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Update, May 25:  ► Help push the PRIME Act across the finish line ! See the updated letter to Congress here . In just two weeks, the PRIME Act ( H.R. 2859 and S. 1620. 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 . What do Angus King and Rand Paul have in common? The dynamic duo — Maine’s independent US Senator Angus King and Kentucky’s liberty Republican Rand Paul — are leading the charge for the PRIME Act (H.R. 2859) to remove the unnecessary ban, supported by Big-AG, on the sale of meat from what are known as “custom” processors. These are the small-scale processors who already serve hunters and people raising meat just for themselves. Currently farmers cannot sell any meat processed by these processors.  Removing that federal ban would provide more options for small farmers, enabling them to provide our local communities with more food and building vital infrastructure for a more resilient food system. A handful of large corporations have opposed lifting the ban for the last five years. They dominate the market and have developed a system to maximize their profits at the expense of consumers, farmers, workers, animals, and the environment. This letter sent (updated) by hundreds of non-profit organizations representing small farms and local foods to the U.S. House Agriculture Committee explains how the extreme monopolization of this industry leads to less safety, “Four companies control processing of over 80% of the country’s beef, and four companies control the processing of two thirds of the country’s pork…The consolidation has led to most meat being processed at massive plants where as many as 400 cattle are slaughtered an hour….The extensive complicated federal regulations that apply to massive meatpacking facilities are neither needed nor appropriate for these operations, which might process as much meat in an entire year as the large facilities do in a single day. Their small scale also means that they are better able to provide necessary social distancing and sanitation measures while safely continuing operations.” The pandemic has exposed some very ugly realities about the fragility – and cruelty — of our food system. This article in the Hill is difficult to read – but, people, we must look at this now. Our agricultural system — in need of reform for decades — is cracking under the pressure from this pandemic. Too bad it had to happen this way, but we’ll take it. In addition to the unusual collaboration between Senators King and Paul, the support on the House side is striking.  Representatives Massie (R-KY) and Pingree (D-ME) are the lead sponsors, and the list of 40 co-sponsors include Justin Amash (I-MI), Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Rashid Tlaib (D-MI), Steve King (R-IA), and ), and four (so far) Texas Reps: Gohmert, Cloud, Roy and Wright. ( Watch this list update . ) Please call your U.S. Representative and Senators to urge them to join this multi-partisan effort to help small farmers during both the COVID crisis and beyond!  Just tell them you support the Prime Act and that its time long overdue. Find your Texas representatives here . LIV has long supported small farms. The pandemic has now made long-festering issues a matter of life and death concern in the rebuilding of our economies from the bottom up. You can find more information about the bill from our friends at the non-profit, non-partisan Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance: http://farmandranchfreedom.org/prime-act-finish-line #foodsafety #AngusKing #PrimeAct #RandPaul #foodsupplychange #multipartisan #COVID19 #meatpackers

Update, May 8, 2020: The Council voted unanimously against the gas rate increase and Council Member Kathie Tovo asked that the points made in this release  be ‘considered’ in the appeal and settlement discussions. Congratulations to the groups who brought this forward. Environmental and Consumer Groups Oppose Gas Rate Increase FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 6, 2020 AUSTIN, TX- Nine local or state environmental and consumer groups have called in unison for the Austin City Council to reject a record 22% rate increase for Texas Gas Service set to be voted on at this Thursday’s Council meeting. This increase will cause economic stress while the region and country are in a tailspin recession. These groups are collectively asking for long-term reforms that will create lower rates, assist low-income ratepayers, and encourage energy conservation and renewable energy. The signers included representatives of: The Austin Tenants Council; Clean Water Action; Public Citizen of Texas; Local and state chapters of the Sierra Club; Solar Austin; Texas Campaign for the Environment; Climate Action Now; 350-Austin “The Sierra Club is opposed to this proposed gas rate hike,” said Cyrus Reed, Conservation Director of Sierra Club’s Lone Star Chapter. “The proposal would impact Austin ratepayers without encouraging them to conserve their gas use, would not protect limited-income Austinites and would not work toward a day when we could look at alternatives to fracked gas.” In a letter sent to the Austin Council, advocates asked for more than a rejection of unjustified rate increases during a time of high unemployment. They requested the following actions. Increase Low-Income Assistance –  This year, City of Austin will provide about $62 million in low-income assistance and rate relief. In 2019, Texas Gas Service provided only $78,000 to indigent ratepayers, and 40% of this came from charity. Advocates are asking Council for $500,000, in addition to charitable contributions. Restructure Residential Rates – Texas Gas Service has regressive Residential rates: the more you use the less you pay per unit. Austin electric and water utilities do the opposite.  