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October 19, 2001
TFB policy supports Proposition 19 goals
There are 19 constitutional amendments on the Nov. 6 ballot. Typically, constitutional amendments do not draw much voter interest, but these issues are important and worthy of attention.
Texas voters have approved 390 amendments to the state Constitution since its adoption in 1876. Two years ago, Texas voters considered 17 amendments. All but four of them were approved.
On next month's ballot, there is one amendment worthy of special statewide consideration. It is Proposition 19, which authorizes an additional $2 billion in general obligation bonds for water projects.
The amendment is a result of efforts by State Sen. Buster Brown and State Rep. David Counts, lead authors of statewide water policy.
The amendment authorizes the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) to issue up to $2 billion in additional general obligation bonds for one or more accounts of the TWDB Fund II. The low-interest bonds would be used to make loans to local governments or nonprofit water-supply corporations for water supply projects, including construction or improvement of wells, transmission lines, pumping facilities, reservoirs, and water treatment plants; water-quality enhancement projects, such as wastewater treatment and collections systems; and flood-control projects, such as storm water retention basins or flood warning systems.
The bonds can also be used to provide cost-share funding for brush control projects, as well as provide money for agricultural water conservation.
The bonds are self-supporting, since the money the state lends is returned with interest.
The program is enormously helpful to local communities and costs the state nothing in general revenue.
The additional bond authority would include $50 million for the new water infrastructure fund created by SB 2, a bill our organization supported during the recent session of the Texas Legislature. The fund will help to implement projects recommended by the regional planning groups and in the state water plan to be developed by January 2002.
Money from the fund will be used to provide grants, zero-interest loans, and low-interest loans to political subdivisions for water projects, including projects outside of urban areas and projects serving economically distressed areas.
Texas Farm Bureau has policy supporting the goals outlined in Proposition 19. TFB policy states: "We support state funding of mandatory water programs since regulation and enforcement of state water law accomplishes a public purpose and is in the public interest. We support legislation funding of low interest loans and tax incentives to promote water conservation and efficiency in both urban and rural environments, thus preventing waste."
For a complete list of all 19 constitutional amendments with brief explanations, go to our Legislative Updates link on the Texas Farm Bureau web page at www.txfb.org.
