Our local Rep and a State Senator introduced a bill this legislative session (only every two years) to mitigate wells impacted by non-exempt water pumping. The water level of our wells are dropping because the State authorized a for-profit corporation to drill a lot of wells and pipe the water to development along the I-35 corridor between Austin and San Antonio. If people refuse to allow the pipeline on their property the State allows the use of eminent domain to acquire the property.
So the bill allowed for a small amount of money (based on the water usage) by the Water Corp. to help the landowners to drill deeper as the water table falls. When this is fully functional they will be pumping 10-25 million gallons per day.
So the bill is passed by the House and the Senate and sent to the Governor for his signature - he vetoed it yesterday. When asked for an explanation = no comment.
I can tell you why - Texas is probably the most business friendly State in the US. State government is owned by the fossil fuel and other business interest and they don't give a flying fuck about the citizens of Texas - why would they? They get re-elected year after year.
Texas sucks in so many ways but I am stuck because of family obligations. I would move in a NY minute if it were possible. It hasn't always been this way but since the election of George W Bush (30 years) out State government get worse and worse.
Don't get me going about how much I despise Texas Government. ☮
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