Latest news with #Texas2036
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Texas water projects would get billions under bill headed to Governor
AUSTIN (Nexstar) – Legislation to bolster our state's water supply is headed to Gov. Greg Abbott's desk. But the final decision on the multi-billion dollar plan rests in the hands of Texas voters. Friday night, the Texas Senate accepted House amendments to Senate Bill 7. The bill would dedicate $1 billion in sales tax revenue toward the Texas Water Fund each year for the next 20 years. Those funds could be used for a variety of water infrastructure projects, such as fixing aging systems, building desalination plants, and expanding water supplies in our drought-prone state. Nonprofit organization Texas 2036 estimates that the state will need more than $150 billion over the next 50 years to support growing demand. Their report was cited by supporters of the legislation, who noted the potential economic impact of inaction on water policy. 'If Texas doesn't have enough water, or if we continue to suffer from the problems associated with aging, deteriorating drinking water and wastewater systems, we're looking at a multi billion dollar hit to the state's economy,' said Jeremy Mazur, Director of Infrastructure and Natural Resources Policy for Texas 2036. Mazur said the report estimated $165 billion per year in lost GDP and economic damages due to insufficient water infrastructure. Abbott made investing in water one of his priorities for the 89th Legislative Session. He is expected to sign the legislation, but there is one more step to make the plan a reality. The legislation proposes to amend the Texas Constitution, meaning Texas voters must approve a proposition in an election this coming November for the funding to take effect. Mazur is optimistic that Texas voters will say yes. He noted strong support that passed a 2023 proposition to create the Texas Water Fund. 'What we find at Texas 2036 is that water, in political terms, is a winner,' Mazur said. 'Our polling shows that there are strong majorities between both Republicans and Democrats that are overwhelmingly supportive of state investment in water infrastructure. So we're optimistic of what this proposition will be, what the outcome of this proposition will be in November.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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
22-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Water bills face deadline threat as Texas lawmakers negotiate spending priorities
Texas is running out of water. And Texas lawmakers are running out of time to solve the problem. With just days left until the legislative session ends, two key pieces of legislation await key votes in the state House and Senate. The two pieces of legislation, Senate Bill 7 and House Joint Resolution 7, are supposed to work together to spend billions of dollars to save the state's water supply. Despite Gov. Greg Abbott declaring water an emergency item at the start of the legislative session, which means the bills can be fast-tracked, lawmakers, water agencies, and advocacy groups have reached an impasse on how to spend the money. 'This is a priority for leadership. It is going to have to be negotiated,' said Perry Fowler, executive director of the Texas Water Infrastructure Network. 'This is big, important policy. It is not easy stuff. You end up getting some bumps and bruises.' 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. If the bills are approved — and voters agree in the fall —the state will spend about $10 billion over the next decade. The Senate bill would create the administrative framework for how water projects would be funded under the Texas Water Development Board. It also establishes two new oversight bodies: the Texas Water Fund Advisory Committee and the Office of Water Supply Conveyance Coordination. Recent changes to the bill have expanded its scope to include programs like the Flood Infrastructure Fund, the Economically Distressed Areas Program, and the Agricultural Water Conservation Fund. The Senate bill, sponsored by state Sen. Charles Perry, R-Lubbock, passed the upper chamber and is now in the House. A floor debate by the full chamber could happen as soon as May 23. The final deadline for the House to give preliminary approval to Senate bills is May 27. The House resolution, sponsored by state Rep. Cody Harris, R-Palestine, is where the real tension lies. The resolution proposes a constitutional amendment that would dedicate up to $1 billion per year to the Texas Water Fund for the next decade — money that would allow local governments and water providers to build supply and fix aging systems. The resolution passed the House and was referred to a Senate committee. Perry proposed changes to the resolution that spell out how the money is to be spent. Water policy experts, lobbyists, and environmental groups have raised concerns about the rigid funding formula. Sarah Kirkle, policy director at the Texas Water Conservation Association, said the allocation formula remains the main hurdle between the two chambers. 'The biggest conversations between the House and Senate will be focused on how much of the dedicated funding goes to new supply projects versus a wider range of project types, that includes other water supply projects, wastewater projects, potentially flood projects, and all of our infrastructure repair and replacement projects,' she said. Originally, the House proposal gave the water board broad discretion over how to spend the money. The options can broadly be divided into two categories. New water supply: desalinating brackish groundwater and marine water to make it drinkable, 'shovel-ready' reservoirs and constructing pipelines to transport water across the state. The other, leaky pipes: repairing the state's old and deteriorating water infrastructure. The Senate amendment now mandates that 80% of the money goes to new water supply projects, such as desalination, while only 20% would be reserved for repairs, conservation, and flood mitigation. This split has become the flashpoint of the legislative debate. At the hearing, Perry strongly advocated for what he calls a 'long-term water supply' plan that prioritizes new water supply projects over infrastructure repairs. He defended the split, saying that fixing every leak in that state would not be enough water recovered to solve the state's future supply challenges. Perry said that if the split doesn't favor water supply, big cities will take all the funding and 'the state would have missed an opportunity with the limited funds available to actually address a supply need that is critical to continue the Texas Miracle for decades to come.' He argued that with this plan he is protecting all interests in the state's 254 counties and guaranteeing rural areas will benefit and not get left behind. 