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Stars for Rural Texas
They shone bright and steady through the twists and turns of a sometimes turbulent legislative session.
They took risks, built consensus, worked long and hard and were not afraid to take action to pass legislation important to rural Texas, agriculture and the Texas Farm Bureau. Some names are familiar, others are new. What these legislators shared in common was a desire to see agriculture prosper in the Lone Star State. To each of them, and our honorable mentions and freshman Legislators, a special thanks from the members of the state's largest farm organization. Let us present, the Stars of Rural Texas!
Still Fighting for Agriculture
Last session we introduced the members of the Texas Farm Bureau to
Rep. Charlie Geren as our newest hero in
the legislature. In 2005, he showed that he is still with us. He filed legislation to strengthen our water
exemptions and passed legislation to strengthen the Right to Farm Act. Rep. Geren continues to pitch in wherever he is
needed, whether it is supporting our fight with the Trans-Texas Corridor or working to help us pass property rights
legislation authored by other members of the legislature. Sometimes, the true test of a friend is someone who helps
you without expecting credit or accolades. That sums up our good friend, Rep. Charlie Geren.
Rock Solid for Rural Texas
Sen. Todd Staples has a long record—first as a House member and now as a state senator—for preserving the
rural way of living and protecting private property rights. It is no wonder that he was first in line to help with
the challenges many members faced with the Trans-Texas Corridor. From January to the last few hours of session,
Sen. Staples was a workhorse in coming to fair and common sense approaches to address the concerns regarding the TTC.
The milestones produced in HB 2702 would not have been possible without his leadership and willingness to stand up to the Texas Department of Transportation. Sen. Staples is truly a great leader and friend of the Texas Farm Bureau and agriculture.
Agriculture's Work Horse
The first member of the Texas Legislature who publicly vowed to fight the Trans-Texas Corridor was
Rep. Robby Cook. When he realized the impact it would have on rural Texas and agriculture, he stepped out to say that
changes must be made. From the first day of the 2005 legislative session, he worked side by side with Reps.
Kolkhorst, Hardcastle, and Hegar to negotiate a better deal for rural Texas. And, if that show of leadership from the Chair
of the Rural Caucus wasn't enough, he passed the landmark piece of groundwater legislation for the session, H.B.
1763. Even though he was not appointed to the House Committee on Natural Resources this session, his experience,
leadership, and expertise made him a major player in water policy. Hard work is often rewarded in the legislative
process. Rep. Robby Cook is proof.
The Tax Man Cometh, But He is One of Us
It is almost unheard of that an author of a tax bill would receive applause—much less a standing ovation in
the traditionally conservative Texas House of Representatives. However, it should come as no surprise when that
member is the shining star of Eastland, Rep. Jim
Keffer. Rep. Keffer managed to fairly and openly craft a tax plan
that was fiscally responsible and still met the challenging needs of today's educational system. He did so with an
open mind and a sense of fairness. And, true to his rural district, he ensured agriculture was protected.
Everyone's Hero
It seems like every special interest group in Texas wants to claim
Sen. Robert Duncan. His popularity is a testament to his work ethic and his statesmanship. Sen. Duncan puts his district and Texas first. Luckily for
Texas Farm Bureau, his district is rural and he serves on the two committees most important to Texas agriculture:
Finance and Natural Resources. This session he fought to restore funding cuts to agriculture water conservation programs
and helped pass major groundwater legislation in the Senate. Sen. Duncan is called upon to do the heavy-lifting on
several major issues each session. Fortunately for our organization and industry, every session he makes
agriculture and rural Texas two of his major priorities.
The Range Boss
The legislative process is structured to kill bills. Every step has the potential to doom a piece of
legislation. Perhaps the single most critical step for the majority of our organization's agenda is the Senate Natural
Resources Committee. However, Sen. Ken
Armbrister makes sure that our agenda keeps moving not only out of his
committee, but the Texas Senate. Even with the late filing of the major water legislation of the session, S.B. 3,
Sen. Armbrister moved the bill with lightning speed through the Senate to give it a good chance to pass the House.
Even though the legislation died on the House Calendar, few senators could have moved such a major piece of
legislation through the Senate mine field.
