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January 4, 2002
Going For The Vote
A slate of candidates for statewide office attended Texas Farm Bureau's 68th annual convention recently in Waco, where they sought the support of members of the state's largest general farm organization. During the forum—the first of its kind in this election cycle—candidates for governor, lieutenant governor and the U.S. Senate appealed to over 1,000 farmers and ranchers, citing support of issues ranging from private property rights to the current farm bill proposal.
Candidates vying to replace Sen. Phil Gramm included retiring Dallas mayor Ron Kirk, a Democrat, Attorney General John Cornyn, Republican from San Antonio, and Dist. 25 Congressman Ken Bentsen (D-Houston). David Dewhurst (R-Houston), General Land Commissioner, and former State Comptroller John Sharp, a Democrat from Placedo, put forth their respective platforms for lieutenant governor. Democratic candidates for governor, John WorldPeace of Houston and Tony Sanchez, Laredo, were also on hand to share their views.
Texas Governor Rick Perry attended the convention the day after the forum.
Kirk, who served as a Washington lobbyist for the city of Dallas, as chairman of the General Service Commission for the State of Texas and Secretary of State under Gov. Ann Richards, expressed his disdain for partisan politics, pledging to work with other members of the U.S. Senate for the best interest of all Texans. A native of Austin, Kirk believes in a strong federal commitment to public education.
"I love this state. Young boys and girls need an advocate in Washington. Preserving education is the best way to give them a chance, a solid foundation. Texas is a good place to live, but like my parents taught me, good is not good enough. I want Texas to be great," he said.
Touting his voting record on behalf of farming interests, Congressman Bentsen recited a promise to stand with agriculture if elected to the Senate. Bentsen emphasized his support of H.R. 2646, farm legislation supported by the Farm Bureau, and the importance of agriculture to the state's economy. He expressed concern, however, about the future of the legislation: Bentsen warned, "I'm concerned that we don't have the administration's support of H.R. 2646 on paper."
When Cornyn took the podium, he vowed to establish a council of farm advisors, to keep him informed of the impacts of legislation on agriculture; to rely on the expertise of fellow Texan Larry Combest, chairman of the House Agriculture Committee; and to be accessible to constituents. Cornyn drew applause with comments regarding his support of private property rights and the concept of compensation to landowners when federal regulations limit use of private land. If elected, he promised to be an ally to President Bush and cited a litany of conservative principles he supports —local control, limited government, lower taxes and free trade.
"I believe in free trade, but fair trade. And I think the federal government ought to see to it that Mexico pays back its 1.3 million acre-feet water debt to Texas," he said.
Dewhurst pointed to his record as General Land Commissioner, stating that he had reduced his agency workforce by 10 percent, the budget by 20 percent—for a savings of $1 billion—while adding more services. He promised if elected as lieutenant governor to work on water issues, strengthen rural communities and public education and work in a bipartisan manner.
"I want to put Texas first, including and especially agriculture," he said.
South Texan John Sharp made his comments brief and to the point, reaffirming his commitment to agriculture, fiscal responsibility and quality education for Texas schoolchildren if elected as lieutenant governor.
"All this talk about education can't be just talk. The state cut the education budget by $1.3 billion last session, and we wonder why children are in portable buildings and prisoners are in brand new ones. I want to change that," said Sharp.
Sharp also reminded farmers and ranchers that as a state senator and state representative, he had co-authored legislation resulting in sales tax and ad valorem exemptions for agriculture and as lieutenant governor, he would fight to preserve those exemptions.
Public education was also high on the list of priorities for gubernatorial candidates WorldPeace and Sanchez. WorldPeace, an attorney and CPA, is proposing a $2,500 across-the-board increase for teachers, a "modified Robin Hood plan" to fund schools and a moment of silence to acknowledge God in public schools.
"We've got a commitment to our children. We have an obligation to set them on a path that's going to give them success in the future," said WorldPeace.
Sanchez, a South Texas rancher and businessman, suggested a quality education will solve many of the state's social and economic ills.
"What worries me is today, 88 percent of all young people in Texas are not completing a college degree. We are no longer a commodity-based economy," Sanchez said. "Our economy is based on information and technology. If elected governor, I want to be able to tell Fortune 1000 and Fortune 2000 companies that we have an educated work force."
