Water security is one of the most urgent challenges facing South Texas today. From agriculture to industry, water is vital to ensure the Rio Grande Valley can continue to grow and thrive. Our current reservoir capacity is limited and unreliable. We must secure new water solutions as water sharing treaties with Mexico break down and other parts of the state are now competing for resources. 

After decades of advocacy, this past Legislative session was the most successful session on water policy during my 12 years as your State Representative. As a member of the bipartisan Texas House Water Caucus, I have worked with my colleagues in the House of Representatives to advocate for the water needs of the Rio Grande Valley and raise awareness about the challenges our local governments, farmers, and communities face. My colleagues and I passed House Joint Resolution 7, which Texas voters approved with Proposition 4 in the November 2025 election, will invest $1 billion per year in water projects for the next 20 years without any tax increase. This funding will go towards water infrastructure projects and repairing and replacing aging water pipes. This funding is critical as the state loses 88 billion gallons of water per year through leaky pipes, an issue felt most especially in the Rio Grande Valley. Additionally, I was proud to be the House sponsor for Senate Bill 480, which provides authorization and legal clarity for local governments to coordinate on water infrastructure and planning. Our local governments must have all the tools at their disposal to prepare for future water challenges. Regional partnerships and investment in long-term solutions are the future of water supply. 

As I did in August of 2024, hosting the first Deep South Texas State of Water Symposium to discuss topics ranging from local challenges, infrastructure, and funding in addition to state priorities, I will continue to fight to ensure that our region always has water security. Water is life, and it will be one of my missions in the Legislature to secure a sustainable water supply for the Rio Grande Valley to support our agricultural industries, our businesses, and our growing communities.