Stepping Up for Agriculture
Rep. Glenn Hegar is no stranger to hard work. As a sixth generation farmer, his time in the fields of
Waller County were good preparation for his days as a legislator. In only his second term
in the Texas House, Rep. Hegar was THE representative
for agriculture and rural Texas. In the wee hours of
the waning days of session, he helped secure one of the
top priorities of the Texas Farm Bureau, the
Trans-Texas Corridor (TTC). While Rep. Hegar is no fan of the
plan and very concerned regarding the impact of the TTC on
his district, he helped to place safeguards into law
that protect private property rights.
Rep. Hegar has worked to ensure private property rights are preserved not only in District 28 , but for all rural Texans.
The New Force from the Brazos Valley
Smart, funny and determined is an accurate depiction of Rep. Lois Kolkhorst. Hailing from the shadows of the little creamery on the Brazos, she has been a long time friend and supporter of the Texas Farm Bureau. This was clearly evident as she was the first member of the Legislature to file legislation to halt the progress of the Trans-Texas Corridor. Many of her incentives made it to the governor's table in the bill to augment and reform the TTC. In addition, she has distinguished herself as a member and more importantly a subcommittee chair of the powerful Committee on Appropriations. Well done.
Leadership and Results for Agriculture
Rep. David Swinford of Dumas skillfully and successfully used his leadership position to advance agriculture legislation and, more importantly, squash any proposals that would be harmful to rural Texas. Rep. Swinford is adept at leveraging rural Texas' limited representation in the Legislature to achieve extraordinary results. He is so legendary for responding so forcefully to harmful legislation that most members end up regretting even thinking about attacking our priorities and programs. We truly appreciate Rep. Swinford's leadership in the Texas House.
Mr. Chairman
Chairman Rick Hardcastle of Vernon skillfully navigated the House Agriculture and Livestock Committee through some occasionally rough waters this session. The committee was composed of an urban membership with a majority coming from the minority party—probably a first in Texas history. The Chairman took advantage of this opportunity to provide education about the unique challenges and opportunities facing agriculture, while still accomplishing the priority issues facing the committee.
Star Greenhand
The Star Greenhand in FFA is the new member who displays exceptional willingness to learn new skills and accomplish difficult tasks. Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Mike Jackson of Pasadena certainly earned such a designation this year. While his background in agriculture issues was not deep, he came into the Chairmanship willing to study the issues, consider valuable input and then make decisions that advanced a successful agenda for rural Texas and agriculture. While new to the Agriculture Chair, Sen. Jackson's considerable experience in the Legislature helped provide actual results at the end of a sometimes tenuous session.
Honorable Mention
And we'd like to mention the terrific work by these individuals:
•Rep. Jim Pitts—As a rancher, attorney and the chairman of the powerful Appropriations Committee in the House, he is uniquely situated to understand and act on the funding and needs of Texas agriculture.
•Rep. Warren Chisum—This Texas Panhandle rancher and longtime House leader was the point-man for agriculture and rural Texas on the House floor. His understanding, preparation and delivery make him a formidable opponent during the toughest of debates.
•Rep. Carter Casteel—Passed legislation to protect agricultural land from annexation.
•Rep. Anna Mowery/Sen. Tommy Williams—Passed legislation to protect the rights of landowners to hunt when they are annexed into a city.
•Rep. Bryan Hughes/Sen. Kevin Eltife—Passed legislation to protect good-faith landowners from land grabs by reforming Texas Land Vacancy statutes.
•Rep. Sid Miller—Advocated for the passage of Texas Farm Bureau priority legislation as a member of both the Calendars and Land and Resource Management Committees .
•Rep. Gene Seaman—A rock for career and technology programs and on legislation protecting private property rights.
•Rep. Dan Gattis—Undoubtedly one of the rising stars in the Texas Legislature. He is uniquely positioned, growing up in a ranching family in the shadows of Austin, to understand and argue the unique needs of producers facing the encroachment of urban sprawl.
Freshman Legislators
They may be the new kids on the block, but they stood tall for agriculture. We'd like to recognize the work of these individuals:
•Sen. Kel Seliger—His positive attitude, willingness to work with and learn from others, and skills in the political arena allowed him to carry an unusually heavy load in the Senate.
•Rep. John Otto—Emerged as a major force in the number one issue of the session—public school finance—
a honor rarely achieved in a legislator's first term.
•Rep. Rob Orr—Authored HB 3017 to protect landowners in the condemnation process.
•Rep. Roy Blake—Strong advocate of private property rights as a member of the House Committee on Land and Resource Management.
•Rep. Yvonne Gonzalez Toureilles—Communicated closely with local Farm Bureau leaders, keeping them apprised of changes and seeking their counsel on important issues.
