The U.S. Supreme Court announced Friday that it will hear a major cross-border water case that pits Tarrant County against Oklahoma. North Texas wants water, but Oklahoma doesn’t want to sell.
water supply
Posted in
Energy
Water Conservation Ideas Pour In Ahead of Session
Using less water is the cheapest way to meet Texas’ water needs. So what could Texas lawmakers do to promote water savings? Among the proposals are requiring meters on farmers’ wells and a sales-tax exemption for water-efficient appliances.
Posted inEnergy, Environment
State of Mind: A Plan for West Texas Water Woes
For thousands of West Texans, severe water restrictions are in store if the heavens don’t provide precipitation soon. State leaders say the unrelenting drought means they must find a way to fund a statewide water plan.
Posted in
Economy
School Finance Lawsuits Give Lawmakers an Out
The courts aren’t expected to finish their work on school finance until after the regular legislative session, giving lawmakers an excuse for leaving some expensive work incomplete for now.
Posted in
Energy
Turning to Outsiders to Finance Water Deals
In a growing trend across Texas, municipalities and public agencies are reaching out to the private sector for funding. Advocates say it’s the only way to meet Texas’ growing water needs, but critics worry about accountability and rising water rates.
Posted in
Energy
Legislature Prepares to Take On Water Projects
If there is a silver lining to the intensifying drought, it is that after years of hand-wringing from water experts, Texas seems poised to get serious about financing water projects. Competing proposals are floating around the statehouse.
Posted in
Energy
TribLive: Smitherman on the Shale Boom
At this morning’s TribLive conversation, Railroad Commission Chairman Barry Smitherman talked about the economic impact of the state’s various shale plays, as well as concerns about the negative effects on roads, water and air quality.
Posted in
Energy
Guest Column: Tackle the Water Crisis
Guaranteeing safe, clean and available water supplies should be a top priority when lawmakers assemble for their regular legislative session next month.
Posted in
Health care
Now What? Public Policy in the 83rd Session
On November 8, the Tribune and the University of Texas at Austin’s Texas Politics Project asked four experts on state health, water, transportation and education policy to preview the fights over those issues in the 83rd session.
Posted in
Energy
Texas’ Dry November Stirs Fears of Drought’s Return
The scorching summer months have passed, but the state recorded barely any rainfall in November, sparking fears that Texas could be in store for a dry and potentially devastating winter.
