This is a Republican primary race.  Do you promise, if elected, to abide by the RPT platform? And if not, please enumerate what problems you have.

Absolutely, I have complied with the Republican Party of Texas rule to review the party platform and identify ten planks that I highly agree with and any party plank I disagree. I recorded ten planks in agreement and none in disagreement. I am highly supportive of Plank 51: "Freedom  Food:  We urge  that  no  legislation be passed to  restrict  purchase  of  edible products  such  as meat,  milk,  eggs,  vegetables,  etc.,  directly  from  small  farms  and  that  any  regulations  prohibiting  that  be rescinded."

Please comment on the TGLO's disaster relief response to the wildfires of 2011 & 2012, and hurricanes Ike(2008) and Harvey (2017)?

As an East Texan, both of these natural weather phenomena substantially affected my neighbors emotionally, financially, and even loss of life.  However, these disasters showcased the the best of Texas spirit of Faith, Charity, and Resolve. Because the Texas disaster mobilization is response-focused and is heavily reliant on federal disaster funding resources, unfortunately, this puts the GLO in a reactionary mode, exposes our recovery to graft and corruption, and discourages planning and mitigation. 
 

As your next Commissioner of Agriculture, I will work with your elected state representatives and senators to continue the adherence on Plank 42 of the RPT Platform: Flooding Mitigation,  Hurricane,  and  Early  Warning  of  Impending Disaster:  We support  the  immediate study,  implementation,  and construction of  projects  that  will: a.  Address  river,  bayou,  reservoir,  and other  flood threats  to  public  and private property. b.  Seek  the  input  of  those  most  likely  to  be affected  by  a  casualty  to public  and private property,  to  include infrastructure  and  facilities  that  affect  national  security. c.  Address  the  risk  of  storm  or  tidal  surge  that  affects  the  critical  industries  along the  Gulf Coast. d.  Create an  early  warning  system  that  will  immediately  alert  residents  to an  impending flood, wind,  or  casualty  weather  event. e.  Establish regional  Flood  Control  Districts  where necessary  for  counties  to  resolve  joint flooding issues. f. Provide funds  to complete these  projects  from  federal,  state,  and local  funds,  to include specifically  targeted  taxes  for  the purpose  and never  for  any  other  purpose. We strongly  urge  that  the Republican Party  of  Texas  make  this  a  legislative  priority.  Governments  at  all levels  must  work  together  to avoid  the  historical  bent  to push  projects,  safety,  and implementation into  the future.  Projects  must  be  of  most  urgent  priority  now  in order  to avoid  further  trauma;  loss  of  life;  loss  of personal,  government,  and business  wealth;  and  diminution of  the  tax  base. 
 

Moreover, I want to explore the possibility along with the Texas Forwstry Service, foresters, ranchers, farmers, and our land grant research institutions to explore the feasibility of employing statistical analytics and algorithms to predict with some level accuracy wildfire conditions and develop a pre-incident mitigation effort. 

In sum, Texas is a geographically large state with concentrations of population and wealth in our urban areas and agriculture and oil/gas exploration in rural regions of our state. Due to the weather diversity in Texas, we will continue to have tropical storms and wildfires. We need a response effort that heightens our planning and mitigation. I have often said that if mitigation and recovery were at least half as effective as the response efforts by our first responders and law enforcement, we would have the infrastructure that would significantly reduce the loss of life and property.

Please discuss the challenges the TDA faces in dealing with the federal agencies, such as the FDA, and how you propose to meet those challenges.

At least during most of my legislative service, the federal government has engaged and continues to engage in a full-frontal assault on Texas agriculture. For example, the EPA's "Waters of the United States" (WOTUS) attempted to place every water body, from a water puddle, an intermittent stream, to a river or lake under federal regulatory oversight.  The Trump Administration substantially changed the regulatory scope, but the Biden Administration has revived WOTUS.  
 

Since the Constitution gives the federal government international trade policy discretion, recent decades of poor trade policy has placed many agricultural  activited in an uncompetitive position.  
 

