What an unusually strange world in which we live. Earlier this month, discussions focused on the President possibly committing genocide, and today there is a ceasefire and attempts to negotiate a peace settlement. Tomorrow, who knows? How this impacts Texas—other than higher gas prices and our military’s increased risk—remains to be seen. Even though Texas has significant oil refining capacity and produces a large percentage of the gas, diesel, and jet fuel for the United States, oil is an international commodity, and per-barrel price increases will impact our state economy as well.
These price increases will also increase our state’s tax revenue, because the state’s oil severance tax is based on the market value of oil. This is certainly a mixed blessing.
Closer to home, Texas has a runoff for a U.S. Senate seat between incumbent U.S. Senator John Cornyn and our current Attorney General in what will probably be a very close primary runoff to be decided in May. Most experts agree this race is probably a toss-up, especially since President Trump did not make an endorsement, at least not yet. Early on, the President suggested that if he endorsed, the candidate not receiving the endorsement should withdraw. Neither Senator Cornyn nor General Paxton agreed to that stipulation, so there was no endorsement. Therefore, it is a close race.
The March primary produced some other surprising results. Texas will have a new AG Commissioner. Commissioner Sid Miller lost his reelection bid to primary opponent beekeeper/honey producer Nate Sheets from McKinney. He will face Democratic primary winner, Lampasas rancher Clayton Tucker, in November. Recently, TWGGA leadership (Karen, Julie, and Bob) had an opportunity to visit with Nate at the Texas Horticulture Advisory Council meeting in Waco. Nate stopped by, got some pictures with our group, and also had the chance to address the other ag industry attendees. It was a great opportunity to meet the frontrunner in the race to replace Commissioner Miller.
Texas also has runoffs for Attorney General (office vacated by AG Paxton) on both the Republican and Democratic tickets. Current State Senator Mayes Middleton will face Congressman Chip Roy on the Republican ticket, and State Senator Nathan Johnson will face Galveston attorney Joe Jaworski on the Democratic ticket.
There is also a runoff for Lieutenant Governor on the Democratic ticket between State Representative Vicki Goodwin and Marcos Velez. The winner will face current Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick. Railroad Commissioner Jim Wright will face Bo French in the Republican primary runoff for Commissioner Wright’s current Railroad Commissioner seat as well.
There are also several regional runoffs for both Texas Senate and Texas House seats on both the Republican and Democratic sides. To access additional information on the runoffs in your area, go to the Texas Secretary of State Elections Division, which offers an easy-to-use update on statewide, regional, and local elections.
Both the House and the Senate have published interim charges for their respective chambers. The issues covered in these charges range from high-profile subjects like data center power usage and fraud and abuse within the state’s Medicaid system to the study of the state’s cultivated oyster mariculture (which is not obscure at all if you are in the oyster business or like to eat oysters). If you are interested in seeing all the interim charges, you can find these documents on the State House and Senate websites.
Hearings on these interim charges have already begun, and the House hearing on data centers occurred late last week. If you are interested in either attending or watching any of these hearings, you can find scheduling information on both the House and Senate websites. The video is free and easy to use. The website is capitol.texas.gov.
There are two interim charges of interest to our industry. The House Committee on Agriculture intends to study the promotion of Texas-grown products:
“Market Development and Expansion of Texas-Grown Products: Examine the state’s role in promoting Texas grown products, including Texas produced seafood and viticulture. Assess state programs and policies that support local industries, including research, marketing and grant programs. Study existing public and private programs that raise consumer awareness of and expand the markets for Texas products such as the Texas Department of Agriculture “GO TEXAN” Partner Program, the Texas Shrimp Marketing Assistance Program, and the Texas Beef Checkoff. Make recommendations to enhance the global recognition and sales of Texas-Produced products.”
The other committee looking at an issue of interest is the Senate Committee on State Affairs. Traditionally, legislation dealing with any alcohol issue goes through this Senate committee. This interim charge states:
“Ensuring Consumer Protection in Alcohol Sales: Study the intentional violation of Texas Alcohol laws by Texas retailers who sell alcohol distilled under their own private labels. Make recommendations to ensure Texas alcohol laws continue to protect Texas consumers under the three tier system.”
We will be working with the TWGGA leadership to ensure these issues, and any other issues of interest to the Texas wine industry, are properly considered and commented on where appropriate.
This is a very active election cycle. Please take a moment to meet and get to know your local House and Senate members. They decide how your business works. Get involved. If you have questions, contact the TWGGA office or me.
Thank you for everything you do for your industry.
—TWGGA Legislative Advocate Kyle Frazier