Statement of David Power, Deputy Director, Public Citizen's Texas Office
Seemingly out of concern that competitive renewable energy will damage Big Oil's bottom line, the Texas Railroad Commission wants to block renewable energy transmission lines that would put affordable energy from west Texas wind farms on an even playing field with the historical titans of Texas energy - oil and gas companies.
A new investment in these transmission lines would save ratepayers $2 billion a year, reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 16 percent and create more than $5 billion in economic development benefits for Texas. Ratepayers, companies and organizations with an interest in seeing the further development of renewable energy and green jobs should contact the Texas Public Utility Commission (PUC) and tell them to deny the Railroad Commission's request to intervene.
The Texas Legislature authorized these transmission lines in 2008 to address the lack of available transmission lines to deliver wind energy from the panhandle and west Texas to the major metropolitan areas in central Texas where demand is higher. This renewable energy helps reduce costs for ratepayers by providing abundant and inexpensive clean energy that helps offset the volatile price of natural gas.
In its filing with the PUC, the Railroad Commission inappropriately expressed concern for current and future oil and gas development in Texas. In doing so, the commission stepped outside of its regulatory role to promote the interests of Big Oil. While the commission's stated task is "primary regulatory jurisdiction over (the) oil and natural gas industry," in this case, it is attempting to pick winners and losers in regards to Texas' energy future. It is also questionable whether Michael Williams, who sits on the Railroad Commission and who is currently in the running for Kay Bailey Hutchison's U.S. Senate seat, is acting in the best interest of the public or doing favors for potential campaign contributors.
This is another example of outrageous overreaching by the Railroad Commission on behalf of the same industries it is supposed to regulate. The commission is charged with regulating the oil and gas industries, not with protecting their interests with taxpayer dollars. The Railroad Commission and Mr. Williams need to stick to their own jurisdiction, rather than making an inappropriate power play to earn favors with Big Oil.
While appearing on a Dallas talk radio show this morning, U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison told host Mark Davis that she expected to resign her seat in the Senate in October or November.
Davis: So you’ll be coming out at some point. When do you think its decision time for you? When would you like when might we know?
Hutchison: I’m going to announce in August. Formal announcement I am in. Then the actual leaving of the Senate will be sometime – October/November – that-- in that time frame.
While it first should be said that Hutchison has said plenty of things over the years and many skeptics will not be convinced until she actually resigns, this is the closest Hutchison herself has come to setting a real timetable for an exit from the Senate.
Once Hutchison resigns, the non-existent U.S. Senate race we have been reporting about for months will suddenly have an election date and a new incumbent, as Gov. Rick Perry will be able appoint someone to fill the term between the resignation and the special election.
Who would Perry pick? Many Republicans aeem to be waiting to see who Perry picks before they decide to back a candidate. If Perry picks someone like Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, who would be able to self-finance his campaign with millions of dollars, it is hard to imagine Republican candidates who have so far been fundraising failures, like Railroad Commissioners Michael Williams and Elizabeth Ames Jones, being very competitive.
The campaign spokesman for former Secretary of State Roger Williams, who was a Perry apointee, recently speculated that Williams' relatively strong fundraising quarter could put him in a good position to receive the appointment. Clearly, Perry will be looking to back a winning horse and given his options, he may decide Dewhurst, for all the Lieutenant Governor's flaws, is his best bet.
Gardner Selby wrote last week that Perry was considering calling a special election much earlier than many had assumed, potentially calling for an election before the end of the year.
Under the law, if the governor determines that an emergency warrants holding a special election before the uniform election date, then it can be on a nonuniform date as long as the governor identifies the nature of the emergency.
Translation: The election can happen any day the governor pleases.
And should Hutchison step down, Perry would consider setting an election shortly. Perry spokeswoman Allison Castle told me, "If a vacancy were to occur, the governor would be inclined to call an election soon to ensure Texans are fully represented" in Washington.
While it is fun (and exhausting) to speculate about the many scenarios that could play out following Hutchison's resignation, we have learned over the years that with Hutchison there is often a disconnect between words and actions.
The two Democratic candidates for the U.S. Senate, former comptroller John Sharp and Houston Mayor Bill White, hold significant advantages in cash on hand over their Republican opponents after the first fundraising quarter.
John Sharp reported receiving $2,516,833 in loans and contributions this quarter to finish with $2,432,675 on hand. The number, in itself, is impressive but as Gardner Selby points out, we should reserve judgement until we learn how much of that money was from personal loans. Today, when asked, the Sharp campaign declined to disclose that information.
Both Democrats hold big advantages over the Republican candidates.
