Election Coverage 2018 State Representative District 45

Ken Strange

WV: What are your top priorities for the next legislative session?

Strange: Fixing the school finance system so that our schools receive an adequate and equitable share of state education funding is essential to providing much needed resources for classroom instruction, competitive teacher pay, and reducing the burden on local property tax payers. In addition, we need to secure the future of our groundwater protection legislation to safeguard our water wells and aquifer levels for future generations. Finally, as an EMS Director, I am a big believer in placing addition focus on improving school safety and public safety. These issues matter a great deal to this area. I have a 20+ year history of delivering for our community, and want to take that passion and experience to the Texas Capitol.

WV: What is your position on some of the large water permits up for consideration locally like Electro Purification and Needmore Ranch?

Strange: As a Wimberley ISD school board trustee, I authored the board resolution in support of our legislative efforts, and worked with other local leaders to help Rep. Isaac pass HB 3405. I am a landowner, homeowner, and business owner in our community for the past 20 years. I know how important water is to our area. It is the lifeblood of natural treasures like Jacob’s Well and Blue Hole. I am a supporter of strong aquifer district oversight of commercial permits to protect aquifer levels, and responsible limitations on commercial pumping, including EP and Needmore.

WV: Do you agree with Texas’ Rule of Capture, which essentially allows landowners access to as much water as they can pump from their land? What do you think needs to be done at the state level about Texas groundwater laws?

Strange: Groundwater is incredibly complex, both as a matter of science and policy. The Rule of Capture works fine when demands on groundwater do not exceed supply. In certain areas, including parts of Central Texas, the demand for groundwater and prospect of major exportation projects has introduced new risk to future supply. I am a huge believer in private property rights, but I do not believe you have a right to pump an infinite amount of groundwater if that causes your neighbor’s well our community’s springs to run dry. There needs to be careful balance and community oversight to make sure we balance property rights with the rights of neighbors and the community to a sustainable level of groundwater.

WV: Do you support the way the State Legislature finances school districts currently? If so, why? If not, what will you try and change?

Strange: As a 10-year school board trustee, this is an issue I’m very passionate about. The state’s school finance system has been patched and plugged for at least the past 10 years, when what it really needs is a major overhaul. We are too dependent on local property taxes. I believe we need to ensure that dedicated revenue streams and an adequate portion of general revenue fund our schools at a higher level, and make public education a higher appropriations priority rather than passing the buck to local property tax payers. This solution has worked in the past and can work again, it just requires a shift in priorities and stronger budgeting discipline. The Comptroller estimates as much as $3 billion more in revenue for the next biennium, and we need to make school finance reform a priority when allocating those funds.

WV: State Representatives have tremendous power over the use of Municipal Utility Districts, which are a popular tool to help develop property and have been used throughout Hays County. What is your opinion on the use of MUDs to foster growth in Hays County?

Strange: There are both local and legislative options to create a Municipal Utility District in Texas law. As a local elected leader for 10 years on the school board, I am partial to using local means. This allows the community and its elected local leaders to weigh in on a proposal and its consequences for the community. The only exception to this is when local leaders request assistance at a legislative level. Sometimes MUDs provide an opportunity to protect existing landowners and taxpayers from the infrastructure expenses connected to new development. At other times, MUDs can compromise a local community’s ability to ensure that development is beneficial to the broader community. That is why broad community involvement and consensus are critical when it comes to future development. By working togethergrassroots, neighborhoods, local governments, and state legislators—we can protect our community and our quality of life as the county grows.