New Mexico lawmakers are being inundated with requests for state funding to help pay for water infrastructure improvements.
From contaminated wells to a lack of storage for drinking water in Las Vegas, members of the Senate Finance Committee heard Thursday from state and local water officials and fellow lawmakers about the growing needs around the state.
The problem now is prioritizing which projects should be tackled first.
Gov. Susana Martinez has asked that lawmakers use at least 60 percent of capital outlay funds on water projects, but her administration has not put forward any specific list.
Finance Chair Sen. John Arthur Smith of Deming says if Mother Nature doesn't get to work quickly in easing the drought, lawmakers need to be more efficient with the limited funding they have.
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