State of Texas Archives: on Environment
MJ Hegar:
Fight for children's future: clean air and water
Q: Tighten or loosen environmental regulations?MJ Hegar: Tighten or maintain. "I am running for Congress to fight for our children's futures: to ensure they can breathe clear air, drink clean water, and lead healthy and fulfilling lives."
John Cornyn: Loosen. Praised EPA repeal of Clean Water Rule saying the rule "prevents farmers, landowners and job creators from taking care of their land how they know best."
Source: CampusElect survey of 2020 Texas Senate race
Sep 30, 2020
Beto O`Rourke:
Ensure EPA's funding & independence
Q: Support cutbacks of Environmental Protection Administration?Ted Cruz (R): No statement found, but opposed Obama EPA's Clean Power Plan & said EPA ran amok under Obama.
Beto O'Rourke (D):
No. Ensure EPA's funding & independence "to exercise oversight of those harming the environment."
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Texas Senate race
Oct 9, 2018
Lupe Valdez:
Protect the environment by taking proactive measures
I will make sure Texas is proactively taking steps to protect our environment and invest in our disaster preparedness, rebuild smart and resilient to make sure we are ready for major weather events. Preparing for the future involves collaboration of
federal, state, and local so that we can design and implement plans that will protect our homes and coasts from flooding and dangerous storm surges, and safeguard our farmers and rural communities from drought and issues of water insecurity.
Source: 2018 Texas Gubernatorial campaign website LupeValdez.com
Oct 9, 2018
Ted Cruz:
EPA ran amok under Obama
Q: Support cutbacks of Environmental Protection Administration?Ted Cruz (R): No statement found, but opposed Obama EPA's Clean Power Plan & said EPA ran amok under Obama.
Beto O'Rourke (D):
No. Ensure EPA's funding & independence "to exercise oversight of those harming the environment."
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Texas Senate race
Oct 9, 2018
Don Huffines:
Slash red tape to ensure water rights
In a news release, Sen. Van Taylor R-Plano said Senate Bill 225, which he filed in November, proposes the same type of reforms for contested cases involving water rights. In response to a request for an interview, Taylor's Chief of Staff
sent a link to a news release on SB 225 and SB 226, also filed by Taylor. "These two bills seek to eliminate bureaucratic red tape that prevents Texas from accessing the water it needs to grow," according to the news release.
Legislative Summary:˙CSSB 226, Relating to the procedure for action on certain applications for an amendment to a water right.
Legislative Outcome:˙
The motion prevailed by the following vote in Senate on 4/18/2017: Yeas 25, Nays 6. State Sen. Huffines voted YEA. Bill then died in House. CSSB 225 died in Senate committee without a vote.
Source: Victoria Advocate on Texas voting record SB 225 and SB 226
Apr 18, 2017
Sylvia Garcia:
Keep administrative restrictions on water rights
In a news release, Sen. Van Taylor R-Plano said Senate Bill 225, which he filed in November, proposes the same type of reforms for contested cases involving water rights. In response to a request for an interview, Taylor's Chief of
Staff sent a link to a news release on SB 225 and SB 226, also filed by Taylor. "These two bills seek to eliminate bureaucratic red tape that prevents Texas from accessing the water it needs to grow," according to the news release.
Legislative Summary: CSSB 226, Relating to the procedure for action on certain applications for an amendment to a water right.
Legislative Outcome: The motion prevailed by the following vote in Senate on 4/18/2017: Yeas 25, Nays 6. Sen. Garcia voted NAY. Bill then died in House.
Source: Victoria Advocate on Texas voting record SB 225 and SB 226
Apr 18, 2017
Van Taylor:
Slash red tape to ensure water rights
In a news release, Sen. Van Taylor R-Plano said Senate Bill 225, which he filed in November, proposes the same type of reforms for contested cases involving water rights. In response to a request for an interview, Taylor's Chief of
Staff sent a link to a news release on SB 225 and SB 226, also filed by Taylor. "These two bills seek to eliminate bureaucratic red tape that prevents Texas from accessing the water it needs to grow," according to the news release.