Federal tax policy punishes family farms with the unfair inheritance tax. And, most recently, poor macro-economic management on the federal level with vaccince mandates, inflationary money policy, discouraging work, and frayed supply chains. 
 

1.  Review the TDA budget and work with the Legislature and industry and rollback  fees/taxes that the current commissioner has imposed unilaterally on our agriculture industry.

2.  Review the TDA regulatory footprint and work with the Legislature and industry and rollback burdensome regulations that the current commissioner has imposed unilaterally on our agriculture industry.

3.  Work with industry and the Legislature to provide statutory regulatory relief to Texas agriculture.

4.  I plan to collaborate with industry and other statewide officials and have a robust state/federal legislative desk that monitors state and federal proposals and existing policy in order to advocate for policy that restores freedom to our agricultural industry and defeat policy that is injurious.

5. Work with the Legislature and encourage opportunities for to pass state legislation and preempt unconstitutional federal regulation and statutes and exploit that wonderful job President Trump did in staffing the federal judiciary with constitutionalists.

6. As Commissioner, I will be a relentless articulate conservative promoter of Texas agriculture and in general Texas exceptionalism, rugged individualism, and the Texas Model: lower tax rates; certain and less burdendome regulatory regime, decreasing lawsuit abuse; and developing 21st century roads, bridges, ports, and educational opportunities.

7. As that relentless articulate conservative promoter of Texas agriculture and in general Texas exceptionalism, rugged individualism, and the Texas Model throughout the state, urban and rural, in East, West, North, and South Texas to the point that I multiply by the millions the number of advocates for the greatness of Texas.

8. Remain a champion for Texas oil/gas.

9. Wake up every morning understanding that I am protecting and promoting Texas Liberty, not a political party.  Regardless of which party is in control of Congress, if that party is hurting Texas it is my job to push back  regardless of who is in the White House, my job is to champion Texas.

Please list any federal grant monies you would refuse because of federal "strings."

This is a great question. According to the latest TDA sunset report (https://www.sunset.texas.gov/public/uploads/files/reports/TDA_Staff%20Report%20with%20Final%20Results_6-30-21.pdf, p.7-8), more than 90 percent of TDA revenues is your money thst probably should have never left Texas, or to begin with, your pocket in the first place. Most of these revenues are to implement nutrition programs and rural CDBG programs (some rural communities leverage these funds to develop flood mitigation and other post-disaster projects). Under my leadership, TDA will not accept and spend feferal money just because we have it.  We will spend all taxpayer funding with integrity and honesty. 
 

I consider  these two federal programs as legacy programs initiated decades ago and over time the Legislature has moved these programs to TDA.  The first order of business is to insure that the monies we are spending, regardless of who provides the funding, are being spent efficiently and delivering exceptional service and returns to Texas. 
 

Next, TDA must do a good job projecting what Texas needs from these programs.  Appropriately, we must try to use these funds to purchase Texas agriculture products and services from small businesses.  Also, as Commissioner, I will work with Congress to provide more state/local discretion  as a rural representative, I have found out that one of the problems is that the strings prevent the use of funds and that is why TDA sends so much money as lapsed funds.

In other words, current federal regulations are compelling TDA and local rural communities to spend federal funds inefficiently and simultaneously, stunts the access to the entire federal funding appropriation for CDBG.

As for the nutrition programs, the federal government appropriates based on a formula. Again, according to discussions I have had with school food preparation managers, the federal and state regulations the tend to focus too much on what these public servants cannot do, instead of allowing them to do what they are hired to do: prepare and feed lunch to svhool children and senior citizens. 
 

Again, the regulatory administration is forcing the Texas grant recipients to either return lapsed funding or spend funds inefficiently.  
 

Solution: Work with our Texas Congressional delegation and force the administrative state to update their oversight to the 21st century.

What differentiates you from your opponents?

