Does anyone have an opinion on Texas Proposition 6? So far I can't get a pulse. I figure fly folks are possibly, maybe, slightly more interested than boat based fishers?

I'd be interested in the nitty gritty details of what is acutally involved. The Devil is in the details and all that.

Sounds like a resource grab, just unclear on who is grabbing.

Sadly that is more often than not the case.

Here's a link to the League of Women's Voters comments. Their stuff is usually helpful at understanding the Propositions. But, I'm still confused on this one.

http://www.lwvtexas.org/

Rex-

I'm with you, I don't understand it either. The LWV stated that funds are already available? My concern is that what powers are given under this Prop. to CONTROL the access & use of the state's water resources? Does it restrict public access to the waterways? Are adjoining property owners & others prevented from use of the water?

There are a lot of questions that need to be answered before I give my support.

Bill

My biggest heartache with it is that they are pulling from the rainy day fund. The money in that fund guarantees that Texas gets the best rates on the money it borrows. Depleting that fund drops our credit rating and means that loans cost more money. More TAX money.
My other, slightly smaller, heartache is the question of where does the water come from. As an example (not from facts, just from my widdle, aching head ) Right now, Toledo Bend Lake is only about 5 feet low (below conservation pool). Say lake Ray Hubbard is down 15 feet. Do they pull from Toledo to supplement Hubbard, even though Toledo is below Conservation Pool? What if it was 10 feet below? What happens when they are both bone dry? Why am I going to trust the government to administer it? ANY government?
No, I'm not one of the Go-hide-in-the-woods types. I just don't trust anything done by committee.

Kirk

I just read back thru that.
Wow, I'm sorry for jumping up on that so hard. I usually try to avoid politics. (My bloodpressure. lol)

Kirk

Please EVERYONE VOTE NO ON PROP 6

Kirk-

No, I don't think you were being too hard. These are exactly the kind of questions that went through my mind when I read the Prop. I believe that we, as voters, need answers before we vote in a few weeks.

Bill

Funny how this comes up so close to the actual polls.

If you're worried about the Rainy Day Fund, you have reason. Another 2 billion is on tap to be moved into TXDOT. I would say these guys are "spending like drunken sailors," but drunken sailors would be offended by this.

My NO vote is simply (and I am a pretty simple person) based on who's funding the "Vote Yes" campaign. It's not exactly the Sierra Club if you know what I mean.

I'm in your camp on this Texas Flycaster;funny how perry jumped all over this deal to spend that fund he said was "untouchable"-p-

This came to me today from my State Rep. Myra Crownover:
"Recent rains have improved drought conditions across the state but according to the Texas Water Development Board, over 90% of Texas is still experiencing some level of drought and the majority of Texas falls within the "moderate to severe" drought category. Texas lakes and reservoirs are currently only 60% full.

On November 5, Texas voters will have the opportunity to greatly improve our water infrastructure. Proposition 6, if approved, will authorize the transfer of $2 billion dollars from the Rainy Day Fund to an investment account that will be used to finance needed water infrastructure projects throughout the state. It is important to note that the investment account created by Proposition 6 will be a revolving account that will replenish itself. As water projects are finished, they will begin to pay into the account and allow for the financing of new projects for generations to come.

By investing $2 billion of our excess oil and gas revenue into water infrastructure, Texans can actually turn oil into water.

There is a small but noisy group who will oppose Proposition 6 in the name of fiscal conservatism. They are misguided. Oil and gas revenue continues to flow into the Rainy Day Fund and it is now projected to have a balance of over $11 billion by 2015. Should Proposition 6 pass, the resulting transfer would only slightly reduce an overflowing fund that is projected to grow by $2.5 - $3 billion per year for the foreseeable future.

The choice is clear - Texans have a chance to invest $2 billion of the Rainy Day Fund for critically needed water infrastructure projects that will benefit Texas for decades, or we could allow those funds to accumulate for future legislatures to spend as they please. It is time to invest in our water infrastructure.

I urge you to join me in voting yes on Proposition 6."

I say - the devil's in the details.

Investment fund? Really? Replenishes itself? Sounds like I am one of those misguided Fiscal Conservatives, and this is a Ponzi Scheme aimed at the State of Texas.