Latest news with #HouseBill500
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Lawmakers near deal to spend $20 billion over two decades on water crisis
Texas lawmakers appear to have reached a deal this week and are on the brink of passing a sweeping plan to invest billions into the state's fragile water infrastructure and future water supply over the next 20 years, ending months of tense, back door negotiations. On Tuesday, the Senate approved House Joint Resolution 7, which will send to voters in November a proposal to allot $1 billion a year — $20 billion in total — until 2047 to secure the state's water supply. That money will be used to fund new water supply projects, such as desalination, repairing old water infrastructure, conservation and flood mitigation projects. Meanwhile, the House gave initial approval to Senate Bill 7, by Sen. Charles Perry, R-Lubbock, which lays out the administrative framework for funding water projects through the Texas Water Development Board. Lawmakers also agreed to a one-time investment of $2.5 billion into the water fund from House Bill 500, the supplemental budget, which is taken from the current budget surplus. About $880 million of that is already in the fund, so more than $1.6 billion will be deposited. A final, procedural, vote by the House on SB 7 is expected to happen Wednesday. [Water bills face deadline threat as Texas lawmakers negotiate spending priorities] Addressing the state's water crisis has been a big priority for lawmakers and Gov. Greg Abbott this year. Texas is running out of water, and fast. With aging pipes, drought pressure, and population growth squeezing resources, Abbott called water an 'emergency item.' The $20 billion deal is a step forward, but the funding is a fraction of what Texas needs to fully fix the problem. A Texas 2036 report estimated that the state needs nearly $154 billion by 2050 for water infrastructure, including $59 billion for water supply projects, $74 billion for leaky pipes and infrastructure maintenance, and $21 billion to fix broken wastewater systems. The funding also dries up in 2047, and unlike similar constitutional funds, such as those dedicated to transportation, the Legislature cannot extend the tax dedication by resolution. The Legislature, more than two decades from now, will have to amend the state constitution, again — with another two-thirds vote — to keep the money flowing. It will also be put to another state referendum. And as climate change accelerates, urban demand skyrockets, and critical infrastructure ages, this deal may prove to be a down payment. Perry acknowledged the shortfall on the Senate floor, but applauded the initial step. 'This plan is a good start to make that goal,' Perry said. Both bills have changed quite a bit throughout the legislative process. The biggest point of contention was how the annual $1 billion would be spent. The original House plan gave the Texas Water Development Board wide discretion over how to use the money. Waters experts said under that plan, local leaders would have had flexibility to prioritize their community's most pressing needs — whether cleaning salty water to make drinkable or repairing leaky pipes. However, a Senate push led by Perry locked in 80% of the funds for new water supply projects, such as desalination and treating oilfield wastewater. Under that plan, the remaining 20% would be reserved for repairs, conservation, and flood mitigation. The fight over that ratio became the flashpoint of the legislative debate. On Monday, both those proposals were walked back to a 50-50 split by an amendment added to the Senate bill by state Rep. Cody Harris, R-Palestine. During the discussion Monday about the Senate bill, Rep. Vikki Goodwin, D-Austin, cited a neighborhood in her district with chronic water line failures and old pipes that need repair. She asked if the water bill will help communities like that one with leaking pipes. Harris assured her the bill 'absolutely' addresses that. 'Being able to fix existing failing infrastructure is a major focus of this bill,' he said. The Senate and House need to approve each chamber's amendments, which they're expected to do, before the legislation can be sent to Abbott's desk. Disclosure: Texas 2036 has been a financial supporter of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune's journalism. Find a complete list of them here. First round of TribFest speakers announced! Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist Maureen Dowd; U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-San Antonio; Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker; U.S. Sen. Adam Schiff, D-California; and U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Dallas are taking the stage Nov. 13–15 in Austin. Get your tickets today!
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Lubbock Chamber, YMCA urge Texas lawmakers to pass $100 million investment in child care
As Texas lawmakers are entering the final stretch of this year's session, 127 groups around Texas are urging them to pass a $100 million child care funding bill before the session ends next month. According to the policy advocacy group, Texans Care for Children, several Lubbock-area groups — Lubbock Area United Way, The Lubbock Chamber of Commerce, Lubbock Economic Development Alliance, and YWCA of Lubbock — are among the 127 organizations urging lawmakers to pass House Bill 500. Others are reading: Looking into Texas school vouchers? Here's how much these area private schools cost 'The Legislature is on the verge of making a vital investment to help working parents secure high-quality child care,' said David Feigen, director of early learning policy at TCC. "Texans from across the state are calling on lawmakers to get this funding across the finish line." According to TCC, the bill's funding would allow the Texas Workforce Commission to serve more working Texas families through the Child Care Services program, which provides scholarships to pay for child care, with around 95,000 Texas families on the waitlist for a scholarship. The bill has already passed out of the House thanks to House Speaker Dustin Burrows, R-Lubbock, Appropriations Chair Greg Bonnen, R-League City, and Appropriations Subcommittee Chair Armando Walle, R-Houston. The Senate is currently considering the bill. 'These child care scholarships are a game-changer for Texas families,' said Feigen. 'They have been really effective helping Texas parents go to work and provide safe, high-quality child care for their kids. The challenge is that so many families are stuck on the waiting list for months or even years.' Mateo Rosiles is the Government & Public Policy reporter for the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. Got a news tip for him? Email him: mrosiles@ This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Lubbock groups urge Texas lawmaker to pass $100M child care bill
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Live Updates: Texas House takes up the 2026-27 budget
AUSTIN (Nexstar) — The Texas House of Representatives is currently discussing Senate Bill 1 – the 2026-27 general appropriations bill – and House Bill 500 – the supplemental appropriations bill. Combined, both measures will blueprint how the state spends its money (including its $24 billion surplus) in the next two years. Entering the day Thursday, there were 393 pre-filed amendments to the budget, with more to be filed during the session. Texas House preparing for long budget session 'The members will be spending a lot of these amendments and debating the merits of it through the day,' Rahul Sreenivasan, Director of Government Performance and Fiscal Policy with Texas 2036, said. 'Members are prepared for a long day, historically, they've gone late into the night.' Throughout the day, Nexstar's Adam Schwager will update this article with the latest information from the State Capitol. Check back for updates. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
