Episode 24: Dr. Ken Kramer
In Episode 24 of the Lone Star Deep Dive Podcast, Dr. Ken Kramer explains the water infrastructure funding bill passed by the Texas Legislature, and the November Constitutional Amendment to allow for funding, which will be on our November 2025 ballot.
Dr.Kramer is a writer and Texas water policy specialist who currently serves as the “public” representative on the Region H Water Planning Group which conducts water supply planning for the 15-county area that includes Houston. He's also a representative on the stakeholder committees for environmental flows for the Brazos, Trinity, and San Jacinto River Basins, as well as Galveston Bay. In addition, he serves as the treasurer for the Texas Water Foundation board.
Dr. Kramer received a BA in History with a minor in Government from Texas Lutheran University in 1969. He was awarded an M.A. in Political Science from Stephen F. Austin State University in 1971 and then served in the United States Army, stationed at Fort Bliss in El Paso. He received his PhD in political science in 1979 from Rice University. For 45 years Dr. Kramer was a volunteer or professional advocate for the Lone Star chapter of the Sierra Club -- an association that began as an elected member of the Chapter Executive Committee as chair of "Legislative" and "Water Resources" committees. He then served for over seven years as the Sierra Club's contract lobbyist in Austin, TX. He became the first Director of the Lone Star Chapter in January 1989 and served in this capacity through July 2012. Upon his retirement as Director, he again became the Chapter’s volunteer water resources chair for over 10 years.
DIVE DEEPER!
HJR 7 (89th Texas Legislature, Regular Session) - the proposed state constitutional amendment(which will be on the Texas ballot this November as Proposition 4) to dedicate $1 billion annually to the Texas Water Fund for at least 20 years.
Senate Bill 7 (89th Texas Legislature, Regular Session) - the "enabling" legislation for HJR 7, which provides details for how the state constitutional amendment is to be implemented if approved by the voters in November.
4-page handout, extract of information from the complete Texas 2036 Report on Texas water infrastructure needs
Texas 2036 Report (complete report):
Foundation for Economic Growth: Assessing Texas' Water Infrastructure Needs
Texas Water Association (TWA) Summary of State Legislative Action on Water Infrastructure Funding (one-page handout):
Key Water Infrastructure Investments and Policy Changes: 89th Texas Legislature (June 2025)
"Texas Water Development Board Adopts First State Flood Plan" (August 2024) - press release, cites cost of proposed flood control projects