WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Rep. Juan Ciscomani, R-Ariz., was able to include in a recently-passed Appropriations bill funding for a waterline project in Graham County.
“This is just one step, though a big one, but now it goes to the Senate. They have to pass it in the next two to three weeks, and then off to the president for his signature. I’m feeling very optimistic this is going to get through,” Ciscomani said in a posting to social media on Jan. 9.
The bill has $1.2 million for Graham County to upgrade and improve waterlines at the Graham County Fairgrounds. If the funding is approved, that will allow Graham County to plant new trees and improve grass fields at the Fairgrounds, using treated effluent water supplied by City of Safford under a previous agreement.
Also included in the Appropriations bill is:
- $4.2 million to Tucson for new police vehicles
- $4 million to Marana for water projects
- $900,000 to Tombstone for water projects
- $800,000 to Sahuarita for police radios
The funding is not guaranteed. A bill was introduced by U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., on Jan. 13 that would prohibit the House from considering any legislation that contains earmarks.
And this same funding for Graham County was cut in 2025 when the House passed a full-year continuing resolution. Also cut in 2025 was $1.9 million to Duncan for road repaving and $1 Million to the Town of Pima to construct a road to the new Pima High School.
