Judith Zaffirini

I support a comprehensive biosecurity strategy that emphasizes prevention, early detection and rapid response. During the special session, I supported HCR 13, which urged the federal government to take immediate action against New World screwworm, accelerate sterile-fly capacity in Texas and strengthen collaboration with Mexico.

Texas also must do our part. I support strengthening surveillance and trapping in high-risk areas; ensuring the Texas Animal Health Commission has sufficient veterinarians, inspectors and other personnel to investigate suspected cases quickly; improving coordination and information-sharing among agricultural, wildlife, public health and emergency-management agencies; and providing producers, veterinarians, hunters and animal owners with clear guidance regarding prevention, identification, treatment and reporting. When supported by epidemiological evidence, targeted animal-movement safeguards also may be appropriate to contain an infestation while minimizing unnecessary disruptions to producers.

Our policies should be driven by confirmed cases, surveillance and trapping data, animal-movement patterns, veterinary and epidemiological expertise, and the effectiveness of response measures such as sterile-fly releases. We also should examine lessons from the successful eradication of screwworm in the United States in the 1960s and continually adjust our strategy as conditions change. The goal should be to identify infestations as early as possible, contain them quickly and protect our livestock, wildlife, pets, agricultural economy and public health.

I support policies ensuring data center development does not compromise Texans’ access to reliable, affordable water and electricity or require residential ratepayers and taxpayers to subsidize infrastructure for these extremely large industrial users.

Regarding water, I support enhanced reporting of projected and actual water consumption and greater use of conservation measures, reclaimed water and water-efficient technologies, including closed-loop cooling systems when feasible. Texas should have reliable information regarding how much water these facilities will use, where it will come from and how their demands could affect local communities, particularly in areas experiencing drought or stressed groundwater supplies.

Regarding electricity, I support establishing an appropriate rate structure for large-load customers such as data centers so they bear the costs associated with serving their extraordinary electricity demands, including necessary infrastructure improvements, rather than shifting those costs disproportionately to residential and other existing ratepayers. I also support requiring large-load projects to demonstrate that adequate generation and transmission capacity will be available before they are connected to the grid.

Finally, I believe tax incentives should be evaluated carefully and should reflect measurable benefits to Texans, including permanent job creation, economic development and tax revenue, as well as the costs a project imposes on water, electricity and other public infrastructure. Texas should not provide substantial incentives simply to attract projects that consume enormous public resources without demonstrating commensurate long-term benefits to the communities in which they locate.

My position is informed by research and by testimony before the Senate Committee on Business and Commerce, discussions with constituents and stakeholders regarding proposed data centers, and projections regarding the industry’s rapidly increasing electricity and water demands.

Texas must continue making significant, long-term investments in our water infrastructure. Laredoans, for example, know firsthand the consequences of aging infrastructure and the importance of ensuring communities have reliable access to safe water. I support continued state investment in repairing and replacing aging systems, reducing water loss, expanding treatment and reuse capacity, developing new water supplies and helping communities leverage state and federal funding for critical projects.

I also support ensuring that rural and economically disadvantaged communities can access these resources. Funding programs are effective only if communities have the financial and technical capacity to apply for them and meet matching requirements.

Agriculture must be an important part of this strategy. Farmers and ranchers are essential to our economy and food supply, and water policies should promote conservation without jeopardizing their livelihoods. I support expanding grants, low-interest loans and technical assistance for more efficient irrigation systems, metering, canal improvements and other proven conservation technologies that can reduce water use while maintaining agricultural productivity.

My approach would be guided by regional and state water plans, projected population and agricultural needs, drought conditions, infrastructure age and water-loss data, and the measurable water savings achieved by proposed projects. Our goal should be to conserve water and strengthen our infrastructure while ensuring that communities and agricultural producers have the resources they need to prosper.

I have supported strengthening Texas’ electric grid since Winter Storm Uri demonstrated the devastating consequences of an unreliable system. In 2021 I filed legislation requiring mandatory weatherization standards, inspections and meaningful penalties for noncompliance, and I continue to support strong oversight and enforcement to ensure our electric infrastructure can withstand extreme weather.

