Make Your Voice Heard
- Review the current legislative priorities.
- Contact your State Senator or State Representative.
- Use one of the sample letters provided below.
- Personalize your message and send it.
Protect Local Control
Highland Haven supports legislation that preserves the ability of local elected officials to make decisions for their community. Local government is most effective when decisions are made by the people closest to the issues and directly accountable to residents.
Ensure Reliable Municipal Water Service
Highland Haven supports groundwater policies that recognize the unique responsibilities of municipal water providers. Cities are required to provide water service within their certificated service areas (CCNs) and should be able to obtain permits sufficient to meet the needs of existing and future residents within those service areas.
Current groundwater permitting practices often rely heavily on historical water use and may not reflect the realities of communities with seasonal populations. Water planning should consider system capacity, available supply, infrastructure investments, and a city's legal obligation to serve customers within its CCN.
We support science-based groundwater management that protects aquifers while ensuring communities can reliably provide water to the residents they are already obligated to serve.
The lakes, aquifers, rivers, and groundwater resources of the Texas Hill Country are essential to our quality of life and future prosperity. Highland Haven supports responsible groundwater management, protection of natural resources, and policies that balance conservation with the long-term needs of local communities.
Support Small Hill Country Communities
State laws and regulations should recognize that small communities face different challenges than large urban areas. Highland Haven supports policies that provide fair access to infrastructure funding, reduce unnecessary burdens on small municipalities, and ensure local leaders have a meaningful voice in decisions affecting their communities.
Why Contacting Legislators Matters
Legislators are most responsive to the residents they represent. A brief, respectful email or phone call can help ensure Highland Haven's concerns are heard as legislative proposals are considered.
Texas State Senator: Sen. Pete Flores (District 24)
Texas State Representative: Rep. Ellen Troxclair (District 19)
Sample Letter #1: Support Small Hill Country Communities
Dear Senator/Representative:Not all Texas communities face the same challenges. Small cities like Highland Haven operate with limited resources while still providing essential services to residents and visitors.I encourage you to support policies that recognize the unique needs of small municipalities, provide fair access to infrastructure funding, reduce unnecessary administrative burdens, and ensure that local leaders have a voice in state policy discussions.The Texas Hill Country is an important part of our state's identity, and small communities play a vital role in preserving its character and quality of life.Thank you for your service and your attention to the needs of small Texas communities.Sincerely,[Name][Address]
Sample Letter #2: Protect Local Control
Dear Senator/Representative:I am writing as a resident of Highland Haven to ask for your support in preserving local control for Texas communities.Highland Haven residents elect local officials to make decisions about issues that directly affect our community, including infrastructure, growth, public services, and water resources. Local officials are accountable to the people they serve and understand the unique needs of our community.State policies that remove authority from local governments can make it more difficult for communities to address challenges in ways that reflect local priorities and conditions.I respectfully ask you to support legislation that preserves meaningful local decision-making authority and protects cities from unfunded mandates that increase costs for local taxpayers.Thank you for representing our district and for considering the perspectives of the communities you serve.Sincerely,[Name][Address]
Sample Letter #3: Ensure Reliable Water Service for Highland Haven Residents
Dear Senator/Representative:I am a resident of Highland Haven and am writing to ask for your support on an issue that is critical to our community's future: ensuring that cities can secure sufficient water permits to serve the residents within their certificated service areas.Highland Haven is a unique lake community. Many of our property owners live here seasonally, while others reside here year-round. Although our water system has the infrastructure and capacity to serve residents within our existing service area, current groundwater permitting practices often rely heavily on historical water usage rather than the actual needs of the community.This creates a potential conflict. Cities are required by state law to provide water service within their service areas, but groundwater regulations may limit a city's ability to obtain permits needed to serve all of those customers if demand increases.I support groundwater management that protects our aquifers and natural resources. However, communities should also have access to a fair and science-based permitting process that recognizes system capacity, available supply, and the obligation to provide reliable water service to existing residents.Please support legislative solutions that allow cities to responsibly meet the water needs of the residents they are already obligated to serve.Thank you for your service and your consideration.Sincerely,[Name][Address]