New coalition backs Prop 4 for long-term water investments
Texas 2036 is joining with 50-plus organizations and businesses from across the state to announce the formation of a coalition in support of Proposition 4, the ballot item on the Nov. 4 Constitutional Amendment Special Election which empowers voters to make a historic investment to help secure Texas’ water future.
Prop 4 would direct up to $1 billion from the state’s sales and use tax per year for 20 years to the Texas Water Fund, which was established by voters in 2023. Prop 4 does not impose new taxes and its passage would represent the state’s most significant investment ever made toward growing the state’s water supply and fixing the state’s aging, leaky water infrastructure.
“Texas’ growing families, job creating businesses, and economic prosperity all depend on reliable water infrastructure to deliver clean water,” said Jeremy Mazur, Director of Infrastructure and Natural Resources Policy at Texas 2036. “Proposition 4 establishes a reliable funding stream for needed water infrastructure projects without resorting to new taxes. This represents a smart, strategic investment in the water infrastructure needed to propel Texas’ economic miracle into the decades ahead.”
A broad coalition
In recognition of the importance of Prop 4 for the future of Texas, more than 50 business and community leaders have banded together to inform voters about Prop 4.
Prop 4 coalition members represent every corner of the state, including the chambers of commerce in the Dallas and Houston areas as well as New Braunfels, San Marcos, Tyler and Kilgore. Many of the state’s most prominent trade organizations, including the Texas Association of Business, the Texas Association of Manufacturers, the Texas Chemistry Council, the Texas Farm Bureau, the Texas Oil and Gas Association and the Texas Water Association, are also leveraging their members and influence to help get Prop 4 across the finish line on Nov. 4.
For more information on Prop 4 and a list of the Prop 4 coalition members, click here.
Water is necessary for life, and it is vital as well for a healthy economy. The consequences of failing to develop and maintain the water infrastructure needed for a growing state coupled with a long, severe drought could, by 2050, lead to annual GDP losses of $165 billion.
Meeting the needs of a growing population and replacing aging water systems will require at least $154 billion in investment over the next 50 years.
To put it bluntly, lack of investment now could reverse Texas’ economic miracle.
Here’s what others are saying about Prop 4:
“Reliable access to clean water is foundational to Texas’ economic success. Proposition 4 is an important step forward — providing the certainty and long-term funding needed to support businesses, communities, and families as we continue to grow. By investing in water infrastructure today — with no new taxes — Texans are protecting both our quality of life and the competitive advantage that keeps employers choosing our state both now and into the future.”
— Dale Petroskey, President and CEO of the Dallas Regional Chamber
“Access to reliable water supply, high-quality water infrastructure systems and forward-looking investments in flood mitigation are essential to the long-term success of the Texas economy. Proposition 4 will allow for generational investments in all of these areas. Proposition 4 will provide certainty to Texas businesses that are already invested in the Lone Star State and will help attract those businesses that are considering relocating to the state. We commend the Legislature for creating this program that funds water infrastructure for decades to come without raising taxes, and we encourage Texans to enthusiastically support this transformational investment in the future of our state.”
— Taylor Landin, Chief Policy Officer at the Greater Houston Partnership
“To ensure the ‘Texas Miracle’ continues, we need a historic, bold investment in our state’s water infrastructure now. With Texas’ exponential population and business growth, it’s important that our state be fully positioned to provide sufficient water resources to our ever-expanding communities and business landscape in the years ahead.”
— Glenn Hamer, President and CEO of the Texas Association of Business
“Texas must remain the leader for job creation and economic prosperity, continuing to provide opportunity for all of its citizens. Proposition 4 opens the door to dependable and affordable water supplies — as well as a modern infrastructure that carries water to and from customers — both essential to our State’s future. Water = Jobs.”
— Tony Bennett, President and CEO of the Texas Association of Manufacturers
“Texas’ economy and quality of life depend on reliable access to clean water. Proposition 4 is a smart, forward-looking investment that will strengthen our state’s water infrastructure and provide water security without raising taxes. A dependable water supply is essential for Texas communities and the chemical industry, which relies on water to produce the building blocks of everyday life — from clean drinking water and food security to medical supplies, electronics, automobiles, building materials, and textiles. By investing in water today, we’re safeguarding the foundation of both our economy and modern life in Texas.”
— Hector Rivero, President and CEO of the Texas Chemistry Council
“Texas agriculture understands how a lack of water affects lives. Farmers and ranchers experience hardship every drought. Our rural communities feel it, too. That’s why Texans have got to get serious about funding water infrastructure. All of us need to support Prop 4.”
— Russell Boening, President of the Texas Farm Bureau
“Real estate derives its value from water. Proposition 4 is a generational investment that protects the foundation of Texas’ real estate economy, and we urge voters to support it.”
— Christy Gessler, 2025 Chairman of the Board, Texas REALTORS®
Voters speak: They favor Prop 4
Here’s the good news: voters recognize the importance of securing a reliable, long-term investment in the state’s water infrastructure and appear willing to draw on revenue from the state’s sales and use tax to pay for this investment in Texas’ future.
An August survey of 802 likely constitutional amendment voters conducted by Baselice & Associates, Inc. for Texas 2036 found that three of every four likely constitutional amendment voters say they would vote for Prop 4 with even stronger support when they are informed as to what Prop 4 does. For example:
- 76% support Prop 4 when they learn it will fund $1 billion per year of water projects for the next 20 years without any tax increase, since revenue will come from the existing state sales tax.
- 84% support the measure when informed that the state loses about 88 billion gallons of water each year through leaks, and Prop 4 will help repair and replace aging water pipes.
- 75% support when informed that Prop 4 will ensure a more reliable supply of water so communities can sustain themselves and people don’t have to move due to shortages.
Background
Texas voters have consistently shown a willingness to invest in water infrastructure. In 2023, nearly 78% of voters approved Proposition 6 establishing the Texas Water Fund, the highest level of support for any water-related proposition since 2000. Texas 2036’s polling continues to show overwhelming majorities in favor of state investments to address water supply needs and fix deteriorating systems.
Resources for Voters
Key dates regarding early voting for the Nov. 4 election can be found at: https://www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/voter/important-election-dates.shtml#2025
Political advertising paid for by Texas 2036.