Going forward, Texas must ensure we have sufficient reliable generation and transmission capacity to meet the needs of our rapidly growing population and economy. I support continued investment in generation, transmission and grid resiliency; rigorous weatherization and emergency-preparedness requirements; improved coordination among ERCOT, the Public Utility Commission, generators and other critical infrastructure providers; and long-term planning that accounts for extreme weather and rapidly increasing electricity demand.

We also must address extraordinarily large new loads, including data centers, without shifting their infrastructure costs to existing residential and business customers. I support appropriate rate structures and interconnection requirements to ensure these customers contribute fairly to the generation and transmission infrastructure necessary to serve them.

Ultimately, reliability and affordability must go hand-in-hand. Our policies should be informed by projected demand, available generation and transmission capacity, extreme-weather risks and their impact on consumers. Texans should be able to depend on the lights staying on during extreme heat or cold without being asked to shoulder an unfair share of the costs associated with unprecedented new demand.

I strongly support protecting and expanding Texas’ research infrastructure because investments in research improve health outcomes, educate and attract talented professionals, create high-quality jobs, strengthen our economy and report great economic multiplier impact and returns on investments.

At the state level, I support continued investment in programs that strengthen our universities’ research capacity and help them leverage federal and private funding. Texas also should expand opportunities for research in historically underserved regions. I have collaborated with the UT Center at Laredo and other institutions to encourage research opportunities in Senate District 21, particularly research that addresses the unique health and community needs of South Texas.

Texas should continue developing the research capacity necessary not only to attract federal dollars, but also to ensure Texans throughout our state benefit from the discoveries, jobs and educational opportunities those investments create.

I have long championed vaccinations and access to preventive health care, including after I passed Senate Bill 66 (1993), the Shots Across Texas immunization initiative that established the goal of immunizing 100 percent of Texas children at the age-appropriate level. I continue to support ensuring that Texans, especially children, have access to recommended vaccinations that protect them and their communities from preventable diseases.

Effective public health policy also requires trust. When persons have questions or concerns about vaccines, we should provide clear, accurate and evidence-based information and encourage conversations with physicians, pediatricians and other trusted health professionals. State and local health officials also must communicate quickly and transparently during outbreaks so families understand the risks, symptoms, preventive measures and available resources.

I support maintaining strong immunization programs, including the Texas Vaccines for Children program, strengthening public education and outreach, ensuring vaccines remain accessible and affordable, and providing public health agencies the resources necessary for surveillance, rapid testing, contact tracing and outbreak response. These efforts are especially important in rural and underserved communities in which access to health care may be limited.

Our policies should be guided by credible scientific evidence and the recommendations of qualified medical and public health professionals, with the goal of protecting individual patients while preventing avoidable illness and death throughout our communities.

Scientific evidence and expert input play an important role in my policymaking process. As legislators, we routinely hear from experts in their respective fields to understand complex issues, evaluate potential consequences and identify the policies most likely to achieve the best outcomes. I also believe strongly in hearing from supporters and opponents of proposals, affected stakeholders and the Texans whom our decisions will impact.

When scientific claims compete or evidence is uncertain, I consider the quality and breadth of the available research, the qualifications and experience of experts, whether findings have been independently replicated or corroborated, the degree of scientific consensus and areas in which legitimate uncertainty remains. We also should continue evaluating new information as it becomes available and be willing to adjust policies when the evidence warrants doing so.

Public opinion is an important part of representative government, and concerns expressed by constituents should never be dismissed simply because they differ from prevailing scientific conclusions. Instead, policymakers and experts should listen to those concerns, explain the evidence clearly and transparently, and work to build public understanding and trust.

Ultimately, however, especially when decisions involve public health, safety or the responsible stewardship of our natural resources, policy should be grounded in the best available evidence. My responsibility is to consider the science, expert testimony, public input and practical consequences carefully and make the most informed decision possible for all Texans, especially those whom I represent.