Their progressive rates charge less to customers who use less.  This encourages conservation, and helps lower-income customers who generally use less because they have less disposable income. Fund Renewable Energy Research – Austin Energy plans to be carbon-free by 2035.  Texas Gas Service has no plans at all to adopt renewable energy. Advocates ask that a surcharge be levied to fund research of technologies that replace fossil fuels. Charge Full Capital Recovery Fees – Austin Energy and Austin Water both require full compensation from developers and builders for new hook-ups.  Existing customers do not subsidize new customers. This has led to rate decreases. The gas company, however, spent almost $90 million on new customers in the last 4 years, and most of it is being paid by existing ratepayers. “This jaw-dropping 22% rate increase is being made at a time when other Austin utilities are lowering their rates to help customers survive the pandemic recession,” complained Paul Robbins, an advocate working on energy issues for decades.  “Austin electric and water utilities will provide about $26 million in low-income customer assistance this year, and another $35 million in general rate relief. Texas Gas Service wants to raise Residential rates almost $18 million, yet the company has no substantial assistance program to help the poor.” “The Texas Gas rate structure needs to be changed to encourage and reward energy conservation,” said Kaiba White of Public Citizen. “Austin is making great progress in transitioning to renewable energy for electricity production, but there’s no real strategy to reduce the use of methane gas use in buildings. Given the devastating impact of methane on the climate, this needs to be a priority.” — Courtney Naquin Communications Coordinator Lone Star Chapter Sierra Club pronouns: she/her or they/them AUSTIN, TX (c) 409.779.7949 #LoneStarChapterSierraClub #AustinCityCouncil #Austinutilities #GasRateHikes #austinenvironment

It wasn’t a big surprise when independent Congressman Justin Amash announced his bid for the Libertarian Party nomination. The real surprise was Mark Cuban reopening the possibility of an independent Presidential run. We want to know what you think as we are writing about it — soon to be released. Note:  LIV does not endorse candidates of any persuasion. That said, Cuban is a fellow traveler as an economic populist and advocate for competitive elections. Watch the Cuban interview with Yahoo Finance and provide a comment on this page.  We offer this latest LIV Newsletter, knowing already that it’s not OK with you to see public officials join with private interests to allow pilfering — especially in a pandemic for gosh sake! IN THIS ISSUE:  Pandemic Pilfering #1, #2 and #3 (below) with this timely piece posted on Medium.com piece by Mark Miller on the Texas Oil and the Texas Railroad Commission . TxDOT chairs in Texas House and Senate, forsake common sense and open government. Catch the stream today (Monday) at 2 pm if you get this in time. Check out: Pandemic Pilfering #1: TxDOT & CAMPO Ram Ih-35 Expansion The decision by Senator Kirk Watson to bail as a leader of the central Texas growth machine could be real good news as the crisis in his wake unfolds right before our very eyes. What’s up with: Pandemic Pilfering #2: Watson Bails SAWS votes tomorrow (Tuesday, Cinco de Mayo) to renew general manager’s near dictatorial powers, allowing Puente to execute contracts without Board approval, as the 30-year financing terms for Vista Ridge hangs in balance! Who are those masked men, anyway? Read: Pandemic Pilfering #3: The Rogue SAWS  Remember, though LIV does not endorse candidates, we  try our best to bring issues forward into elections. Make sure you are registered to vote. Be ready for primary runoffs and special elections on July 14. We recommend you get yourself a ballot by mail. Ask you local County Elections people how you can get one or call us at 512.213.4511, As always, you can help by sharing this information, donating to LIV and becoming a member. You can also contribute comments on any of our articles. Please do!

Update, June 9, 2020 : Enjoy this response by Terry Burns , MD (Alamo Sierra Club) at the June SAWS meeting. Be sure to read our newest report in our News section. Update, May 7, 2020 : SAWS ratepayers received this notice the Vista Ridge is pumping and without media fanfare, an unusual move by SAWS. Update:: May 5, 2020 (Cinco de Mayo!):  Who are these masked men??? Hint: Both have B-E-R-T in their first names. Dynamite excerpts from statements made today — Cinco de Mayo — by two SAWS Accountability advocates in San Antonio: Alice Canestaro Garcia, local artist, former teacher, SAWS Act PAC : “When I heard about your decision last month to give your general manager the illegitimate power to execute any and all contracts, without limitation, by using a genuine crisis befallen our city, our country, our world, it made me sick to my stomach…When I heard that Mr. Guerra lied to you, claiming the same abuse of power was done by CPS Energy the week before, it made me absolutely furious… For years, now, we have been working to get you to ACCOUNT FOR a multi-billion dollar unnecessary boondoggle known as Vista Ridge.With this latest maneuver, you have totally discredited this agency — there is no accountability. If you want to set off a ratepayer revolt, keep Mr. Guerra on the board and keep lying to us. “ Terry Burns, MD, Alamo Sierra Club: “I assume, despite the lack of media celebrations, that Vista Ridge water began flowing in April. No contractual change was announced, no reprieve from this horrible expense at this time of crisis.We are I assume receiving or at least billed for about 45 MILLION gallons of water per day, for about 20 days now. What are you doing with this water? What is happening to our bills? And what has happened to the RAC?  (Rate Advisory Committee) Will they meet again? Will they be forced to rubber stamp everything in one final meeting so City Council can rubber stamp your rate increases in June?? Why are we seeing no nomination and approval of new Board members today?At the end of this month THREE trustee terms will have expired, Mr. Guerra and Ms. Merritt TWO FULL YEARS beyond your term limits. If Vista Ridge water is flowing, Mr. Guerra promised to be going…Your willingness to serve SAWS in this way could be considered admirable. I still call it an egregious abuse of power, and subversion of ethics and the rule of law. When will the Mayor, SA city attorney, and city council actually represent SA citizens in dealing with an opaque and dictatorial SAWS?” The response? Trustees passed the same resolution they passed last month, giving Puente dictatorial powers (no limitations), Guerra continues on the Board having “forgotten” his pledge to leave now that water is flowing through the pipeline. (Vista Ridge started on April 15, but they gave no details.) And, no real information was given about the status of Vista Ridge financing . Instead, they circled the wagons and let Puente counter attack speakers ad nauseam.  Staff and Board spent most of the the 2 hour 28 minute meeting forcing us to listen to a load of self-congratulatory hooey. See for yourself but be sure to bring something to help stop you from uncontrollable gagging. Help us unmask these men. Volunteer here! Below was posted on May 4. Pilfering Case Number 3:  the Rogue SAWS LIV sounded the alarm in this article we released on April 14 about the San Antonio Water System’s (SAWS) Board of Trustees using the COVID crisis to give near dictatorial power to their general manager, Robert Puente. Without limitation, Puente is empowered to negotiate AND execute a contract for any amount without Board approval. The Board can approve it later. Seriously! We suspect this latest SAWS maneuver is about Vista Ridge — The San Antone Hose. Turns out the project apparently hasn’t shored up its 30-year financing terms. Oops! Do you think that right now might not be such a good time to be negotiating terms for an over-priced, unstable, unnecessary project that carries environmental risks? So far, SAWS reports that Puente has yet to use his power. Puente is paid three times that of any public water utility general manager in the US. SAWS has been opaque in their dealings on Vista Ridge, a public-private partnership, ever since they roped the San Antonio City Council into a rushed execution of the convoluted Vista Ridge contract in 2014. The 1.3 million ratepayers, and their watchdogs, are more in the dark today than ever. What We Do Know About Vista Ridge What we do know is Vista Ridge has had significant and expensive engineering problems. We do know there is far too much water in this project than can be used. We do know Vista Ridge is for real estate speculation. We do know SAWS has been unable to sell this excess water. We know that SAWS must pay for Vista Ridge water whether they can use it or not. And, we know the underlying leases for the project were gathered in Burleson County by a guy on probation for stealing $2.4 million from his oil and gas employer. (Watch our video, “ I Oppose the San Antone Hose “. San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg and the City Council have been asked — repeatedly for years — to reform SAWS and to conduct an independent performance audit of Vista Ridge. So far, no action. On Tuesday, May 5th, the SAWS Board meets again. We will be “attending” by listening to the stream and offering some comments. You can catch it here . The agenda is here along with instructions for how to make comments, if you wish. Coming as soon as it’s safe to petition! San Antonio organizations and voters will be able to stop the abuse themselves by petitioning for a public vote on the SAWS Accountability Act. Learn about it on this page dedicated to the SAWS Accountability Act! Join our SAWS Accountability Conference Call on June 2 at 6:30. Call or email us for the instructions. Donate some time or dough to help the independent political movement grow! #RobertPuente #SanAntoneHose #SAWS #VistaRidge

Pandemic Pilfering Case Number 2:  Watson Bails The decision by Senator Kirk Watson to bail as a leader of the central Texas growth machine could be real good news as the crisis in his wake unfolds right before our very eyes. The insistence on IH-35 expansion is the legacy of Austin’s hooked-on-growth political boss, Kirk Watson. Watson wanted Dell Medical Center to be his legacy. Rumors floating for years about Watson shopping for a new gig at an institution of higher learning were confirmed in February when he announced he was moving on to greener pastures in Houston as Dean of the Hobby School for Public Affairs. On April 30th, Watson formally resigned from his State Senate seat, SD 14 (representing most of Travis County and all of Bastrop County). For years Watson failed his Bastrop constituents asking for relief from “water grabs” by private water marketers, municipal water utilities, especially San Antonio Water System (SAWS), and recently the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA). Watson, TCEQ & LCRA In February 2014 , though, Watson had no trouble pushing himself to the front of the line of hundreds of officials at a hearing of the Texas Commission for Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to advocate for Austin and the Highland Lakes — wealthier upstreamers than his downstreamer constituents from working class Bastrop. The issue at TCEQ was a plan by the