Water, guns, and lotto

What do all of these things have in common? Texans just can’t seem to get enough of them.

This week the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments (a debate before appellate courts where both sides address legal and factual issues in the case) about a water rights compact (a voluntary arrangement between two or more states to solve common problems) between four states (Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana).  All states have water districts–local or regional government regulatory bodies–responsible for the provision of resources.  Here the instant row involves the Tarrant Regional Water District and the Oklahoma Water Resources Board which refused Texas access claiming that Oklahoma law restricts allocations of water, and it has enacted protectionist legislation (laws that serve the state’s interest, not necessarily the general welfare of other surrounding states).  Texas, thirsty for more water because of economic growth in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area claims we are entitled to 25% of the water and that Oklahoma cannot sell water that is part of the compact.  The Court decides in June, but there seemed to be some skepticism by the Justices about the ability of Oklahoma to charge for water.

And speaking of wanting more, after Sandy Hook in Connecticut, five states have passed restrictive legislation to limit gun access, but ten states have deregulated (weakened) restrictions on guns.  Texas wants to allow handguns on college campuses.  The last two legislative sessions, there have been “campus carry” provisions (allowing students, faculty, and staff over 21 to carry weapons on campus), but so far the efforts have been unsuccessful.  Arkansas recently passed a law allowing firearms in churches and on college campuses, and South Dakota law now allows school boards to arm teachers and volunteers. Whether the measure makes it is uncertain, and it may be destined for “dying in committee”.  So if it “dies” and never makes it out of committee, is there anything the Senate Criminal Justice Committee can do?  Not if the committee does not hold hearings, and so the bill may be unlucky this go round.

Are you feeling lucky punk? Surely the Texas Lotto Commission must feel that way today. After the first House vote on Tuesday, it seemed the agency, its profits, and bingo would all be abolished.   A second vote today, however, extended the organization’s life and $1.1 billion in monies for public education.   Most legislators opposed to gambling argued the lottery was a predatory or regressive tax–a tax on low-income persons–who disproportionately play the lottery.  At day’s end, the Commission was saved largely because of the revenues it brings in for public education and the Texas Veterans Commission.

So given that the U.S. Supreme Court seemed to question whether Oklahoma could charge Texas for water, that the “campus carry” provision seems dead for now, and that the lottery is still alive and well, Texans still get most of what they want.

Two out of three ain’t bad.