Days after approving an amended version of a House bill on tree regulations, the Senate voted to reverse itself late Monday night, rolling back two amendments that House Speaker Joe Straus had rejected. Photo by Shelby Knowles/Texas Tribune
Aug. 16, 2017
In an unusual move late Monday night, the Texas Senate voted to reverse itself on several amendments to a controversial tree-removal bill.
Aug. 8, 2017
If local tree ordinances fall in the Texas Legislature, will anyone hear? So far, two weeks into the special session with two weeks to go, residents, cities and tree professionals are raising a hubbub over it. It’s a battle over local control and the tree protections in place in 110 Texas cities, by a city of Austin count. Three bills would revoke or restrict cities’ and counties’ rights to set rules for tree removal – SB 14, HB 70 and HB 7.
At the July 22 Senate hearing on Senate Bill 14, close to 150 witnesses showed up in opposition.
Senate Bill 14 and House Bill 70, ban cities, counties and even HOA from restricting property owners’ removal of trees or other vegetation.
July 24, 2017
Bills to pre-empt local ordinances protecting trees throughout Texas are being pushed through the legislature right now, unless public opposition stops them. More than 100 cities in Texas that already have tree ordinances would be affected.
Texas Historic Tree Coalition president Mary Ann Graves rebuts those who want to overturn local tree ordinances. Above, a tree is protected by wood planks during construction at a private residence in Austin on June 12, 2017. Austin Price/The Texas Tribune.
July 24, 2017
In June, Dallas, more than 30 live oaks were hacked by property owners along Forest Lane in Northwest Dallas. This action currently violates Dallas’ tree ordinance, which could be put in jeopardy if Governor Abbott gets his way. Photo by Rita Beving.
July 21, 2017
As of May 3, there were about a dozen environmental bills still in play in the House. Courtesy of Texas Legislature.
May 3, 2017
The Dallas Green Alliance contributes several thousand dollars to environmentally friendly candidates via grassroots fundraising. Pictured DGAco-chair Brandon Pollard kneeling with board members Anna Albers, Vijay Barnabas, Corey Troiani, Clarice Criss, co-chair Erica Cole and Becky Rader.
April 21, 2017
