Early voting underway for this year’s constitutional amendment election.
Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN, Texas – The future of Texas’ water supply is at risk. By casting a ballot, that can change. There are nine measures on the ballot, including Proposition 6, which will dedicate $2 billion from the state’s robust Rainy Day Fund to help jump-start critical water projects across our region and state.
Why is funding the state’s water plan so important? With more than 1,000 people moving to Texas daily, the state’s population is expected to double by 2060, and our water supply is expected to decrease by 10 percent.
Needless to say, Texas does not have enough water to meet the growing demands of our population and industry in our state. If Proposition 6 fails to pass and the water plan does not receive needed funding, the long-term economic losses could be devastating.
It is projected that losses could exceed $116 billion, and more than a million jobs could be lost.
Just think back to 2011, when Texas experienced some of the hottest temperatures on record and received little rain. That year, the drought cost farmers and ranchers $7.62 billion in lost livestock and crops.
By funding and implementing the state’s water plan, future droughts don’t have to have the same devastating impact on our state’s economy.
Importantly, Proposition 6 does not focus exclusively on developing new sources of water, though those are important. At least 20 percent of the funding under this measure must be directed to conservation and reuse projects.
During the last constitutional amendment election, just over 5 percent of registered voters cast a ballot. Right now, members of the Tea Party, who seem to oppose anything that would make our state stronger, are urging their supporters to vote against Proposition 6.
If history tells us anything, they turn out — we can point to the election of Ted Cruz as proof of this.
I ask you to please spread the word about the importance of supporting Proposition 6 and the other measures, including two that will honor the sacrifices made by our men and women in uniform.
- Proposition 1, which I authored, will provide a property tax exemption to the spouses of service members who have given their lives in service to our county.
- Proposition 4 will extend the current tax exemption to disabled veterans who live in homes that have been donated.
If you would like additional information about these or the other propositions on the ballot, please contact my office by calling 817-459-2800 or email me.
Please vote. Early Voting began Monday and runs through Friday, November 1st and Election Day is November 5. You can find a list of Tarrant County early voting locations and times by clicking here.
