October 27, 2014

Department of Good Stuff: Lon Burnam

Inside Climate News - During his 18 years in office, Texas state representative Lon Burnam has been the odd man out in a legislature that overwhelmingly believes in business, development and the unbridled support of oil and gas.

During the last session of the House, he introduced more than a dozen pieces of legislation that would have required the industry to become a more responsible steward of the environment and the state to be more of an industry watchdog.

His record: Zero wins and 12 losses.

In an interview with Inside Climate News last summer, when asked why he doesn't just move away, Burnam said he stays because Texas needs to hear from a Texan what the future holds for the environment if change isn't made.

Although the Fort Worth Democrat was defeated in his party's primary in March, and has less than three months left in office, he maintains his resolve to represent the interests of his constituents, particularly when it pertains to state regulation of the oil and gas industry.

Burnam is accustomed to losing in the partisan world of Texas politics, given that he's a deep blue Democrat in a deep red state. During his legislative career, in which he now ranks 20th in seniority in the 150-member House, he also has introduced legislation to legalize gay marriage, abolish the death penalty and recognize the 40th anniversary of Roe v Wade. No matter that he's often cast as a liberal pariah, he has no regrets.

"You do what's right," he said.

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