By Billy Howe

We heard it when Texas Farm Bureau fought for private property rights and eminent domain reform.  We heard it when we fought for groundwater rights and surface water rights. Lately, we have heard it all again as we fight for landowners over common carrier pipelines: “What Texas Farm Bureau wants is just going to enrich trial lawyers and cause ‘thousands of lawsuits.’”

What complete nonsense!

Texas Farm Bureau is fighting for the constitutionally-guaranteed right of landowners to protect their property.

That’s lawsuit abuse?

By Chase Usrey

High school sports, local coffee shop gossip and complaints about cattle, fuel and fertilizer prices—those are a few things ingrained early for a Northeast Texas boy. Growing up, we were taught to do your job, take care of your family, and go to church on Sunday.

However, the small world I grew up in got even smaller when I found out about Texas Farm Bureau and the opportunities they provide.

I knew at a very young age that I wanted to be centered in agriculture. I’ve also strived to think outside the box.

By Gene Hall

What are the greatest inventions of humankind?

Well, I’d guess the printing press and smallpox vaccination are right up there, but the TV remote control is pretty cool, too.

Automatic garage door openers have probably saved some marriages: “Honey, this monsoon has let up to just a driving rain so you can open the door now.”

I have a new candidate. The “find my iPhone app.” It is so cool. I am constantly misplacing my iPhone. Since I usually keep it in “stealth mode,” this is problematic. But the app tells it to beep anyway.

By Billy Howe
TFB State Legislative Director

Every session of the Texas Legislature, bills are filed to provide more state oversight of groundwater management. This session is no exception.

Water marketers and water supply entities come to Austin and tell their stories of how they have been mistreated by local districts, or how the policies of the district don’t recognize the realities of building multi-million dollar water projects.

By Mike Barnett

Our sympathy and admiration go out to the people of West, whose strength and courage have held this rural community together in a time of tragedy.

Lives of first responders—men and women who selflessly run toward danger so others can live—have been lost and we mourn their passing, recognizing that these volunteers commit their time, resources and yes, their well-being, to keep their friends, families and communities safe.

Their selfless actions are no surprise to residents of small town Texas. And neither is the outpouring of fellow Texans who have graciously donated their resources. Texans help Texans.

By Steve Pringle

In these days of gun rights, immigration reform and gay marriage discussions, it is time to also tackle another difficult decision facing the U.S.: opening trade and travel to Cuba.

Entertainers Jay-Z and Beyonce just returned from Cuba, where only the rich and famous or those “licensed” by our government can travel.

The U.S. is supposed to be the land of the free and home of the brave, but it appears that the whole world is a lot more free and brave when it comes to visiting this island nation only 90 miles off our border.