Some legislators are in favor of this bill, because supporting this tax cut will sound good on the campaign trail next year.

The bill will shortchange the general fund by about $19 million per year. Given the condition of our state budget, there is only so much you can cut. Pretty soon you have cut through the fat, and then you are into the meat and the bone.

There are fewer and fewer smokers every year. Also, studies show that as the prices of cigarettes go up, the sales of cigarettes decline. For every 10 percent increase, sales fall by 4 percent.

Today's acquisition reinforces our North American strategy to maintain our growth momentum in Texas energy by building on our current presence in this important market. We look forward to bringing to these new Texas-based customers the benefits of our experience and bench strength as a leading energy and related services provider in North America's most progressive competitive energy markets.

Some people, especially those on restricted budgets, want certainty. They want to know how much they'll be spending each month. Others don't mind; they'll play the market. We're only three or four years into deregulation in Texas. It's a 10- or 15-year process.

When integrators bid on a deal, deployment [using an ALF] tool will be easier because you're not tied to any proprietary standard.