Gov. Greg Abbott threatened to take over Corpus Christi's water operations after city officials announced the Gulf Coast region of 500,000 people faced unprecedented water restrictions, according to reporting by ProPublica and The Texas Tribune.
Despite the state committing $750 million in low-interest loans for a desalination plant that would add 30 million gallons daily, the project stalled, reported Rachel Denny Clow from KRIS 6 News.
Abbott accused city leaders of squandering funds and being indecisive, threatening state micromanagement.
However, experts note Abbott's selective use of power: while pressuring Corpus Christi, he has largely ignored the Nueces River Authority, whose entire board he appoints.
Nueces River Authority faces its own crisis.
Its funding is expected to run out by August and three of its critical contracts expired.
Political scientists argue the city needs financial help, not threats.
Legal experts question whether Abbott has authority over desalinated seawater under Texas law, noting it falls outside traditional surface and groundwater categories.
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