Legislative Summary: CSSB 226, Relating to the procedure for action on certain applications for an amendment to a water right.
Legislative Outcome:
The motion prevailed by the following vote in Senate on 4/18/2017: Yeas 25, Nays 6. Sen. Taylor voted YEA. Bill then died in House. CSSB 225 died in Senate committee without a vote.
Source: Victoria Advocate on Texas voting record SB 225 and SB 226
Apr 18, 2017
Jodey Arrington:
Rein in excessive EPA regulations
Unleash Economic Growth by Empowering Small Businesses and Families:- By stopping unnecessary and abusive regulations, and eliminating laws that harm our economy, we can empower the people of our country to create more opportunities for our
families, farmers and small businesses.
The EPA Seeks to Inflict Control on Our Farmers, Ranchers, and Energy Producers- I'll fight to rein in the excessive regulations that stifle American agriculture and energy production.
Source: 2016 Texas House campaign website JodeyArrington.com
Nov 8, 2016
Greg Abbott:
EPA is a runaway federal agency that must be reined in
Safeguarding against the overreaching and unlawful regulations that the EPA has attempted to impose upon Texas, Greg Abbott has repeatedly defended Texas' environmental protection laws against the federal government. Greg Abbott's rejection of federal
infringement on our sovereignty has saved Texas jobs, and his enforcement of environmental laws have helped keep Texas' water pure, air clean, and surroundings safe for Texas families.As Texas has proven in other lawsuits against the EPA, this is a
runaway federal agency that must be reined in. The EPA's job-killing regulations impose burdensome costs and economic hardships on employers in Texas and across the country, threatening the livelihoods of thousands of hard-working Americans.
In response to the EPA, the state of Texas has filed numerous legal actions challenging the EPA's illegal regulatory scheme. Since March 2012 alone, federal courts have ruled against the EPA and in favor of Texas in three separate lawsuits.
Source: 2014 Texas Gubernatorial campaign website, GregAbbott.com
Nov 4, 2014
Emily Sanchez:
Federal regulation for clean air and water
Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "No 'rights' to clean air and water"?
A: I strongly support federal regulation of anything that affects the environment and our water resources.
Source: E-mail interview on Texas 2014 Senate race with OnTheIssues
Sep 21, 2014
Emily Sanchez:
The Earth sustains all life processes
The Texas Green Party has 10 key values that serve as guiding principles. Some of you may already be familiar with them but I will be sharing them one at a time for all others who are possibly just now being introduced to this political party.
Day 1- Ecological Wisdom: We recognize that the Earth sustains all life processes. Green ecology understands the common roots of the abuse of nature, the abuse of animals, and the abuse of people. Whatever we do to the web of life, we do to ourselves.
Source: 2014 Texas Senate campaign website on Facebook.com
Sep 18, 2014
Rick Perry:
Unsuccessfully had rural agency rebuild after Hurricane Ike
Last week marked the 5th anniversary of Hurricane Ike, the 3rd costliest hurricane in US history but also one that received relatively little attention from the national media. The storm took the lives of 112 people and did $30 billion worth of damage.A tiny agency, TDRA frittered away money on administrative costs and got little accomplished.
By 2011, Texas had spent less than 3% of the $1.7
billion earmarked for housing. Statewide, just 36 new homes had been built. By 2013, after much racially-charged political upheaval, not a single public housing unit has been rebuilt, despite legally binding agreements to replace all 569 units destroyed.
Source: Texas Observer 2013 coverage of 2016 presidential hopefuls
Sep 20, 2013
David Dewhurst:
Repeal EPA's job-killing regulations
Dewhurst Plan: Overhaul The EPA - Use Congress' investigative powers to repeal EPA job-killing regulations opposed by Congress and most Americans.
- Implement a tougher, more job-friendly analysis of current practices.
