Gov. Doug Ducey vows work on flight paths, tribal casino

Gov. Doug Ducey met with Arizona's congressional delegation Monday for the first time since taking office earlier this year. The group discussed issues ranging from relations with Mexico to water policy to blocking the tribal casino being built near Glendale.

"We're trying to get all on the same page so Arizona wins," said U.S. Rep. Paul Gosar, R-Ariz., after the meeting. "This was high time people have conversations."

The group was bipartisan, with two Democrats and six Republicans from the 11-member delegation, he said. Missing were Republican Sen. John McCain and Democratic Reps. Kyrsten Sinema and Raul Grijalva.

“The governor stressed that he wants to have a good working relationship with the delegation and he feels there are a lot of issues where they can work together or across party lines to improve the lives of Arizonans,” said Daniel Scarpinato, Ducey’s spokesman.

Ducey suggested holding meetings once a quarter, which Gosar embraced. He said such meetings with former Gov. Jan Brewer were few and far between. "Our previous governor came in to talk to us about what she was going to do with Medicaid but really didn't ask our opinion," he said.

Ducey wanted to know what the delegation was working on, so Gosar suggested the governor draw on relations he is building with Mexico to improve water and port infrastructure in Nogales on both sides of the border.

Rep. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., highlighted the ongoing tussle between Phoenix and the Federal Aviation Administration over new flight paths that have prompted noise complaints from residents. Ducey said the governor's office would "engage" the FAA to "get some answers," Gosar said.

Rep. Trent Franks, R-Ariz., noted the delegation's efforts to block a Tohono O'odham casino that is being built near Glendale. Opponents say the casino violates the state's tribal gaming compact and could open the door to more casinos being built.

Ducey's "comment was, 'Good point. We're doing everything we can do from the state's point of view,'" Gosar said.

In April, the state gaming agency said it would block the casino from opening. The Tohono O'odham have accused Ducey of improperly influencing the agency director.

The governor and delegation also discussed forest management and Ducey’s education funding plan, Scarpinato said.

“It was really an open discussion, positive discussion,” he said. “There was a lot of agreement on areas that the delegation and the governor can work together on.”

Gosar said the meeting was productive.

"There was laughter. People felt good about coming together," he said. "We're a delegation that does get along."