4/16/2019

ENVIRONMENT/LEGISLATION/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT: “President Donald Trump signed a bill Tuesday [4-16-19] authorizing a plan for Western states to take less water from the overburdened Colorado River. The president’s signing capped a years-long process of sometimes difficult negotiations among the seven states that rely on the river. Trump announced his approval of the bill in a tweet, calling it a ‘big deal’ for Arizona. Minutes later, Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey applauded Trump and all of the lawmakers who did their part in formalizing the plan and said it was ‘a crucial action that moves DCP one step closer to full implementation.’ Trump’s signing comes just over a week after Congress fast-tracked bills through the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate. Rep. Raul Grijalva, D-Ariz., and Sen. Martha McSally, R-Ariz., led those efforts and introduced identical bills endorsing the plan. While Trump congratulated McSally, it was Grijalva’s version the president signed. That wasn’t a problem for McSally, who had said previously she supported the fastest path to approve the bill.” 

Andrew Nicla, “Trump signs bill endorsing Colorado River drought plan,” USA Today, Aprill 16, 2019 11:53 pm