Enter stage left Texas Rep. Dennis Bonnen, R-Angleton, who asked the state attorney general to decide if Texas cities can legally sell mulch and compost products in competition with businesses, citing concerns that cities can underbid businesses for commercial landscaping projects because they don’t have the upfront labor and equipment costs.

Mr. Bonnen identifies Denton, Plano and Brenham as the three most aggressive cities in Texas marketing and selling these recycled products. State Attorney General Greg Abbott is expected to issue an opinion soon.

Denton Mayor Perry McNeill points to the obvious benefits of the recycling and notes that if these materials are not sold they will just end up in landfills.