JOE BARTON: KILLING US ANYWAY HE CAN

Those who’ve read our story titled “No Place Like Home,” about the cement plants in Midlothian, know that Joe Barton doesn’t care much for clean air. Now comes a crushing NYT story about Barton’s protecting chemical plants:

Two of the country’s most dangerous chemical facilities, which threaten more than one million people, are in Dallas, just outside Mr. Barton’s district. There is also toxic waste being transported through his district on rail lines and highways. Mr. Barton’s committee chairmanship is likely to give him an enormous say in whether chemical plant security legislation passes this year.

That decision pits the interests of his energy industry supporters against the well-being of his constituents who live or work inside the kill zone. Unfortunately, so far Mr. Barton has tilted in favor of industry.