LCRA to initiate a draconian cut off of surface-water flow to communities downstream of Austin. Watson cried crocodile tears for cutting off the flow to the downstreamers but went on to advocate for permanent cutoffs in the next session. He even strong-armed the LCRA Board, which had previously worked by consensus. The proposal passed by one vote, with one LCRA Board member weeping after voting for it to break the tie. When the LCRA was up for Sunset Review in 2019, as a member of the Sunset Advisory Committee, Watson stepped up to feed those at the same trough he had for years. He hadn’t one question for the twenty Bastrop constituents who offered well prepared testimony, urging the Commission to use its authority to stop LCRA from entering the groundwater “business” and taking their water elsewhere. Instead, Watson introduced SB 606, giving LCRA a slap on the wrist and a pass to join the privateering groundwater conveyance business – in denial of their own mission to protect the Colorado River. ( Read our report here .) Watson was interviewed on April 22 by Evan Smith, Texas Tribune. Unfortunately, due to technical problems, no recording is available. Smith asked a question from a Bastrop resident about Watson’s efforts to address the water grabs. Watson gushed about how he would miss the “dear Bastrop friends” he cherished, but he said nothing, not a word, about their water. Three days before his formal exit, Watson emailed out  this absurdly vainglorious “Watson Wire, ”  giddy that his picture had been photo-shopped by a political cohort onto the cover of the Beatle’s Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. Not a word of what he was leaving behind — a crisis befalling his 800,000 constituents in Travis and Bastrop counties. Another Watson Legacy? A lawsuit filed in October 2017 is still pending in federal court on whether UT’s Dell Medical Center and Watson have been misspending healthcare funds meant for indigent and direct care. Watson’s law firm made at least $3 million. (See LIV article here and Austin Bulldog story here .) A VERY SPECIAL NOTE ABOUT A SPECIAL ELECTION: The primary runoff election for Texas was moved to July 14th. That’s also when a special election for Senate District 14 will take place. LIV will be holding a conference call soon in Senate District 14. If you live in the district — check here for who represents you .  Let us know if you’d like to join the call. Upcoming Events! Rep. Eddie Rodriguez (D-Austin) has already declared his candidacy for SD 14. He will be interviewed on a streamed event by the Texas Tribune on May 14th at noon . Travis County Judge, Sarah Eckhardt may run and there may be others. Austin City Councilman, Greg Casar, announced his decision this week not to run for this seat. The filing period is now open through May 13th. Anyone can run, under any party label or “independent” by paying a filing fee of $1250. The Lost Pines Groundwater Conservation District must have a hearing to decide the LCRA permit demand sometime in the next few months. We hope to see some of you there. Keep an eye out. Additional References: Watson’s wikipedia page , and this post and release at the non-profit Environmental Stewardship also linked to this release by the Simsboro Aquifer Defense Fund. #RepEddieRodriguez #TexasTribune #KirkWatson #watergrabs #SpecialElection #DellMedicalCenter #TravisCountyJudgeSarahEckhardt

Should Mark Cuban run independent for President? This is the topic of an article we’re writing on the subject — to be released soon. That’s why we’re asking for your honest, unbridled but civil opinion. Most independents we know are tired of the partisan bloodletting that has served to stifle fundamentals of small “d” democracy — listening, deliberation and letting all sides be heard. Please note: LIV does not endorse candidates, nor do we tell them to run or not to run. That said, we’re interested in knowing what you think because we’re on the same road with Cuban. We want to see the economy come back, built from the bottom up. He’s got plenty of street cred in that regard. And, Cuban is a true independent — unaffiliated with any party and believes the parties are “so 1800s”. So do we at LIV. We highly recommend you FIRST watch the Yahoo Finance interview video below. Cuban admits he opened the door again to run late in the interview. WATCH THE YAHOO FINANCE INTERVIEW FIRST HERE. Then, add your comments below. Still not sure? Here are more interviews with Cuban worth your time. The Parties are So 1800s , July 4, 2019 where Cuban shut the door. Chris Wallace, FOX interview , April 12, 2020, focused on COVID crisis, where Cuban does confirm the door is open. Firing Line , April 27, 2020, “Billionaire Mark Cuban discusses advising President Trump as a member of his new group on reopening the U.S. economy. Cuban defends the president as the cheerleader-in-chief but dismisses the idea of setting a date now to reopen. The “Shark Tank” investor discusses relief for small businesses, tackling unemployment, and how he would address income inequality.” LIV notes Cuban also commends the Bernie movement and says this about unions, “Look, I’ve never been a unions guy, but this is the time, right? This is the time for people to come together and organize themselves, to speak up with a singular voice.” Ballot Access News , April 12, BAN Editor, Rich Winger, is our nation’s premiere ballot access expert for independent candidate and minor parties. This explains why Cuban (or any independent) can still get on the ballot as late as July. Cuban’s wikipedia page tells you lots more about him. We have been getting some private messages telling us he is respected and even “loved” in the Dallas community. This May 8th article in reports, Mark Cuban’s Wife Won’t Let