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One of the most heated legislative issues this session coming out the the City of McAllen, surrounds the bill (s) by Senator Juan Hinojosa (D) McAllen and Rep. Veronica Gonzales (D) McAllen, authorizing the municipality to take over an irrigation district which provides it with raw water, Hidalgo County Water Improvement District #3.

As the bill is being considered by the Calendars Committee, and its Chairman, Todd Hunter (R), Corpus Christi, for scheduling debate on the floor of the Texas House of Representatives, and consideration of its passage and forwarding on to Governor Rick Perry for his signature, those opposed to the water bill are elevating their calls for mediation.

Perry's Vice-Chairperson on the powerful Rio Grande Regional Water Authority, which at its last meeting passed a resolution calling for the two entities to mediate their differences, have submitted their opposition to Ron Whitlock Reports:

Sonia Lambert, San Benito, Texas, Vice-Chairman, Rio Grande Regional Water Authority & General Manager, Cameron County Irrigation District #2, which provides raw water to 58,000 acres of agricultural land, says it "seems unconstitutional":

(Read the statement by Governor Perry Appointee to RW reports)

In the above video Doctor Joe Colter, Brownsville, Texas, Former Chairman, Valley Water Committee (VWC), 1997-2008; told "Ron Whitlock Reports" that mediation is the only solution to any differences that cities and irrigation districts might have.  "They need each other and must work together", is what he told "Ron Whitlock Reports" at his veterinary hospital where he has treated animals since graduating Texas Agricultural and Mechanical College (now Texas A & M University) in 1950.  He served simultaneously with VWC Secretary-Treasurer Bill Summers, both of whom initially opposed creation of RGRWA by a bill filed by, then, State Representative Juan Hinojosa, until they were assured its assumption of most of the authority of the VWC would not result in harm to the economic benefit of agriculture to the South Texas region.

Written by Ron Whitlock

DR. COLTER: Cities & Water Provider need each other and should mediate

Length: 1 minute

DISCLAIMER:

The Hidalgo County Water District #3 is/has been one of RW Reports advertising sponsors, among other separate sponsors. Sponsors and advertisers do not influence RW Report's content or coverage.