Gallego, Kelly Secure Public Safety Funds for Rural Arizona

Senators Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) and Mark Kelly (D-AZ) have announced the securing of nearly $3 million for public safety funding in rural Arizona through the Agriculture Appropriations bill.

Specifically, funds have been secured for a new fire truck and fire engine in the cities of Bisbee and Superior, respectively, renovation of the Tonto Basin Fire Station and Clarkdale Police station, a new emergency vehicle for the city of Alpine, and flood control planning in the Smith Wash Watershed.

Other provisions of the Agriculture Appropriations bill that will benefit Arizona include $130.6 million to support rural homeownership through loans for families in rural and Tribal areas, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funds, $11 million for extension services at 1994 Tribal Land-Grant Institutions, $5 million for Tribal college research programs, and $16 million to expand agriculture education at Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs).

"I'm proud to have fought for nearly $3 million for Arizona included in this agriculture appropriations package," said Sen. Gallego in his press release, adding, "These investments will upgrade outdated emergency response equipment, improve water infrastructure, and strengthen public safety in places like Pinal County, Superior, Bisbee, and more. I'm especially grateful to the local governments who worked with us to get these proposals in the package, and I'll keep fighting to make sure they make it across the finish line."

Similarly, Sen. Kelly stated, "Families in rural Arizona need affordable housing, clean drinking water, and access to healthy food. That's what we're working to deliver while giving Arizona firefighters and cops what they need to keep their communities safe."

The public safety funds and other provisions come a day after Sen. Kelly announced that several of his bills, including the Aviator Cancers Examination Study (ACES) Act, the Counting Veterans' Cancer Act, and funds for military programs such as the the construction of a new Child Development Center at the Luke Air Force Base, were included in the 2026 MilCon-VA Appropriations package.

Grayson Bakich

Florida born and raised, Grayson Bakich is a recent recipient of a Master’s Degree in Political Science at the University of Central Florida. His thesis examined recent trends in political polarization and how this leads into justification of violence.