STATE CAPITOL, PHOENIX – State Representatives Teresa Martinez and Chris Lopez have sent a letter to the Director of the Residential Utility Consumer Office (RUCO), expressing concern over the agency’s lack of response to Legislative District 16 residents who sought help in two pending Picacho Water & Sewer Company rate cases.

Constituents contacted RUCO after the foreign-owned utility filed for a rate increase that residents view as excessive and unfair. They report that RUCO was slow to respond and ultimately declined to intervene.

“RUCO exists to stand up for utility consumers, not ignore them,” said Representative Martinez. “Our constituents are understandably frustrated. They’re facing steep hikes from a foreign-owned utility, and when they turned to the Governor’s office for help, they got silence and a refusal. They deserve better.”

In their letter, Representatives Martinez and Lopez ask RUCO to explain how it logs and tracks consumer calls, its response timelines, and who handled constituent contacts in the Picacho cases. They also request the dates those calls were received and when responses were provided.

“We’re pressing for answers because these families deserve accountability,” Representative Lopez said. “Ratepayers shouldn’t be left in the dark when they turn to the very office meant to advocate for them.”

A copy of the members’ letter is attached and available here: https://www.azleg.gov/press/house/57LEG/1R/250929MartinezLopezRUCO.pdf.