Him Run for President, Says Co-Star | Newsmax.com. This stellar May 13th interview on Amanpour & Co . raises deeper questions about Cuban’s concern that both parties have failed the American people — with no discussion about a presidential run. This May 15th piece in Newsweek makes plain a Cuban run is “highly, highly, highly unlikely,” but keeps the door open for something “crazy” happening. Like what, you gotta ask. This is a moderated page. Be civil and share your ideas and concerns in a collegial way…and, please don’t give us just a “yes” or “no” — tell us why you feel the way you do. Your opinion is wanted and we promise to listen and take it seriously! Consider donating to LIV to help us extend this conversation across Texas. If you’re an independent voter, please consider becoming an LIV member today. #dallas #independentforpresident #MarkCuban #YahooFinance

In the midst of this crisis, do we need another transportation turkey? Update: May 5 From the Austin Monitor From Save Our Springs Alliance: The unfortunate truth about CAMPO is that it tends to operate too much along tribal, R v. D, Austin v. surrounding county, lines.  However, the approved CAMPO 2045 plan is an equal opportunity, bipartisan failure. Traffic gets worse; our air and water get more polluted, natural areas that should be protected get fragmented and paved over. The so-called “saving grace” that we can’t afford the CAMPO 2045 price tag should have been been reason enough to vote “no.” Yet, somehow, 15 Austin-area elected officials (plus 2 appointed) from all political stripes joined in voting “yes” on a plan they will be telling voters they really don’t support.   Will voters believe them?  Will the non-plan, plan get fixed in the months ahead?  Stay tuned!! — Save Our Springs Alliance, May 5, 2020 Pandemic Pilfering Case Number 1: TxDOT & CAMPO Ram IH-35 Expansion TxDOT and the 21-member Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO), held a specially called meeting on April 22, just twelve days before their regular meeting, May 4. The rush? To ram through $633 million in “clawbacks” for a massively expensive IH-35 expansion plan in Austin. The clawback set in motion a scramble by other projects facing cuts. If you get this newsletter in time, we suggest you watch the meeting on May 4 , starting at 2 pm. Travis County Commissioner, Brigid Shea, did not join the stampede at the April 22 meeting. Instead, she asked why not wait to find a way to continue some of the telecommuting necessitated by the COVID crisis that has drastically eased traffic. Only Bastrop County Commissioner, Clara Beckett, agreed, but then she proceeded to vote for the $633 million clawback. What really captured our attention was CAMPO and TxDOT’s decision to thwart both House and Senate transportation committee chairs (South Texas House Democrat Terry Canales and East Texas Senator Robert Nichols).  A letter from Canales and Nichols urged that significant transportation funding decisions be put on hold until the amount of damage to the state budget from the TWO crises, COVID and oil and gas, can be assessed. Longtime independent “Road Scholar,” Roger Baker, has followed transportation in Texas for decades. He explains why TxDOT can’t just bail out the IH-35 expansion: “ TxDOT is drowning in $32 billion in debt . That’s about $1,000 for every Texan.” What are TxDOT and CAMPO smoking? It’s the same old cigar from backrooms inhabited by the well-connected interests who cannot ever seem to control themselves, even in a pandemic. Austin real estate developer, Brian Rodgers, spent years trying to reorient his colleagues and public officials towards multiple and proven sustainable growth strategies. But years of deafness followed by the COVID-19 and the oil crisis may well bring this “hyper-growth” era  to a screeching halt. Get informed. Review these articles:  This Aug. 8 article in the Austin American-Statesman, this April 15 article by Roger Baker on the Rag Blog, and this May 1 article from the Austin Monitor. Most important, visit some of Rodger’s efforts “ Costs of Growth ” page at LIV. Donate some time or dough to help the independent political movement grow! #IH35expansion #RobertNIchols #TerryCanales #TxDOT #Texastransportation #CAMPO

A transportation transparency transgression involving billions of potentially misplaced transportation dollars could happen today affecting all of central Texas. It’s so bad, you have the two key transportation leaders (Republican and Democrat) in the legislature hitting the pause button! So, pick up the phone or write your email now! Leaders of the transportation committees in the Texas House and Senate, east Texas Republican Senator Robert Nichols, and south Texas Democrat, Representative Terry Canales, according to the Austin American-Statesman on April 8: “Hit pause on a pivotal vote related to a proposed massive expansion of Interstate 35 in Austin amid fears of free-falling tax revenue due to the coronavirus pandemic.” LIV friend, Roger Baker, who has followed transportation planning in central Texas for decades, also wrote about the letter from the Travis County Commissioner’s Court expressing serious displeasure with the process and inaccuracies contained in the report that could be rushed through today: “The CAMPO planning process has degenerated into an embarrassing non-transparent mess without a price tag. It is arguably worse than the new l etter from the Travis County Commissioners Court to CAMPO implies. This broad criticism primarily applies to CAMPO’s road planning and funding.” Right now, call or email your representative on CAMPO, listed here . Ask them to delay the vote today! Be sure to read our report last week about the transparency transgressions at SAWS related to the San Antone Hose and take action there too. #transporation #SenatorRobertNichols #RepresentativeTerryCanales #transparency #CAMPO

