BIG SUCCESS
Thanks to everyone who wrote letters, called in, and/or traveled to Austin.  Our efforts were very successful--and the ripples are still spiraling outward.  Citizen testimony was on point, effective, moving, and very well received by the Commissioners--several Commissioners stayed through almost all of the 16 hours of testimony, asking questions and making comments.  We were able to educate some Commissioners about issues they were unaware of.  The testimony--which came from all parts of the state and all walks of life--showed that there is a huge groundswell of concern and in some cases, anger, about TNRCC’s failure to adequately protect public health and the environment and is turning a deaf ear to citizen complaints and input.

RALLY
 

HEARING

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
1.  Written comments can be submitted to the Sunset Coalition until July 31.  What is needed most are comments stating whether you are for or against each specific Sunset recommendation, or how each recommendation should be modified.  A list of people and organizations for and against each recommendation will be printed in the final “Decision Book” which comes out before the September 20th Commissioners vote. On September 20, the Commissioners will vote yea, nay, or to modify each recommendation.  This package of recommendations will then be turned into legislation and introduced in January 2001.

To view the set of Sunset recommendations on TNRCC, go to the Sunset web page at www.sunset.state.tx.us, or call the Sunset Commission and request that a copy be mailed to you (it’s almost 200 pages long).

To view the Public Interest Sunset Working Group’s position on each recommendation, go to our web page at www.texascenter.org/sunset.

2.  Organize a meeting with your state Representative and Senator--especially if she or he is a Sunset Commissioner.

3.  Order the 25-minute documentary “TNRCC: Protecting People or Polluters?  10 Stories from Toxic Texas” and show it at your next environmental, church, neighborhood...meeting.  Copies available for free to citizen groups and the press, and are available to others for $10--call Erin Rogers at 512-454-3050.