While all eyes were on the U.S. Supreme Court as it began hearing arguments today on the nation's healthcare law, officials in Texas and Oklahoma were waiting to see if the justices would agree to hear the Tarrant Regional Water District's lawsuit against the State of Oklahoma.
The U.S 10th Circuit and a lower federal court ruled in favor of Oklahoma in the lawsuit, in which the water district seeks to obtain water from north of the Red River to serve as part of the Metroplex's future water supply.
As it turned out, the Supreme Court made no decision Monday, which the water district's lawyers viewed as a positive sign.
"The Supreme Court today decided to take another week to consider Tarrant’s certiorari petition challenging Oklahoma laws barring the export of water to Texas – indicating that the Justices are interested in Tarrant’s arguments and intend to study the case more deeply," said attorney Timothy S. Bishop.
"The Court will discuss whether to grant Tarrant’s petition again on March 30."
Last week, the Supreme declined to hear another case involving water being moved from Oklahoma to Texas. Hugo, Okla., had an agreement to sell water to Irving and the lower courts had ruled that Hugo couldn't sell water without Oklahoma's permission.
- Bill Hanna
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