Travis GOP Supports Legislation to Make Texas Healthy Again
Conservatives are not silent when it comes to efforts to make our environment healthier. Take, for example, the public outcry to Make America Healthy Again following the nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to head the FDA under the Donald J. Trump administration.
At the state level, two bills from two prominent Republican state Senators have the backing of the Travis County Republican Party: Banning a controversial chemical additive to public water supplies in Texas (SB 2653) by Sen. Bob Hall, and reining-in weather modification efforts (SB 1154) by Sen. Bryan Hughes. Precinct chairmen called for a strengthening of SB 2653, also demanding the city of Austin’s water utility follow through on local calls to de-fluoridate.
Below are two resolutions in support of each bill passed unanimously on April 15 by the Travis GOP Executive Committee.
RESOLUTION OPPOSING WEATHER MODIFICATION AND GEOENGINEERING IN TEXAS
WHEREAS, the Texas Senate has introduced SB 1154 (2025), by Senator Bryan Hughes, recognizing the potential risks and ethical concerns associated with weather modification and geoengineering practices; and
WHEREAS, weather modification and geoengineering involve the deliberate manipulation of weather patterns, including cloud seeding and aerosol dispersal, which have unknown long-term environmental and health consequences; and
WHEREAS, these practices raise concerns over their potential impact on agriculture, water supplies, natural ecosystems, and public health; and
WHEREAS, the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) currently provides oversight and authorization for weather modification programs within the state, effectively endorsing the practice despite growing public opposition and scientific uncertainties; and
WHEREAS, many Texans believe that weather modification and geoengineering should not be permitted without full transparency, rigorous scientific review, and public consent; and
WHEREAS, government interference in natural weather patterns may have unintended consequences, including exacerbating droughts, severe storms, and other climatic disruptions; and
WHEREAS, the principles of limited government and individual rights include the right of Texans to be free from experimental atmospheric interventions that have not been fully vetted for safety or effectiveness; and
WHEREAS, it is the responsibility of the state to protect the land, water, and air of Texas from potentially harmful interventions; and
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Travis County Republican Party strongly supports the passage of SB 1154 to ban weather modification and geoengineering practices within the State of Texas; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we call upon the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) to immediately cease its support and authorization of weather modification programs and to uphold the will of Texans who oppose these practices; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that copies of this resolution be sent to Governor Greg Abbott, the Texas Legislature, and the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation to formally express our position on this matter.
Approved by unanimous voice vote 4/16/25. Sponsors: Lindsey Gremont, Pct. 322; Amanda Logan, Pct. 357; Penny Handsel, Pct. 292.
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RESOLUTION OPPOSING THE FLUORIDATION OF THE AUSTIN WATER SUPPLY
WHEREAS, fluoride is not an essential nutrient, not required for human growth and development, nor intended for ingestion, as indicated by toothpaste warnings against swallowing; and
WHEREAS, fluoride is an endocrine disruptor that can negatively impact multiple areas of the body, including bones, the brain, the thyroid gland, the pineal gland, and blood sugar levels; and
WHEREAS, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that over 60% of American teenagers exhibit visible signs of dental fluorosis, a condition caused by fluoride overexposure; and
WHEREAS, the fluoride that is added to water is not the naturally occurring kind nor a pharmaceutical-grade fluoride product; Austin Water Utility uses hydrofluorosilicic acid, which is produced by the Mosaic Company, a global producer of phosphate fertilizer. they are unprocessed industrial by-products of the phosphate fertilizer industry which undergo no purification procedures and can contain elevated levels of arsenic; and
WHEREAS, Hydrofluorosilicic acid is not classified as a permitted foodstuff, food supplement, or food additive, and not an authorized medicinal product. It is classified as a corrosive hazardous material and considered a cumulative poison; and
WHEREAS, the addition of Hydrofluorosilicic acid to drinking water does not serve any function in treating or purifying the water itself; and
WHEREAS, on September 24, 2024, Judge Chen ruled in Case No. 17-CV-02162-EMC that fluoridation at 0.7 mg/L presents an unreasonable health risk; and
WHEREAS, 97% of Western Europe has ended water fluoridation, and studies show no significant difference in tooth decay rates between fluoridated and non-fluoridated countries; and
WHEREAS, public water should not be used for mass medication, especially with a “one dose fits all” approach; and
WHEREAS, fluoridation via public water violates an individual’s right to informed consent regarding medication; and
WHEREAS, President Trump, who campaigned to "Make America Healthy Again," won the 2024 election with overwhelming support and plans to advise ending fluoridation; and
WHEREAS, the Texas Senate has introduced SB 2653 (2025), by Senator Hall, to address water fluoridation; and
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Travis County Republican Party opposes fluoridation of the Austin Water Utility supply and supports an immediate ban on its use.
THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we encourage strengthening SB 2653 to include a ban on fluoridation in public water supplies; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that copies of this resolution be sent to Governor Greg Abbott, the Texas Legislature, and Austin City Council expressing our position on this matter.
Approved by unanimous voice vote 4/16/25. Sponsors: Lindsey Gremont, Pct. 322; Amanda Logan, Pct. 357; Penny Handsel, Pct. 292.
