Protesters target Perry, TCEQ over tax break

[white cloud]

By Peggy Fikac , Austin bureau

AUSTIN — Protesters swarmed in front of Gov. Rick Perry’s presidential campaign headquarters and the environmental agency headed by his appointees Wednesday, fighting a potential tax break for energy companies they say would cost schools and other local entities millions of dollars.

Most of the approximately 200 demonstrators came from the Harris County area to shout their opposition to the exemption sought by San Antonio-based Valero Energy Corp. and eight other companies on sulfur-removing equipment at refineries.

“Dear Governor Perry, Please choose children over Big Oil,” said posters held by protesters.

Demonstrators held signs and chanted in the lobby in front of Perry’s locked campaign office. The entrance to the building also was locked, but a protester said an exiting man allowed many to enter the lobby.

Allison Castle, spokeswoman in Perry’s state office, said, “Gov. Perry expects TCEQ (the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality) will consider all of the facts and make the appropriate decision.”

She said the constitutional provision allowing the break was approved by lawmakers and voters under the administration of the late Gov. Ann Richards.

Property tax exemption
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http://blog.chron.com/rickperry/2011/11/protesters-target-perry-tceq-over-tax-break/

[sonias]

1. Another example of Perry's lack of morals

Valued at $2 billion

Those applications include refineries owned by Valero or other companies in Bexar, El Paso, Galveston, Harris, Howard, Jefferson, Moore, Nueces and Smith counties. The total cost of the equipment at issue was $2 billion, Hibbs said. That is the value on which taxes would be levied.

The Associated Press in September reported its analysis of pending requests showed they could require $135 million in refunds, nearly half of which would drain schools.

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The Texas Organizing Project, mobilizing the opposition, suggested a concern due to Perry’s energy company ties. According to an analysis by Texans for Public Justice, Valero-related donations to Perry’s gubernatorial campaign account topped $140,000 from 2001 to this July.

He has no shame. He would easily sell out the children of Texas for oil and gas donations to his campaign. :mad: