LOCAL LEADERSHIP

Across Texas, local elected officials are making decisions with enormous environmental consequences. Especially along the Gulf Coast, mayors, city council members, port commissioners and others can advance or defeat policies and plans that not only impact pollution at the local level but also contribute significantly to the global climate crisis.

In Corpus Christi, for example, city council members voted to give nearly $100 million in corporate tax breaks to polluters like Valero, Citgo, Flint Hills and other major greenhouse gas emitters; and want to spend at least $500 million in taxpayer funds to provide desalinated water to heavy polluting industry. Local elected officials may also support or oppose municipal permits required to build polluting facilities, or vote for or against policies that protect clean air and water.

Based on questionnaire responses, TCE selectively endorses and supports nonpartisan local candidates and officeholders whose values and priorities align with those of our community allies. Our support for endorsed candidates has included independent door and phone canvassing, direct mail, paid television and digital media advertising, outdoor advertising, community events, and get-out-the-vote operations. TCE is proud to have played a role in the successful campaigns of numerous pro-environment candidates across Texas, and will continue to endorse and support local candidates who demonstrate their readiness to fight to protect their communities from polluting industry.

Learn more and contribute to our efforts at our PAC website, VoteClean.org.