It's instantly clear East Texas has
west Texas doesn't buy water
problems here, may not be as immediately
apparent. Not many doubt East Texas
will need improvements in its water
storage and delivery systems.
Supporters of the water fund insist it
gives local districts state help to
begin planning and paying for those
improvements now before they cost more
down the road.
But opponents fear the long term impact
of the water plan could be felt here
in the classroom.
That's because one half of the state's
surplus tax money will be placed in the
water fund. Opponents argue that surplus
is misleading because that money
has traditionally been used as a pad
to help support increases in teacher
salaries and other educational programs
without the amount of surplus the state
has had.
They'll either have to be a tax increase
if half this money is used for the water
project to finance public education.
And I think it should be a concern of
everybody in the state, not only
teachers, but everyone.
Let's be speaker. Bill Clinton, architect
of the water plan, insists those fears
are based on false impressions.
He insists the state's needs will be
taken care of through regular
appropriations.
The trust fund will only get half of
what's left over.
Tomorrow, why supporters say the fund
is a long term investment in lower taxes,
opponents, that it means higher taxes for
all of us during a Channel 5
action news.