| Considering the policy's importance, I'm appalled that a Central Texas state representative does not have an opinion on water supply policy. Representative Tim Kleinschmidt, already having sold his own water rights, has made clear his opinions on his own water, but what about his constituents?
Democratic opponent Pati Jacbos hand-wrote a letter that was delivered 12 days ago:
While I am currently a candidate for the office you currently hold, today I am writing as a citizen and resident of Bastrop County. The purpose of this letter is the same as my motivation for running for public office - I am a concerned constituent of your district.
Water is very important to our district and, as I am sure you know, the latest recommended plan coming out of Region L is a 52-mile, 5 foot diameter pipeline to transport water from Lee and Bastrop counties to the San Marcos area.
As a rancher who owns and uses a shallow well, I understand that the large amounts of water proposed for transport are likely to affect my future ability to access the water under my land. I am very concerned, therefore, that such massive withdrawals of water could affect my neighbors and the surrounding rural communities.
It is for these reasons that I wholeheartedly stand opposed to the pipeline as a public policy issue which stands to disrupt the lives of our neighbors, and the economic base of our region.
I cannot find in your public statements an indication of where you stand specifically on this crucial issue. Could you tell me if you are for or against this project, and why?"
House District 17 is one in which water reclamation is on the minds of other public officials and citizens. It's also here in Central Texas, where almost every summer after summer we hear about the lack of rain. Except House District 17, which includes Bastrop but none of Austin proper, thrives a lot on ranching and farming. The need for water, therefore, might exceed even our own.
As some observers may remember, a Texas forest fire that matched those in California happened there just last year.
And Representative Kleinschmidt can't articulate a water policy? Or at least a position on the currently proposed plan? No wonder Texas Monthly listed him as Texas Lege furniture. |
