Texas Voters to Decide on $20 Billion Water State Project

This November, Texas voters will decide on Proposition 4, a proposed constitutional amendment that would create a $20 billion fund for water infrastructure projects over the next 20 years. If approved, it would be the largest state investment in water in Texas history.

The Texas Water Fund would receive up to $1 billion annually from existing state sales tax revenue starting in 2027, without raising new taxes. Funds would only be transferred if sales tax collections exceed $46.5 billion, a threshold met in recent years.

The Texas Water Development Board would manage the fund and divide it in two categories:

1. Category one would focus on water supply expansion projects, such as desalination of seawater and brackish water, leaking pipes repairs, and water reuse

2. Category two would support existing programs like flood mitigation and clean drinking water initiatives.

Environmental groups have raised concerns about potential land use impacts of new reservoirs. Some conservative groups oppose embedding the funding mechanism in the state constitution, but there is no formal opposition to the amendment.

According to Texas 2036, the state may need $154 billion over the next 50 years for water infrastructure. A recent survey by the group found that 76% of Texans support Proposition 4 when informed of its details, including the fact that it won’t require new taxes. 

Early voting runs from Oct. 20 to Oct. 31. Election Day is Nov. 4.