03-20-2020, 02:09 PM
Yep, as one of the first states to produce oil in commercial quantities, we have a somewhat archaic regulatory structure here in Texas. After Spindletop and some massive booms/busts in the early 20th Century, the Railroad Commission was put in charge of regulating oil and gas production in the State (it was then the biggest state bureaucracy that provided for lucrative appointments and patronage opportunities, so was a natural fit for our semi-corrupt frontier government).
The Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts has a separate responsibility to collect the severance taxes, but Railroad Commissioner is probably the second most important elected office in Texas, after Lieutenant Governor (our Governor is actually more of a figurehead role, and has very little day-to-day political power).
The Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts has a separate responsibility to collect the severance taxes, but Railroad Commissioner is probably the second most important elected office in Texas, after Lieutenant Governor (our Governor is actually more of a figurehead role, and has very little day-to-day political power).