Environment Texas Makes Final Push for Proposition 6 After Months Campaigning for its Passage

Environment Texas

AUSTIN – As Texas voters cast their ballots on Proposition 6 today, Environment Texas volunteers are making a final grassroots push with visibility events in Austin and Houston to get out the vote and win passage of this critical measure for Texas’ water future.

The product of years of work and negotiations between stakeholders, Proposition 6 will authorize the transfer of $2 billion from the state’s aptly named rainy day fund to a new water fund for investment in water infrastructure projects. 

“Prop 6 is a critical first step toward securing our water future,” said Luke Metzger, director of Environment Texas. “As Texas responds to the ongoing drought and plans how to meet the state’s water needs in the years to come, we need to pursue a balanced solution that improves the efficiency of water use and leaves more water in rivers and aquifers to support the ecosystems that depend on them.”

In the past month, Environment Texas has joined with an unusual coalition of business leaders, environmentalists, Republicans and Democrats working to win voter approval of Proposition 6.

Alongside a strong media and advertising push from legislators and the business community, Environment Texas staff and volunteers have been mobilizing grassroots support for Proposition 6 through a direct mailing to 6,500 likely voters, visibility events to raise awareness about the drought and the Nov. 5 constitutional election, and phone calls to turn out voters in Austin and Houston. They also worked to build buzz through email and social media and released an animated video about Proposition 6.

“From our conversations with thousands of Texans, it’s clear that people are very concerned about the drought and want Texas to move toward a more sustainable water future,” Metzger said. “In a less-publicized, constitutional election like this one, the key is making sure these supporters make it to the polls.”

In the 2013 legislative session, Environment Texas played a major role in getting the Texas Legislature to set aside as much as 30 percent or more of the funding in Proposition 6 toward water conservation. This historic investment allows billions in loans to help farmers, businesses and cities to cut water waste, resulting in water savings that will protect treasured and ailing Texas rivers and lakes.

Looking ahead to after Election Day, Environment Texas is focused on making sure sure the Texas Water Development Board prioritizes using the new money for conservation and avoids projects that are harmful to rivers and the environment. 

When the results of today’s election are announced, Environment Texas will release a statement on what the next steps are for Texas’ water future.