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We are just a few days out from the end of early voting for the May runoff election. A few days before we find out if the efforts to significantly change the makeup of the Texas House of Representatives is successful, or if the massive amounts of money that have been spent to date to make that change, have been spent in vain. I always try to go work a poll or 2 for some of our friends who need the help. This year will be no different. I have never really been sure if that makes a difference, but it makes the candidate happy. Some of these runoffs could be decided by less than 2,000 votes. Make sure you go vote for your candidate and take someone with you. It will make a big difference.
The disruption caused by this current election cycle reaches beyond just those individual candidates running for office. The staff turnover, other member angst and lobbyists handwringing have all reached an 11 on our amplifiers. Lobbyists don’t like change. Status quo predictability is our comfort zone. However, I feel certain that come next January 14, 2025, members will take an oath, the session will begin, bills will be filed, committees will meet, life in the Texas legislature will continue. Every session is different, this one will be just the same.
The level of money being spent in this set of contested House primary races is truly unprecedented. In several races, millions of dollars being spent between the initial primary election and the runoff. (Keep in mind this is a $600 a month part-time job). The race for Speaker Phelan’s House seat has become the most expensive House race in history. To date, (primary and runoff) a total of $6.9 million has been spent. $3.5 million on pro Phelan campaigning, $1.6 million directly on behalf of his opponent (Covey) and $1.8 on negative Phelan ads. In many of these contested House races the total turnout in the runoff could be as small as 2,000 to 2,500 votes. That puts per vote cost through the roof. If Speaker Phelan is successful in his runoff, he will certainly run for Speaker again, and while it could be a challenging race, he would be the odds on favorite to win. If Mr. Covey is successful, he will be a freshman House member, not the Speaker. Whatever benefits the gulf coast enjoyed with Dade Phelan as Speaker will be gone. Being a freshman House member is a tough, challenging transition. Years after a successful time as a representative, a former House member told me I answered one of the most important questions that she needed answered during her first day of the session, that question was “where is the nearest bathroom?” Another session, another freshman member, I found the member attempting to enter his capitol office before he was sworn in and finding the door locked asked how he could get a key. I had to tell him he can’t get in until he is sworn in. Being a freshman House member is difficult. Making an impact as a freshman even more so.
The Senate Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs committee had an interim hearing on Wednesday, May 15th. There were several items of interest on the agenda, not the least of which was a discussion of desalination efforts around the state. An update was offered from the existing facility in San Antonio and El Paso with additional testimony (written and oral) about several potential projects around the state. All told, a good portion of the hearing was devoted to discussion of ongoing and proposed desalination efforts. It was nice to hear desalination taking such a prominent role. I do believe there is a growing interest in Desalination outside of just Senator Perry. The industry should take advantage of this mindset going forward. The sooner we see more desalination (not just expansion of current operations) the better. With the ongoing interest along the coast for new desalination let’s hope this high level of interest stays around into the upcoming legislative session.
In addition to the desalination discussion, the committee also heard about current potential cyber-security efforts around Texas water systems. A variety of witnesses including from the Tx. Department of Information Resources and the Texas Public Policy Foundation.
An update on the Produced water efforts was also on the agenda with testimony from the Produced Water Consortium, Texas Oil and Gas Association and the Texas Railroad Commission. There were several other presentations and a host of witnesses dealing with Texas Water workforce, the need for new water sources and the state of water infrastructure in Texas. It was a long and very comprehensive hearing. Not sure what if any legislation for next session will actually come from this hearing but a wealth of information was presented. There is a current estimation of another budget surplus going into next session. It will not be as large as what we saw last session but still a significant amount of additional money. One of our goals going forward is to increase the budget amount that was deposited into the New Water Fund. Let’s hope that by the time we get to January, our decision makers will not have forgotten just how hot and dry our upcoming summer is going to be. A gentle reminder of our never-ending need for additional water.