As wildfires rage Perry's office did not respond to a request for comment

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/09/09/2397956/as-wildfires-rage-texas-forest.html

Posted on Friday, 09.09.11

As wildfires rage, Texas Forest Service grapples with funding cuts
.By Aman Batheja
The Fort Worth Star-Telegram

As the Texas Forest Service battles what may be the state's most destructive wildfire outbreak ever, state lawmakers are facing criticism that they have has taken a penny-wise-pound-foolish approach to funding the agency.

Texas is one of the few states that rely primarily on volunteer fire departments to protect rural areas from wildfires. About 330 firefighters with the forest service traditionally serve as a second tier of defense when such fires get larger than the local department can handle.

The Legislature cut the agency's funding this year to $83 million from $117 million, according to Robby DeWitt, the forest service's associate finance director.

Chris Barron, executive director of the State Firemen's and Fire Marshals' Association of Texas, said: "It's very frustrating that they don't have the proper tools and resources to fight these fires. If fire departments had enough funding, if the forest service had enough funding, we wouldn't be in this predicament over each and every year." snip

Perry's office did not respond to a request for comment Thursday ...

[Fresh_Start]

1. dumb ass move by texas government to not maintain

essential services. Hope they (the legislators and governor, not the citizens of Texas) all pay for it by losing their jobs.

[izquierdista]

4. We'll know in the next election

I think we are going to see that Texans would rather burn their houses down than vote for someone who would raise taxes.*


*The majority of voting Texans, not those Texans who hang out here on DU.

[Tippy]

2. Go ahead Republicans....... cut more jobs....I feel sorry for Texans

But it is time they learn....You get what you pay for...

[HappyMe]

3. He doesn't care.

Those poor Texans are losing their homes, their jobs, and their lives. Nero.