Have SAWS and Vista Ridge Fallen Victim to COVID-19? What Happens When a City Refuses to Manage Its Own Public Utility? Or : “Never let a crisis go to waste.” — Rahm Emanuel At their April 7 meeting, the San Antonio Water System Board of Trustees gave General Manager Robert Puente unilateral power (through Resolution 33 — see below) to negotiate and execute contracts without approval by, or even advance notice to the Board. The excuse? In the midst of the COVID crisis, Puente needs authority to act in an emergency, such as a water main break. While SAWS Trustee Amy Hardberger correctly pointed out he already has this power, we note he didn’t have the power to execute contracts without prior approval. Update on May 10: Resolution Number 33 was amended to require review at the next meeting on May 5. It is not reflected in the SAWS minutes which lag two months. It was renewed again at the May 5th SAWS meeting. Now he does, at least until the May 5th Board meeting. The “bills” to Vista Ridge’s lenders are probably coming due amidst the COVID-19 international financial crisis. COVID-19 raises widespread concerns about the ability to perform, and cost of performing, under commercial contracts like Vista Ridge. SAWS and its private partners each have to rely on their legal and financial advisors to carefully navigate these unchartered waters – their respective public-private interests don’t necessarily coincide. Now that the project is built and his private partners need to refinance their construction loans in the midst of a financial pandemic, should we trust Mr. Puente will act solely for the benefit of SAWS ratepayers? San Antonio is not obligated on those private loans. If Vista Ridge’s “credit-worthiness” is in question due to COVID-19, we pray Puente will not be too quick — this time —- to make concessions or otherwise “give ground” to help salvage the “San Antone Hose” project. Puente should stand firm and get the best deal for his ratepayers, not the expedient deal for his Vista Ridge partners. But how would we ever know, given the secrecy at SAWS that is now given the Board’s outrageous stamp of approval. We believe City Council and public scrutiny is required before any promises or contract amendments are made to save Vista Ridge. The April 13 Express News article entitled “ Coronavirus has upended local government, moving democracy online and putting it on hold in some cases ”, falls short of the point we’re making. Our point is all about Vista Ridge, its timing and Puente’s opportunity to again abuse power. Recall his bloated pay and SAWS’ transparency transgressions. A glaring example is as recent as last month’s request by the Vice-Chair of the Rate Advisory Committee, Joe Yakubik, for rate data in order to do his job. This fell on SAWS deaf ears. What’s behind SAWS decision to give Puente too much power? SAWS’ private partners need to re-finance their loans and try to preserve their whopping 18% projected profit margin, in the midst of a pandemic! Yes, you read that right — 18%! To boot, there are engineering problems on the SAWS end of the pipeline and SAWS has agreed to accept water as early as April 15th. (Our documentation of existing issues with this project – here — was sent to city, county, groundwater and state officials last August.) _______________ SAWS Accountability activists are an array of groups from conservatives to progressives. We have been doing the unthinkable for nearly two years, by working together across a region. When it’s safe to do so, we will hit the streets in San Antonio with a petition drive for SAWS accountability. (Visit SAWSAct.org ) We also continue working in the source counties – Burleson, Milam, Bastrop and Lee counties, east of Austin. We want groundwater district and local officials to help avert the creation of a totally manmade natural disaster with Vista Ridge. (See LIV testimony to the Post Oak Savannah Groundwater Conservation District on April 14th here .) After years of stonewalling, SAWS must publicly account for the real numbers and financial burdens of this $3.4 billion water boondoggle — the main driver of rate hikes as the San Antonio City Council repeatedly and concertedly refuses to hold the SAWS Board accountable. What can you do? Your civic duty! Step One : SAN ANTONIO RESIDENTS ONLY : Call or email Mayor Ron Nirenberg and your City Council Member at 210-207-7040. The message is simple – you want Vista Ridge delayed and you want them to step up and provide proper oversight of the project and SAWS. Email them here. Step Two : ALL TEXANS : Reach the Governor to ask him to help put Vista Ridge on hold until there is an independent performance audit of the Project. Ask what options the Governor has when a city fails to oversee its public utility! Governor’s hotline: 512.463.1782 and email him here: www.Gov.Texas.gov Step Three : ALL TEXANS : Send this same message to your own State Representative and State Senator. Let them know if you are a SAWS ratepayer. Find your Rep and Senator here . Step Four : Share this message widely, including Texas media. Have at it, y’all and thank you for paying attention in the midst of the COVID crisis! #SanAntonioWaterSystem #SanAntonioCityCouncil #SAWS #VistaRidge #RonNirenberg #COVID19 #transparency #OpenGovernment

