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The SAWS Act PAC is petitioning, petitioning, petitioning for a public vote on the SAWS Accountability Act. We need your help to get a few more signatures to meet our modest goal for July signatures. We’ve started slowly petitioning to make sure we are following strict rules under COVID. We’re about 130 signatures shy of this goal for this Friday. Can you print out the petition and get your San Antonio voting friends to sign it and let us hear from you by Friday? Make sure you print both pages! You can also join our teams (like Reinette and Jas pictured here) out in the field petitioning safely at the running trails. Reinette will even give you one of these nifty Face Shields. Contact us if you need information OR, better yet, call the SAWS Act PAC at 210-807-7372. No time but want to help? You can donate to the SAWS Act PAC – scroll down for where to send a check or to donate online . Visit the LIV News blog for updates, but we have good news coming out real soon. Thank you for your consideration, San Antonio amigos! PS The City Council could put the SAWS Act on the ballot and save us the time, expense and worry of petitioning in a pandemic while San Antonio moves further into economic crisis. So wrong. #petitiondrive #SAWS #VistaRidge

SAWS keeps dumping on you. Now that Vista Ridge is pumping (full bore expected in August), San Antonio’s public water utility apparently thinks they can claim victory because they are “waterful”, a word they had the audacity to make up! What the San Antonio City Council is allowing to happen to 1.8 million ratepayers, to landowners 142 miles away, and to a precious water resource — in the midst of a pandemic — begs for a serious head examination. You can help us make it happen, folks. LIV’s Linda Curtis, was quoted in the San Antonio Express News on Wednesday stating, “This project, Vista Ridge, and the rogue municipal water utility, SAWS, are deforming the entire paradigm for groundwater management.” Check out SAWS’ response in San Antonio’s newspaper of record, having been called out by the Post Oak Savannah Groundwater Conservation District for likely dumping at least a half a billion gallons of precious groundwater pumped by Vista Ridge from Burleson and Milam counties, into a creek-bed in San Antonio. The SAWS Act PAC, has started petitioning for a public vote to rein in SAWS and for an audit of Vista Ridge. It’s headed for the May 2021 ballot when the Mayor and entire Council will be running for election. We need 20,000 signatures by the end of 2020. Share this with your San Antonio amigos, por favor. It’s called the SAWS Accountability Ac t. Print it out, fill it out and mail it – San Antonio voters only. Read the Express-News article here . Senate District 14 — Horse Race Runoff ON! We told you a horse race is GOOD for democracy, though a pain for the candidates. Former Travis County Judge, Sarah Eckhardt, was just a tad shy of the 50% plus 1 needed to win. She’s now in a runoff with Rep. Eddie Rodriguez. Governor Abbott will soon have to set the date for a September or October runoff. Interested in helping engage the candidates in meaningful forums to discuss the issues? Contact us by reply to this message. Meanwhile, read the Austin Bulldog piece , hot off the press. Tell Congress the PRIME Act is the best shot for small livestock farmers and consumers: The crisis facing small livestock farmers and ranchers is getting worse. In some areas of the country, farmers are being told that their USDA — or state-inspected slaughterhouse can’t fit them in until 2022 – two years from now! These farmers must still feed and care for their animals all that time, without getting income from them; many will go out of business simply because they cannot get their animals processed, even while consumers are clamoring for their meat. There is a solution: the PRIME Act. And the time to pass it is NOW, while the Senate is working on the COVID relief bill before its August recess. Read and take action (a few well placed phone calls) recommended by our dear friends at the Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance. You can do this, folks. Yes, you can! Thank you. We’ll shut up for now. #ExpessNews #PrimeAct #SAWS #VistaRidge #SarahEckhardt #EddieRodriguez

