The Brief: March 9, 2015

This weekend, the Tribune launched a five-part series exploring the difficulties of people along the Texas-Mexico border in maintaining access to regular sources of drinking water.

By John Reynolds

March 9, 20155 AM Central

Republish

The Big Conversation

This weekend, the Tribune launched a five-part series exploring the difficulties of people along the Texas-Mexico border in maintaining access to regular sources of drinking water.

As Tribune Editor Emily Ramshaw wrote, "Reporters Alexa Ura and Neena Satija traveled the length of the border — from remote towns to underserved colonias — to tell the unbelievable stories of Texans in need, from bathing in rainwater to falling ill from tainted water. Photographers Jennifer Whitney and Spencer Selvidge beautifully documented life without access to a resource many take for granted. And the Trib partnered with Univision to produce video from one of the hardest-hit communities, and to translate the entire series into Spanish for wider readership."

The first two parts are now published. They are:

Along the Texas Border, a Third-World Problem — Reliable access to clean drinking water is not a reality for tens of thousands of Texans living along the Mexican border, despite a multibillion-dollar effort that has spanned decades. Those left behind face third-world conditions and grave health risks.

Politics Stymied Village's Plan to Secure Safe Water — Researchers have found that the water supply in Vinton is making people sick, but local politics have gotten in the way of a solution to connect to nearby El Paso's utilities.

The Day Ahead

• The House and Senate convene at 2 p.m.

• House Appropriations meets at 7:30 a.m. to take up budget recommendations for Article III (Education) agencies (E1.030). Budget subcommittees meet afterward: Article III (E1.030), Article II (JHR 131), Articles VI, VII & VIII (JHR 100) and Articles I, IV & V (E1.018).

• House Human Services meets on final adjournment to take up HB 781, which would address screening and training of foster parents (E2.030). House Energy Resources and International Trade & Intergovernmental Affairs hold a joint hearing at 10 a.m. to discuss crude oil and natural gas exports (E1.004). House Pensions meets on final adjournment where they will take invited testimony from the Teacher Retirement System and the Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas. The panel will also take up HB 408, which attempts to make it harder for government officials to collect retirement benefits before leaving office (E2.028).

• The Senate border security subcommittee meets at 8 a.m. to take up SB 185 dealing with sanctuary cities (2E.20).

• An interfaith group of religious leaders rallies on the south steps of the Capitol at 11:15 a.m. to advocate for the abolition of the death penalty.

• A roast and toast of House Speaker Joe Straus, benefiting the Texas Legislative Internship Program, beginning at 6 p.m. at the JW Marriott Austin hotel.

• Gov. Greg Abbott speaks at 8:15 p.m. to the San Patricio County GOP's Lincoln Reagan Dinner in Sinton.