17-05-2025
Lawmakers roast freshman for his bill to create Wise County water district
Republican Rep. Andy Hopper, a freshman from Decatur, was taken to task Thursday night over his first bill, which would create a regional water district in fast-growing Wise County.
The bill was voted down by a wide margin, 41-78, but a Senate bill from Sen. Tan Parker, R-Flower Mound, still has a chance.
Rep. Giovanni Capriglione, R-Southlake, questioned Hopper on several points in the bill, such as the lack of an elected board members, whether the water district is a government entity, and concerns over no cap on bonds that would be sold.
'So, I think in many ways, this violates the principles that many of us have,' Capriglione said.
Capriglione and Hopper did not return calls seeking comments on Friday.
'I've never really filed a MUD bill,' Capriglione said, referring to a municipal utility district. 'So, this is my first time to really take a look at one.'
Hopper explained that his bill was modeled after the Upper Trinity Ground Water District in Denton County.
Leaders in Alvord, Aurora, Boyd, Bridgeport, Decatur, Newark, New Fairview, Paradise and Rhome have worked together with county leaders for a over a year to develop a regional approach to address the water demand, as studies indicate there isn't enough ground water to sustain the growth.
Supporters believe the district would allow municipalities and water providers to better coordinate the water supply and help the cities handle the rapid development.
But Hopper's explanations did not sway lawmakers who killed the legislation after some light-hearted banter from Rep. Richard Pena Raymond, D-Laredo, who congratulated Hopper on his first bill, which includes no elections and eminent domain.
Hopper explained eminent domain would be needed for water lines and treatment plants.
Raymond pretended to talk on a cell phone.
'Mr. Hopper, I've been authorized by the chairman of the Democratic Party to to offer three Democrats in exchange for you and a guaranteed contract with payment to be negotiated later behind closed doors,' he joked.
Hopper was chastised for killing the local calendars so his bill was moved to the general calendar in the House. Some lawmakers, including Rep. Joe Moody, D-El Paso, implied that was one of the reasons the bill failed to pass.
'You know what? I believe in fighting for what I believe in. That's what I'm here for,' Hopper told Moody.
Boyd Mayor Rodney Homes said he is still optimistic since the bill still has legs in the Senate. Nine Wise County cities worked to get the water district legislation to move forward.
'The water district isn't dead yet,' he said.
Holmes added that earlier this week, there was a snag when developers complained that they did not have adequate representation on the board. However, more seats were added to allow developers to have more input, he said.
Homes said he thinks Hopper got crossways with the legislators because he stands up for what he believes in, and some don't like that.
'That was a dog and pony show last night, just to get back at Andy,' he said.
