This past weekend, my family took our annual trek to the see the Bluebonnets. This is one of our treasured, annual expeditions and we have captured our son with the state flower most every year of his life.

However, this was a most alarming experience. My urban nature knew the state was in a drought but I don’t think I had realized how severe it actually is this year. As we traversed the country back roads, our eyes peeled for the fields of bluebonnets, we were stunned.

Not only were there no flowers, the fields were mostly brownish looking grasses. This area of the state is usual so green that the mildly rolling hills remind me of Ireland. Not this year. It all looked like it needed a long drink of water. Cattle were thinner and every animal we saw was near any water source they could find.

The whole experience was shocking. Not only were we saddened by the lack of blooms – no Bluebonnets, Indian Paintbrushes, Buttercups – but our concern for the farmers and ranchers in the area grew.

Texas isn’t just broke, we are bone dry. On Monday, we heard about the wildfires raging in West Texas. After our Sunday journey, I can imagine that this might be a concern across the whole state. A simple spark could set off miles of wildfires as the land thirsts for a drink.

This blog has been so focused on budget debates – in Washington, Austin and local governments – but an even bigger crisis is looming for our state. We need water! Without rain, our budgets will experience even more challenges. The farmers will lose their crops, thus paying fewer taxes and needing aid. Where will we find the money?

Thankfully, the federal government decided to keep operating last week. If the Governor declares a state of emergency on the drought, some federal money will be allocated to help those most affected by the lack of rain.

In the meantime, we may want to all start doing rain dances – hoping for rain and money to fall from the sky.