(Austin)--Texas Comptroller Carole Keeton Rylander's e-Texas Commission will hold a public hearing on environment and natural resources issues in Weslaco on April 6 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Rio Grande Valley Partnership board room, 417 S. International Blvd.

"This hearing should generate suggestions and ideas for improving environmental protection and natural resource management that the e-Texas commission can explore in greater detail," Comptroller Rylander said. "I encourage everyone to come out and give us their ideas and suggestions.

"Bottomline, Texans are the most qualified to take care of Texas' environment and natural resources."

Noe Fernandez of McAllen, the e-Texas environment and natural resources task force commissioner, will lead discussions on: how Texas government's regulatory structure can encourage economic development; how the government can promote private stewardship; and how environmental protection can be strengthened by financial incentives, market-based mechanisms and innovative compliance processes.

Michael D. Simms of Austin, a chemical engineer and senior program manager with Science Applications International Corp., will lead a panel discussion. Other panelists include Dr. Gary M. Schwarz of Mercedes, a private landowner, and Randolph Wood of Austin, the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission's deputy director of policy and regulatory development.

The hearing is part of Comptroller Rylander's e-Texas citizen commission, which is charged with developing recommendations to help Texas state government meet the challenges of the Internet Age.

Those who cannot attend the hearing can make suggestions on improving environment and natural resources at: www.e-texas.org.