SAWS Act PAC PO Box 33402 • San Antonio, TX 78265 210.807.7273 • www.SAWSAct.org For Immediate Release                                                 July 20, 2020 Contact: Media Secretary, Reinette King • 210.241.2683 Linda Curtis, League of Independent Voters • 512.657.2089 Vista Ridge and SAWS Face Investigation San Antonio, 8:00 am : Late Friday afternoon, July 17, the Post Oak Savannah Groundwater Conservation District (Milam and Burleson counties), which permitted the Vista Ridge water project in Burleson County, issued three stinging letters calling for an investigation, potential fine and even a permit reduction for the project, following a specially called board meeting on July 16th. Letters were sent to the San Antonio Water System (SAWS), Blue Water Vista Ridge LLC , and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), concerning Post Oak’s allegations of “waste” by SAWS of water purchased from Vista Ridge from April 15th through about June 12th. According to the Post Oak letter to SAWS, the 10 million gallons per day Post Oak believes SAWS wasted “is equivalent to the amount of water needed to supply a community in our district of approximately 5,000 people for an entire year.” Post Oak told Vista Ridge it will consider its options at the conclusion of its investigation, including possible permit reduction and/or a fine of up to $580,000 on the permit holder for violations of Chapter 36 of the Texas Water Code. Post Oak also called upon TCEQ to investigate the waste issue from the point of view of SAWS’ responsibilities under the Water Code, since it is not clear to Post Oak if it has any authority over SAWS in Post Oak’s role as a regulator of groundwater. Most important to San Antonio ratepayers is the reminder by the Post Oak Board Chairman, Sidney Youngblood , that “I’m sure it is not lost on the [SAWS] Board of Trustees; as an arm of the municipal corporation of City of San Antonio, expenditures of public funds are not to be done in a wasteful manner.” Alice Canestaro-Garcia of the SAWS Act PAC, said, “Post Oak’s test of their regulatory authority and request for TCEQ to investigate SAWS, couldn’t be more timely. Full bore pumping for Vista Ridge will begin in August, threatening not only ratepayers’ pocketbooks as the economic crisis continues to unfold in our city, but also private wells owned by largely rural and elderly people of modest means in Burleson, Milam, Lee and Bastrop counties.” George Alejos of LULAC Concilio Zapatista 4383, said, “What I appreciate the most about Post Oak’s actions is how they express concern for ratepayers some 140 miles to the south. We here in San Antonio are paying for the most expensive water in Texas – and probably the entire U.S. – but our own City Council and SAWS Trustees are giving us the Marie Antoinette treatment – let us ‘eat cake’ – when thousands are increasing the lines at the food bank.” Terry Burns , MD, chair of the Alamo Sierra Club, said, “At the July 7th SAWS Board meeting not one Trustee even asked SAWS to tell them how much water was dumped at Mud Creek. By my calculation, using the lowball SAWS estimate for Vista Ridge water costs, that’s about $3 million in ratepayer money – dumped down the drain with 590 million gallons of good water, as Post Oak pointed out. That might be a hundred jobs in our economy. Why is it okay for SAWS to waste water and not citizens now in drought restrictions? Why is it okay for SAWS to waste millions of dollars of ratepayer money? I am glad Post Oak is acting, because as usual we hear nothing from our Mayor and City Council.” The SAWS Act PAC has just begun gathering 20,000 San Antonio voters’ signatures to place the SAWS Accountability Act on the May 2021 ballot through an all-volunteer drive. According to the group, if it makes it to the ballot and if it passes, the SAWS Accountability Act will: Ratchet back outrageous general manager pay — $600K per year — nearly 3 times any other public water CEO in the US. Enforce existing term limits on SAWS leadership. Vista Ridge cheerleader, Berto Guerra, was allowed to stay 2 years over his term limit. Return SAWS to its local community mission and stop SAWS lobbying efforts to become water brokers of central Texas. Secure an audit of Vista Ridge, AND audits of any $1 billion or more projects BEFORE contracts are signed. Reinette King , the local coordinator for the petition drive and media spokesperson said, “The City Council can run now, but they cannot hide next May, so long as we gather the 20,000 signatures we need. All those running for Mayor and Council will be forced to answer this question for voters: what did you do when the poor and working folks of San Antonio asked you to protect them from a public utility that forgot the public?” # #PostOakSavannahGroundwaterConservationDistrict #SAWS #TCEQ #VistaRidge

Ah, we just love a horse race! We will have some important news for you on Monday about “The San Antone Hose” but just a quick reminder that today, Friday, July 10, is the last day to vote early in the major party primary runoffs AND the oh-so-special Senate District 14 Jungle Primary. We have updated our Senate District 14 page to include in depth pieces from The Austin Bulldog on the two Democratic candidates running, Rep. Eddie Rodriguez , and former Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt . Rodriguez has far out-fundraised Eckardt — $800,000 to $220,000. But, can all that money help him catch her??? We watched last night’s Quorum Report Forum with 5 of the 6 candidates in the SD-14 race. Groundwater and Vista Ridge were front and center! With former Austin City Councilman Don Zimmerman, Libertarian Pat Dixon and newbie independent Jeff Ridgeway added to the mix with Eckhardt and Rodrguez, this was a fast-paced and intriguing political event. If you don’t live in Travis or Bastrop County and cannot vote in this race, perhaps you know others who do. Give ’em a nudge with this message, won’t you? Watch the Quorum Forum here on Facebook . Tuesday, July 14, is Election Day, so get out and vote y’all! #PatDixon #DonZimmerman #VistaRidge #SarahEckhardt #SpecialElection #EddieRodriguez #SenateDistrict14 #JeffRidgeway

Hopefully, you already know that early voting started today (Monday, June 29) for the major party runoffs. And, here in Bastrop is a hotly contested Special Election for Senate District 14 to fill the remaining two years left on the term vacated by Sen. Kirk Watson. Visit our SD 14 page for our extensive questionnaires filed out by 4 of the 6 candidate running. This message is only relevant in Bastrop County — that we’re aware of. And this message is only relevant to you if you are voting by mail. Numerous ballots mailed to the Elections Department in Bastrop County have been returned to the sender. We believe this is due to the Postal Service sorting machines detecting the return address label, which was placed on the back of the envelope by Bastrop Elections, and routing the piece back to the sender in error. To help prevent your mail ballot from being returned to you, please take the following action: cover your address located on the back of the yellow mail-in envelope with pen, marker (prior to inserting ballot), white-out tape, etc.  DO NOT COVER THE BAR CODE and do leave your name there too. Again, just mark out your return address. (This bar code contains your Voter Identification Number, which allows Elections to process you as having voted.) Please note that for all ballot by mail sent out after about mid-June, the Elections Department has already eliminated the address on the back of the envelope. In the event your voted ballot is delivered back to you, please follow the instructions above. Also mark out any bar code affixed by the post office and put the envelope back in the mail. You can also contact the Election Administrator for alternate delivery arrangements at 512-581-7160. Please contact the TDP’s Voter Assistance Hotline (844-TX-VOTES) if you have any questions or concerns. If all else fails, don’t hesitate to reach us here at LIV. Early voting started today, June 29 and goes through Friday, July 10. Election Day is July 14. For details visit Bastrop Elections here . Happy voting, y’all! #BastropCounty #SenateDistrict14 #VotebyMail #VoterAssistance

Yes, we know there’s so much going on your head is swimming. At LIV we say go with the flow — pun intended! Thanks to KABB-TV (FOX-San Antonio) for this excellent report on why a cross-partisan coalition is about to kickoff a petition drive for the SAWS Accountability Act. SAWS rates and Vista Ridge water waste is so scary even a pandemic won’t stop this creative homegrown petition drive — join in! Reply to this message if you’d like to help or call 210.807.7273. More at SAWSAct.org page . In this newsletter: • Mark Cuban, Shark for Democracy, Out for 2020:  Read Curtis at Medium.com . • Teleconference Held on Vista Ridge Water Waste — Report here * Senate District 14 Special Election: Bastrop Dems Forum with Eckhardt & Rodriguez: Updates include answers on right to protest zoning (CodeNEXT). You’re invited to join our study group on Lee Drutman’s most excellent new book, “ Breaking the Two-Party Doom Loop . ” Reply or give us a call to join us. #MarkCuban #KABBTV #AndrewYang #SAWS #VistaRidge

These two very important events are happening on Monday and Tuesday night. We hope this reaches you in time. You can’t really miss the horse race in Senate District 14 or all the dish on Vista Ridge dumping (wasting) the most expensive water in Texas, can you? Heck no! Monday night, June 22, 7 pm, is a Zoom Candidate Forum with the two leading Democrats running in a six-way race on July 14th in the special election for Senate District 14. If you live in Travis or Bastrop County, you’re likely in this district. Click here for call details and to see 4 of the 6 candidate’s answers to LIV’s extensive questionnaire about electoral, water and waste reforms . (Note: LIV does not endorse candidates.) Tuesday night, June 23, 6:30 pm, LIV and SAWS Act PAC , are holding this conference call “ Putting the Public Back Into Public Utilities “. Get the facts to date on why the Vista Ridge (the San Antone Hose) has continued its quest to thwart proper management of our most precious resource. Reply to this message if you want to join the call. We need your name and phone number. Be sure to read LIV’s breaking news article, The SAWS Press, No Press Conference if you missed it last week. It’s a doozy! LIV News coming soon: Shark for Democracy, Mark Cuban, decides not to run in 2020, but all bets are off for 2024. What does this mean for millions of Texas independents? PS We recommend this Austin Bulldog article, “Donors gave big bucks to Democrats in SD 14 Election” https://theaustinbulldog.org/donors-gave-big-bucks-to-democrats-in-sd-14-election/ . #groundwatermanagement #VistaRidge #wastemanagement #SarahEckhardt #SanAntoneHose #EddieRodriguez #AustinBulldog #electoralreform

