Bill wages jihad against environmental restrictions on development

[NoPasaran]

Some state lawmakers want to put a multimillion-dollar price tag on environmental regulations in Austin and around the state, forcing cities to pay landowners when environmental rules cut into property values.

The House Land & Resource Management Committee on Thursday approved House Bill 2833, a new fusillade in the decades-old struggle over property rights and environmental protection. The bill, authored by Rep. Robby Cook, D-Eagle Lake, still needs to be approved by the full House and Senate to become law.

In Austin, the legislation could translate into a massive tab that officials don't know even how to calculate. Assistant City Manager Laura Huffman said the total could easily stretch into eight figures if the bill applies to Austin water quality regulations, some of which have been in place for more than a decade.

It also could initiate a new round of fights with developers, who would have motivation to scuttle plans made under existing regulations and push for bigger projects -- and bigger profits or compensation checks -- by filing new development permit applications.

-more bad news-

http://www.statesman.com/news/content/auto/epaper/editions/friday/news_2465d2e08507715200b7.html

[GOPisEvil]

1. A freaking Democrat wrote this crap law?

Good Lord...with friends like this, who needs Republicans?