Richard Parker: Texas, welcome to the era of the Big Government Republican

[ashling]

For over 100 years, the notion of Texas cities controlling their own fates has worked just fine. But now, a new breed of conservative politician, the Big Government Republican, is trying to centralize power in the hands, literally, of the state.

Led by the governor, these Republicans are cafeteria conservatives at best — that is, when it suits them. They do not know their own history and, as such, are messing with a system of decision-making that is definitively not broken. They are opening a schism between themselves and the real Texas majority: Urban Texans. In doing so, these politicians threaten the very diversity of the cities and even their economic vitality.

....

Yet the counties were limited in what they could do, acting effectively as agents of the state, building roads, running jails, collecting property taxes. By the early 20th century, cities were sprouting in Texas so fast that the Legislature could no longer write rules for each and so amended the constitution in 1912 to establish home rule for cities of 5,000 or more people. Unlike counties, cities did not receive specific powers from the state. Instead, they were free to make their own rules as long as they did not violate state law.

[DhhD]

1. Home Rule vs. the Land Commissioner of Texas-George P. Bush stepping in to the Texas

Legislature. Fracking, fumes and earthquakes in your neighborhoods, vacant corners and parks hear they come. They can tie in to your city water lines too! Citizens will need to find some new clean sources of water and pay an expensive water bill, while millions of dollars fall in to the hands of energy companies owned by people like P. Bush. How about the children that will develop asthma? I believe that their parents voted for Republicans on a straight ticket.

http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/stateroundup/jeb-bushs-private-investments-in-fracking-dovetail-with-public-advocacy/2218495

"Some states, like yours here in New York, are choosing not to grow. They won't approve fracking," Bush said, his veiled shot at Cuomo drawing roars of approval from Republicans gathered at a Sheraton in Manhattan. "Meanwhile, in parts of New York where huge opportunities exist for the restoration of economic activity, people languish."
(more at site)


Some states, with some cities like Denton, Texas, will not approve fracking and voted against it at the same times as voting for Bush. So the Bush Family Business will force it through the Texas Legislature.

[DhhD]

2. Water for millions of people at risk so fracking companies can make millions of dollars.

http://www.propublica.org/article/state-fracking-rules-could-allow-drilling-near-new-york-city-water-supply-t

http://www.cnn.com/2012/03/09/us/new-york-fracking/index.html
Fracking was stopped because of the dangers of poisoning the water to millions of people living downstream from the water source.


If the Texas Legislature is successful at fracking Denton, Republicans may swing this over in the New York and Pennsylvania legislatures.