House Republicans scrap climate change preparedness proposal
AUSTINHouse Republicans on Friday nixed legislation by a Dallas Democrat that would have asked certain agencies to take weather, water availability and climate change into account in their strategic plans.
The bill had bipartisan support in committee, but at the start of the vote Rep. Ron Simmons, R-Carollton, alerted members that the House GOP caucus opposed the measure. That vote failed 47-84, mostly along party lines.
In an interview Friday after the vote, Simmons said the caucus wants to make sure we protect the environment, but were not quite as sold on the alleged causes of climate change as some organizations are. He said, though, climate change was not a stated part of the caucus opposition.
We felt like it was a step toward unnecessary, potential environmental regulations. We think we already understand where we are climate-wise and we just dont see any need for that study, Simmons said.
Read more: http://trailblazersblog.dallasnews.com/2015/05/house-republicans-scrap-climate-change-preparedness-proposal.html/
[font color=green]Alternative headline: House GOP follow Koch brother's marching orders.[/font]