stability in local communities. Arizona has established effective water management practices, including the Central Arizona Groundwater Replenishment District and various conservation programs, which have enabled the state to maintain water usage levels consistent with those in 1957, despite a population increase of over six million residents.

Historically, Arizona’s water conservation strategies have required legislative approval, ensuring that laws are enacted through a democratic process involving the Governor and state lawmakers. However, the recent unilateral actions by the ADWR suggest a shift away from this established practice.

In 1995, Arizona implemented a legislative framework mandating that home builders secure a 100-year water supply before proceeding with construction. This policy aimed to safeguard groundwater resources while promoting affordable homeownership. Presently, the ADWR’s approach appears to contradict this principle, as it prioritizes denials of groundwater access for housing amid a growing affordability crisis.

The ADWR’s current policy has halted numerous housing projects, removing affordable options from the real estate market and contributing to inflated housing prices. Ironically, while residential developments face restrictions, corporations may still gain access to groundwater for large facilities, exacerbating the demand for housing and further depleting essential aquifers.

The implications are profound—it threatens not only housing affordability but also raises questions about aquifer management and local economic health across Arizona. Kerr emphasizes that previous lawmakers established these protective measures to prevent precisely such a crisis, arguing that addressing housing needs should remain a priority for elected officials, not bureaucratic agencies.

Sine Kerr, who served in the Arizona Senate and chaired the Senate Natural Resources, Energy, and Water Committee, urges a reassessment of current policies to ensure that the needs of Arizonans are prioritized in decision-making, safeguarding the future for families across the state.