Conservative of Conscience v. Conservative of Convenience --- that is the differentation

(Conservative of Convenience): I served one session with the incumbent, Sid Miller, when he served in the Texas House in 2011. Because of the overwhelming concerns of grassroot conservatives, the first vote I ever took was against the Speaker of the Texas House, while my opponent gave his seconding speech to clinch his nomination. He was rewarded by getting the opportunity to chair the House Committee on Homeland Security, where he failed to pass Constitutional Carry, Open Carry, Campus Carry, or any significant Second Amendment legislation. Instead, the public record indicates that as the chair of that committee he sat on these bills until late April or early May to vote them out of committee, only to see them languish and die in Calendars.  During the 2021 legislation session, he had a lot of commentary about what was not getting out of calendars.  In 2011, he had the confidence of the Speaker and a super-majority Republican Caucus of 101 Republicans.

(Conservative of Conscience) I have supported all of these bills every time they have come before me for a vote, and as the most recent Chairman of the Homeland Security Committee I Joint-Authored and was the first and only Chairman in Texas House history to pass Constitutional Carry out of committee to the floor and into law. When the Speaker offered the opportunity to serve as Chair of Homeland Security and Public Safety, I told the Speaker I had to get constitutional carry out of committee and to the House floor, along with eleven other constitutional-restoration firearms rights bills that became law. This was done with an 83-member Republican Caucus.

(Conservative of Convenience) One candidate in his race consistently touted his fiscal conservatism on the House floor.  However, once he became Commissioner he raised fees and taxes excessively on agricultural producers and small business owners.  According to his spokesperson at the time (2015): "“without these fee changes, the agency will not be able to accomplish its mission to serve and grow the agriculture industry.” No further commentary was provided by the Commissioner on how raising taxes grows the agricultural commissioner.

(Conservative of Conscience) I have not voted for excessive tax or fee increases on Texas farmers, ranchers, small business owners, and consumers. In fact, as Chair of the Homeland Security Committee, my committee has oversight of the Texas Commission on State Emergency Communications.  This state agenvy in collaboration with locsl regional councils deliver 911 emergency communications. The regionsl hub switches have not been upgraded dince the 1970s.  Meaning that even during the Commissioner's tenure as chair of the committee in 2011, he did not address this criticsl issue this ensures that our local first responders and law enforcement have the resources and tools to preserve life and keep our communities safe.  Nevertheless, this shortcoming was exposed during Winter Storm Uri when these aged communications facilities froze and left thousand of Texans without 911 service.  With help from my colleagues, we worked throughout the session to get CSEC the funds needed to upgrade our statewide 911 system with 21st century technologies without raising the fee to .75 from the current .50 which has not changed since the late eighties.

I am the only candidate in this race that has a constructive and sustained record of achieving conservative victories over six sessions in Pro-Life, Constitutional Firearms Rights, Securing our Texas Border; passing legislation to deregulate our agricultural industry; valuing our Texas law enforcement, maintaining secure communities; securing our elections; stopping critical race theory in our classrooms, to just name a few.

I am the only candidate in this race that begins Day 1 with the legislative record and relationships inside the Capitol needed to help pro-agricultural legislation to pass.  I have been endorsed by several House members and my State Senator. I am the only candidate that can start Day 1 advocating with our Congressional Delegation. I am endorsed by my Congressman, Brian Babin.

I am the only candidate in this race that has the legislative service and experience to step into TDA Day 1 as a champion for rural Texas.  The Texas Agriculture Code charges TDA with the responsibility for advocating rural interests.  I live in rural Texas and have been elected for six terms in a rural Texas district. I have served on the House County Affairs Committee, the House Agriculture Committee, the House Corrections Committee (most correctional units are located in rural Texas and TDCJ has one of the largest, if not the largest agribusiness operation in Texas), Select Committee on Mental Health, and the Select Committee on Opioid and Substance Abuse.  

 

What are the three main reasons you are running for this office? Do you see any potential conflicts of interest?

I asking you for your vote as your next Commissioner of Agriculture because I love Texas and I loveTexas farmers and ranchers.  They dont ask for much, but they wake up everyday and go to work daily supplying the food, fiber, and fuel for Texas.
 

