Texas oil refineries want tax rebates – even if it means millions are robbed from schools
Just when I think GREED can’t get any worse in the world, we find a story like this one: Texas oil refineries want big tax refunds, even knowing the possible $135 million could be robbed from local school budgets in the state.
The people who might support this horrible idea probably watch “It’s a Wonderful Life” and cheer the actions of Mr. Potter. Or maybe they watch one of the many versions of “A Christmas Carol” and are appalled at the end because the three spirits have ruined Ebenezer Scoorge’s personality.
Come to think of it, I wonder if greed-lovers even understand the message of compassion for others played out in these films.
Just a few months ago, Texas lawmakers cut education spending in the state by more than $4 billion, according to the AP story. The refineries want the money to offset the costs of buying pollution-controlling equipment.
Really? So Big Oil thinks taxpayers should pay to cut the polluting emissions from their smoke stacks. I can’t believe where we are right now. Big Oil has reached a point of being so bold that it wants taxpayers to pay the bill for its negative actions.
It would be like the head of a drug cartel asking a state to pay for the cost of protecting their street-corner dealers from arrest. It would be like your next-door neighbor pumping his toilet waste into your front yard, and when you complained, he ask you to pay for the cleanup and to redirecting his pipes.
But to think the refineries would even consider the option of taking money from the school kids was even a little bit okay is beyond GREEDY. Do some people just not care about ANYTHING but PROFITS?
In the article linked above, one of the refinery spokesmen is quoted as saying – “But this is really no different than a homeowner appealing their property tax, just on a larger scale.” – It’s amazing – isn’t it? Can some people really be that out-of-touch?
It’s a little off topic for the blog – but not really. I promote compassion for others.
First, this is far off the topic of animal advocacy. Second, if you have a problem with tax policy then change that. Is it better for the school children if the refineries don’t buy the pollution control equipment so that the schools can continue to fund union health funds?
Ken,
It’s really not far off the topic, since pollution impacts us all – humans and animals.
What the refineries need to do is take responsibility for the pollution they create. If you operated a local business, you would be responsible for making sure any waste you created was not being dumped on the business next door.
Taxpayers should not be paying the costs for industries to operate safely. And certainly children should not be paying that cost.
Thank you for offering your viewpoint. I’m always open to giving a voice to all sides.