Infrastructure
Texas is the second most populous state and one of the fastest growing states in the country. Last year, its population grew by 1.4% to almost 29 million people. By 2050, its population is projected to double, meaning that a child born today in Texas will live in a state almost twice as populous by the time he or she turns 30. To accommodate that population growth and maintain our economy, Texas’ transportation, water, and energy infrastructure must keep pace.
-
I believe the rainy day fund should be tapped for some of these projects that are now threatened, especially in high traffic urban areas where both residents and businesses will benefit. And local communities should be given the option of determining whether to utilize more toll roads or managed lanes to fund needed projects in those communities
-
We should encourage infrastructure projects with the potential to connect the wide spaces of Texas, to pay good wages, and to stretch our transportation dollars, like several proposed privately-financed high-speed rail projects
Energy
Texas produces more renewable energy than any other state. We needs to continue to encourage the production of wind energy and other renewable energy sources, which, aside from reducing dependence on fossil fuels and the emissions of greenhouse gasses, will increase Texas jobs, provide lease revenue to landlowers, and increase property tax revenue in areas of the state that could use that revenue.
-
Texas’ wind power could generate approximately 27% of Texas’ electrical needs by 2020 and 37.8% by 2030, producing electricity for approximately 13 million homes
-
In 2015, the Texas legislature passed HB 1736, a bill that requires the adoption of more energy-efficient building codes. The implementation of these codes will save Texans approximately $1 billion in energy costs by 2030. I applaud this measure, but Texas needs to do more to conserve energy.
Water
Texas’ water problems are not over, despite the plentiful rain recently in North Texas, and this issue must be addressed by the Texas legislature. The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) projects that by 2020 Texas will face a water shortage of 1.5 trillion gallons and by 2070 almost 2.9 trillion gallons, if further measures are not taken to increase water supply and/or reduce water demand.
-
The TWDB must continue to provide low-cost financing options to local water projects and assist in helping expedite those projects, while being conscious of the personal, economic, and environmental impact of those projects
-
Along with regional water authorities, it must also encourage greater water conservation and develop plans for making water available to drought-stricken areas when needed.