EP City Attorney Troubled By Governor’s Remarks

Tuesday was former Lieutenant Governor Greg Abbott’s first day on the job as the new governor of the Lone Star State, and he’s already ruffling feathers.

Local leaders in cities all over the state have a message for Abbott: don’t tell us how to represent our constituents.

The newly-elected governor recently said some bans and ordinances implemented by cities infringe on personal liberties, a Texas principle.

Speaking to the Texas Public Policy Foundation, an influential think tank, Abbott said “Texas is being ‘Californianized.’ It’s being done at the city level with big bans, fracking bans, tree-cutting bans.”

That comment has local city attorneys taking notice. “One area of concern is this anti-city sentiment that seems to be growing,” said El Paso City Attorney Silvia Firth.

In cities like Denton, voters approved an unprecedented ban on the practice of “fracking,” a new, cheaper method used by oil companies to pump oil deep below the surface. The fracking process pumps millions of gallons of water, with chemicals, deep into the ground.

Abbott argues that if someone wants to allow fracking on their property, a city shouldn’t be allowed to stop them. “Few things are more important in Texas than private property rights, yet some cities are telling citizens (they) don’t own some of the things (on their) own property.”

“(Abbott) has indicated he would favor limiting actions by cities, areas that have been traditionally been handled locally,” said Firth, who is troubled Abbott has his eyes set on measures, like the fracking ban, that have been put on the ballot and approved by voters.

“These are (measures) that communities take up as initiatives to improve (their) quality of life,” said Firth.