OP/ED
Texas is growing fast, and here in Hays County, we’ve been right in the thick of it. But with that growth comes a hard truth: you can’t build a future on dry ground.
Nowhere is that more evident than in the Hill Country, where communities like Wimberley, Driftwood, and Dripping Springs depend almost entirely on local groundwater. Yet our aquifers are slow to recharge and increasingly overdrawn. With ongoing drought and rapid development, our water systems are showing signs of serious stress. The low levels at treasured natural springs and swimming holes like Jacob’s Well and Hamilton Pool are indicators of deeper problems with our water supply.
That’s why I’m urging my fellow Texans to approve Proposition 4 on this November’s ballot.
As a former county commissioner, I’ve seen firsthand how difficult it is to balance rapid growth with responsible management of our water. During my time in office, we wrestled constantly with water-related challenges. That included declining aquifer levels, inconsistent groundwater rules and private interests attempting to pump and export massive amounts of water from sensitive areas.
We had to fight one such proposal in western Hays County that would have siphoned billions of gallons of groundwater from rural land and piped it east to fuel suburban growth. This would’ve put local wells, creeks, and springs at risk. While we were successful in stopping that project, it made clear that we can’t rely on outdated systems or patchworks of temporary solutions while demand keeps climbing. We need real investment and real planning.
That’s where Proposition 4 comes in.
The measure would create a dedicated funding source to support water infrastructure projects statewide. It would direct up to $1 billion annually from existing sales tax revenue into the Texas Water Fund, supporting projects to help secure new water supplies and upgrade aging infrastructure, helping to conserve natural resources and preparing communities for future droughts.
What makes Prop 4 especially important is its flexibility. It gives Texas communities the tools to plan, build and conserve water supplies based on their specific water needs, which we know will differ in the Hill Country from those in the Metroplex or the Gulf Coast. This funding can support region- specific solutions, from aquifer storage and water reuse systems to conservation technology and smart supply development.
Importantly, the funding from Prop 4 that supports the development of new water supplies cannot be used to transport fresh groundwater. Instead, new supplies and increased conservation will help take pressure off our natural resources. This is crucial to ensuring that growth doesn’t come at the expense of longterm sustainability.
I support Prop 4 because it’s long overdue. For years, the Texas Legislature has talked about addressing our water infrastructure, considering ideas on supply, management, and long-term planning. Now we have a shot at addressing those efforts with a level of funding that will be a gamechanger. That’s what makes Prop 4 different. It is a monumental step to give communities around the state the resources needed to meet the scale of the challenge without creating new taxes.
Texas is one of the most desirable places to live and work. But if we want to manage that growth while preserving what makes this state unique, we have to tackle our challenges head on. And water is right at the top of that list.
Without action, we risk more than inconvenience. We risk the health of our ecosystems, the reliability of our local water supplies, and the quality of life that makes so many people want to call Texas home. The springs and swimming holes that define Hill Country life aren’t just scenic. They’re barometers of our groundwater. If they’re drying up, we risk our future prosperity drying up too.
Texas has always been about vision, independence, and bold action. Now is the time to bring those values to our most precious resource.
