Texas Green Scissors, Environmental Fee & Tax Reform Project

TCPS cooperates with a broad range of environmental, consumer and public interest groups at the state and national level to highlight projects that damage Texas' natural resources and how by cutting or eliminating these projects, the state can actually do a much better job in preserving its natural resources and heritage. The project partners have also focused on reforming specific pollution fees as the best opportunity for accomplishing fee reform in Texas, while also examining the larger tax structure in Texas and ways to create a more stable revenue base and help discourage natural resource exploitation and pollution.

March Press Release:Citizens to Sharp Tax Reform Commission: Tax Coal and Polluters

In March of 2006, TCPS, Texas Impact, Environment Texas and other state groups released a new study called Bridging the Gap: Green Tax Options for Texas Schools . The report lays out seven options for raising revenues for Texas schools while discouraging pollution. Click here for report and here for press release.Click here for March 21 newspaper article in Midland Reporter-Telegram.

In January of 2006, TCPS submitted comments to John Sharp's Texas Tax Reform Commission on Coal, Energy, Gas and other Green Tax Options for paying for Texas schools. Click here for copy of comments.

In November of 2005, TCPS, TEXPIRG and others submitted comments to TCEQ on penalty policy revision calling for full recovery of economic benefit for pollution lawbreakers.Click here for copy of comments.

In July of 2005, TCPS presented testimony on "Green Tax Options" before Senate Finance Committee discussing a tax plan to fund public schools./p>

In May 2005, TCPS, Friends of the Earth and other project partner released "Green Fees & Scissors: 13 Recommendations for Greening the State Budget".

Hear KUT's May 17th Report on Greening the Budget Report.

In September of 2004, TCPS tells Legislative Budget Board that Texas Commission on Environmental Quality proposed budget is "disservice" to general public and that fee increases are needed. Click here for copy of TCPS comments.

In May 2004, TCPS made comments to the whole Senate of Texas on the opportunity to help fund school with pollution "sin" taxes. Click here for a copy of those comments ;

In April 2004, TCPS held a press conference with a number of public interest groups in supporting legislation sponsored by Representative Lon Burnam of Fort Worth to enact green "sin" taxes to help raise money for schools. Click here for a copy of the press release and here for an Austin American Statesman article and editorial on green "sin" taxes.

In May 2003, TCPS released an analysis of funding approved by the Legislature for three natural resource agencies: the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Texas Water Development Board and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Click here for the analysis, entitled "Dwindling Resources."

In February of 2003, TCPS and Public Citizen partnered to release a new report on environmentally responsible ways to get polluters to pay their fair share of state revenue, called MAKING POLLUTERS PAY: Environmentally Responsible Ways the 78th Legislature Can Raise New State Funds(Press Release, Full Report available in pdf).

In October of 2002, TCPS released a new report on funding and needs at natural resource agencies in Texas as part of the Real Budget Project, a coalition of groups looking at the state budget. Click here for a press release or the report.

Between April and August of 2002, TCPS submitted comments on behalf of the Alliance for a Clean Texas on TNRCC's proposed increases in air emissions and air permitting fees, as well as on the proposed new water quality fee, which will fund the Clean Rivers Program and the wastewater discharge permitting process.

Click here for the comments on the proposed air fee hikes or the press release;
Click here for the comments on the proposed water quality fee.

In February of 2002, TCPS released a report entitled TNRCC's Consolidated Water Quality Fee Proposal: Analysis and Suggestions for Improvement, which analyzes the new consolidated water quality fee.

In December of 2001, TCPS released a summary document called "New Ideas for Fair Taxation in Texas: Promoting Environmental Responsibility."

Click here for the report.
Click here for the press release.

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