Actions like this by Republican Rep. Wayne Christian are why average voters hate politicians. I strongly encourage you to go to the Houston Chronicle and read the entire story by Harvey Rice and Matt Stiles. Unbelievable.
Texas law prevents building on the public beach, but in the chaotic final hours of the legislative session state Rep. Wayne Christian helped craft an amendment that exempts an unlikely piece of land from existing law: his own beachfront property.
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Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson has asked Gov. Rick Perry to veto the bill containing the amendment. The bill has not yet crossed the governor's desk, and he will not make a decision until he sees it, said Perry spokeswoman Katherine Cesinger.
"I don't think building houses on the beach, with the waters of the Gulf beneath them, is a good idea or good public policy," Patterson said.
If the governor signs the bill, Patterson vowed that he would not enforce the amendment. "My option is just to say, 'Screw you, Wayne Christian,' because the Legislature didn't pass this, one guy passed this," he said. Patterson said the Legislature would have to impeach him if lawmakers wanted the provision enforced.
The amendment was approved Monday, the last day of the legislative session, as part of a bill extending homestead exemptions to homes destroyed by Hurricane Ike until they can be rebuilt.
The actual amendment was authored by Rep. Mike "Tuffy" Hamilton, R-Mauriceville. According to Rep. Christian, who approved of the amendment, a grand total of 12 people (him and some of his neighbors) would be able to take advantage of this exception. Christian's original vacation house was swept away by Hurricane Ike and was assessed at over $185,000; now it's value is just $100. It's not like he's rebuilding his homestead- we're talking about a vacation house. An exception for rebuilding a vacation house for a state representative and 12 other people.
Do read the full story which details the specific carving out of the language done for the amendment to narrowly apply to Christian and his dozen friends as well as the multiple times the idea died, passed, was stripped out, and inserted into various bills during the session. It's quite the story. |
