Effort To Build Arizona Border Fence Appears Dead

PHOENIX (AP) — A plan by Arizona lawmakers to build a mile of fencing along the border with Mexico using private money may be declared dead after more than three years.

The Arizona Legislature's border security advisory committee will take up the issue Wednesday when it meets for the first time in more than a year.

Rep. David Stevens of Sierra Vista says the main backer has given up on the plan and hopes to transfer the money to border sheriffs. Stevens says fellow Republican Rep. Steve Smith of Maricopa realizes enough private money to get the job done can't be raised.

About $2.8 million is needed to build a mile of fencing, but only about 10 percent of that has been raised. Lawmakers at first wanted to build 200 miles of fencing.