Texas Agriculture Commissioner Blasts US House for Passage of Cap and Trade Legislation

June 29, 2009

Recently, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Waxman-Markey national energy tax bill, and Texas Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples responded to the vote.

"This legislation is bad for America, bad for consumers and bad for Texas farmers and ranchers," Commissioner Staples said. "This bill is big government at its worst. The legislation is a massive energy tax that will cost our nation precious jobs during recessionary times and drive up energy costs for working families. I only hope the U.S. Senate does the right thing and votes this bill down before it delivers a staggering blow to our nation's economy. Congratulations to the Texas delegation members who voted no and understand there are responsible methods to protect our environment without costing consumers trillions of dollars over the next decades."

Texas High Plains farm grower, Mark Williams, serves as president of the Texas Ag Forum.

Dr. Gerald North, Distinguished Professor of Atmospheric Sciences and Oceanography at Texas A&M University, said today that climate change is a certainty with some people, but there remains many skeptics. The primary questions to be answered, he says, is whether significant climate change is occurring and, if so, what is considered the primary cause.

Dr. North says all indications are that the climate is changing. He says that increased thermal heating alone will cause oceans to rise a foot or two over the next 100 years. If polar ice caps continue to melt, North says oceans could rice even more.

North says that it is his opinion that Texas west of IH 35 will experience hotter, drier weather, while area east of IH 35 will be wetter. Much of the earth's overall warming trend may be attributed to increased levels of atmospheric carbon. the type of carbon indicates that most of it can be attributed to fossil fuels.

Efforts are currently underway in Washington to pass legislation that would cap carbon levels, and allow the trading of carbon credits among industry. Just how the plan would work and its impacts on the American economy, and particularly agriculture is being questioned by many on Capitol Hill.

House Ag Committee Chair, Collin Peterson says he wants to keep EPA out of the carbon rule making process. In a telephone conference call set up at the Forum Meeting, Peterson says that he is of the opinion that undercurrents exist that would strip the control of agriculture from House and Senate agriculture committees. He says that he does not intend to let that happen.

Peterson says he wants all fuels, including ethanol, treated alike and favors a study of the effects of carbon cap and trade on agriculture and the economy. He said that adequate time should be given for research prior to implementation of any program. The legislation currently being proposed in Washington, Peterson says, is not ready ... would not be in the best interest of agriculture. Peterson says that he favors a carbon tax over the cap and trade alternative.

Attendees also heard from Texas Agriculture Commissioner, Todd Staples, who said that he has very serious concerns about the carbon tax and trade legislation. He says that there are those who say that carbon tax and trade would cost Americans the equivalent of a postage stamp a day. "Texas farmers," Staples says, "could see a 50% increase in the cost of production." There are still other predictions, he said, that electric rates could go up by 90%, and gas and diesel price increases could be 58% or more.

"There is a great deal of uncertainty," Staples said. He said that the EPA is uncertain exactly what gases are harmful, but are working on regulations anyway. "It's like taking a shot in the dark," Staples said. He stress that there must be accountability to any emission control program and careful design and implementation. "It's like shooting at a moving target," Staples says, " and the goals keep changing ... so it's difficult to set realistic goals at the present time."

Even after an in-depth discussion of the issue, there is concern among many in agriculture that the carbon tax and trade initiative could have far reaching implications for agriculture ... driving up the cost of production and the cost of food. While row crop farmers would welcome increased commodity prices, livestock producers are not so happy with the prospect of increased feed costs.

The general consensus is that the carbon tax and trade issue will not be resolved this year, but will persist in further debate next year. "I am very uncomfortable with the current bill," said Peterson.

The Texas Ag Forum is comprised of agricultural leader and representatives from across the Texas food and fiber system. It was founded over 20 years ago to provide a forum for open and public discussion of the problems and emerging issues in agriculture.

Commissioner Staples Urges Governor to Include Eminent Domain Reform in Upcoming Special Session

June 15, 2009

Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples is working to ensure private property owners' rights are protected by encouraging Governor Perry to put eminent domain reform on the agenda when he calls a special session.

Private property owners' rights are fundamental to our state and national constitutions," Commissioner Staples said. "Texans are becoming more concerned about the erosion of these fundamental rights. Now is the opportunity to address these concerns during the expected special session."

"It would be extremely unfortunate for the reform language that I understand you and others carefully negotiated during the regular session to remain nothing more than a victim of the chub," Commissioner Staples wrote.

In addition to supporting comprehensive protections for property owners during the 81st Legislative Session, Commissioner Staples supported the passage of HJR 14, a constitutional amendment that will be on the ballot this November. It provides much-needed protection to ensure when government exercises condemnation power, it's for a clear public purpose. Commissioner Staples believes HJR 14 is critical, but greater steps are necessary to protect landowners.

"The independent Texas spirit is embedded in our rights to own land. Legislators must have the opportunity to pass a law that establishes stricter penalties for failing to negotiate in good faith and ensures adequate compensation for loss of access," Commissioner Staples said.

Governor Perry has indicated a special session will take place, but a start date for the session has not been determined. When the governor calls a special session of the legislature outside of the regular session schedule of every other year, the only items eligible for consideration are those designated by the governor.