Capitol Reports
texagnet
July 9, 2010
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Usually Politically Bustling Halls Remain Quiet
Halls at the Texas Capitol, except for the footsteps of usual summertime visitors, remain relatively quiet. Meanwhile much more political bustling is going on outside those hallowed avenues. Texas Democrats and Republicans are locked in open debate as the state and nation approach national mid-term and statewide elections.
Topping the statewide list, Gov. Rick Perry (R) and challenger Bill White (D) addressed members of the Texas Farm Bureau (TFB) this week in San Marcos. The TFB political arm, AgFund, will meet later this month or during September to discuss whether to endorse Perry or White ... or neither.
Current Texas Agriculture Commissioner, Todd Staples (R), faces Democratic challenger Hank Gilbert in November. Gilbert had initially sought to run as governor, but opted out of that race and into the race for Ag Commissioner ... and in a runoff bid, beat out Austin liberal Kinky Friedman.
Democrats are targeting Republican weak areas to try to grab positions currently held by Republicans ... and, likewise, Republicans are working to exploit areas where Democrats are vulnerable. As in all things political, it's what you might expect to occur at this point in any election year cycle.
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State Budget Remains Top Priority
Members of the Texas legislature continue to express concern pertaining to the state's sagging economy that has adversely impacted state coffers. Many officials say, though, that the Texas economy remains fairly strong when compared to other states.
Texas Comptroller Susan Combs announced this week that state sales tax revenue in June totaled $1.61 billion, a 2.2 percent increase compared to June 2009.
"Total sales tax collections have now slightly exceeded year-ago levels for a third consecutive month," Combs said. "Net collections in the oil and gas and manufacturing sectors expanded, but collections from the all-important retail sector were down from the year-ago level. While overall economic activity is no longer contracting, a resumption of solid growth in sales tax collections is not yet in evidence."
As in most recent sessions of the legislature, there will more than likely be another push to legalize slot machines and other gambling activities. Several other states have been considering legalized gambling or expansion of legalized gambling to help address their fiscal deficits.
A Texas House committee heard testimony this week from proponents of legalized gambling. As state lawmakers look to confront an estimated $18 billion budget state deficit during the next legislative session, the idea of legalized gambling ... or some form thereof ... may again be a consideration.
A spokesman for the state comptroller's office says, however, the most popular gambling options on the table would not provide much revenue over the next two to three years, because of the time that would be required to put them in place.
John Heleman, representing the comptroller's office, told the House Licensing and Administrative Procedures Committee that increased gaming should not be considered a quick fix to the state's budget problems.
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Weather: A Rio Grand Valley Plague?
Over the past several years, Rio Grande Valley farmers have faced weather woes that have devastated their crops. The region was drought stricken during the past two years that resulted in great negative impact on the agricultural sector.
This year appeared different, though, as ample soil moisture before and soon after crop planting provided an excellent chance for really economically productive crops for the first time in the past several years.
Then Hurricane Alex, making landfall just south of the border earlier this month, inundated Valley farm fields with water. While area farmers were spared the brunt of the storm, mood shifted from optimistic to cautiously optimistic as growers hoped for clearing skies and bright sunshine to dry fields of excess water.
And then came a tropical depression this week that dumped additional rainfall that added insult to injury. Valley crops of sorghum, corn and cotton have reached the stage where additional rainfall is of little benefit to the crops.
One Rio Grande Valley farmer summed it best by simply stating: "We don't need any more rain."
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Stage Being Set for Redistricting Effort
Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst has announced that Senator Kel Seliger (R-Amarillo) will head a select committee on redistricting. Seliger represents an area of West Texas that includes a large swath of rural real estate ... and that stands to be impacted by the redistricting process during the next legislative session.
Rural agricultural areas west of the I-35 corridor appear destined to lose political representation, while urban centers generally along and east of the I-35 corridor will more than likely pick up additional legislative and congressional seats.
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Berman Announces Bid for Speakership
State Rep. Leo Berman (R-Tyler) has announced that he will make a bid to unseat House Speaker Joe Straus (R-San Antonio) during the next legislative session. Berman was elected to the Texas House in 1998.
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Plainview Ag Summit Draws Crowd
An Ag Summit recently convened in the Texas High Plains sought to discuss and address major agricultural issues that face West Texas farmers and ranchers. The Summit, arranged by Rep. Joe Heflin (D.-Crosbyton), was well attended by local and state agricultural representatives, and local farmers and ranchers. Lawmakers and representatives discussed redistricting, wind energy and legislative topics pertaining to agriculture.
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Briscoe Passing Marks End of Era
Former Texas Gov. Dolph Briscoe (D-Uvalde) died recently at his Uvalde home. He was a rancher and a banker who served as Texas governor for two terms (Jan 16, 1973-Jan 16, 1979).
While various media outlets have reported the accomplishments of Briscoe, most have made little or no mention of the fact that he was largely responsible for the network of rural farm-to-market and ranch-to-market roads within the state.
Briscoe realized the importance and growing need of farmers and ranchers being able to efficiently move their products from production points to storage and processing facilities.
Dolph Briscoe died at the age of 87.
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