La Voz has become aware of lobbying efforts on the part of Southwest Texas Water Resources LP (STWR) regarding the proposed water pipeline (at right). According to knowledgeable sources, former Governor Dolph Briscoe is in opposition to the pipeline and has provided his own lobbyist to address the matter.
According to documents obtained, STWR lobbyists are attempting to have State Representatives Carlos Uresti and Pete Gallegos sponsor a bill. At this point neither of the representatives has acquiesced to the sponsorship. According to our sources, the scenario would be as follows:
• A bill would be introduced
• Representatives Gallegos and Uristi would be asked to sponsor the bill.
• The bill will deal with:
• Only permitted water
• The water taken from the area could only be used within the EAA boundaries
The bill will be in the form of an exception to the current language in the EAA statute.
Other information pertaining to the lobbying efforts indicate that (1) the economic study was performed by Angelos Angelo, and (2) the EAA is poised to offer to the City (Uvalde) the incremental differences between the Agricultural value and the municipal value of the water. (this offer has been made before).
What must be understood, based on the lobbying efforts of STWR, is that the law itself must be changed (note third item). As it currently exists, the law does not allow for the building of a pipeline. This is the basis for the sponsorship of a bill, once a bill is introduced and passes; it changes the dynamics of the current law and allows for transfer of permitted water (which is already taking place via extraction in Bexar County). The intent behind the changes is of course to allow for the building of a pipeline.
The intent behind the economic study is to try to convince residents and officials in Uvalde County that the building and transfer of water will actually benefit the county economically.
STWR argues that the pipeline would in effect be a “significant management” tool, and that the water project “will be the largest economic development project in the history of the Uvalde area.”
STWR further argues that Uvalde’s “economy will be strengthened by the direct capital investment and jobs that will result from the Uvalde Water Project’s water company located in Uvalde County, the economic benefits to water rights owners, and the hundreds of jobs created during the construction phase.”
In effect STWR, through its lobbying efforts, and its economic studies is attempting to persuade locals and state representatives that building the pipeline will be a benefit to all. The impetus behind the effort, however, devolves to one simple factor – money. Money that is being used to push through a bill that would generate incomes for a select few who will be the final benefactors of the proposed water pipeline.
To get an idea of the amount of money currently being spent on lobbying efforts, the Ethics Commission website was accessed in order to view the list of lobbyists being used by STWR. The following are four of five known lobbyist being used by STWR.
• Robert Black
- Ethics Commission # (00065038)
919 Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78701
Type of Compensation: Prospective
Compensation range: $50,000 – $99,999.99
Client – Start: 01/01/2009 Term Date: 12/31/2009
• Marc Rodriguez - Ethics Commission # (00027635)
1122 Colorado St. Suite 2399, Austin, TX 78701
Type of Compensation: Prospective
Compensation range: $150,000 – $199,999.99
Client – Start: 01/02/2009 Term Date: 12/31/2009
• Hillery Stephens - Ethics Commission # (00065206)
1122 Colorado Suite 2399, Austin, TX 78701
Type of Compensation: Paid
Compensation range: Less Than $10,000.00
Client – Start: 01/05/2009 Term Date: 12/31/2009
• Gilbert Turieta - Ethics Commission # (00010261)
1122 Colorado St. Suite 2399, Austin, TX 78701
Type of Compensation: Paid
Compensation range: Less Than $10,000.00
Client – Start: 01/01/2009 Term Date: 12/31/2009
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