According to the democratic process in Texas, the majority vote does not win. Following a 59 percent vote for a ban on fracking in Denton, the Texas General Land Office took it upon themselves to file a lawsuit against the city.Naturally, with oil interests and politics so intertwined in Texas, the state was displeased by the will of its people.
The Texas Legislature was quick to find a way to nullify Denton's majority vote in the form of House Bill 40, which relinquishes individual cities' regulations of "below ground oil and gas activities." Under this safety net, and only for appearances, the Texas General Land Office dropped their lawsuit against Denton. If this sounds like corruption of cinematic proportions... that's because it is!
While the oil and gas industry controls the legislative ink, public outrage over the harmful environmental effects of fracking is mounting. This event should be the alarm bell which incites Texans to take action. Let us not forget the sentiments of our forefathers in the Declaration of Independence:
"... whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends [deriving their powers from the consent of the governed], it is the Right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness."
Note the two words I took the liberty of making bold. Certainly cheap gas is nice, but not at the cost of endangering local flora and fauna as well as communities with harmful waste products and man-made earthquakes.
Read more about it here.
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