Former Texas Secretary of State Roger Williams leads the Republican contenders with $388,628 on hand, but that number is less impressive when the $200,000 in personal loans are taken into account. State Sen. Florence Shapiro had just over $310,000 on hand, while Railroad Commissioners Elizabeth Ames Jones and Michael Williams have $164,663 and $113,957 on hand, respectively.
The Democratic money advantage, however, may not last. Well financed candidates such as Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, who would pour his personal wealth into a campaign, and Attorney General Greg Abbott are also said to be considering the race.
When the amount of Sharp's personal loans are known, we will have a better idea of how the money race is shaping up on the Democratic side.
Today, Public Policy Polling released polling data for both potential primaries if KBH were to win or vacate her seat.
We tested Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst, Attorney General Greg Abbott, and state Senator Florence Shapiro on the Republican side against Houston Mayor Bill White and former Comptroller John Sharp on the Democratic side.
The first major problem I see with this is that it ignores the slew of announces or explicitly interested Republicans looking to run in Texas. That list includes former Secretary of State Roger Williams, Railroad Commissioner Elizabeth Ames Jones, and Railroad Commissioner Michael Williams to name a few.
This list includes three higher profile, statewide Republicans. It is curious that there is no data on these three declared candidates.
That being said, nobody is close to crossing the 50% plus 1 mark.
Abbott, who has not announced plans to seek the seat, appears to be the strongest initial candidate. 43% of voters in the state have a favorable opinion of him compared to only 25% that view him negatively. He leads Sharp 44-36 and White 42-36 in possible contests.
What is interesting here is that White and Sharp seems to only be polling at the natural or suppressed Democratic base. However Abbott v. White pushes Abbott down 2 points.
Dewhurst is almost as strong, with a 43/30 favorability breakdown. He leads Sharp and White by slightly more narrow margins than Abbott, 42-36 over the former and 42-37 over the latter.
Again, this poll only seems to show Democrats win Democrats and Republicans win the Republicans. That means the independent voters and soft voters either don't know or don't care.
It seems inevitable that one of those heavyweights will get into the race if there is indeed a vacancy, but we also tested Shapiro to see how competitive the contest would be if the GOP ended up nominating one of the less well known candidates who have already made their intentions to seek the seat known. Shapiro leads White 37-36 but trails Sharp 37-34, an indication the race could pretty much be a tossup if a more well known Republican doesn't run.
This makes sense. Dewhurst and Abbott have been on statewide ballots multiple times, Florence Shapiro has not. Her base of support seems to be close to Rick Perry's 2006 election numbers. It also indicates if a Democratic candidate can get the resources need to run an aggressive statewide campaign, this could become a fun race to watch.
The PPP poll seems to prove this point.
...it's worth noting that Sharp and White have a lot more room to grow in terms of name recognition. 43% of the electorate has no opinion of White and 41% has none of Sharp, figures much higher than the 27% for Dewhurst and 32% for Abbott.
All this being said, there is still no race. This is all a fun game brought to you by speculation and hypotheticals. Because this poll doesn't go through the whole field of Republicans, it leaves us with knowing what many inside political circles have been guessing for a while. With no resources, Democrats are behind.
Another day, another announcement for the U.S. Senate.
This time the candidate is Michael Williams, the Republican Chairman of the Texas Railroad Commission who was re-elected last month.
Williams, one of the most prominent African-American Republicans in the nation, released a statement announcing his candidacy.
We are at a critical juncture in time, and the likelihood of a special election to replace Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison provides an historic opportunity for Texans to rekindle our can-do spirit and offer forward-looking solutions to the great challenges posed by an economic crisis, record debt, two simultaneous wars, and our dependence on foreign energy.
I have served at every level of government: in three cabinet departments under two presidential administrations, as an elected member of the Texas Railroad Commission and as a local prosecutor in the Midland County District Attorneys office. I know the honor of public service is not holding an office, but preserving the public trust.
While the Democratic side feels crowded with Houston Mayor Bill White, former comptroller John Sharp and the possible (though probably not likely) addition of state Sen. Leticia Van de Putte, the Republicans are really lining up for this race.
Michael Williams becomes the second "Williams" to enter the race in the last week: former Texas Secretary of State Roger Williams was the first. Railroad Commissioner Elizabeth Ames Jones has also said she is running and state Sen. Florence Shapiro has formed an exploratory committee.
Congresswoman Kay Granger is also reportedly considering running.
This is Part I of an ongoing series that will take a look at the prospective candidates for the 2010 statewide races.
Current Attorney General Greg Abbott is expected by many to run for either Lieutenant Governor or the U.S. Senate in 2010. Whether Abbott seeks re-election to a third term or not, there are multiple candidates who are rumored to be considering a run to be the state's top lawyer.
These are not meant to be comprehensive lists and we invite you to suggest other possible candidates in the comments.
