Cattle Raisers Government Affairs Weekly Roundup: Special Session, NAFTA hearing

As a function of TSCRA’s commitment to representing ranchers and landowners in Texas and across the Southwest, our governmental and public affairs office is hard at work tackling the issues important to the beef industry. The association’s team of knowledgeable and experienced representatives are out in the field both locally and nationally to defend landowner rights and the ranching way of life. Each week we will keep TSCRA members informed and up-to-date on the activities and issues taking place in Austin, Washington D.C. and around the globe. This week includes more movement on the Texas Legislature’s Special Session and a House Agriculture Committee hearing on NAFTA.
This week:
TSCRA staff are continuing to monitor and weigh in on issues at the Texas Legislature’s Special Session. So far 483 bills have been filed, with TSCRA now tracking approximately 50. This week TSCRA registered in support of bills for municipal annexation reform, property tax reforms, water and limiting the authority of municipalities to regulate tree removal.
TSCRA provided information to Congressional offices in advance of the House Agriculture Committee’s Hearing on NAFTA modernization. The hearing took place on Wednesday, and cattle and beef interests were well represented.
Next week:
TSCRA leaders and staff will be heading to San Angelo for a House Agriculture Committee farm bill hearing on Monday and the West Texas Legislative Summit on Tuesday. TSCRA President Richard Thorpe will testify at the hearing and will also serve on a panel to discuss the farm bill the following day.