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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsAfter Plant Explosion, Texas Remains Wary of Regulation
WEST, Tex. Five days after an explosion at a fertilizer plant leveled a wide swath of this town, Gov. Rick Perry tried to woo Illinois business officials by trumpeting his states low taxes and limited regulations. Asked about the disaster, Mr. Perry responded that more government intervention and increased spending on safety inspections would not have prevented what has become one of the nations worst industrial accidents in decades.
Through their elected officials, he said, Texans clearly send the message of their comfort with the amount of oversight.
This antipathy toward regulations is shared by many residents here. Politicians and economists credit the stance with helping attract jobs and investment to Texas, which has one of the fastest-growing economies in the country, and with winning the state a year-after-year ranking as the nations most business friendly.
Even in West, last months devastating blast did little to shake local skepticism of government regulations. Tommy Muska, the mayor, echoed Governor Perry in the view that tougher zoning or fire safety rules would not have saved his town. Monday morning quarterbacking, he said.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/10/us/after-plant-explosion-texas-remains-wary-of-regulation.html?hpw&_r=0&pagewanted=print
Spitfire of ATJ
(32,723 posts)drynberg
(1,648 posts)It's the headlines for tomorra's DRUDGE REPORT, no? We don't need no stinkin' regulations! Yeah, that's the secondary headline for the proud lone star state. In the words of a well known Texan I knew in Alaska, "MotherBear!"
jambo101
(797 posts)The government may restrict their freedom to build fertilizer plants in the middle of town?
House of Roberts
(5,184 posts)be as apathetic toward the regulation of that business, if the name was instead, 'West TNT and Nitroglycerin, Inc.'?
nikto
(3,284 posts)Or, to pronounce it properly...
Te-Has!
The Latino vote will change everything in 10 years.
madokie
(51,076 posts)because texas sucks so bad is why the wind blows so much here in Oklahoma.
Just kidd'n, I'm being a smart ass only
Actually ok sucks too with our present crop of legislators trying very hard to out Texas Texas
Junkdrawer
(27,993 posts)burnodo
(2,017 posts)Already greater than state law allowed. No need for new regulations when the old regulations aren't even being followed.
geek tragedy
(68,868 posts)People there are willing serfs of their corporate masters.
treestar
(82,383 posts)Brigid
(17,621 posts)GeorgeGist
(25,323 posts)Please!