The Democrats
State Rep. Patrick Rose (D-Dripping Springs) has long been rumored to be considering a run for Attorney General. Rose, who was first elected in 2002, is one of the state party's rising stars and also one of the best fundraisers in the entire Texas House.
Rose has had some issues with the party's liberal base at times, but he has worked to fix them in the last couple years, further fueling speculation that he is eyeing a spot on the statewide ticket.
A former Craddick D, Rose withdrew his support for Craddick in May 2007. Since then he has helped the HDCC fundraise.
At June's state Democratic convention, Rose apologized to the Stonewall Democats Caucus for his past support of the Talton Amendment. At the time, KT called it a "sincere statement."
If Rose decides to run (he is also mentioned as a possible candidate for Land Commissioner), his campaign war chest and proven ability to win over moderate and independents in his rural district would make him a formidable candidate.
I personally think Rose would make a great candidate and would run an aggressive campaign that would give him a good chance of winning.
But Rose is not the only Democrat said to be considering the Attorney General race.
State Rep. Pete Gallego (D-Alpine) could also enter the AG race. The current candidate for Speaker of the House is said to be considering several different statewide offices. Gallego reportedly considered running for the U.S. Senate before deferring to his House colleague Rick Noriega.
Gallego would likely receive the support of many of his fellow House Democrats and would be a good fundraiser. In a Democratic Primary, he would be difficult to beat.
Whether or not it is for Attorney General, there is a good chance that Gallego will seek statewide office in 2010.
Former U.S. Senate nominee Barbara Ann Radnofsky is also said to be looking at the race. Radnofsky has experience as a mediator and attorney in Houston.
Radnofsky ran against Kay Bailey Hutchison in 2006 and presumably is fairly well-known in Democratic circles around the state.
Radnofsky was a decent fundraiser in 2006 but will have to improve upon her last run if she finds herself in a primary with Rose or another well-funded opponent.
While Radnofsky has never held public office and would not have the backing of the party establishment that Rose would likely enjoy.
Radnfosky should not be underestimated though and would be very competitive in November as the Democratic nominee.
Houston lawyer Larry Veselka was also said to be considering the race but has reportedly deferred to Radnofsky.
The Republicans
Back in 2002, Abbott originally filed for Lieutenant Governor before the check book of David Dewhurst scared him away to the Attorney General's race. Now Abbott has over $8 million in his campaign account.
If Abbott does not seek re-election (which I think is a good bet), there are several Republicans rumored to be interested in the race.
Railroad Commissioner Michael Williams may see the Attorney General's race as the best way for him to move up state government's ladder in 2010.
At the Republican National Convention in September, Midland County GOP Chair Sue Brannon said, "[Michael Williams'] wife Donna and he are not interested in going to Washington, but I think he will run for attorney general if Greg Abbott runs for the U.S. Senate."
Williams is a good fundraiser who has great relations with the party's base, especially after his high profile appearance at this year's GOP Convention.
State Rep. Will Hartnett (R-Dallas) is also rumored to be looking at the race, though I would expect him to be an underdog against Williams given the Railroad Commissioner's fundraising and statewide network advantages.
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Who do you think will run for Attorney General? Is this a race Democrats can win in 2010?
Last Thursday, Texas Monthly political writer Paul Burka attempted to explain the possible line of succession, challenges, pressures, cock blocks, and puppeteering going on in the Texas Republican Party during the next two years.
Needless to say, reading it might leave your head spinning.
Well, anything that can't be explained with words can be explained by a totally ridiculous chart. So on that note, I present to you my masterpiece. Click here for the gigantic printable version.
Incumbent Republican Texas Railroad Commissioner Michael Williams decided not to show up for his Dallas Morning News Editorial Board meeting- which he had confirmed to attend.
Via Press Release from the Mark Thompson campaign...
For whatever reason, Michael Williams didn't show up at a Dallas Morning News editorial board meeting scheduled with challenger Mark Thompson on Tuesday, September 8. Mark Thompson did.
The invitation to both candidates for Texas Railroad Commissioner on the ballot in 2008 was (so far) the only scheduled event featuring both the Democrat and Republican in the same room before voters decide Nov. 4. It would have been the closest thing to a face-to-face debate this race has seen.
The editors said Williams had confirmed for the meeting. "They were surprised he wasn't there," Thompson said.
Mark Thompson has also issued a challenge to Michael Williams to a public debate. While it's unlikely that he will accept nor would one be televised, I do think having a public brawl at a gas station would be worthy of coverage. (For those of you still don't know, the Railroad Commission has little to do with railroads but instead, regulates the oil and gas industry.)
There's a new prediction coming from a South Texas Republican Newsletter. The prediction: Commissioner Michael L. Williams For Governor- A Prediction By Joe Solis/South Texas Republicans.
