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State wasn't ready for drought, Orr says

Bob Orr said the state wasn't ready for the drought.

"The biggest failure in the current administration was there was no, that I could perceive, any real planning plan to deal with an upcoming drought," said Orr, a former Supreme Court justice running for governor as a Republican.

Orr said the state is facing incredible growth and the next governor has to make serious changes to ensure there is enough water to fill the state's needs. Orr suggested creating regional commissions based on the state's water basins. Those commissions would help develop policy for the future.

Orr said the state could help reduce demand by changing water pricing structures and being more careful about economic development efforts. As he often does, Orr cited the Google server farm in Caldwell County that will use large amounts of water to cool equipment.

Orr said the state has a role in helping water systems get connected to each other. The governor has a role in urging water systems, counties, cities and towns to overcome their self-interests to make decisions that are good for the state.

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Re: State wasn't ready for drought, Orr says

Submitted by bnartist on March 25, 2008 - 9:26pm.

I wonder if Bob Orr appreciates the irony that his blog sits, at no charge, on a Google server somewhere as it runs on Blogger, a Google company.

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Re: State wasn't ready for drought, Orr says

Submitted by GrayJ on March 25, 2008 - 7:59pm.

Google is probably getting free water, but Bob Orr has been an outspoken critic of corporate welfare for years. Remember he attempted to sue the state over the huge incentive package it gave to Dell. Orr is the only one actually speaking on issues, besides that is because he is the underdog candidate. All the "established" candidates are sitting on their comfy leads and trying not to take a stance on any issues, because they fear they might offend someone.

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