The Texas Tribune is pleased to present, in partnership with Texas State University, a daylong symposium on water. Topics of discussion will include life after Proposition 6, the battle over groundwater, strategies for conservation and the poor quality of water along the Texas-Mexico border.
8 AM: Complimentary breakfast
8:30 AM: Life After Proposition 6
- SID MILLER, Texas agriculture commissioner
- CARLOS RUBINSTEIN, chairman of the Texas Water Development Board
- State Rep. JIM KEFFER, R-Eastland, chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee
- Moderated by EVAN SMITH, CEO and editor-in-chief of The Texas Tribune
9:45 AM: The Battle Over Groundwater
- State Rep. JASON ISAAC, R-Dripping Springs
- KYLE FRAZIER, executive director of the Texas Desalination Association
- BILLY HOWE, state legislative director for the Texas Farm Bureau
- DIANNE WASSENICH, executive director of the San Marcos River Foundation
- Moderated by NEENA SATIJA, reporter for The Texas Tribune
11 AM: How Much More Can We Conserve?
- CAROLE BAKER, executive director of the Texas Water Foundation
- LAURA HUFFMAN, Texas state director of the Nature Conservancy
- KEN KRAMER, former director of the Lone Star Chapter of the Sierra Club
- ROBERT PUENTE, president and CEO of the San Antonio Water System
- Moderated by ANDREW SANSOM, executive director of the Meadows Center for Water and the Environment at Texas State University
Noon: Complimentary lunch
12:30 PM: A Conversation With EVAN SMITH and BRIAN MCCALL, chancellor of the Texas State University System
1:45 PM: Why Water Along the Border is Undrinkable
- State Sen. JUDITH ZAFFIRINI, D-Laredo
- WENDY JEPSON, associate professor of geography at Texas A&M University
- ISRAEL REYNA, branch manager of Texas RioGrande Legal Aid
- RUBEN VILLARREAL, mayor of Rio Grande City
- Moderated by ALEXA URA, reporter for The Texas Tribune
The symposium will be held in the Reed Parr Room on the 11th floor of the J.C. Kellam Administration Building at Texas State University in San Marcos. Hourly paid parking will be available in the Edward Gary Street Garage, located at 405 N Edward Gary St. The event is free and open to the public. If you are unable to attend, bookmark texastribune.org/livestream to watch online.