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Senator Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa: District 20
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Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 9, 2011
Contact: (512) 463-0120 office
Filing Sunset: Texas Water Development Board

(Austin, TX) — Earlier today, Senator Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa, the only member on the 12 person Sunset Commission from South Texas, filed Senate Bill 660, the Texas Water Development Board Sunset Bill, which will stipulate how the board will function. Senator Hinojosa's membership in the commission gives South Texas a unique opportunity to help shape state government for the coming years.

"South Texas has a voice when decisions are made about state government and I welcome the opportunity to look into efficiencies, and how to better serve the needs of working families and small businesses," Senator Hinojosa said. "If communities can better plan their water resource management, they will develop sustainable growth, leading to higher prosperity and stability in the future."

The Water Development Board functions essentially like a bank, or financing entity, using its bonding authority and outstanding credit rating to award grants and give access to state-subsidized loans to cities, counties and other political subdivisions to develop their water infrastructure. The projects range from wastewater treatment, municipal solid waste management, flood projects, conservation, agricultural water use, and groundwater district creation.

"The rapid growth taking place in South Texas and across the state, coupled with droughts and natural disasters only highlight how important it is that TWDB is working efficiently for our constituents," Senator Hinojosa said. "It would be hard for communities without access to the capital market, like so many in South Texas, to develop their water infrastructure, but the TWDB makes it possible."

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