On April 25th I signed the "NO CLIMATE TAX PLEDGE" presented by Americans for Prosperity. This wonderful political group is the nation's premiere grassroots organization fighting for economic liberty and limited government. As you probably know, the United States Congress is debating the largest tax increase in history: "The Cap-And-Trade Energy Tax." Funny name -- "Cap-And-Trade" -- but what it entails isn't funny. Simply put, this is nothing more than a tax on coal, oil, and natural gas, but instead of being a specific tax rate, the total level of use of these energy sources is capped and companies are forced to pay the government for emissions permits. These companies will then bid against each other to stay in business, and nobody knows how much the tax will be until they hold the auctions and the ensuing permit trades are made. It's a crazy, unpredictable tax -- but it is certainly a tax that will be become a massive burden for all citizens of the United States as well as Texas.

While I readily admit that a Texas State Representative will not have much, if any, direct influence on this issue, I felt it was important to declare my position and to do so publicly. Here's the simple, one-sentence pledge:

"I, Robert A. Nowotny, pledge to the taxpayers of the State of Texas and to the American people that I will oppose any legislation relating to climate change that includes a net increase in government revenue."

For information regarding Americans for Prosperity, I invite you to take a look at their website: americansforprosperty.org