The billion-dollar investment in the state's water supplies sounds good on paper, but lawmakers must also distribute funding effectively to mitigate the state's urgent water shortage.

An op-ed by Joanna Allhands argues that Arizona governor Doug Ducey's recent proposal to commit $1 billion to water projects won't be enough to solve the state's water woes. The governor's vague pledge, Allhands writes, leaves many unanswered questions about how the funds will be distributed.
Allhands also suggests that the governor's proposal doesn't bring enough attention to conservation, rather choosing to focus on projects that seek to augment water supplies. "If we only focus on finding new water, it leaves little incentive to use the water we have more wisely – something we could do quicker and, in most cases, at far lower cost."
According to Allhands, many of the more glamorous projects like desalination plants depend on other parties and are years away from completion. Meanwhile, the state could "raid" the general fund and deplete the water funding before it's allocated to specific projects.
Allhands cautions that lawmakers shouldn't forget about the policy side of things, even though those might be more difficult conversations. State leaders must tackle "not only how we sustain the uses that are already here, but also how we grow and where and (importantly) who pays for all of this."
Southwestern states are facing increasingly dire drought conditions. Last summer, when Lake Mead reached historic lows not seen since the reservoir's construction, the federal government declared a water shortage and implemented cutbacks for farmers and water agencies across the region.
FULL STORY: How many of Arizona's water woes would $1 billion solve? That's the question

The End of Single-Family Zoning in Arlington County, Virginia
Arlington County is the latest jurisdiction in the country to effectively end single-family zoning.

‘Train Daddy’ Andy Byford to Oversee Amtrak’s High-Speed Rail Efforts
Byford, who formerly ran NYC Transit and Transport for London, could bring renewed vigor to the agency’s plans to expand regional rail in the United States.

Seattle Bus Lane Cameras Capture Over 100,000 Violations
An automated traffic enforcement pilot program caught drivers illegally using transit lanes more than 110,000 times in less than a year.

Immigration Grows, Population Drops in Many U.S. Counties
International immigration to the country’s most populous areas tripled even as major metropolitan areas continued to lose population.

$616 Million in Development Incentives Approved for District Detroit
The “Transformational Brownfield” incentives approved by the Detroit City Council for the $1.5 billion District Detroit still require approval by the state.

Affordable Housing Development Rejected for Lack of Third Staircase in Connecticut
The New Canaan Planning Commission rejected a development proposal, including 31 below-market-rate apartments, for lack of a third staircase, among other reasons, at a time when advocates are pushing to relax two-staircase requirements.
Houston-Galveston Area Council
City of Malibu
Association of Metropolitan Planning Organizations
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
City of Spearfish
City of Lomita
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