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Today, Congressman Paul Gosar’s (AZ-01) major job legislation, H.R. 1904, which passed with bipartisan support by the U.S House of Representatives last year, made progress in the U.S. Senate being heard in the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. The Southeast Arizona Land Exchange and Conservation Act of 2011 facilitates a land exchange that will bring nearly 3,700 jobs equating to $220.5 million in annual wages to the state of Arizona. 

Congressman Paul Gosar followed the hearing closely saying, “I thank my colleagues on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee for taking up this important jobs bill today.  Senator Murkowski asked informed and thoughtful questions which showed an understanding of the additional burdens the Obama administration and others are trying to impose to stop the creation of jobs.  Arizona cannot wait for these jobs any longer.  The federal bureaucratic process has already taken over six years.  Enough is enough. This bill strikes the right balance between resource utilization, environmental conservation and economic development.  It should serve as a national model for what can be accomplished when all stakeholders come to the table and the government gets out of the way of private industry.”

H.R. 1904 is legislation geared towards revitalizing the economy of Southeast Arizona and preserving and protecting Arizona’s natural treasures.  Specifically, the legislation authorizes a land exchange, opening up the third largest undeveloped copper resource in the world located near Superior, Arizona, in exchange for high-value conservation lands encompassing endangered species, sensitive ecosystems, recreational sites, and historic landmarks.    

According to a recently conducted economic analysis, the total economic impact of the project is estimated to be over $61.4 billion, over $1 billion per year, and another $20 billion in federal, state, county and local tax revenue.

This bill which passed with bi-partisan support also garnered notable support of local and national business leaders.  A full list of supporters and their letters of support can be found here:http://gosar.house.gov/HR1904BusinessSupport