December 2008
U.S. Water News Online
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — New Mexico has quietly prepared a $1.8 billion wish list as congressional Democrats and the incoming Obama administration discuss a national economic stimulus plan based on infrastructure spending.
Gov. Bill Richardson's administration refused to make the list public but the Albuquerque Journal reported in a copyright story that it includes roads, schools and water treatment plants from Santa Teresa to Shiprock.
The list was complied by state agencies over the past month. Richardson's office said it was a constantly changing work in progress.
There are $1.1 billion in state Department of Transportation projects, including a new Interstate 40 interchange at Paseo del Volcan in Albuquerque.
The list also has $450 million in public school infrastructure plans, such as school repairs and new elementary schools in Tierra Amarilla and Espanola.
The state Environment Department's list includes $121 million for water lines, tanks and treatment plants around the state.
Another part of the list outlines $74 million in upgrades on state-owned facilities such as weigh stations, jails and motor vehicle offices.
While taxpayer watchdog groups have criticized the abundance of requests being made by cities and states nationwide, New Mexico officials aren't apologizing.
“Of all the many water and wastewater treatment projects around the state, those listed from our department are in or near construction and have the needed environmental clearances that would allow the prompt spending of federal dollars,” Environment Secretary Ron Curry said in a statement.
Federal officials are scrambling to assemble a federal spending plan for the incoming administration of President-elect Barack Obama in January.
In a speech last weekend, Obama discussed spending money on roads, bridges and energy efficiency. One key criteria is likely to be the speed with which state and local governments can begin spending the money.
State Transportation Secretary Rhonda Faught said DOT projects had to meet the criteria of being ready to go out to bid within 180 days. She said the department's wish list represents a best-case scenario.
“The guess is we won't get that whole amount,” Faught said. “There will be an infrastructure bill. What will be the size of it, and how much will go to roads and bridges? I don't know.”
Other funding targets in New Mexico include support for the state's Medicaid program, airport improvements, rural hospitals, bus and rail transit and nuclear waste cleanup at Los Alamos National Laboratory.