The state created the Water Infrastructure Finance Authority in 2022 with the mission to find and develop new water sources in the face of ongoing drought.
Its board members are looking to spend the money they have, anticipating cuts in next year’s budget.
The authority was originally promised a billion dollars in funding, but it’s only received a third of that under Gov. Katie Hobbs.
Board members worry that trend will continue in next year’s budget talks as cuts in federal spending and tax reductions start to impact state revenues.
It was originally hailed as the most consequential change in state water laws since the 1980 Groundwater Act. But the board has drawn criticism for not coming up with any projects since being established.
It did receive six proposals for importing water in August, half of which would build desalination plants. The board could push some of those plans forward in December.
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