US Vote Smart

Home » 2018-11-06 election » Texas » Lone Star Groundwater Conservation District, Place 7 (Woodlands) » Larry A. Rogers

Larry A. Rogers
Party Republican
Website N/A
Born Wichita Falls Texas
Education 3 years North Texas State
Occupation Retired
Religion Christian
Marital Married
Children 5

Larry A. Rogers

declared

MCTP Rating of: 86 ENDORSED Source

Submitted by john wertz on 2018-10-26 17:40:10

 

Pros

  • Quick study - had a relatively firm grasp of the water situation in MoCo
  • One of two solid conservative candidates and will hold steadfast to MCTP values while on the board. 
  • Servants heart. 
  • Will work against the punative measures that current board has embraced w/their archaic restrictions to large groundwater users.
  • Voted in 2018 Republican Primary

Cons

  • Not really any prior experience with Water Issues but has wrapped his arms around the issues in short order

Video Interview Source

Submitted by john wertz on 2018-10-16 03:39:35

 

Questionnaire

General

What makes you qualified for this office?  Name three main reasons you believe you’re the best candidate for this position?

I am a conservative and believe in less government, fiscal responsibility, accountibility, transparency.

I have been involved with my community for over 33 years serving in positions listed below.

MC Republican Party Pct. 75 Chairman 2018-2020

MC Republican Party Pct. 75 Chairman 2016-2018

Montgomery Party Tea Party PAC-Co-Founder, Board Chairman, Vetting Committe

Texas Patriots PAC Tea Party- Co-Founder, Board Member, Vetting Committee 2008-2012

City of Oak Ridge North- Chairman of Long Range Planning Committe 1984-1987

City of Oak Ridge North- City Councilman, Mayor Pro-tem 1985-1991

Woodlands South Montogmery County Chamber of Commerce- Chairman Roads and Transportation Committee 1992-1993

Woodlands South Montogmery County Chamber of Commerce- Board Member 1993-1996 

In your opinion, does Does Montgomery County have a water resource or regulation problem?  Why?

Regulation problem. LSGCD has mandated that the users of ground water reduce their useage by 30% requiring them to purchase water from SJRA.

Is this position currently fulfilling its obligations?

No.

What are the 3 largest challenges currently facing this position/office and your road map to address them?

As SJRA has done a good job of convincing taxpayers that there was a need for the $550mil water treatment plant this is a real challenge to re-educate the taxpayers.

Getting the BOD of  LSGCD to remove the 30% reduction.

Who has ownership of the land below and the air above and how far of each?  Is groundwater considered a person’s private property under the Texas Constitution?

The property owner has the ownership of land below and air above. Yes groundwater is considered a person's private property under the Texas Constitution.

Are you familiar with the enabling legislation and any subsequent legislation regarding the LSGCD creation, powers, authorities, duties, etc.?

No.

What aquifer or aquifers does LSGCD regulate?

Gulf Coast

How much subsurface water is contained under Montgomery County, as determined by Texas Development Water Board in their TERS(Total Estimated Recoverable Storage)  Report 2014?

180 Million Acre Feet

What impact does the LSGCD have on our water bills?

Because LSGCD has a mandated 30% reduction in groundwater production forcing water suppliers to go to SJRA to supply the 30% at a unaffordable price. Also SJRA built a $550million water treatment plant to supply this water and we are paying for that on our water bills. 

Who is endorsing you and what is their relationship to you?

RAW, Restore Affordable Water Group vetted me.

Should an aquifer be regulated based on its physical boundaries, or based on the boundaries of political subdivisions of the state?

Aquifer physical boundaries.

What special interest groups have you belonged to or attended meetings of? Include business, social, civic, educational, environmental or any other cause for which you have advocated or supported with time or money.

See Question #1

What impact does the LSGCD have on our water bills?

Duplicate question

List all individuals/groups you have represented or lobbied for before any governmental entity during the past five years.

Montgomery County Tea Party PAC

Do you support fair and equitable rules for all owners of the common reservoir?  Do you believe that a “common reservoir” is the same as an “aquifer” or “aquifer subdivision”?  Explain.

Yes,

Yes common resevoir is the same as an aquifer.

Budget

What are the top 3 areas where the budget for this office needs to be adjusted?

I cannot answer as I have not seen the current Budget.

Do you support using zero-based budget practices for every governmental entity, elected and appointed?

Yes

Will you vote to limit budget increases to a factor based on population growth and inflation? Explain.

Yes.

Spending

Will you vote to award any contract with less than three qualified bidders?

No, any less than 3 is not a good practice.

Ethics

Have you ever been convicted as result of arrest? Ever had any tax liens? If so, give start & resolution dates?

No on arrest. no on tax liens.

Should two local government entities force residents to pay billions of dollars for infrastructure development without a vote?

Absolutely not.

Do you support the new board engaging an independent third party to conduct an audit of LSGCD operations and make the findings public?

Yes for sure.

Do you oppose the use of public funds, other than for needed infrastructure, to subsidize the cost of private facilities such as stadiums, arenas, hotels and other such entities?

Yes I oppose.

Other

What political party have you affilated with over the last twenty years? Do you believe in that party platform(all of it or % part - if %, please describe what you disagree with?

Republican. And I agree with the platforms.

What actions should the LSGCD take to implement change that would result in lower water rates for consumers?

Remove the 30% mandated reduction.

In 2009, the LSGCD mandated a 30% reduction on water withdrawal from underground aquifers.  On what scientific data was that decision based on?

Actually in May 2004 a Groundwater Resources Management Information Report prepared by Turner, Collie and Brandon TCB was done for LSGCD.

When and how was the LSGD created?  What are the duties? Where is their authority derived?

Created 2001 by the 77th Legislature.

Preserving, conserving and protection Montgomery Countys groundwater supplies.

Chapter 36 of the Texas Water Code and now with elected BOD the voters have some authority.