Dan Branch: Legislature must plan now for Texas of the future
Current success must not make us complacent
08:35 AM CST on Monday, January 8, 2007
As our economy and population continue to surge, the actions or omissions of the incoming 80th session of the Texas Legislature, which convenes tomorrow, will define the face of our state for decades to come.
The fall campaigns focused on many issues, but rarely did the messages convey the big picture: why we must address five fundamental challenges – an educated workforce, power, water, mobility and social safety nets.
We have a mantra in my legislative office, "So goes Texas, so goes the nation, so goes the world."
Why? The U.S. economy is dominated by a handful of states. Our international status would be vastly different if California and Texas, roughly 30 percent of our economy, were excluded. If Texas were a country, we'd rank among the world's top 10 economies. We're the nation's leading exporter, with one of the fastest-growing populations and historically low unemployment. We've managed our budget, controlled taxes and been rewarded.
If Texas falters, the country could stumble. If our nation stumbles, the ramifications are not small. Our world would look very different with China as the superpower. That's why it's critical that we "get it right" here in Texas.
Educated workforce: In a knowledge-based economy, an educated workforce is, perhaps, our most important "infrastructure." If we can't supply an educated workforce, employers will quit relocating to Texas. We must continue to increase excellence in the classroom, improve the college readiness of our students, tackle our dropout crisis, improve the quality of a Texas high school diploma, and ensure that we have top-notch faculty and research at our higher education institutions.
Power: Last year, Austin experienced rolling brownouts, and we had a near-miss in North Texas. If we can't turn on the lights, the air conditioning or the computers, we can forget about a strong economy. Our electrical grid's recommended 12 percent cushion will soon shrink to single digits. A plan for ample, affordable power must be balanced with expectations of improved air quality. Bringing environmentally sound power plants on line is not an overnight process, so a proactive answer that balances enhanced capacity, air quality and affordability must be part of a strong leadership agenda.
Water: The drought has served as a warning of our heavy dependence on regional lakes for our water needs. Millions of new Texans demanding water for their faucets, washing machines, lawns and enterprises will undoubtedly outweigh our current resources. Without a viable water supply, housing permits will cease, businesses will suffer, and growth will be stunted. Without urban and suburban economic growth, the tax base that supports rural Texas will evaporate. Both rural and urban interests are served by investing now in new reservoirs, underground sources and transmission lines.
Mobility: Congestion and the time spent sitting in traffic are harmful to families, productivity and air quality. An expected increase of 10 million new Texans by 2026 means absorbing a population of another Houston and D-FW combined. Mobility solutions to fund expanded roadways, transit and rail are essential to our near and long-term success.
Social safety nets: Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security costs are set to explode just as more and more baby boomers are nearing retirement. Our number of uninsured families is unacceptable. We must protect our children and our most vulnerable citizens while maintaining our tradition of limited government and low taxation.
Texas can ill afford to ignore these challenges. We must not fall victim to our current success. We must make the tough decisions now and commence solutions that have long lead times. Our country is depending on us to manage our growth. The time is now.
State Rep. Dan Branch is a Dallas Republican. His e-mail address is dan.branch@house.state.tx .us.