House hands infant towns setback

The bill, HB 2592, would have repealed a 1967 law that stipulates a six-mile buffer zone between incorporated areas and proposed ones. Both Casas Adobes and Tortolita are closer than that to Tucson boundaries, and thus must get the go-ahead from city hall before moving forward. That approval has not been forthcoming.

"The vote would have been five to five and that would have killed the bill," said Rep. Bill McGibbon, R-Green Valley, who is sponsoring the measure.

Representatives and residents from both towns, including their mayors, spoke vehemently in favor of the bill before the House Rural and Natural Affairs committee.

"We are now in an intolerable situation caused by the city of Tucson and we look to you for relief," Casas Adobes Mayor Don Burtchin told the committee.

Pima County is slated to cut off services to the areas July 1, and both towns remain in legal limbo because of a city of Tucson lawsuit seeking to overturn a 1997 law allowing them to incorporate. The law, struck down in the appellate court, is now before the state Supreme Court.

McGibbon said he would explore other committees that might pass the bill on to the House for a full vote. It remains to be seen whether the bill has the necessary support to pass the full House.