By Maxine Shapiro, KERA 90.1 business commentator
Dallas, TX – When the Texas Legislature convenes at 12 noon tomorrow, vital consumer driven issues will top the agenda: homeowners' insurance and healthcare reform. But right behind these pressing topics - either do something about the pollution in Dallas and Houston or lose millions more in federal highway money. I'm Maxine Shapiro with KERA Marketplace Midday.
See, it's not your imagination. There is too much smog in our air. The Dallas/Fort Worth and Houston areas have to cut at least 35 tons a day of smog-causing nitrogen oxides. Last year, businesses began balking at being forced to limit morning operating hours for construction and industrial equipment, so the law was then adjusted for businesses to voluntarily replace older diesel equipment while the state was gracious enough to help offset the cost. We have until September to figure out a way to pay for these incentives or the Environmental Protection Agency's hands are tied. We lose millions in federal highway money not to mention a cleaner healthier environment.
So how to fund a $188 million-a-year pollution reduction plan? In 2001, the state legislature rejected all kinds of taxes and fees to help pay for this much needed, EPA-mandated program. The Dallas Morning News reminds us even a simple dollar more on a hotel bill was shunned by last year's legislature. One of the few fees that did pass forced new residents to pay $225 to transfer their vehicles from out of state. Very quickly that answer was ruled unlawful.
And, looking at the much larger picture, if in fact the state has to tax someone somewhere to help pay for this program, what good are the president's tax incentives? Remember, states must balance their budget. Deficits are unacceptable. So is pollution. For KERA Marketplace Midday, I'm Maxine Shapiro.
Marketplace Midday Reports air on KERA 90.1 Monday - Friday at 1:04 p.m. To contact Maxine Shapiro, please send emails to mshapiro@kera.org.