An early Arizona state budget draft leak indicates there could be some major hits to the Water Infrastructure Finance Authority.
The process is still ongoing, but a document outlining crucial points in the budget is being circulated around the state Capitol. WIFA would not get its third-year funding of $333 million for “water supply funding” and another fund transfer of $157 million meant for other uses in what’s known as “sweeps” in order to help mitigate the state’s projected deficit of $1.3 billion, according to the Arizona Agenda.
The authority’s job is to allocate funds for “the construction, rehabilitation, acquisition, and improvement of water infrastructure,” according to its website.
Budget bills have yet to be introduced, but are expected to be soon. Once a budget is agreed upon, the legislative session is expected to conclude, but there is likely going to be plenty of variations between the report circulating and the final version.
“WIFA’s still discussing and analyzing. We definitely have questions about the message that these cuts would send about the State’s commitment to water security. We’re working to try and find those answers as negotiations continue,” Chelsea McGuire, WIFA’s assistant director of external affairs, told The Center Square in an email on Wednesday.
However, they said they will ultimately work with what they’re given.
“Meanwhile, WIFA’s committed – regardless of the outcome of this budget discussion – to continuing our transparent, intentional, and rigorous approach to bringing water security and augmentation projects online.
The budget includes numerous other transfers and cuts in hopes of bolstering the general fund, including to the three public universities, and pushing back some roadwork projects. It’s unknown what will make it into the final budget, and debate is sure to ensue.