Advisory/Release                                               Media Event on Zoom, June 23, 6:30 pm SAWS No Press, Press Conference San Antonio, TX :  SAWS accountability activists couldn’t figure out why San Antonio’s public water utility, San Antonio Water System (SAWS), held a press event without press present when their touted “game changing” water project — Vista Ridge — started pumping on April 15. They just found out. The independent San Antonio online news publication, The Rivard Report, reported SAWS Flushing Half of Vista Ridge Water as Cost Overrun nears $80 million . Two hundred feet from SAWS’ celebratory “no press, press event” lies Mud Creek — where SAWS was dumping Vista Ridge water and it could have been easily captured by the media. The April 15th ”gala occasion” was a totally staged event . SAWS took pictures for this flier SAWS mail-out Vista Ridge Announcement inserted into SAWS water bills and recorded their own deceptive little video . Michele Gangnes, an attorney and Lee County landowner who serves on the League of Independent Voters Advisory Committee (a member of the coalition pushing for SAWS reform), said: “Constructing SAWS’ pipeline hookup infrastructure on the north side of San Antonio saved their developer friends a lot of money, but ended up costing ratepayers tens of millions in cost overruns and possibly another $3 million for water poured down the creek. Whether this wasteful discharge of groundwater was legally permissible remains to be seen, but it is morally bankrupt to pump our Simsboro aquifer and then pour it on the ground at our and ratepayers’ expense.” The entire Vista Ridge project is a waste. Vista Ridge is arguably more than twice the water that SAWS may need twenty years from now for 20% of its water portfolio. That additional supply was already on the table with SAWS’ previous stellar water conservation efforts, a brackish desal supply project and aquifer storage during times of plenty. But, in February 2014, just after SAWS General Manager, Robert Puente, said he opposed this project, he suddenly reversed course. Documents obtained in open records requests to SAWS indicated Puente was pressed by members of the Chamber of Commerce to resurrect the Vista Ridge proposal. Please also note that Puente is paid a yearly salary and bonus totaling $600K — 3 times that of any public water GM found so far in the country. ( See this Rivard article on Executive Pay at utilities .) Mr. Puente told the City Council on February 14, 2018 that he would sell 15,000 of Vista Ridge’s mega-permit for 50,000 acre-feet so that ratepayers wouldn’t be paying for the water they neither needed nor could use. So far, Puente has seen no takers for what appears to be the most expensive water in the U.S. Poor Ratepayers Mayor Ron Nirenberg’s June 7th interview on 60 Minutes about the economic crisis hitting San Antonio post-COVID, especially its numerous residents already struggling in poverty, makes SAWS reform and a real independent audit of Vista Ridge all the more imperative. A cross-partisan citizen coalition (a rare occurence these days) believes it has done much of the work for the city to gain control of the “rogue SAWS” by developing the SAWS Accountability Act . If the city doesn’t make a move on SAWS, petitioners say they will start circulating a municipal charter amendment petition in July, headed for the May 2021 ballot when the Mayor and Council elections will take place. The SAWS Act will: Ratchet back the General Manager’s pay. Set firm term limits on SAWS leadership and thereby remove SAWS Chair Berto Guerra who is a full two years beyond his term limit. Rein in SAWS lobbying to become water brokers of central Texas off ratepayer’s backs. Secure an audit of Vista Ridge AND audits of any $1 billion or more projects BEFORE contracts are signed. Media is invited to a June 23, 6:30 pm press event on Zoom! Purpose of this event: To explain to you WHY SAWS was forced to dump the most valuable resource on the planet these days — groundwater — and how this is impacting on two critically important central Texas aquifers (the Edwards and Carrizo-Wilcox) and water policy in Texas. _________________________________________________ For information on how to join the call, please reach Reinette King at (210) 241-2683, reinette3@gmail.com. #BertoGuerra #RobertPuente #SAWS #VistaRidge #RonNirenberg

