[Magdalen] Please help me understand

[Lynn Ronkainen]

TX legislature in session again in our 6 months out of 18 frenzy in Austin. Last session was when Wendy/pink shoes took her stand against the abortion bill.  New gov and sidekick who is the more powerful position despite Perry's 14 year tenure are hungry for change with their Republican majority.  Among bills on the table and heavily supported by these two characters are legislation  that limit cities and towns in TX from passing  local ordinances or laws that "infringe" on the rights of the rest of the state. SAY WHAT?  The reach on this is huge. Large corporations are salivating over the culmination of their campaign contributions to influence. So, in this state that touts personal freedom and eschews BIG government, which apparently only means Washington DC, our towns and cities may find themselves unable to prevent environmental dangers, and so many other things big and small. It makes no sense. Raw power dressed as personal freedom. 
The Gov. Used a "plastic bag" ban to get his foot in the door on this. But it is also directed at a town that said no to fracking  and this morning to individuals who might want to fight local development of production facilities, landfill locations etc. the bill wants to limit AND speed up application processes and again much of this is driven by industry complaining and holding their "development" hostage to our current system. Especially after they've greased the skids. Or plan to, thank you very much.  SIGH. 
Lynn

Sent from my iPhone

On Feb 9, 2015, at 11:26 PM, M J [Mike] Logsdon <mjl at ix.netcom.com> wrote:

Alabama's gov tells probate judges their "jobs are secure".  Does the gov appoint said probate judges?  Or are they elected?  If the latter, why would he have the authority to tell them their jobs are secure?  Or is my confusion based upon this being the gov of Alabama talking?