The following media release was sent to San Antonio media this morning. More soon to follow: SAWS Accountability Act PAC Representing a growing coalition of the sick and tired! PO Box 33402, San Antonio, TX 78265 • 210.807.7273 www.SAWSActPAC.org For Immediate Release                                                                                      April 7, 2020 Contact: Media Secretary, Reinette King • 210.241.2683 City Council Must Stop SAWS Coronavirus Power Grab! San Antonio, Tuesday, April 7, 7:30am :  SAWS Chair Berto Guerra, who is nearly two years beyond his term limit, is pushing a Resolution buried as Item 33 on page 516 of the subject 539-page SAWS Board Agenda. SAWS watchdogs claim the SAWS Resolution gives “full dictatorial power” to SAWS General Manager Robert Puente, using Covid-19 as the excuse. In August 2019, the independent San Antonio media source, Rivard Report, revealed that SAWS General Manager, Robert Puente, is being paid 3 times that of other public water utility managers in Texas and even those who manage larger and more complex systems in Los Angeles and New York City. Vista Ridge is slated to begin on April 15 bringing unnecessary water at exorbitant rates to San Antonio before the private partner Vista Ridge LLC, controlled by Garney Construction, has secured long-term financing for the 30-year project. The SAWS Rate Advisory Committee is also on hold for two months due to the COVID-19 crisis and its Vice Chair, Joe Yakubik, cannot get the records he says he needs to do his job. In the midst of San Antonio being hit hard by the coronavirus, SAWS watchdogs are not only crying foul, but urging San Antonio media and citizens to call the City Council and Mayor to get SAWS under control, rather than allow more violations of the public trust by SAWS. Terry Burns, MD, a retired medical doctor and Alamo Sierra Club chair, said: “As a doctor I find this latest Guerra and Puente maneuver in the midst of COVID-19 unconscionable. The $3.4 billion Vista Ridge Project was approved in 2014 with minimal public information, hidden in “Public Private Partnership” rules. It was signed without an independent audit. The cost of the water is 5 to 6 times what we pay for our own local water supply. And, SAWS admits about 30% of the water is beyond their capacity to use. Sierra Club believes conservation could eliminate any need for the rest of the water. The Mayor and City Council, SAWS’ bosses, wash their hands of Vista Ridge. Now the SAWS Board washes its hands of any authority over Mr. Puente. What happened to representative democracy? Who watches out for us? Surely NOT Mr. Puente!” George Alejos of LULAC Concilio Zapatista 4383, who has long advocated for the Hispanic community, especially low-income residents, said: “LULAC is the oldest and largest Hispanic organization in the United States. Despite our significant following in San Antonio, a majority Hispanic city and one of the poorest cities in the nation, our pleas for SAWS accountability have fallen on deaf ears. In today’s world, when people are already suffering and instability threatens us, it is unforgivable for officials to allow SAWS to give Puente this kind of unchecked power.” Stan Mitchell, a member of the SAWS Act PAC Board, said, “Item 33 refers to the 1992 Ordinance #75686 which, at Section 32, retained for the City Council the power to control SAWS.  It is a great irony that this founding document which empowered our City Council, is cited by the SAWS Resolution in the transfer of power from our elected Council representatives, through the unelected SAWS Board of Trustees to a single employee, SAWS General Manager, Robert Puente. Is this not an abuse of power?” To uphold the city’s public gathering guidelines, the SAWS Board of Trustees will meet via teleconference for its April 7 meeting under this link . The SAWS Act PAC is working to place the SAWS Accountability Act on the May 2021 local election ballot. They will be out petitioning in public as soon as it is safe to be out in public. The petition will: ►Ratchet back Puente’s pay from 3 times that of any public water CEO in Texas – nearly $600,000 annually. ►Place firm term limits on SAWS leadership, showing Chair Berto Guerra the door. ►Require City Council to rein in SAWS lobbying efforts to become the water broker of the region, financed by SAWS ratepayers. ►Open the books to the light of day with an independent performance audit of Vista Ridge. #StanMitchell #LULAC #SanAntonioCityCouncil #RobertPuente #coronavirus #TerryBurns #VistaRidge #COVID19 #JoeYakubik #GeorgeAlejos

We just held a conference call to discuss the controversial Vista Ridge (aka the “San Antone Hose) mega-water pipeline slated to begin pumping on April 15th and full bore pumping this summer. You might remember, we started a municipal petition drive for the SAWS Accountability Act, but that’s on hold until the coronavirus crisis is over. We all realized this is not a time to allow a totally manmade crisis to unfold on the most valuable resource on this earth — groundwater. Therefore, the LIV Board has passed this Resolution and ask you to do the same with any organization or party you so choose —  Delay Vista Ridge, Avert a Groundwater & Ratepayer Crisis. The resolution calls for local and state intervention to delay Vista Ridge until a performance audit of this unnecessary and risky project can take place. Take or send this resolution to your organization, especially the party conventions taking place this weekend. Take Action Texas Pals! Get this out and reach your state officials and Governor Abbott! Again, read the Vista Ridge Resolution here and share it. Help advocate for it within any party organization you may choose as conventions continue to take place over the coming weeks and months. Any local or state organization can adopt it. Then, please send a message to Governor Greg Abbott to ask him to help delay Vista Ridge here : Then, reach your local and state officials. Go here to find your state representative and senator. And, when candidates reach you for support, ask them what they’re doing about this. We have it posted on Facebook here . We have also introduced this resolution into the Democratic Party Convention process — Making the Democratic Party the Democracy Party . If you are active in the Democratic Party, we hope you will approve and advocate for this resolution at upcoming conventions. Use the share links on the page. Got questions? Give us a call at 512.213.4511 or email us at info@independentleaguetx.org . #coronavirus #manmadecrisis #prodemocracy #VistaRidge