Thanks to KSAT-TV for helping blow the whistle on SAWS’ pump and dump of 10M gallons per day of drinking water piped through the Vista Ridge water pipeline. SAWS No Press, Press Conference This clip appeared on KSAT-TV (San Antonio) on June 10, the day after The Rivard Report, San Antonio’s independent online news site, broke this Vista Ridge story wide open. SAWS apparently has been dumping 10 million gallons per day of the “most expensive water” in Texas, likely since April 15, the day it opened. LIV News reported to you on May 4 that it was odd that SAWS held a “press event” with no press present on April 15 to announce the grand opening of the 142-mile water pipeline (aka the San Antone Hose). SAWS’ “game changer” water project was celebrated by SAWS workers and General Manager Robert Puente only , drinking glasses of Vista Ridge water for the cameras, but someone was missing. Sometimes called “The Fourth Estate”, the media was nowhere to be seen. The ”gala occasion” was a totally staged event . SAWS took pictures for this flier SAWS mail-out Vista Ridge Announcement inserted into SAWS water bills and recorded their own deceptive little video . Why the flimflam? Rivard’s ace environmental reporter, Brendan Gibbons, reported on the SAWS June 9th meeting in his June 10th article, SAWS Flushing Half of Vista Ridge Water as Cost Overrun nears $100 million (corrected to $80 million). Gibbon’s piece tipped us SAWS accountability activists off that two hundred feet from SAWS’ celebratory “no press, press event” lies Mud Creek, where SAWS’ dumping of Vista Ridge water could have been easily captured by the media. At this moment, it appears to us that SAWS has dumped 10 million gallons per day of Vista Ridge water for up to 58 days. Gibbons conservatively estimated the cost to San Antonio ratepayers at a “minimum of $50,000 per day” at “$1600 per acre feet.” We think it is likely to be substantially higher because Vista Ridge water, according to our experts, is costing closer to $2400 per acre foot so Gibbon’s original estimate of $100M is closer to the truth. Michele Gangnes, an attorney and Lee County landowner who serves on the LIV Advisory Committee, said: “Constructing SAWS’ pipeline hookup infrastructure on the north side of San Antonio saved their developer friends a lot of money, but ended up costing ratepayers tens of millions in cost overruns and possibly another $3 million for water poured down the creek. Whether this wasteful discharge of groundwater was legally permissible remains to be seen, but it is morally bankrupt to pump our Simsboro aquifer and then pour it on the ground at our and ratepayers’ expense.” The entire Vista Ridge project is a waste. Vista Ridge is arguably more than twice the water that SAWS may need twenty years from now for 20% of its water portfolio. That additional supply was already on the table with SAWS’ previous stellar water conservation efforts, a brackish desal supply project and aquifer storage during times of plenty. But, in February 2014, just after Puente said he opposed this project, he suddenly reversed course. Documents obtained in open records requests to SAWS indicated Puente was pressed by members of the Chamber of Commerce to resurrect the Vista Ridge proposal. Please also note that Puente is paid a yearly salary and bonus totaling $600K — 3 times that of any public water GM found so far in the U.S.A. ( See this Rivard article on Executive Pay at utilities .) Be sure to read the comments on Gibbon’s June 10th piece. This one, by “Civitas” – obviously, a made up name, appears to us to be a well-informed industry whistle-blower, so we couldn’t resist quoting it here: “Too bad Steve Clouse [Senior Vice President & Chief Operating Officer at SAWS] didn’t mention that the Vista Ridge pipeline terminus was originally on the southeast side of San Antonio, taking advantage of the infrastructure and right of way that SAWS had in place to bring Carrizo-Wilcox groundwater from the Schertz-Seguin Local Government Corporation to the SAWS connection near I-10 & 410.The delivery point was changed to Stone Oak to benefit developers, as Amy Hardberger noted prior to her appointment to the SAWS Board. How did the developers benefit?If the VR water was delivered to an existing location, those “in need” of the water would have to reimburse SAWS for the cost of moving the water across town. That’s why we have [developer] impact fees, to make sure citizens don’t subsidize the urban growth machine.SA’s “best and brightest” deemed it important to force SA ratepayers to subsidize delivery, at a greatly increased cost, so that our