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Texas Agriculture Archive

March 21, 2003

Budget: No sacred cows

By Lana Robinson
Field Editor

There seems to be no sacred cows when it comes to the state budget this session. Some cuts have been announced. Others are in the pipeline. Although Warren Mayberry, Texas Farm Bureau associate legislative director in Austin, says it is important not to unjustly alarm members with respect to the safety of ag exemptions and other priority issues set by the organization, he does admonish everyone to remain vigilant.

"We don't want to speculate on what may or may not happen, but there are recurring discussions that suggest we could see reductions in the boll weevil program, the brush control program, the animal health commission, and perhaps the Go Texan program at TDA (Texas Department of Agriculture)," Mayberry reported, March 12. "I want to qualify that by emphasizing that nothing has been set in concrete. Obviously, we are keeping a close eye on those issues and the budget."

Mayberry said some other ag-related areas that could see some type of reduction are research programs at Texas A&M University and Texas Tech, and perhaps the Texas Cooperative Extension.

He explained that the Texas Agricultural Finance Authority (TAFA) loan program directed by TDA had been suspended.

"TDA was pretty much directed to do that in order to stop additional spending. Loans that have been approved, will go forward. Pending loans may not be approved, and they will not be accepting new applications," Mayberry said.

A lot of legislation is still up in the air. Mayberry said many bills have not moved simply because legislators are waiting to see what is happening with the budget. Most of these have been referred to committee.

"It is still important to talk to your state representative or state senator," Mayberry advised members, indicating a personal visit, letter, or phone call are good ways to communicate. "Tell them these bills will hurt producers. Not only will they hurt them, they will hurt them quickly."