We were watching out for you as the Legislature remained in session throughout the holiday.
We need you to make two phone calls as early as pssible today, Tuesday, first to your State Senator and second, to Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. Ask them simply to remember future generations by protecting our most precious resource and saying no to a Trans-Texas Water Highway. Find your Senator here. Contact the Lt. Gov. here.
What happened while they figured you weren’t watching:
Two attempts were made by Rep. Lyle Larson, R-San Antonio, to revive “Gridzilla”, the water market and conveyance study, after he failed to move her out of a Senate Committee. These attempts failed, thanks to you and those who led the opposition — Representatives David Simpson, R-Longview, Tracy King, D-Uvalde and Travis Clardy, R-Nacogdoches.
Gridzilla has been severely wounded, but she’s still got some life in her as she crawls back to the Senate where she could be attached to another bill. Which one, we don’t really know, and we may not know until it’s too late to alert you.
There was a remarkable floor fight tonight on Rep. Simpson’s bill, HB 632, that would clarify the rights of so-called “donor” communities to consent to having their water transferred to other areas. Though Simpson’s effort to save HB 632 failed, the vote was a clear indication that House members are getting the drift. As Simpson put it, “We’re not going to support a Trans-Texas Corridor style water highway.” The vote was 77 to 59 with a number of urban and rural reps standing with Simpson. Unofficial vote here.
It should not go without saying that we are doing all we can to remember — and honor — those who gave the ultimate sacrifice by continuing to fight for future generations.