Senator Sinema discusses water infrastructure in Yuma
FOX 9's Adam Klepp interviewed the Senator as she spoke about water, broadband, and the border
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - Senator Kyrsten Sinema visited Yuma on Wednesday to discuss several topics and had a separate meeting to focus on water infrastructure.
"We don't thrive on our own we thrive together," said Sen. Sinema.
She believes a tight-knit community like Yuma will make her job easier to help the city, such as getting more funding as quickly as possible.
Local agriculture leaders and researchers spoke to U.S. Senator Kyrsten Sinema about the drought conditions, water usage of different crops, and irrigation.
As Sinema looks at how best to distribute money locally from the $1.2 trillion-dollar physical infrastructure bill passed in November.
“Today's meeting was about getting the money quickly into the Yuma system,” Sinema said.
Local agricultural business leaders said they appreciate Senator Sinema's work getting the bill passed, and now are ready to begin working.
"We’re going to make here proud, how we’re going to spend that money,”
Some of the important infrastructure improvements discussed was updating aging irrigation systems, but also ensuring research done at the University of Arizona Ag Center continues to be funded.
Dr. Shane Burgess, the dean of the university’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, says one of Yuma's unique advantages is the knowledge found in our community.
"One of Yuma's most incredible natural resources is the human mind,” Dr. Burgess said.
Also discussed at the meeting was the expansion of broadband in Yuma, helping improve connection in all areas of Yuma County.
"We need to put that system out in the agricultural areas to keep us on the cutting edge,” Mark Smith of Smith Farms said.
Senator Sinema is also looking to use infrastructure bill money to improve border security, Saying the money can go toward ensuring a faster way to process migrants, without harming economics and trade
"To change the way we process these migrants, so we’re doing it humanely, but to relieve the pressure on the people who wear the blue and green uniforms,” Sinema said.
