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Local control is generally preferable, except when it would present clear conflict with legal doctrines that are well-settled matters of state law, such as the doctrine of the dominance of the mineral estate in Texas. The City of Denton statute needed to go, period. Creating a situation where mineral owners could not realize value from their holdings just because the City of Denton came out to meet their mineral lands through annexation isn't an appropriate use of local police powers. That measure had the potential to 1) prevent mineral owners from prospering from their holdings, and 2) prevent the City of Denton itself from expanding its tax base.

It was double the stupidity packed into one mind-numbingly lame-brained ordinance, passed by ignorami on the City Council who apparently couldn't see past happy hour at 3 pm. Most cities WANT to expand their tax base. Evidently the City of Denton is an exception to the rule that sentient beings act in their own enlightened self-interest.

If you're looking for someone who worships at the altar of "local control," I'm probably not your guy. While there is much to be said for it, it isn't necessarily the be-all and end-all of good governance, as the dearly departed Denton drilling ordinance amply attests.

While I agree that most cities WANT to expand their tax base, there are quality of life issues involved as well. This is the whole basis of zoning laws. Virtually every city has limitations on what you can do with your property. Just as you would not want your neighbor to replace his house with a hog-rendering plant, even if he truly believes this is the best use of his property (and he can experience the highest $ return from that), many people do not want to live next to a fracking operation.

In any case, the issue we’re discussing is local control vs. state preemption of laws. If this is a big issue to the electorate of Denton, they can recall the City Council, and elect a Council that will reverse this law. In no case should the Big Brother government in Austin tell the people of Denton what they should do within the city limits of Denton.