An agency tasked with adding to Arizona’s imperiled water supply could be left with only half of the $1 billion former Gov. Doug Ducey and state lawmakers promised two years ago.
Last year’s budget cut a planned deposit for the Water Infrastructure Finance Authority by nearly 50%.
The money was redirected to other projects such as new water wells in Gilbert and Peoria.
And with the state now facing a massive deficit, Gov. Katie Hobbs’ latest budget proposal cuts a promised $333 million deposit to the water authority to just $33 million.
WIFA’s director Chuck Podolak is asking for enough funding to hit that $1 billion goal.
He says cutting funding will hurt Arizona’s ability to draw in private investors who would provide the majority of the money needed to secure another water source.
