By Bob Christie | The Associated Press
Gov. Jan Brewer on Thursday vetoed a bill designed to permit the city of Tombstone to access federal land to repair its water system, saying the legislation had constitutional issues.
Brewer said in a veto letter for House Bill 2541 that it was probably unconstitutional for the state to grant access to federal lands, and a settlement with federal land managers was a better option. The bill would allow cities and towns to enter restricted federal land without permission in emergencies.
The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Kelly Townsend, R-Mesa, said she was inspired by the battle between Tombstone and the federal government over repairs it needs to perform to its water supply system in the Coronado National Forest. She was clearly upset with the veto and said she plans to continue trying to find a solution.
