Good Natured

One of the major changes in the new, Democratic-led Congress is that the environment has a fighting chance. The Republicans led an all-out assault on our natural resources, ruling with a polluting fist.

In 2002, President Bush had some policy ideas about energy:

We need an energy bill that encourages consumption.

With oil prices at record highs, it would seem prudent to offer other options to our citizens.

Since the last election, some elected officials are taking advantage of a chance to improve the environment and have been recognized for their efforts. Some have been long-time supporters of the environment: Congressman Lloyd Doggett of Austin, for example, voted for the environment 100% of the time in the 109th Congress on major environmental issues.

During the last Legislative session here in Texas, Governor Perry moved to fast-track the construction of many new coal plants here in Texas. State Representative Garnet Coleman discussed the case against those new plants, as well as the benefits of solar power, in this publication.

Environmental issues have come into the spotlight, and it is time for the masses to realize the economic advantages they bring to an area. Bringing new technology into local areas is quickly followed by more money, more jobs, and a better quality of living for the people there.

Health concerns of communities, especially those in highly polluted areas, are greatly affected by the lack of leadership of their elected officials. To combat poor health, the government must start with improving air quality as well as implementing proactive health programs. Houston Mayor Bill White went to battle with the state Senate this year over clean air regulations and ended up with a victory — the bill preventing cities from regulating polluters from other areas died in the House after passing the Senate.

Once voters realize what they're missing because of the refusal of their elected officials to accept progress, the political arena will change.