Many thanks to those of you who showed up at the TCEQ Sunset Review Town Hall meeting last Monday. Thanks, too, to our panelists, State Representative Trey Martinez Fischer, Niniane Tozzi- Policy Analyst for the office of State Representative Joe Farias, and Sunset Advisory Commissioner Lamont Jefferson.

This event was one of 12 town hall meetings hosted around the state to engage and educate Texans about the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) Sunset Review process. The Town Hall meeting are designed to ensure that Texans have the opportunity to submit comments about reforms needed to the state agency responsible for their health and environment.

Approximately one hundred attended, and twenty five citizens expressed concerns about a variety of issues, including air quality, quarry regulation, protection of streams, rivers and groundwater, and frustration with a perceived lack of venues for public participation in TCEQ permitting processes. Most said that they support reforms and regulations that take preventative measures to protect their air and water quality and hoped that these might be secured through the Legislature’s “sunset review” of TCEQ.

Those of you to the north will have your opportunity to speak up in Austin on Wednesday November 17th from 7:00-8:30 p.m. at Bass Lecture Hall, LBJ School of Public Affairs, University of Texas at Austin campus Map and Directions

Perhaps we will see you there, orat the Sunset Review Commission Hearing at the State Capitol on December 15th. And, if meetings are not your thing, you can always submit your comments via e-mail to: http://www.sunset.state.tx.us/question.htm. We hope that these town halls will show legislators that Texans are making the TCEQ sunset process a priority, and that you will continue to be engaged throughout the legislative session.