If there's one major state agency that's little understood by the public, it's the Railroad Commission of Texas. Despite its name, the agency has nothing to do with railroads. Instead, it regulates the oil and gas industry, and has authority over residential gas bills. It turned over its last bit of authority over Texas railroads to the state's transportation commission in October, 2005, according to Railroad Commission spokeswoman Ramona Nye. "It is correct to say the Railroad Commission has nothing to do with railroads," she said.
But that hasn't stopped one Democratic hopeful from campaigning on the issue. On his website, Railroad Commission candidate Art Hall lists "railroad safety" as one of the "issues important to the Railroad Commission of Texas."
"Rail derailment is a major issue in Texas," the website notes. "In the San Antonio area alone, there have been several derailments in the past few years which have threatened the lives and property of Texas citizens. We must do a better job of ensuring the safety of our families and children."
Hall, 37, claims a bachelor's degree from Harvard University and a law degree from Texas Tech. He is a former city councilman in San Antonio. When asked Wednesday about the erroneous website reference, Hall said that he had been made aware that the commission no longer has authority over railroads, and that he plans to take the reference down off his website.
"We need to change that," he said.
Mark Thompson, another Democratic candidate for Railroad Commission, has said the Texas Legislature should change the agency's name because the public has so many misconceptions about it. The third candidate for the Democratic nomination is Dale Henry, 76, a retired chemical engineer from Lampasas.
-- R.A. Dyer
That's ridiculous...Shouldn't someone running for office know what the responsibilities for said office are??
Another thing that worries me about Hall is his connection to Valero. His wife is a lawyer for Valero. Valero is the largest independent oil refiner in the US. It is also one of Texas' leading polluters; and, to make matters worse, while our pockets are getting hit hard at the pump, Valero has been profiting from its thousands and thousands of gas stations across the state. How can we trust someone who is literally MARRIED to big oil to keep the consumer's best interest at heart?
That is a SERIOUS conflict of interest!!
Posted by: TXTravis | February 01, 2008 at 10:54 AM
It probably will gain him votes, not lose them. How many cadidates for attorney general have failed to campaign on a "tuff on crime" platform?
Posted by: Stenotrophomonas | February 01, 2008 at 12:26 PM
Mr. Hall's wife works for Valero as an atty and he had to get clearance from the Tex. Ethics Commission, I'm sure.
And the votes he will get are going to be because they have done their research and homework on Mr. Hall.
Posted by: Roger Leeds | February 02, 2008 at 05:08 PM
Art Hall's wife is an atty for Valero and he surely had to clear that with the Texas Ethics Commission.
And I intend to vote for the best qualified person and someone young enough to complete the 6 year term.
Posted by: Roger Leeds | February 02, 2008 at 05:27 PM
Art Hall is an Harvard grad, Texas Tech Law School with a JD and MBA. His wife is an attorney with Valero Engery. But if there was a conflict of interest don't you think the Texas Ethics Commission would have already hit him with something. I checked the website and don't see anything.
Posted by: | February 02, 2008 at 08:16 PM
maybe Hall remembers John Sharp...
Posted by: chump | February 03, 2008 at 01:44 PM
Who ever thinks Dale Henry is not in good enough shape to finish his term does not know Dale. Dale is a true work horse. He is the most qualified candidate in this race if you would vote for someone just becaue of how old they are thats crazy. I have trouble keeping up with Dale and I am 29.
Posted by: Guy | February 12, 2008 at 01:01 AM