Railroad Commission Favoring Pipelines Over Land Owners

“Only one candidate for Railroad Commissioner has the proven experience and ability to lead the agency and protect private property rights.” That is the opening line from one of Railroad Commissioner Barry Smitherman’s re-election radio ads (emphasis added). The problem, at least from my perspective as an engaged citizen who has fought to protect private property rights in Texas for years, is that Mr. Smitherman has not lifted a finger to protect property from eminent … Continue reading

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Pumping Up Politics, Prices: Transcanada Keystone XL Pipeline

From my article of November 2, 2011, “TransCanada Trojan Horse: Keystone XL Pipeline Will Increase Gas Prices“: “The TransCanada Keystone Xl pipeline project will result in increased gas and diesel prices in 15 Midwestern States – to the detriment of those states’ citizens and economies.” While I continue to ponder the question… How much more… more

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The New National Past Time: Pipeline Hot Potato

It’s a bird! It’s a plane! No! Wait… Is that a football? No, but it is brown. And it is oblong. Hey, it’s smoking! Wait! It’s a hot potato! It’s America’s new national past time and no, sorry, Husker fans, it is not football. It’s called Pipeline Hot Potato. So, let’s play! Let’s meet our… more

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So We Had A Resolution, Huh? Hmm. How IS That State Sovereignty Thing Workin’ Out For Us?

Nebraska was one of only fourteen states to see the successful passage of a State Sovereignty Resolution in the two year period 2009 – 2010, while well over thirty states had resolutions. In other words, the passage of the Nebraska resolution on April 13, 20101 , was no small thing. It took an organized effort… more

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Is President Obama Smarter Than A Fifth Grader?

I’ve received some feedback on the most recent article published here “TransCanada Trojan Horse: Keystone XL Pipeline Will Increase Gas Prices“. That feedback confirms my earlier concerns about the use of environmentalist rhetoric in the pipeline project debate. That feedback also confirms that anyone else interested in running for Miss Popularity in the state need… more

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TransCanada Trojan Horse: Keystone XL Pipeline Will Increase Gas Prices

As we’ve noted here, more than once, our primary interest in the Keystone XL pipeline project was the conduct of Nebraska’s elected officials at both the state and federal levels, and serious concerns about property rights. We did not have an overall position on the project and we did not recommend any particular action. Our… more

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