AUSTIN —
AUSTIN-State Representative Lance Gooden has filed two pieces of pro-consumer water utility legislation in an effort to bring relief to water customers across House District 4. The bills, HB 1456 and HB 1457, were filed to address the excessive rate practices of out-of-state investor-owned water utilities (IOUs) like Monarch Water. "Unlike city water utilities and water supply corporations, these IOUs are not accountable to voters living in areas they serve," stated Rep. Gooden.
Under the current law, a municipality can initiate and contest a rate increase proposed by an IOU on behalf of its citizens. However, ratepayers in an unincorporated area are forced to raise their own funds to fight against a well-funded company for the right to affordable drinking water.
"I believe this is wrong. HB 1456 would level the playing field and allow a county to initiate and intervene in a contested rate case on behalf of its citizens living in an unincorporated area," said Gooden. "I really appreciate Henderson County Judge Richard Sanders for joining me, along with the entire Henderson County Commissioner's Court, in supporting this legislation."
Representative Gooden's second bill addresses the legal expenses incurred by an IOU if its ratepayers contest a proposed rate increase. Under the current law, IOUs are allowed to pass legal expenses onto its ratepayers if the IOU wins a rate case.
"This law only serves to discourage the consumer from contesting a rate increase," said Gooden. "With HB 1457, I'm seeking to reduce the amount an IOU can pass along to its ratepayers."
"For too long these monopolistic companies like Monarch have been fleecing citizens across Texas with exorbitant rates while consistently applying for rate increases," Gooden continued. "These practices are currently allowed under Texas law, and the IOUs would, obviously, like to keep the laws the way they are."
Rep. Gooden acknowledged his legislation will face tough opposition in the House by a well-funded lobby bankrolled by companies like Monarch Water.
Local News
Gooden files legislation to fight water monopoly
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In remembrance of heroes
The roll call of armed services veterans buried in the Athens City Cemetery for the past century-and-a-half is a long one.
A Veterans Memorial, created in their honor, will be dedicated on Memorial Day Monday, with 5th District Congressman Jeb Hensarling serving as the keynote speaker. The ceremony begins at 9 a.m. at the cemetery on South Prairieville Street. -
Does Athens Middle School have talent? You bet it does!
Drake Grammer (right) won first place in Friday’s Athens Middle School Talent Contest. He will receive a free meal from McDonald’s Lilly Enterprises. He will be taken, along with all students that placed in competition, to his meal by a limousine provided by A Trinity Valley Home Health and Therapy Services. Grammer will also receive $50. At left, is Amily Partin, who received Honorable Mention for her performance. Others receiving Honorable Mention were Fredrick Magouirk and George Jones. Second Place honors went to Mollie Davies and Third Place went to Maalik Hall. Drums for the contest were provided by Athens Middle School PTO.
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A little old and new
CROSS ROADS — A former Cross Roads coach is returning to lead the Cross Roads athletic program after his approval by the school board on Thursday night.
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The natural approach
Lavonia Nowell believes perhaps the best way to lose weight and be healthier is to analyze what you eat.
With those beliefs, Nowell has decided to begin the Processed-Free Living support group in Athens. -
Oklahoma: More than its share of disasters
WASHINGTON — Many states get hit frequently with tornadoes and other natural catastrophes, but Oklahoma is Disaster Central.
The twister that devastated Moore, Okla., was the 74th presidential disaster declared in the Sooner state in the past 60 years. Only much-larger and more-populous California and Texas have had more. -
Don’t let the fire die
Brownsboro Junior High eighth-grader Yasmine Mendez lights one of the candles during Thursday's induction ceremony for the National Junior Honor Society. Mendez and this year's NJHS class helped to officially welcome 36 new members who will be in eighth grade next year.
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‘Click it or Ticket’
The Athens Police Department is part of a nationwide effort to cut down on traffic injuries and deaths by getting motorists to buckle their seat belts. It’s part of the Click It or Ticket campaign underway through June 2.
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WWII vets visit Washington, D.C.
Two Athens men who served in World War II are part of a veteran’s visit to the nation’s capital this week.
J.C. Garrett and Doug Tanner join 28 others being escorted by Brookshires Grocery Co. who will tour the WWII Memorial and other sites. The veterans were set to leave Texas on Thursday and return at 9 a.m., Saturday. -
Taking a break, just like you
Henderson County offices will close Friday through Monday for the Memorial Day weekend.
The courthouse and other county locations have traditionally closed on a Friday in May for Fiddlers Day. County employees were given May 24 as a holiday this year in anticipation of the event. The county’s 2013 holiday schedule was already set when the organizers of Fiddlers Day decided to make it a Friday night and Saturday affair on May 31 and June 1. -
Great ability, not debatable
BROWNSBORO — Brownsboro senior Caleb Cade earned a state championship in persuasive speaking at the 2013 UIL State Speech and Debate Meet in Austin on May 22.
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