After years of chatter, water appears to have finally percolated to the top of the Texas Legislature's agenda. House Speaker Joe Straus says tackling the current shortage and growing demand for drinking water is the biggest problem facing Texas today. Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst has floated the idea of starting a Texas Water Development Bank with $1 billion from Rainy Day Fund.
There is no doubt that Texas is in dire need of a well-funded water plan. Texas experienced its worst single-year drought in 2011 and the state isn't ready for the next one.
The water problem is a byproduct of the state's economic success. Texas's population is expected to grow from 25 million in 2010 to 55 million in 2050. That's a lot more thirsty people.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.