By Kenneth Dierschke
Texas Farm Bureau President
Texans scored an “important but incomplete” victory by an overwhelming margin in the battle for private property rights with the passage of Proposition 11.
The approximately 80 percent favorable vote is a clear message to the Legislature and the Governor that Texans are tired of eminent domain reform taking a back seat to political ambitions and business interests. But even with the passage of Proposition 11, Texas eminent domain laws still favor the condemner.
True reform will happen only when additional protections are added to eminent domain law such as offers to landowners that represent fair market value, compensation to landowners for lost access to their property and the right of landowners to repurchase land not used for condemning purposes.
Texas legislators in the last two sessions have proven willing to level the playing field for property owners. Except for his support for Proposition 11, the governor hasn’t.
Hopefully, whoever sits in the governor’s seat when the legislature meets again in 2011 will hear Texas Farm Bureau’s message loud and clear. Proposition 11 is an important step for eminent domain reform in the Lone Star State, but only a step.
Texas Farm Bureau members worked hard to ensure the overwhelming passage of this important private property rights amendment to the Texas Constitution. We will redouble efforts to make sure the job is complete.
Op-Ed from Texas State Rep. Bill Callegari
View photos of how counties spread the word about Proposition 11
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Here’s hoping for a happier New Year...
(Texas Agriculture © 01/15/2010)
I have a somewhat difficult time trying to figure out what kind of year 2009 was.
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The dust has all but settled on the 81stLegislative Session but lawmakers are already working to jumpstart the key issues they will face in 2011, particularly when it comes to dealing with the state’s already strained water supply. Texas is the fastest growing state in the nation today. Over the next 30 years, the population is expected to leap from 25 million people today to upwards of 45 to 50 million.
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(Texas Agriculture © 01/01/2010)
There is an ancient Chinese curse that sounds harmless until you think about it: "May you live in interesting times." Interesting times are challenging times. They can bring hardship. They can dash hopes and destroy dreams. Sometimes, however, lying right in the same ditch with all of our tough problems, are opportunities.
Fight for the Lampasas
(Texas Agriculture © 01/01/2010)
Nestled along the banks of the Lampasas River, the farm has served Bradley Ware and four previous generations well for more than 130 years. The roots of the farm tap back to the aftermath of the Civil War, when Ware’s great-great grandfather laid claim to the 260-plus acres in Southern Bell County to start a new life.
Tough times bring out the best in Texas agriculture
(Texas Agriculture © 01/01/2010)
To say that times were anything but tough in 2009 would perhaps be the understatement of the year. It began with what many called the worst worldwide economic times witnessed since the Great Depression. A new presidential administration took office, bringing with it new policies and new regulations. And while Washington focused its energies on stimulus packages and climate change debates, already approved dollars destined for disaster-struck families laid idle for much of the year.
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