August 8, 2013 My Take—Texas Needs Funding Solutions By Darrell J. Gonzales It was recently reported by the Texas Tribune August 8, 2013 the State of Texas water woes are worsening by the year(s) if our Texas Legislators do not do anything about it? In fact, they are estimating, to the exact dollar amount of State funded water projects exceeding over 53 billion dollars. Yes folks! 53 Billion dollars. This past 83rd legislative session called for 3 billion dollars in allocated funds for statewide water projects, but as I have said in the past, this is barely scratching the surface. Now the questions that have always remain are still lingering in the Texas air. “How are we, the State of Texas going to fund the state mandated water projects?” And after doing some extended research of possible solutions here are some possible answers. Of course, though with the conservatives in control of all statewide elected offices, there are going to be many ruffled feathers amongst them all; partly, because you are messing with their many investments of the suggestive industries; which in this case is the Oil and Gas industry of Texas. It is said that the leading producers of Oil in the State of Texas is Exxon-mobile and Shell Oil companies. They alone have produced billions of dollars in profits. Now if the State of Texas legislators and Congressmen in Washington could compromise in an agreement on how much more in corporate taxes they should allocate for funding local state economies’, then one possible solution could take place. Another second solution could be the added promotion of the Texas Film industry. As it is the industry here in the State of Texas has always been very friendly amongst the confines of our local small towns and with this in mind, we should not ignore this fact. Hollywood movie producers loved the State of Texas and most importantly love its people. They alone have produced 1.2 billion dollar economies for the State of Texas according to the Texas Film Commission, sponsored by a study by the University of Texas at Austin. Also according to the Texas Film Commission some of the leading markets in the Film industry are commercial production, along with the computer and video game production areas. The Texas commercial industry is booming here and we should continue to allow it, with more production in the future. In fact, some of the leading T.V. commercials were filmed right here in the State of Texas; commercials’ working with the biggest names in business, like Toyota, Nike, Adidas, AT&T, Verizon, and General Mills. They have produced over 100 million dollars or more in the industry. This of course goes into our Texas economies, which in turn helps our future financial woes for allocated projects. Again in the Computer and Video game production industry, Austin, Texas is the biggest city in the State of Texas who champions EA sports games along with Microsoft supported field games. In turn, this field has pre-empted loads of competition for smaller companies to be based here in the State of Texas. They too have succeeded at launching a big industry and promotion of their products, producing millions of dollars into the State of Texas economy. Finally an ideal solution, if we can ever compromise with the State of Texas Religious bodies is to promote the Texas gaming industry; partly the Casino gaming industry. This past spring the 83rd Texas legislative session brought up these issues, but was immediately voted down by Texas conservatives’. They cited religious opinions and beliefs and said the State of Texas and Texans were beyond it. For obvious reasons, they tend to think and believe its harming the people here in Texas. But in actuality, there were recent studies, and by conservatives who also support the issue, said we are losing every year 3 billion dollars to our surrounding neighbors of New Mexico, Oklahoma, Colorado, and Louisiana. lubbockonline/local-news/2013-04-08/gambling-lone-star-state#.UgQZVdK-p-U Besides we already have the Texas Lottery here; who also share with the other Nation States of Powerball, Mega Millions, and Lotto Texas. With this in mind you can see why it’s important to try to convince Texas Conservatives in allowing for casinos to be built here. Plus, you cannot honestly say there are conservatives out there who have never been to New Mexico, Louisiana, Las Vegas, or even Oklahoma to spend their hard earned money at a casino. At least this way their hard earned money stays here in the State of Texas. Again resolving the financial woes of Texas, if we can ever get it passed by Texas Conservatives. Also on a special note: earlier in the year I wrote about where most of the Texas leading Economies were coming from; in turn the two leading cities in Texas were San Antonio and Houston Texas. They both have combined surpluses exceeding over 3 billion dollars. It is important to say this because of their democratically controlled leadership; they are obviously doing something right for their respective areas and helping sustained them-selves. Something the State of Texas is trying to do with its excess surpluses, but finding the right balance and management style is the tricky question? Compromise is the issue here in the State of Texas and I am sorry to report to say, it is not happening here in our Texas legislature. As you can see trying to fund water projects here in Texas is no easy feat. For example, in West Texas there are area regions that have a combined totals of 1.8 billion dollars for water projects, but if you are conservative Republican who believes in “Lower Taxes” and lives in a West Texas county that taxes around 36 cents and even worse 23 cents then how are you expected to pay for a 1.8 billion dollar water projects? You cannot expect the rest of Texas to pay and contribute evenly, because they too, also have their water woes? Remember 53 billion dollars in water projects! How are you going to fund it? Any ideas, Suggestions? By all means go ahead!
Posted on: Thu, 08 Aug 2013 23:03:22 +0000