The Buckeye City Council on Jan. 6 unanimously approved the city's 2026 legislative priorities, a framework the government affairs team will use in the upcoming state and federal sessions.

John Raider, Buckeye’s chief government affairs officer, told council the priorities center on preserving local decision‑making, protecting municipal revenue sources including the city's food tax, defending local zoning and land‑use authority against state preemption, and advancing transportation and water priorities such as widening I‑10 between Citrus Road and SR‑85 and supporting Colorado River operating guidelines that promote durable and equitable operations.

Raider reviewed 2025 outcomes, including passage of Senate Bill 1611 (ag‑to‑urban conversions), additional I‑10 funding (an extra $27 million in FY26 as part of a three‑year package), and the League‑led HCR 2021 ballot action to preserve municipal food‑tax authority. He warned that Colorado River negotiations remain unresolved and that the state may see municipal and industrial supply reductions of at least 20% (about 760,000 acre‑feet statewide) under some scenarios.

Raider said other bills likely to appear include measures affecting data‑center tax incentives and short‑term rentals; the city will oppose legislation that preempts local zoning authority. He asked the council to approve the priorities so staff and contracted lobbyists can represent Buckeye during the session; council approved the priorities unanimously.

Council members praised the government‑affairs team's coordination with departments and regional partners and offered to assist with legislative meetings as needed.