AUSTIN, Texas -- A Democratic state lawmaker is looking to force a conversation on climate change at the state Capitol.
Rep. Rafael Anchia, D-Dallas, filed HB942. It would create and assign duties to a Global Climate Change Commission. The bill would direct the commission to study ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and energy demands, while aiming to boost private and public investments in clean energy.
Rep. Anchia says this is a topic that state leaders should take seriously.
“Let the science lead the way,” said Anchia. “Texas has the most to win or the most to lose if we don’t get climate change right.”
The bill faces an uphill battle in the Republican controlled legislature where most GOP lawmakers don't agree with scientific studies that humans are a contributing part to the changing climate.
Click the video link above to watch the full interview with Rep. Anchia, including why he believes his bill will make it further than years past. He also weighs in on the Texas officials questioning the citizenship of voters and the legislature’s push to pump more money into public education.