I do not have any conflicts of interest.  The Texas Agriculture Code requires that the Commissioner to have some nexus with Texas Agriculture.  I am small-operation beef producer and I own marketable timber.  
 

My priorities will be:

1. Create Jobs & Economic Growth: Texas is the top state in the nation for agriculture, providing $115 billion in annual economic impact and directly or indirectly employing one out of every seven Texans. As a member of the Agriculture and Livestock Committee, I had direct oversight of the agency and will leverage this experience to ensure Texas not only remains the national leader, but continues to grow. I believe the free market, not the government, knows best how to do this and I will do everything in my power to cut red tape, regulations, taxes, and fees to ensure private farmers and ranchers have the tools they need to be successful. 

2. Fight back against Biden's federal overreach: We have all heard about the Biden Administration's war on the oil and gas industry, but the administration is seeking to radically transform all sectors of our economy through federal overreach - including agriculture. 

For example, the Biden Administration has fought to ditch the Trump Era definition of Waters of the US. Many farmers and ranchers fear a new definition by the Biden Administration would allow the EPA to regulate ditches, ponds, and even puddles on their lands. 

In situations like this I will use all tools at my disposal to fight to protect private property rights and oppose any unnecessary expansion of federal jurisdiction over our natural resources or economy. 

3. Cut Waste & Ensure Efficiency: With a budget of ~$700 million it is essential that the TDA regularly audits its own budget to make sure our taxpayer dollars are spent effectively and efficiently. If there is waste, it needs to be cut. If there are unnecessary fees, they need to be cut, if not eliminated.

The TDA provides financial assistance to farmers and ranchers in the form of loan guarantees and interest rate reductions. Is this an example where the need is great enough to go against the free market? What, if any, changes to this do you commit to vigorously pursue?

Thank you for this question. To begin with, the the Texas voters through consitutional amendment ratificatiom created the Texas Agricultural Finance Authority (TAFA) Agricultural Loan Guarantee Program (ALG)[[https://www.texasagriculture.gov/GrantsServices/RuralEconomicDevelopment/TexasAgriculturalFinanceAuthority.aspx].  
 

With that said, I do think it is appropriate to review this program in order to evaluate its compatibility with our free markets system. Reviewing the program's process, the farmer/rancher must find a private financial institution to provide the loan (https://www.texasagriculture.gov/GrantsServices/RuralEconomicDevelopment/TexasAgriculturalFinanceAuthority/AgriculturalLoanGuaranteeProgram.aspx). Even after meeting the private financial institution's underwriting requirements, TAFA has requirements such as minimal credit scoring and debt to equity requirements. Again, these are aspects that the private sector iscable to evaluate instead of the government. 
 

Last year, the Texas Department of Agriculture went through its sunset review.  The Sunset recommendations did not suggest the termination of TAFA.  However, there was one sunset recommendation that could allow TDA to review TAFA policies.  For example, om p.45-46 of the Sunset report, the Commission highlights a deficiency regarding the department's rule review.  Apparently, TDA does not meaningfully review and revise its rules every four years and does not have required negotiated rulemaking policies.
(https://www.sunset.texas.gov/public/uploads/files/reports/TDA_Staff%20Report%20with%20Final%20Results_6-30-21.pdf)

Therefore, I will use this Sunset recommendation to review the rules regarding TAFA and ensure to the extent possible that TAFA is compatible, not competing with the free market and provide recommendations to the Legislsture where statutory guidance is required.

TDA provides tools, from tax payers, for communities to attract businesses and pursue other economic development opportunities. Why use tax dollars for this? What, if any, changes to this do you commit to vigorously pursue?

Well, first I will attempt to identifiy those "economic development" tasks that are associated with core government constitutional functions verdus those thst are competing and/or interfering with the free market.  For example, "TDA provides assistance for rural and economic development through the administration of federal community development block grants." As I stated above, rural communities use these funds to develop mitigation infrastructure after a disaster.  Even the Republican Party platform has a plank that urges every levrl of government to create infrastructure to perserve life, wealth, and property from recurring natural disasters.  
 