Voting for Texas Railroad Commissioner Though the Texas Railroad Commission was established in 1891 to regulate railroads, the last remnants of the Commission’s responsibilities over railroads were transferred to the Texas Department of Transportation in 2005. In spite of its misleading name, the Commission’s actual authority and jurisdiction is over the oil and natural gas industry, pipeline transporters, the natural gas and hazardous liquid pipeline industry, natural gas utilities, the LP-gas industry, and coal and uranium surface mining operations. The Railroad Commission is part of Texas’ plural executive. Commissioners are elected by voters, not appointed. Because there are three Commissioners serving rotating six-year terms, it is the only statewide executive position that is on Texas’ general election ballot every two years. Today the Commission remains an openly and enthusiastically avowed champion of the oil and gas industry, even as it also regulates the industry it champions. From the 1930s through 60s, the Commission even played the role OPEC came to play in supporting worldwide oil prices by restricting production from Texas oilfields. Yet in spite of both its importance to Texas and its prominence on the ballot, fewer than 5% of Texas voters are aware of its regulatory duties. Over the last couple of decades, the Railroad Commission was reviewed three times by the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission before finally being reauthorized by the Texas Legislature in 2017. In spite of three Sunset Commission staff recommendations to change the Railroad Commission’s dishonest name, the Texas Legislature has thus far failed correct the deceit. In 2016, there are two Republicans and four Democrats running for Railroad Commissioner in the major party primaries. The Libertarian and Green Parties will be selecting their nominees at their state conventions. Both convention parties have a none-of-the-above option in their nominating procedures. Since 1994, all Railroad Commissioners have been Republicans. Prior to 1993 all Commissioners were Democrats. Republican Party Candidates Ryan Sitton – engineer, entrepreneur, incumbent James “Jim” Wright – rancher and energy services businessman Democratic Party Candidates Roberto R. “Beto” Alonzo – criminal law attorney and former State Representative Chrysta Castañeda – engineer, oil & gas attorney Kelly Stone – educator, comedian, and environmental activist Mark Watson – civil and criminal law attorney Libertarian Party Candidates Matt Sterett – entrepreneur Charlie Stevens – unknown Green Party Candidate Katija Gruene – political activist Those who wish to support candidates for either the Libertarian or Green Party nomination can do so by participating in their convention nominating process, starting with Precinct Conventions on Mar 10, County Conventions on Mar 14, and then the State Convention Apr 18-19. Additional information can be found for the Libertarian Party at lptexas.org and for the Green Party at txgreens.org . The two major parties will, of course, select their nominees with the Mar 3 primary elections (early voting starts Feb 18). If a runoff election is necessary, it will be held May 26 (early voting starts May 18). For those voters who choose to participate in the Republican primary, the choice is between re-electing a sitting Commissioner (Sitton) or replacing him with another Republican (Wright). Given the likelihood that Sitton will win the primary election, a vote for Wright would be a way for Republican voters to register their lack of confidence in Sitton’s performance. Voters who choose to participate in the Democratic primary have a different sort of choice. Though Democrats hope to soon begin making inroads at the statewide level in Texas, the chances of replacing Sitton with a Democrat still appears to be slim. That being said, however, it would be wise for Democrats to consider the strategic importance of their vote. The 2018 midterm elections and the rapid growth of Texas’s urban counties suggest that the state may vote increasingly Democratic in the future. In addition, one-punch straight-party voting has been eliminated starting with the 2020 general election. What effect this will have on down-ballot races is yet to be seen. Democrats would be well-advised to select a nominee who shows a thorough understanding of the issues facing the Railroad Commission as it regulates an oil and gas industry so important to the Texas economy. Should there be an opportunity for debates prior to the 2020 general election, a solid showing by the Democratic candidate could increase Texas voters’ confidence in awarding statewide positions to Democrats in the future. Should a Democrat actually get elected to the Commission, voters can expect increasing disagreements and two-to-one Commission votes. If Democratic voices are to become a lasting feature of Commission deliberations, it will be important that a Democratic Commissioner be seen as providing serious well-considered positions as the state debates its energy future. Endorsements San Antonio Express-News : Sitton (R) and Castañeda (D) Dallas Morning News : Sitton (R) and Castañeda (D) Texas AFL-CIO : Alonzo (D) Empower Texans : Sitton (R) Austin Chronical : Castaneda (D) Houston Chronicle : Sitton (R) #earlyvoting #MarkMiller #RailroadCommission