'That's why I'm heavily weighted on supply,' he said. Many argue that the prescriptive split undermines local flexibility and shifts too much attention toward new water supply projects, desalination and pipelines, at the expense of urgently needed repairs to infrastructure or flooding mitigation. Fowler said the state's top three leaders – Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Dustin Burrows — are aligned with having no split and letting the water board determine what is best. He added that there will need to be a 'reasonable compromise with Sen. Perry to keep [legislation] moving forward.' Andrew Mahaleris, Abbott's spokesman, didn't say if the governor had a preference on how the money is spent. However, Mahaleris said the governor wants to make 'the largest investment in water in Texas history' so the state can do both. The state 'must also invest in new water supply strategies that develop resources like desalination facilities and transportation infrastructure and ensure rural Texas communities have the resources to maintain existing water systems,' Mahaleris said. He assured that the governor will continue to work with Perry and Harris on the legislation. Burrows also did not comment on the split. 'By providing the resources and funding for critical water supply infrastructure projects, the state is taking a proactive approach to keeping up with population growth and ensuring Texas communities are able to have their water needs met,' he said in a statement. 'I look forward to a thoughtful debate when Senate Bill 7 comes to the House floor later this week,' he said. Patrick's office did not return a request for comment. Jennifer Walker, director for the Texas Coast and Water program with the National Wildlife Federation, said she thinks the split will change. 'I don't think it's gonna be 80/20… I would prefer no split,' Walker said. 'I don't think that's realistic. But we have to reject this false narrative that only projects labeled as 'new supply' can secure our water future.' Walker and other water experts said negotiations over the split are ongoing. 'It's gotten real quiet,' she said. 'It does make me nervous. Time is running out.' Despite the debate, most of the organizations supporting the bills believe the proposals will ultimately pass. 'Water has been a key priority for much of state leadership this session. I have a lot of faith that they're going to be able to advance both pieces of legislation,' Kirkle said. The Senate committee must advance the House bill before May 24. 'I can't imagine anyone being okay with this falling apart,' Fowler said. 'It needs to get resolved.' If both chambers pass their respective versions, the bills will move to a conference committee, where the most contentious decisions will be made out of public view, behind the scenes. There lawmakers will need to reconcile their differences. If they do, the decision will ultimately fall to Texas voters, who will decide in November whether to approve the new constitutional amendment. Disclosure: Texas 2036 and Conservation Fund have been financial supporters 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
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
TribCast: Can Texas make its housing more affordable?
In this week's episode, Matthew and Eleanor are joined by Urban Affairs Reporter Joshua Fechter and Texas 2036 Policy Analyst Emily Brizzolara-Dove to discuss Texas' rising home prices and the steps the Legislature is taking to reduce them. They also explore what lawmakers can learn from the Netflix show Emily in Paris, and research the concept of human composting. This week's episode is sponsored by The Texas Tribune membership program, the Austin Board of Realtors and UnlockMLS. 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!
Axios
12-05-2025
- Business
- Axios
How Texas is closing the education-to-work gap
In Texas, 90% of students have been graduating high school — but only 60% have been considered career- or college-ready. Additionally, only 30% have gone on to earn a credential or degree that employers value within six years. This has been the basic fact the nonpartisan, nonprofit organization Texas 2036 calls 90-60-30, and one that the state has been working to address. Why it's important: Texas 2036 is working to improve these numbers and build a stronger, more prosperous Texas by the state's bicentennial (in 2036). A stronger pipeline from education to employment is critical to the state's long-term economic success. How it's done: With support from donors like JPMorganChase, Texas 2036 is using data to develop long-term strategies and support policies that strengthen the connection between high school and careers. The goal: To expand access to opportunities for a growing state, strengthen communities, and ensure a growing and competitive economy. Texas 2036 has supported policies aimed at ensuring students graduate high school with the skills and credentials needed to succeed in the state's growing economy, which is now the 8th largest in the world. An example: Texas employers are demanding more middle-skill workers, defined as those who have attained more than a high school diploma but less than a four-year degree. This includes electricians, nurses, technicians and advanced manufacturing roles. In fact, more than 40% of job listings in Texas are for middle-skill jobs. Okay, but: Too few Texas students are earning the credentials to meet that demand. A solution: Texas 2036 is helping shift the conversation — and policy — toward early career preparation in high school, building on landmark community college finance reform in 2023 and expanding access to high-value credentials statewide. Now, Texas is beginning to close the skills gap, especially through expanded use of community colleges for career-connected learning, such as dual credit courses in high school that give students a head start on valuable credentials. Additional contributions from Texas 2036 include… A postsecondary outcomes tool, which tracks student credential attainment across Texas. The Advanced Coursetaking Dashboard to identify gaps in high-value high school coursework. The Pathways to Rural Careers in Texas report, which offers policy solutions to expand career opportunities in rural areas. Engagement with policymakers and education leaders across the state to build sustainable, scalable solutions. What Texas 2036 is saying: "We as Texans need to change the conversation in our state to really focus on how incredibly important it is to equip our young people for high-wage, high-demand jobs, so that when they're starting their adult work, they're already earning a wage that can support themselves," said Texas 2036 Education and Workforce Policy Director Mary Lynn Pruneda. Looking ahead: Texas 2036 will continue to unite communities, employers and educators around data-driven solutions that align Texas' education system with workforce needs. By expanding access to high-quality career pathways and credentials of value, we can ensure Texas students are workforce-ready, employers can find the talent they need and the state can thrive.