- Ensure landowners and
job-creators have a seat at the table when EPA is considering new regulations.
- Cut down on administrative costs and overregulation.
- Maintain clean air and water while still enforcing regulations that allow businesses to grow and prosper.
Source: 2012 Senate Campaign website, dewhurstfortexas.com, "Issues"
Mar 26, 2012
Rick Perry:
Flexible permitting to reduce ozone & NOx levels
We've created a predictable regulatory environment, so that employers know what to expect from one quarter to the next. I'm talking about programs like our flexible permitting program that has contributed to cleaner air and economic development in
Texas.Between 2000 and 2009, this program helped Texas achieve a 27% reduction of statewide ozone levels, more than any other state. NOx has fallen by 53% and almost every metropolitan area is meeting the current air standard.
For those of you keeping track, Dallas is within just one part per billion of meeting the standard as well. In true Texas style, we made those air quality improvements, while
Texas employers were creating more private sector jobs, than any other big state in the nation.
Source: 2011 Texas State of the State Address
Feb 8, 2011
Rick Noriega:
Reports for National Guard duty for Hurricane Ike response
Cornyn tried to cancel the statewide broadcast of his first TV ad [due to Hurricane Ike], but wasn’t able to keep it from airing in Dallas, Austin and Amarillo today. Noriega, who was tweaked by the Cornyn camp for not canceling two campaign events as
the storm moved inland, chided Cornyn for broadcasting campaign spots. “They chose to run an ad when 3 million people still don’t have power in the state of Texas,” said Noriega’s campaign.
Cornyn criticized Noriega for stumping in Killeen even as his
Houston district “was pounded by Ike.” Cornyn’s campaign said, “This isn’t a time for gotcha politics. Everyone seems to realize this but Rick Noriega. He and his staff should be ashamed and owe those affected by Ike an apology.”
Noriega’s campaign
responded, “Gotcha politics? Our entire campaign has been evacuated to Austin by Hurricane Ike.” The campaign noted that Noriega, a Texas National Guard officer, reported to Austin’s Camp Mabry Sunday to help with hurricane response support efforts.
Source: 2008 Texas Senate debate reported in The Dallas Morning News
Sep 17, 2008
Rick Perry:
Stop declaring wildlife sanctuaries on water reservoirs
We are tired of environmental extremists entrenched in the federal bureaucracy undermining our regional water planning process. We support wildlife sanctuaries, but please stop declaring them on land local officials have identified as viable for water
reservoirs.In short our message to Washington is this: let Texans run Texas. I support legislation that establishes more than 20 reservoir sites in statute because securing viable water supplies is vital to the future of this state.
Source: Texas 2007 State of the State address
Feb 6, 2007
Brian Babin:
Limit endangered species list; sell pollution credits
Babin indicated the following positions regarding America's environment and natural resources.- Require the federal government to reimburse citizens when environmental regulations limit use of privately owned lands.
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Change the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to limit the number of habitats eligible to be designated as endangered.
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Utilize cost-benefit analysis to determine economic impacts of proposed environmental protection and cleanup legislation.
- Encourage development of alternative fuels and electric cars to reduce pollution.
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Strengthen emission controls on all gasoline or diesel powered engines, including cars and trucks.
- Promote the selling of pollution credits to encourage industries to decrease amount of pollution.
Source: Texas Legislative 1996 National Political Awareness Test
Nov 1, 1996
Stephen Breyer:
Look for alternatives to environmental regulations
Regulatory failures most often result from "mismatches" between the justifications for regulation and the regulatory tools that the government adopts. He suggests that policymakers look for alternative regulatory tools that better match the nature of
the market failure that gave rise to the need for regulation. He believes environmental activists and media have steered a naive Congress into creating a precautionary regulatory atmosphere.
Source: McGarity & Stamps, U. Texas School of Law, "Breyer", p. 5-6
Jul 12, 1994
Page last updated: Oct 14, 2021