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Texas Agriculture Archive

March 3, 2006

Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst ended months of speculation when he released the committee appointments and list of policy studies for the 2006 interim. These studies will form the basis for legislation in 2007. It is also unlikely that the committee appointments will see much change after the regular session of the legislature begins next January—particularly the newly appointed committee chairs.

Of most importance to Texas Farm Bureau (TFB) are the new committee chairs for the Natural Resources Committee, Transportation Committee, and the Subcommittee on Agriculture. Two of the former chairs of these committees—Ken Armbrister and Todd Staples, respectively—are not returning to the Texas Senate. Sen. Armbrister is retiring, and of course, Sen. Staples is running in the Agriculture Commissioner's race. Sen. Mike Jackson, formerly the chair for the Subcommittee on Agriculture, has been reappointed to the Nominations Committee.

The new chair of the Natural Resources Committee is Sen. Kip Averitt of Waco. As TFB's "hometown" senator, we enjoy a great relationship with Sen. Averitt. In fact, his district includes large rural areas dominated by agriculture. We look forward to continuing our great working relationship with the chairman.

Sen. John Carona of Dallas is now the chair of the Transportation Committee. Sen. Carona has been supportive of agriculture issues during his legislative career. We are certain to have an open door to discuss our transportation concerns with him.

A great friend of agriculture, Sen. Craig Estes of Wichita Falls, has been appointed chair of the Subcommittee on Agriculture. Sen. Estes leads Estes Chemical Corp., a supplier of agricultural pesticides, herbicides, and other chemicals. Sen. Estes and his family have a longtime relationship with agriculture.

TFB will be busy monitoring and participating in the interim studies assigned by Lt. Gov. Dewhurst to the Senate committees. For example, the Senate Natural Resources Committee alone has eight separate studies to conduct, several of which are very broad-ranging. Texas Farm Bureau has policy and an interest in every one of them. Some of the issues, like water and renewable fuels, will be a particular interest to our members.

The biggest unresolved issue that will dominate the interim will be public school finance. Rumors persist that Gov. Perry will call the legislature into session after the primary elections are over, probably in April. Under the order of the Texas Supreme Court, the legislature has until June 1 to create a constitutional public school finance system. If the rumors are correct, the legislature will have six-weeks to comply with the court order.

For information on legislative committees or interim studies in the Texas House or Senate, please visit the Texas Legislature Online at www.capitol.state.tx.us.