The TCEQ’s three commissioners (all Perry appointees incidentally) will soon have to determine whether the environmental benefits from low sulfur gasoline (the kind that all modern engines use) constitutes an “at site” improvement. According to the Houston Chronicle, “if the “at the site” provision was interpreted in Valero’s favor, it would open the floodgates for businesses to argue that they’re reducing pollution somewhere and get a big break on property taxes.”
To add insult to injury, the tax rebates would come out of the budgets of school districts and counties in the direct vicinty of the refineries. Not only would the schools lose future revenue, they would have to return over $62 million in funds they already received. Rural districts would be particularly hard hit. According to the Associated Press, “Moore County, where a Valero refinery is seeking two exemptions, a $15.8 million refund would amount to more than $720 per person.”
Texas schools already saw their budgets slashed by over $4 billion in the last Legislative session. If this plan is approved by the commission, Mary Lozano, a retired teacher and Texas Organzing Project member, says “the money Valero will get from the TCEQ’s decision is going to come directly out of the budget of our local school districts. This isn’t about taxes anymore, this is about literally taking money from school children.”
There is still time to help prevent this looming envirnomental and budgetary disaster. The TCEQ is holding its next public meeting on November 2. You can contact them here to express your outrage at Valero, or plan on attending the meeting and rallies that will accompany it. |
