Will there be another HB 3105?

You may recall a prior post about this - HB 3105 - big gas interests' way to crush cities The question now is, are they going to try again? Well, you can be pretty sure legislation similar to this will be introduced again. Several cities in the North Texas region, including Corinth, had updated and improved their ordinances regulating drilling in those cities. Corinth's regulations included emissions, noise, and road usage controls. While you can never really make a gas well (or oil well for that matter) a great neighbor, the impact can be lessened.

So, the oil and gas industry lobby will try to quash these rules. Why? Because almost any regulation imposed on a business causes costs to go up. Therefore, any regulated business is going to lobby legislators to reduce or remove the regulation. While some people are aghast at this process, it is a valid process. 

We the residents whose homes and lives are affected are an interest group also. We are, after all, the voters. So while the oil and gas industry will be lobbying to curtail the power of local governments to regulate well sites and their placement in a city, WE should also be lobbying to keep our local governments empowered. Keep in mind it does not stop with your particular state representative or state senator - there are 150 representatives and 34 senators. 

The large size of the house, and to a lesser extent, the senate, is a major reason to allow city governing councils the greatest latitude in planning for and protecting their cities. Consider this: if a local group of people desire to change how government is working at home, it is far easier to communicate with your council at home, than legislators far away at the capitol. One size does NOT fit all!

It will be important during this next legislative session to watch out for another bill like this one. The Texas Municipal League watches for bills that erode City's and Town's authority. You can help too! When something like this comes up, contact your state representative or senator, and let them know what you want. You are a voter!

Railroad Commission not going anywhere

You might recall an earlier post I made, about the Texas Legislature on track to abolish the Railroad Commission.... Unfortunately, SB 655 never made it to the Governor's desk. The Senate had passed the bill, and it was reported to the House. They made amendments to it and passed it with the amendments which the Senate did not agree to. So a conference committee was appointed. And that is just as far as they got. The session ended before anything was conferred on.

The Lake Cities Fire Department

Many of your may already know that the City of Corinth operates the Lake Cities Fire Department. It provides Fire and Emergency Medical services to all four of the 'Lake Cities': Corinth, Hickory Creek, Lake Dallas, and Shady Shores. All four of the Cities provide funding for the Fire Department through interlocal agreements (or contracts).

HB 3105 never made it out of calendars

I know that this is not exactly breaking news at this point, it's just that I am so happy that this happened. HB 3105 would have positively gutted our Gas Well Ordinance (stated to be one of the area's toughest by the Denton Record Chronicle).

HB 3105 - big gas interests' way to crush cities

HB 3105, Relating to the applicability of the Private Real Property Rights Preservation Act to certain governmental actions, is designed to do one thing, and one thing only - destroy local control of drilling. It is designed to take away the power and ability of cities to regulate drilling in their jurisdiction. Big Gas made its impact felt.

HB 1938 - whole body scanners - NOT IN TEXAS!

There has been a very big outcry over the use of the so called "whole body scanners", also known as backscatter scanners. Well, if this bill passed, it would be illegal to install or operate "whole body scanners" at airports in Texas. This sets up yet another showdown between the ever expanding and ever more controlling federal government and our state government.

Brace yourself, the legislature wants to take more rights away, control you more

Yes, that is right - Austin is at it again. The usual business whenever the legislature is in session - hold on to your wallets and watch out for your rights. HB 2443 wants to make it illegal for you to pull over and stop on the side of the road to get a picture of the bluebonnets.

Cinco de Mayo!

A time of Celebration in the United States of the battle of Puebla, in Mexico, against - the French. I hear there are some celebrations in Mexico, mostly in and near the city of Puebla. The big celebrations seem to be in America, and we Texans particularly enjoy celebrating it.

Why shouldn't elected official have to prove eligibility?

Apparently the Arizona legislature (both houses) passed bills that would require any person seeking to be on the presidential ballot in Arizona to provide some verification that they indeed meet the eligibility rules listed in the Constitution for the office of President. I also understand that apparently the governor of Arizona vetoed said bill(s). I also understand why she might feel that baptismal or circumcision records as a form of identification is reaching a bit.

What the Railroad Commission Really needs... besides a name change

The Railroad commission of Texas, or the Texas oil and gas commission, whatever its name finally is, needs more than just a nice name. It needs the resources to get out and inspect gas and oil wells during all phases of operation. While many other state regulatory agencies get their revenue from fees and fines from the companies being regulated, a large portion of the Railroad Commission's revenue comes from the regular funds of the state. Thus, as the entire budget is being cut, the ability of the railroad commission to actually go out and do its job is affected.

Corinth MUD #1 Update - 4/20/2011 - No its not dead!

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (the TCEQ) has stated that there is no authority for the MUD to declare itself inactive. It is active and responsible for its actions.

Texas Legislature on track to abolish the Railroad Commission....

...And replace it with a new/revised entity called the Texas Oil and Gas commission. This is Senate Bill (SB 655), "relating to the abolition of the Railroad Commission of Texas, the creation of the Texas Oil and Gas Commission, and the transfer of the powers and duties of the railroad commission to the oil and gas commission.". Basically all the powers of the Railroad Commission of Texas are transferred to this new entity, and some changes are made in the elected seats, as well as adding or refining some of its regulatory and enforcement powers.

Repeal of the Trans Texas Corridor (HB 1201) - or not

I have read and heard many remarks about the Trans Texas Corridor (TTC). As many may be aware, this was a proposal to create a new and expanded highway system entirely outside of the current set of highways that we have. A major feature of this system was going to be the heavy use of public/private funding arrangements, with the private portion picking up a very large part of the cost.

Corinth MUD #1 Update April 3

There was a Corinth Municipal Utility District # 1 board meeting held on Friday March 25, 2011. At this meeting, after signing some 2009 property tax rebate checks, and signing some more expense checks (without telling anyone what the checks were for, or who they were made out to), a letter was read into the record by the president of the board.

Gas Wells - Business as usual in Austin?

Recently I read an article in the Denton Record Chronicle that described several bills filed by State Rep. Tan Parker affecting residents in communities in the Barnett Shale (and other shale plays in the future). HB 2125 sought to direct the Rail Road Commission of Texas to place a priority on inspections of gas wells (in any phase) in urbanized counties with a large number of wells. HB 2126 would have increased the maximum fine for regulatory infractions by gas well operators in urbanized counties to $20,000. The $10,000 increase would have gone directly to the fund established for setting up and operating air monitoring in these urbanized counties.