On p.42, the Sunset report discusses the Texas Rural Foundation.  Founded "in 2001 to finance rural health, community, and economic development this quasi-private organization has only collected $40,000.  The foundation board has not met in several years or maintained the foundation’s tax-exempt status.  This why it was wise for the Sunset Commission to recommend abolishment. Consistent with this Sunset Commission, a thorough review of rules and programs with an economic development purpose is focused on core constitutional government functions, which are few and defined, and not competing and cancelling out the decisions and roles of free market recipients. 

Why is the TDA administering the Certified Retirement Community program to attract retirees? What part of the Texas Constitution requires this?

TDA is administering the Certified Retirement Community program because the Legislature has directed TDA to do so: https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/AG/htm/AG.12.htm#12.040. 

"The department shall establish and maintain a Texas Certified Retirement Community Program in which retirees and potential retirees are encouraged to make their homes in Texas communities that have met the criteria for certification by the department as a Texas certified retirement community."

However, I am not sure there is an expressed constitutional mandate for TDA to administer this program.

Why is the TDA, and not faith-based organizations administering assistance to feed the hungry through the Texans Feeding Texans initiative?  What will you do to change that?

The Texans Feeding Texans: Home Delivered Meals Grant Program was created by the Texas Legislature in 2007 by HB 407. My opponent, Sid Miller voted for it. This program allows for nonprofits or local government entities to apply to the TDA for grants to help pay to deliver food to senior citizens. 

I believe that non-profits and churches do a much better job taking care of the needy than the government. The current biennium budget gives the TDA $15 million in state dollars for nutrition assistance for "at-risk children and adults," while federal funding is over $550,000,000.

If elected, I will take a close look at this and all programs at the TDA for waste and inefficiencies and make budgetary recommendations to the legislature. 

TDA fights obesity in Texas through a statewide campaign highlighting the 3E's of Healthy Living - Education, Exercise and Eating Right.  Who pays for this and why must the government be involved or why must it be stopped? What, if any, changes to this do you commit to vigorously pursue?

This is a great question. Chapter 12.0027 "authorizes" not necessaily requires TDA to develop nutritional outreach programs.

Sec. 12.0027. NUTRITION OUTREACH PROGRAM. (a) The department may develop an outreach program to promote better health and nutrition programs and prevent obesity among children in this state.

Undoubtedly, Texas youth have challenges regarding obesity. It has pronounced public health challenges in the future and an adverse impact on national security by narrowing the number of youth eligible for military service.  However, healthy eating habilts are embedded in our state curriculum.  Our Extension Services promote health eating habits in our local communities.  In other words, this statutory authorization is duplicitous.  At the most, TDA should be in supportive role subodinate to other agencies.  Also, TDA admimisters several nutrition programs and these programs alone can convey and exemplify health eating habits.

While health and nutrition are important, I don’t believe sub-par government funded PSAs are going to convince Texans to eat healthy and exercise. As with most wasteful government spending, it is the taxpayer at the end of the day that ends up on the hook to pay for these type of things. As previously state, as your next Agriculture Commissioner, I plan to do a full examination of all of the programs delegated to our agency, determine if they are necessary and efficient, and make budgetary recommendations to my colleagues in the Legislature. 

In sum, as Commissioner, I would review all departments programs that the Legislature and/or the Texas Constitution does not mandate.  In particular to the 3 E's, I would look at encouraging other agencies to that have the more expansive skillset to focus on the 3'Es of Healthy Living and constrain TDA's promotion to its administering the various nutrition programs. 

TDA leads in the development of statewide broadband services.  What business does an agriculture department have in this arena? What, if any, changes to this do you commit to vigorously pursue?

Thank you for this question. The Texas Legislature has given TDA the role to facilitate rural development in order to maximixe agricultural production.  In the 2021 session, the Legislature has centralized statewide broadband development and expansion in the Comptroller's Office.  As Commissioner, I intend to collaborate for rural broadband development with the Tx Legislature, the Comptroller, the Governor's Office and the Texas Congressional delegation, and most  important, I will champion private sector broadband development. 

