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Arizona's infrastructure is deficient and will not improve without decisive leaders willing to make tough, often unpopular decisions.

Up until the early 1990s, Arizona was a planner and investor in infrastructure, according to economist Dennis Hoffman, author of "Preparing for an Arizona of 10 Million People: Meeting the Infrastructure Challenges of Growth."

Our state can right its infrastructure course, but accommodating 4 million more people won't be easy.

First, our state must come to the realization that it's not wise to lock the gate and say no one else can live here. As the report points out, Arizona's projected population growth has significant positives. For example, the state's economic and political influence, such as more seats in the U.S. House of Representatives, should increase.

A downside is a serious strain on public and private infrastructure, according to the study that will be presented Monday at Arizona State University.

Arizona has the chance to do things better and smarter. Several possibilities mentioned in the report include:

● Building telecommunications infrastructure on a par with world standard-bearers.

● Leading development of water conservation and supply strategies, realizing that there will be competition for the West's limited supplies.

● Promoting an energy infrastructure that accounts for rising oil and natural gas prices, and reduces negative environmental impacts.

● Giving our state's citizens libraries, parks and quality-of-life amenities.

But state leaders can't sit waiting for the federal government to plunk down a bunch of cash to help Arizona reach its potential and pay for the necessary tangible assets.

The report demonstrates that local and state governments and the private sector play a critical and expanding role in funding infrastructure.

Accepting that role requires planning, prioritization and leadership — and making unpopular decisions.

"Providing public and private infrastructure to serve the needs of an Arizona of 10 million people will require public and private investments that, in turn, mean more payments in the form of taxes, fees, rates, debt acquisition, et cetera," said Hoffman.

"And growth alone will not pay the bill. A slightly larger share of the state's economy will have to be allocated to these areas, even as we grow."

The study rightly points out that the key responsibility for planning and developing Arizona's infrastructure falls on nonfederal public sector policy makers — local and state governmental officials.

However, these local and state governmental officials are being pounded with budget deficits and making cuts to everyday services. The state is facing a $1.2 billion budget deficit this fiscal year and Pima County announced a slew of budget cuts Wednesday.

Arizona's infrastructure challenges will require commitment and creativity.

Economic slow times are an opportune time for developing infrastructure: When the economy rallies, the foundation will be set.

Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano went to Washington last week and told the House Committee on Energy and Commerce that lawmakers should finance infrastructure construction that would stimulate the economy.

We believe spending money on infrastructure and accelerating already planned projects for roads, dams, bridges and border improvements could create jobs immediately and strengthen the infrastructure of the state and nation.

Likewise, we believe our state should be willing to bond for some infrastructure needs. It's similar financial policy to an individual or household taking out a mortgage on a home or a loan for a car.

Bonding would mean that new residents will be paying off those bonds, paying for the infrastructure they're using.

Arizona State University President Michael M. Crow said in the foreward to the report that "Arizona must develop a new social psychology and begin thinking and acting like a region or even like a republic — lower case "r" — and less like a cluster of combative jurisdictions or a standard-issue American state."

That will require cooperation and leadership from the Maricopa County-dominated Legislature, which has been loathe to bond for school construction.

With Republicans winning additional seats, the Legislature that convenes in January will be more conservative than in recent sessions.

The Legislature must recognize the need for infrastructure and understand that investing in our state's future is a prudent fiscal policy.

Researchers will present the findings of "Preparing for an Arizona of 10 Million People: Meeting the Infrastructure Challenges of Growth" Monday during a forum at Arizona State University. The session will include panel discussions with Arizona lawmakers and policy makers.

We hope innovative ways of meeting the infrastructure needs of our state percolate from these sessions. Our state's elected officials must be flexible enough to accept and embrace new ideas, and strong enough to make the hard decisions.