Fracking

Ralph De La Cruz, editorial writer for The Dallas Morning News, took on the controversial subject of fracking in Texas in his recent article. Fracking is a type of oil drilling that uses large amounts of water and harmful chemicals. It is an effective way to increase productivity and efficiency in extracting oil. It has received a lot of criticism due to it being harmful to the environment. In Denton, Texas fracking has been banned inside city limits. 

According to Ralph De La Cruz banning fracking could actually hurt taxpayers. De La Cruz is no fan of fracking, but he points out that it has played a large part in Texas' economic fortunes. The surplus in state funds from the oil industry contribute to new transportation projects that would otherwise come from an increase in taxes. De La Cruz seems to be against banning fracking in order to keep taxes lower. I would have to agree with De La Cruz in allowing fracking because the oil industry is booming in Texas and if it keeps taxes lower then that is also a plus. I do find it funny that he basically says he is in favor of protecting the environment, but not if it costs him more in taxes. De La Cruz does not particularly have any credibility on the subject other than he is a tax payer who does not want to give the government any more money than he has to.