TDA administers grant funds for agricultural research to develop new technologies.  Where does this money originate?

The funds may develop from legislative appropriations (tax monies), industry, federal grants, or private foundations.

TDA facilitates trade and markets development of agricultural commodities ranging from livestock to crops.  Is this done with tax payer dollars and if so, why not let those who have vested interest in it form coops?

Yes, taxpayers are funding thr facilitation of agricultural trade and market developments. This facilitation can stem from bridges and road development and port expansion. Everyday, from the time that my eyes open until I fall to sleep, as your next Commissioner I will use every waking moment championing our farmers and ranchers. So therefore, in that respect, the taxpayer-funded Commissioner's salary is focused on trade and market development.  

Also, I might add, various agricultural industries and producers pay fees for promotion already: https://www.beefboard.org/checkoff/.

However, anytime we can target costs dirrctly to the consumer or producer expected to enjoy the benefit, we should fo that.  The co-op model is one vehicle to do that.

Describe the proper role of TDA in dealing with Texas water issues and list at least two specific initiatives you recommend.

I believe the proper role is playing an active collaborative role with farmers and ranchers, and other stakeholders duch as the TWDB, local water governing entities, such as river authorities and ground water districts, e.g.

When it comes to water issues, we could champion property rights.  State statutes and case law has spoken. If the ground water flows under your property, the water belongs to you.  The same can be said about senior water rights, which many producers own. They can use their senior water rights to sell water within their basin and retain their senior water right.  However, if the senior water right holder wants to sell that water outside the basin, that senior water right is put in jeopardy.  At some point, if a Texan owns the senior water right, s/he owns the water and with ownership comes the discretion to sell at market value.

Is there anything in your background of an embarrassing nature that should be explained before your election? Arrests/Convictions? Bankruptcies?

No

List your top 7 individual donors and their expected relationship during your administration? List the top 7 PACs supporting you?

The PACs supporting me so far in this campaign are: Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC and the Texas Forestry Association FORPAC. My top seven individual donors are Robert Rowling, Steven Probst, Jeff Sandefer, Rex Gore, Donald Langston, Jeffrey Luna, and Richard Weekly. I am always grateful for everyone who believes in me enough to make a financial contribution to my campaign, but I never allow contributions to impact my beliefs or how I vote on a particular measure. 

Please explain why you do or do not support the government providing benefits to non-citizens.

I am opposed to using ANY of our taxpayer dollars on benefits for non-citizens. My opponent voted to give in-state tuition to illegal immigrants when he was a state representative (HB 1403 - 2001).

What should be the key factors in a Guest Worker program and what criteria would you require for each factor?

We cannot expand a guest worker program for non-citizens until we secure the border and cut off the magnets that encourage illegal immigration. Any guest worker program must have strict criteria that ensures we know who is in our country and for how long. We must also ensure that these workers do not remain here illegally or receive any taxpayer funded benefits. 

Please describe your philosophy of public agricultural management.

I am a conservative. I believe we should reduce government regulations, fees, and taxes and empower individuals in the free market to create jobs and economic growth. As Commissioner of Agriculture, you can trust I will apply the philosophy to all aspects of the job to ensure our state’s farmers and ranchers are able to do what they do best: provide the food, fuel, and fiber our nation relies upon each day. By all means, we must reject and repudiate this movement toward socialism and champion property rights.

Please discuss the proper working relationship between the TDA and FEMA and what changes can be made to improve relief efforts.

First TDA is a Texas state agency led by a Texas state official elected by the People of Texas and responsible to the People of the Sovereign State of Texas. Also, Texas law places the Governor, County Judges, Mayors ans Tribsl Councils as the leaders during a disaster.  Overall we have a constitution. I see TDA's role as collaborative in helping our agricultural producers prepare for disasters, man-made or natural, mitigate future impacts from disasters, and review evaluate the response to disasters.