Journal of the Senate of the State of Texas, Regular Session of the Sixty-Second Legislature, Volume 1 Page: 54
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4
tions for meeting the State's fiscal
requirements through the next bien-
nium without resorting either to dras-
tic reductions in the budget or drastic
new tax programs.
"Is this unprecedented approach a
sensible and defensible way of meet-
ing our present obligations? My re-
sponse to that is: Yes.
"I remind you that the term 'un-
precedented' connected with bond is-
sues applies only in Texas and a few
other States.
"I could recite at great length the
fiscal history of major States which,
historically and as a matter of order-
ly budgeting, regularly use the bond
issue process.
"I note further that the suggested
route is closely tied, if not actually
legally interwoven, with the public
schools whose proper financing we
would assure by using their prospec-
tive income in a sound, realistic, busi-
nesslike way.
"We must all keep in mind that
none of our alternatives are without
criticism or flaw.
"There is no happy solution. This
Legislature retains the options of (1)
appropriation-cutting and of (2) new
taxation that is disturbingly high for
Texas (although within our capabili-
ty, if not our mood of acceptability).
"Further-and this is important--
the approach I have recommended
gives a decisive voice to an important
group frequently mentioned, but rare-
ly consulted-all the taxpayers of
Texas.
"Submitting the 'Public Free School
Bond Issue' to a vote of the people is
-in my view-an appropriate exer-
cise in democracy. If the voters turn
it down, they will have given us a
message: Do something else.
"If this happens--we will be back
with our old options.
"Clearly, if my recommendation is
going to be tested, the testing must
start quickly so the people can vote
before the close of this Session.
"Meanwhile, as a logical procedure,
the Legislature must continue to ex-
plore the tax jungle and the appro-
priations thicket. We must be pre-
pared to take other action and
promptly, if the bond issue should be
rejected.
"One of the most pressing problemsfacing the State is a looming water
shortage. As I reported to you two
years ago, Texas will soon pass from
a water surplus State to one of water
scarcity.
"The inevitable water shortage is
of such a grave nature that it will
be the subject of a special message
to you in the near future.
"Meanwhile, two facets of the water
problem are of such a grave nature
that I recommend immediate action.
"First, I recommend to you that a
Constitutional amendment be sub-
mitted to the voters of Texas at the
earliest possible date to increase or
remove the Constitutional interest
ceiling limitation on water develop-
ment bonds.
"Successful adoption of such an
amendment will make it possible for
the State through the Water Develop-
ment Fund to assist local communi-
ties in the financing of urgently need-
ed projects.
"Directly related to the develop-
ment of our water resources and the
enhancement of our environment, is
the compelling need for adequate sew-
age treatment facilities.
"Federal funds have been allocated
on a matching basis for such facili-
ties.
"Along with the Constitutional
amendment to raise the interest rate
on Water Development Bonds, I
would also recommend to you that a
Constitutional amendment be put to
the voters of Texas at the earliest
possible date to provide $100 million
to be used as the State's matching
share for waste treatment facility
construction.
"Passage of this amendment would
permit the State to make the neces-
sary grants to local and regional gov-
ernment entities.
"The construction of these facilities
will contribute significantly to in-
creasing the utilization of our present
water supplies and improving our en-
vironment.
"In closing this portion of my open-
ing message, I thank you most sin-
cerely for your invitation and your at-
tention, and for the consideration I
know you will continue to give to
solving the problems of Texas for
which we share concern and respon-
sibility."SENATE JOURNAL
54
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Texas. Legislature. Senate. Journal of the Senate of the State of Texas, Regular Session of the Sixty-Second Legislature, Volume 1, legislative document, 1971; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth146003/m1/54/: accessed April 28, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.