beloved real estate developer community could increase their profit margins.” Poor Ratepayers Following Mayor Ron Nirenberg’s June 7th interview on 60 Minutes about the economic crisis hitting San Antonio post-COVID, especially its numerous residents already struggling in poverty, isn’t it about time for the city of San Antonio to get a heart and seriously consider putting the PUBLIC back into their public water utility? A cross-partisan citizen coalition has done much of the work for them by developing the SAWS Accountability Act , including an independent audit of Vista Ridge. The SAWS Act will: click here for the petition Ratchet back Puente’s outrageous pay — $600K per year! Set firm term limits on SAWS leadership and show SAWS Chair Berto Guerra the door — a full two years beyond his term limit. Rein in SAWS lobbying to become water brokers of central Texas off ratepayer’s backs. Secure an audit of Vista Ridge AND audits of any $1 billion or more projects BEFORE contracts are signed. The Mayor and Council can put this measure on the ballot or simply pass it as an ordinance now. Otherwise, petitioners are about to start circulating the SAWS Act petition in July, headed for the May 2021 ballot when the Mayor and Council will be running again. What you can do: Sign up to join a Zoom call on these issues scheduled for June 23, 6:30 pm. Details here . If you are a SAWS ratepayer, call the Mayor and Your City Council Member to urge support for the SAWS Accountability Act. The City’s main number is 210.207.7040. Contact other officials at the County and State Legislature, including MOST importantly, Governor Greg Abbott at 512.463.2000 or email him here . Ask them to get all the facts about Vista Ridge opened to the public and to bring the public back into SAWS. #RobertPuente #SAWS #theFourthEstate #VistaRidge

Are you thinking about how to vote on July 14? We sure hope so as there’s a bunch of good people trying to ensure it is safe, secure and accessible for you to exercise your right to vote. Early voting starts on June 29 for the July 14 primary runoffs and the only special election we’re aware of – Senate District 14. You can go to the polls, like you normally do. BUT, we strongly suggest you read THIS state protocol , which tells you what to observe when you go to vote — including bringing you own writing instrument, observing social distancing, wearing a mask — the whole bit. Also, know that some counties, such as Bastrop County, are going the distance for you, by providing sanitizer and, if you want, even a mask — though bring your own if you have one. You can ask to do curbside voting by letting election officials know you need it when you arrive at the poll site . There will be a sign with a phone number to call, or you might ring a bell by driving over a sensor. If you don’t have a cell, call your County Elections people from home before you head for the poll site. Just do all you can not to spread the virus to our dear poll workers. Warn them if you have symptoms, so you can safely do curbside voting. You can also apply for an absentee ballot by reaching your County Elections Department. They may have their absentee ballot application online for you to print out. OR, if you don’t have a printer , use this site provided by the Secretary of State (SOS) . They will mail you an application, which you must then fill out and sign and mail back. If you have any trouble reaching your election officials in your county, please feel free to contact us at LIV by calling 512-213-4511, via email at info@independentleaguetx.org or via text at 512-657-2089. #Howtovote #SpecialElection #SecretaryofState #earlyvoting #primaryrunoff #SenateDistrict14

Kinder Morgan punctures Vista Ridge! Well, dang! We can’t keep our pipelines straight. Thanks to Saturday’s Rivard Report we learned about Kinder Morgan’s “puncture” of the VR pipeline in Caldwell County! Check out the comments. One of them is by the very astute Board President of the Cow Creek Groundwater Conservation District, Milan Michalec. Other comments posted today are important to see how “what me worry” SAWS has minimized this breach. Meanwhile, we missed this May 6 Rivard Report piece by ace reporter Brendan Gibbons covering the April 15th start of Vista Ridge pumping (at 1/3 of the full bore puming planned to start in July) conducted “without fanfare” — no press. Gibbons covered the May 4 SAWS meeting dust-up with SAWS watchdogs complaining about the resolution giving SAWS General Manager, Robert Puente, the right to execute contracts WITHOUT limitation, during the COVID-19 crisis. The watchdogs pointed out that the 30-year financing terms (the Fifth Amendment to Vista Ridge) have been left unsigned due to financial market instability. SAWS has gone from it’s usual transparency transgressions to a much darker place. We are making plans to drag them out into the light of day when petitioning starts for the SAWS Accountability Act (at SAWSAct.org ). #KinderMorgan #RovertPuente #SAWS #VistaRidge

