District 1 Newsletter | September 2022

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Supervisor Jack Sellers, District 1

September 2022

Maricopa County Receives $4.7 Million as First Payment from National Opioid Settlement

Settlement, budget, finance, agreement

Maricopa County has received its first payment as part of an historic settlement with opioid manufacturers and distributors. The $4.7 million deposit is part of an estimated $80 million the County will receive from drugmakers and distributors over the next 18 years for their role in unlawfully marketing, promoting, and dispensing prescription opioids.

Approximately $2.3 million from this first payment will be distributed among cities and towns in Maricopa County using allocation percentages determined in the One Arizona Distribution of Opioid Settlement Funds Agreement

Public Health will serve as the Lead Agency for administration of County funds and will be responsible for arranging payments to municipalities.

Public Health is also developing a framework for a countywide substance use prevention and response plan that will be used to help identify strategic priorities and investments needed to achieve desired outcomes. More details about this process will be announced in the coming months.

Efforts will be made to work with cities and towns to incorporate resident feedback, maximize coordination of funding strategies, and reduce duplication of work. 

Information about current substance use initiatives, overdose data, and updates about the settlement can be found at maricopa.gov/SubstanceUse 

Be Prepared!

az preparedness month emergency kit

National Preparedness Month is observed in September to raise awareness about the importance of preparing for disasters and emergencies that could happen at any time. Build an emergency "go" kit using this list to get started, and consider including masks, soap, hand sanitizer, and disinfecting wipes to prevent illnesses like COVID-19 and flu.

For more tips on preparing yourself and your family for an emergency, visit Ready.Maricopa.gov.

Important Upcoming Election Dates

Vote

“Susan B. Anthony once reminded audiences, ‘Someone struggled for your right to vote. Use it.’ There are just a few weeks until the voter registration deadline for the November election.

Residents can register online at ServiceArizona.com or using a paper form found at Register.Maricopa.Vote. If you register to vote with a paper form, make sure to include a photocopy of your documented proof of citizenship.

Register Online – Complete the form by 11:59 p.m. on October 11, to be eligible for the November General Election. Confirm the time on the EZ Voter confirmation receipt.

Drop Off a Paper Form – The Elections Department has a secure drop box available 24 hours a day in the parking lot at 510 S. 3rd Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85003. The drop box closes at 5 p.m. on October 11.

Mail Back a Paper Form – Mail the signed and completed paper form to the Maricopa County Recorder’s Office at 111 S 3rd Ave. Ste. 102, Phoenix, AZ 85003. If it’s postmarked on October 11 and received by Election Day, or if it’s dated by October 11 and received by the County Recorder within five calendar days after October 11, the voter is eligible for the November General Election.

It’s important for all voters to check their registration before the election. The county also has about 400,000 inactive voters, which means the voter may have moved, but are still registered to vote. Maricopa County voters can check their registration status, request a ballot in the mail, find a voting location and much more at BeBallotReady.Vote.

Important Election Dates:

  • September 24 – Military and Overseas Ballots Sent
  • October 11 – Voter Registration Deadline
  • October 12 – Early Ballots Mailed, Voting Locations and Drop Boxes Available
  • October 28 – Last Day to Request a Ballot in the Mail
  • November 1 – Last Day to Mail Back Your Ballot
  • November 8 – Election Day

Renew Your Passport

Passports

Make sure your passport is up-to-date if you plan to travel this fall. The Clerk of the Court can offer assistance via appointment, but appointments are not available more than 60 days in advance.

Get information about passports >

Around the District

Rural Transportation Summit

Appreciated the opportunity to share with the Rural Transportation Summit participants why the extension of Maricopa County Prop 400 is critical for our entire state. Impressive participation by our state Senators and Legislators. Panelists on stage included Sine Kerr, TJ Shope, Tim Dunn, Frank Carroll, and Rosanna Gabaldon.

Chandler Chamber of Commerce

The Chandler Chamber of Commerce provided me an opportunity to talk about Prop 400 - a critical issue. Infrastructure that supports our economic future depends on us getting an extension for Prop 400 approved as soon as possible. Proud to have shared the stage with Mayor Kevin Hartke and Audra Koester Thomas from the Maricopa Association of Governments.

Intel Ocotillo

Another outstanding Intel Community Advisory Panel meeting with a tour of the current construction project. Incredible to see what a $20 million project looks like up close. Intel is an amazing community partner.

Arisona Council Meeting

We were happy to see a full house at the Ari-son Council Meeting 2022

ASU Event 9.1.22

Attended a round table discussion at ASU about the CHIPS Act and the significant impact on Arizona. Another bipartisan effort to bring CHIP manufacturing as well as research and development back to our country. Thanks to Michael Crow for hosting this discussion. Commerce Secretary Raimondo, Senator Kelly, and Representative Stanton led the discussion that included key representatives from business and education interests. This event and the one below highlight the urgency in getting a critical infrastructure plan in place as soon as possible to deal with this exciting economic growth.

MCC Event with Kelly

This event at Mesa Community College announced a joint venture between Corning and AT&T for a new fiber optic manufacturing facility in Gilbert, and a project to bring fiber optic connections to 100,000 homes in Mesa. Speakers included Senator Mark Kelly; Commerce Secretary Raimondo; Representative Tom O’Halleran; John Stankey, AT&T CEO; and Wendell Weeks, Corning CEO. These new jobs and the goal of providing "Internet for All" is thanks to the bipartisan Infrastructure Act.

Please let us know how we can better serve you.

Jack Sellers, District 1
Maricopa County Board of Supervisors
www.maricopa.gov/dist1/
602-506-1776