It is the vast, sprawling complexes of oil refineries and petro-chemical plants that make the Texan economy bigger than all but ten of the world's sovereign nations. But the wealth comes at a high price to the environment. The toxic chemical soup spewing from Texas industry is so uncontrolled that, under Governor George W. Bush, Texas became the most polluted state in the nation.

During his governorship, George W. Bush implemented plans for reduced social spending, tax breaks directed primarily at the rich, and an energy and environmental policy driven by industry concerns.