Americans have suffered memory loss of Memorial Day at a moment when it’s urgently important for us all to remember. In this issue: Well, dang! We can’t keep our pipelines straight. ► The Origins of Memorial Day ► Kinder Morgan Punctures Vista Ridge Pipeline! ► Help Push The Prime Act Over Finish Line! ( Call Bernie, y’all! ) ► Important Updates ► VERY Important Events ► The Origins of Memorial Day :  Why do so few of us know the origins of Memorial Day? The answer is seen in this uniquely American story at Snopes . ► Kinder Morgan punctures Vista Ridge Pipeline! Thanks to Saturday’s Rivard Report we learned about Kinder Morgan’s “puncture” of the VR pipeline in Caldwell County! Check out the comments. One of them is by the very astute Board President of the Cow Creek Groundwater Conservation District, Milan Michalec. Other comments posted today are important to see how “what me worry” SAWS has minimized this breach. Meanwhile, we missed this May 6 Rivard Report piece by ace reporter Brendan Gibbons covering the April 15th start of Vista Ridge pumping (at 1/3 of the full bore puming planned to start in July) conducted “without fanfare” — no press. Gibbons covered the May 4 SAWS meeting dust-up with SAWS watchdogs complaining about the resolution giving SAWS General Manager, Robert Puente, the right to execute contracts WITHOUT limitation, during the COVID-19 crisis. The watchdogs pointed out that the 30-year financing terms (the Fifth Amendment to Vista Ridge) have been left unsigned due to financial market instability. SAWS has gone from it’s usual transparency transgressions to a much darker place. We are making plans to drag them out into the light of day when petitioning starts for the SAWS Accountability Act (at SAWSAct.org ). As other plans are cookin’, be sure to join the conference call on July 17th . ► Help push the PRIME Act across the finish line ! See the updated letter to Congress here . In just two weeks, the PRIME Act has gained 20 new co-sponsors in the House and Senate! Combined, there are 46 sponsors and co-sponsors, including members from both parties, two of three independents ( not yet Bernie Sanders, y’all call him!) and 24 states! Remember, this federal legislation requires no government funding, just government fairness to lift unnecessary restrictions on small-scale, local processors so that we can develop a more resilient local food system, already! Call your Congressional Representatives— details here at Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance . Important Updates! Is political scientist, Lee Drutman, right that America is in the midst of a ‘two-party doom loop’? With independents having long been the plurality of American voters ( see Gallup Poll ), could it be that the doom loop of hyper-partisanship is making it apparent there’s no way out without a sustained effort to directed at, “ Breaking the Two-Party Doom Loop ”? That’s the title of Drutman’s new book, about which LIV is forming a study group. Let us know if you’re interested. Or, just read it and send us your review. Senate District 14’s Oh-So-Special Election Update :  The Texas Tribune has so far interviewed 2 of the 6 candidates in this race — Rep. Eddie Rodriguez and former Travis County Judge, Sarah Eckhardt. We link to those interviews with lots more at: LIVTexas.org/sd-14 . Austin’s Land Development Code Battle : Apologies for last week’s broken link to the story about Austin’s CodeNEXT land development code battles. The article is on Community Not Commodity’s blog here . Vote by mail UPDATE :  The ball is still up in the air on vote by mail as outlined in this Texas Tribune article . You certainly can still ask your County elections folks for an absentee ballot. The primary runoffs and one special election (that we’re aware of) in Senate District 14 will take place on July 14; early voting will start on June 29. VERY Important Events! Thursday, June 4, 2 pm : Save the date for a one-hour Freedom of Information Foundation webinar on examining transparency during the coronavirus pandemic. Details coming soon! Wednesday, June 17, 6:30-7:30 pm , LIV joins with a regional coalition to discuss the next steps in seeking SAWS accountability, and audit of Vista Ridge (the San Antone Hose) and possibly more surprises. To be held via conference call – making it easy for rural and old timers. Visit this event page . Saturday, June 20 , the Poor People’s Coalition holds a national digital march. Lots more here . That’s all we wrote for now folks. Please do share from this page. #LeeDrutman #CommunityNotCommodity #TwoPartyDoomLoop #CodeNEXT #BernieSanders #KinderMorgan #SAWS #VistaRidge #thePrimeAct #MemorialDay #PoorPeoplesCampaign