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Gov. Ducey Signs Drought Plan, Gives State of the State Speech at AWC

For the fifth year the Yuma Chamber of Commerce hosted Gov. Doug Ducey for his State of the State Speech in which he addressed the current economic status of the state, education and the recently passed drought plan.

Before Gov. Ducey began his speech on Thursday morning at Arizona Western College, he joined elected officials and water leaders in Yuma to commemorate the passage of the Arizona Drought Contingency Plan.

In attendance were local state legislators and Yuma water leaders, including Wade Noble, a water rights attorney who says the drought plan is a step in the right direction.  

“This is a mile post, this is certainly not the end but this is a long ways down the road toward getting this done," Noble said.

Ducey says the state has a $1 billion surplus and stressed the importance of a rainy day fund. Local business owner Russ Jones, who was a legislator from 2005-2011, agreed.

“I was one of those legislators who had to deal with budget cuts through the recession so I was very pleased to hear we  augment the rainy day fund," Jones said. "I was pleased to hear the direction his budget is going.”

After highlighting a series of state programs, Gov. Ducey complimented AWC, calling it the “hub” of education in southwestern Arizona.

“That really is gratifying," said AWC President Dr. Daniel Corr. "We really do see that as a role here at the college. We know as additional people get degrees, Yuma will prosper.”

This the fifth year the Chamber of Commerce has hosted the State of the State Speech breakfast with the governor and the third year it was held at the college. Every year the event has been sold out.