[SES1066]

... but if you build say a 1/2 doze or so desalination facilities throughout the state, ...

Ah, but the Ecotopians object mightily to desalination. The problem is that in order to remove the salt, you create a concentrated brine and then you have to put that somewhere. Pumping it back into the sea changes the ecology at the outflow there so that is a no-no to those vigilant environmentalists. Then again they object to almost every other disposal 'solution' as well. Logically speaking, to them a pristine 'natural' environment overrides any other logic. Soylent Green, anybody?

[BitWielder1]

...you create a concentrated brine and then you have to put that somewhere...

Another non-problem, mix it it with existing sea water to whatever concentration deemed acceptable before releasing it.
Or let it dry, make salt crystals for snow & ice removal in the winter.

[ShadowAce]

The problem is that in order to remove the salt, you create a concentrated brine and then you have to put that somewhere.

A new brand of environmentally, organic, renewable, sustainable sea salt!

Just charge $5.00/lb and you'll make the construction costs back in a snap!

[clee1]

You use the brine to make sea salt.

That’s a positive use of the byproduct of desalinization.