Texas-Sized Battle Over Local Control

Publication Date: 2015-03-11

• Author:Nik Rajkovic
• Publication:http://www.ktrh.com

A coalition of rural Republicans, business leaders and everyday Texans have written an open letter to stop legislation inspired by Gov. Greg Abbott that would strip local governments of their power.

The Rev. Alex Cornell is with the Local Control Texas campaign, which believes cities should be able to ban plastic bags and limit oil and gas drilling if they choose.

"When you start getting into these larger and larger governments deciding for smaller governments, cities and towns, you get into the abstract concept and controlling human beings rather than allowing for human flourishing," says Cornell.

State Sen. Don Huffines is one of their targets.  The Dallas Republican spoke with Houston radio host Matt Patrick earlier this week.

"You have out-of-control water districts that are trying to regulate land use, we've got counties out there trying to regulate lot size and platting regulations, they clearly do not have the authority to do," said Huffines.

Critics argue Huffines and others are trying to weaken local governments.

"Issues with the environment, with fracking and plastic bag waste I think are better handled on the local level," says Cornell.  "In the local community and in the neighborhoods, that's where the most effective change can be done."