Setting the Record Crooked… Al Gore Continues Negative Attack

Campaign Pollutes Governor Bush's record on the environment

AUSTIN, TX - On the first day of the twice-reinvented Gore campaign, Al Gore

continued his negative attacks at an environmental event in Wisconsin, but this

time hid behind surrogates to pollute Governor Bush's record.

"The twice-reinvented Al Gore continued his negative campaign today by hiding

behind surrogates to pollute Governor Bush's record on the environment," said

Bush spokesman Dan Bartlett. "It appears the 'new Al Gore' will rely upon the

same tired attacks that the American people have grown tired of. Under Governor

Bush's leadership, Texas reduced industrial pollution in Texas by 11 percent,

became the third state in the nation to require mandatory emission reductions

from power plants, and remains first in the nation in reducing toxics."

Cleaner Air:

Under two pieces of legislation supported and signed by Governor Bush, Texas will

reduce their emissions by more than 250,000 tons each year -- the equivalent of

removing 5.5 million cars from Texas roads. Under legislation signed by Governor

Bush, Texas becomes the 3rd state in the nation to require pollution reductions

and permits from grandfathered utilities. Under the plan, they will reduce

nitrogen oxide pollution by 50 percent and sulfur dioxide emissions by 25 percent

by 2003.

Cleaning up Toxics:

From 1997 to 1998, while manufacturing activity in Texas increased by 25 percent

over the last decade, Texas led the nation in reducing releases and disposal of

toxics by 44 percent.

Cleaner Water:

Under Governor Bush, 97.7% of Texas wastewater discharge facilities are in

compliance with both state and federal clean water standards -- up from 88

percent in 1995. In 1999, Governor Bush and the Texas Legislature provided over

$55 million for water quality and supply initiatives.

Protecting State Parks:

In 1997, Texans approved $60 million in bonds to restore state parks, and

Governor Bush and the Texas Legislature provided $10 million more in 1999. In

1999, Governor Bush launched the Lone Star Legacy Campaign, believed to be the

first in the nation, to establish a permanent endowment fund for every state

park, state wildlife management area, and state fish hatchery. The endowment has

already received $10 million in pledges to help restore and maintain Texas' state

parks.

More Environmental Spending:

Under Governor Bush, state funding for natural resources increased 28 percent -

from $1,284.3 billion in 1994-95 to $1,652.9 in 2000-01. Under Governor Bush,

state funding for the Texas Natural Resources Conservation Commission (TNRCC)

increased