Dallas currently has a $100,000,000 budget shortfall and now the the natural gas companies are lobbying City Hall.  Lobbyist are out in full force  touting the potential huge revenue gain to the City of Dallas if we drill within Dallas city limits. I have closely studied the City of Pittsburgh Pennsylvania who’s City Council banned all gas drilling after years of allowing it. I am greatly troubled by what I have read about the problems with water contamination near gas wells and there are many experts who agree it is the biggest problem associated with gas drilling.

I do not have all of the answers  which I need to make a final decision but my research showed that most cities will not allow natural gas drilling within their limits because of groundwater contamination and it seems like they have done so for very good reasons.

The possible devastation and danger to the community is not worth the short term gain of revenue.  The air, soil, water, environment, and health of residents would have to be shown free of any possible threat in order to allow natural gas drilling within city limits. If natural gas drilling could be proved to be 100% safe, I would support a measure to allow it.  Once this happened, I would pay special attention to the fine print in the contract to ensure that the city was getting the most financially beneficial arrangement.  At this time there are safer, cleaner ways to raise revenue and maintain a positive quality of life without allowing oil and gas corporations to benefit from a community resource.

When I am elected I will look forward to being in the center of the discussion listening to the experts and talking to my district, but today I have to say that I am not comfortable with allowing gas drilling within Dallas City limits.