Posted on 07/11/2011 7:28:37 AM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
Reporting from Washington— It doesn't have the ring of "Remember the Alamo," but a new battle cry has gone up in Texas: "Remember the incandescent bulb."
Texas has become the first state seeking to skirt a federal law that phases out old-fashioned incandescent light bulbs in favor of more efficient lamps — a move that has emerged as a shining example of Republicans' resolve to strike down what many view as excessive federal regulation.
Texas hopes to get around the law with a measure recently signed by Republican Gov. Rick Perry declaring that incandescent bulbs — if made and sold only in Texas — do not involve interstate commerce and therefore are not subject to federal regulation.
"I think that Texans as a whole are tired of the federal government trying to micromanage our lives," said George Lavender, a Republican state representative who sponsored the legislation.
Critics of the federal mandate hope the Texas action will spur Congress to repeal the light bulb rules or prompt other states to adopt similar laws. The Republican-controlled U.S. House on Monday is expected to take up a repeal measure sponsored by a Texas congressman. Efforts also are underway in Pennsylvania and South Carolina to follow Texas' lead.
.... "I just believe that we should be able to buy what we want," Lavender said of the Texas law. "I've had calls from people in every state, and even in foreign countries, saying how much they appreciate this bill."
"This is about more than just energy consumption, it is about personal freedom,'' said Rep. Joe L. Barton (R-Texas.), who's leading the repeal effort in the House. He recently cheered his state's action, declaring on Fox News: "I do thank the Lord that I live in Texas."
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
The other bulbs are actually very dangerous when disposed of...mercury is the hazard...however, people dispose of those bulbs like any other bulb...Perry is saving the incandescent bulbs for those manufactures in Texas...
Well, this is a kick in the wallet. I’ve been buying real lightbulbs for over a year. I was going to make good money when the only place to get them was from those of us who stocked up.
I’m getting it too.
Yes, that’s right. Rick Santelli. And this is much bigger than that.
As for comparing this to the border fence and those faux “supporters” who are actually trying to kill it... this isn’t that. These aren’t EPA supporters trying to save the EPA by coming up with complicating schemes for controlling the EPA.
This is a simple, stand-alone resolution: Texas is allowed to make and sell these bulbs to Texans.
It’s a shot across the bow of the EPA. It’s a shot-heard-round-the-country.
You are welcome...good thread!
House Republican leadership kills light bulb freedom with parliamentary maneuver guaranteed to fail.
“House Republicans brought up the bill under a suspension of the rules, which requires two-thirds of voting members to support it. That means even though a majority might support it, it is unlikely to be approved Tuesday in light of Democratic opposition.”
So, did they do this knowing that on the House would pass it, and the Senate wouldn’t, and Obama would veto it even if the Senate passed it?
Or does the Republican leadership secretly support the Bush-passed light bulb ban?
36 Republicans originally voted in favor of the light bulb ban in the House, with 5 not voting. Those with asterisks by their names are no longer in the House.
In the House:
Yea AL-2 Everett, Terry [R]*
Yea AL-3 Rogers, Michael [R]
Yea AL-4 Aderholt, Robert [R]
Yea CT-4 Shays, Christopher [R]*
Yea DE-0 Castle, Michael [R]*
Yea FL-5 Brown-Waite, Virginia [R]*
Yea FL-13 Buchanan, Vern [R]
Yea FL-18 Ros-Lehtinen, Ileana [R]
Yea IL-10 Kirk, Mark [R]
Yea IL-15 Johnson, Timothy [R]
Yea IL-18 LaHood, Ray [R]*
Yea MD-1 Gilchrest, Wayne [R]*
Yea MD-6 Bartlett, Roscoe [R]
Yea MI-3 Ehlers, Vernon [R]*
Yea MI-9 Knollenberg, Joseph [R]*
Yea MI-10 Miller, Candice [R]
Yea MN-3 Ramstad, James [R]*
Yea MO-8 Emerson, Jo Ann [R]
Yea NE-1 Fortenberry, Jeffrey [R]
Yea NJ-2 LoBiondo, Frank [R]
Yea NJ-3 Saxton, H. James [R]*
Yea NJ-4 Smith, Christopher [R]
Yea NJ-7 Ferguson, Michael [R]*
Yea NY-23 McHugh, John [R]*
Yea NY-25 Walsh, James [R]*
Yea NY-29 Kuhl, John [R]*
Yea NC-3 Jones, Walter [R]
Yea NC-8 Hayes, Robin [R]*
Yea PA-6 Gerlach, Jim [R]
Yea PA-15 Dent, Charles [R]
Yea PA-19 Platts, Todd [R]
Yea SC-4 Inglis, Bob [R]*
Yea VA-10 Wolf, Frank [R]
Yea WA-8 Reichert, Dave [R]
Yea WV-2 Capito, Shelley [R]
Yea WI-6 Petri, Thomas [R]
Not Voting CA-44 Calvert, Ken [R]
Not Voting IN-4 Buyer, Stephen [R]*
Not Voting IN-5 Burton, Dan [R]
Not Voting NC-10 McHenry, Patrick [R]
Not Voting TX-3 Johnson, Samuel [R]
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