All Wet Water Wednesday
texas fly fishing in texas Proposition 6
Before you know it, you’re all washed up! At least that’s what it seems like … Water Wednesdays roll in in the blink of an eye. As fast as the years go now, a week is like a minute, a second.
Over at the Texas Council of International Federation of Fly Fishers, there’s barely a blip on the needle of interest, knowledge, adding knowledge, or anything related to Proposition 6. And that’s to be expected. When time rolls over on us to the point a week feels like a second, how are we to catch up?
The fact is we won’t be fully enlightened in time to make a brilliant decision on our vote FOR or AGAINST Proposition 6. A knee jerk reaction is to vote NO, and regroup, turn the lights on, chase the rats and roaches out, and begin this process again. Time is not on the side of a NO vote. The wider vibe I get is “let’s all vote YES, and this is only about the funding, and we can read it to find out what’s in it after we pass it.” There’s precedent for that thinking. There seems to be the opinion that once the money is there, we (the People) can have a say over where it goes and how it’s used. Really?
I don’t know how to vote on Proposition 6. The three person board seems “rigged.” The contributors to the “Campaign For” reads like a who’s who of special interests. Two billion for Texas water? Sounds good. Mainstream media is a no show – again. It all seem so dubious. None of the money is set aside for rain. How else are the other plans going to work unless there’s rain, enough rain to fill the new voids. I am pretty sure God can neither be bought, nor had.
When these kinds of political wranglings see the light of Texas Fly Caster, it doesn’t take long before I run into someone, or a phone call comes, and the conversation rolls around to the hot topic. “I take it you’re” this or that, and I confirm or deny their suspicions. I’ve been taken as; conservative, liberal, Republican, Democrat, Tea Party, Libertarian … just about everything but lesbian. I actually consider that to be a sign of successful writing, and I am all of those, except the lesbian thing. Please feel free to at least look at Proposition 6 and comment. Time is running out.
ZEBRA MUSSELS
I went out for an evening of fly fishing at the Sanger boat ramp on Lake Ray Roberts Monday night, and as the water continues to quickly recede, it exposes rocks covered with zebra mussels underneath them. Flip these exposed rocks over, and the zebra mussels are solid – all sizes.
The temperate weather is keeping yearling bass in feeding mode in close, and bigger bruisers are running in the stumps on the north end of the lake. Previous patterns would have us think this is the feed before the cold. I wonder if it will really get cold at all this winter? The weather is certainly strange enough to not bet on it.
Category: Causes, Texas Water Conservation
From my State Rep. Myra Crownover:
“Recent rains have improved drought conditions across the state but according to the Texas Water Development Board, over 90% of Texas is still experiencing some level of drought and the majority of Texas falls within the “moderate to severe” drought category. Texas lakes and reservoirs are currently only 60% full.
On November 5, Texas voters will have the opportunity to greatly improve our water infrastructure. Proposition 6, if approved, will authorize the transfer of $2 billion dollars from the Rainy Day Fund to an investment account that will be used to finance needed water infrastructure projects throughout the state. It is important to note that the investment account created by Proposition 6 will be a revolving account that will replenish itself. As water projects are finished, they will begin to pay into the account and allow for the financing of new projects for generations to come.
By investing $2 billion of our excess oil and gas revenue into water infrastructure, Texans can actually turn oil into water.
There is a small but noisy group who will oppose Proposition 6 in the name of fiscal conservatism. They are misguided. Oil and gas revenue continues to flow into the Rainy Day Fund and it is now projected to have a balance of over $11 billion by 2015. Should Proposition 6 pass, the resulting transfer would only slightly reduce an overflowing fund that is projected to grow by $2.5 – $3 billion per year for the foreseeable future.
The choice is clear – Texans have a chance to invest $2 billion of the Rainy Day Fund for critically needed water infrastructure projects that will benefit Texas for decades, or we could allow those funds to accumulate for future legislatures to spend as they please. It is time to invest in our water infrastructure.
I urge you to join me in voting yes on Proposition 6.”