Texas’ Draw: Low Taxes, High Opportunity

As a Texan, I take great pride in my home state. This is truly God’s country, and I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else. It seems people across the nation are catching on that things are bigger and better in Texas.

U.S. Census data reports that Texas is the top state for relocation. A recent Dallas Morning News article notes that Texas’ big draw is highly influenced by jobs and our state’s commitment to keeping taxes low.

That same Dallas Morning News article cited new data from the Tax Foundation that ranks Texas No. 3 among states for bringing in the most income as a result of people moving into the state. Only Florida and Arizona ranked higher than us. A great deal of that income is from people moving away from high tax-and-spend states like California, New York and Illinois.

The main reason Texas, Florida and Arizona topped this list is simple. Texas and Florida are two of only seven states in the U.S. without a state personal income tax, and Arizona has the fifth-lowest state income tax rate in the country. Take California and New York: they are on the complete other end of the spectrum. It’s just plain common sense. When you tax people too much, take note that they are likely to move out of that state.

Work is another reason people are flocking to Texas. According to the Dallas Morning News, Texas businesses have created 293,000 jobs in the last year, which is more than any other state. So not only do families want to make Texas their home, so do businesses.  

To read the full Dallas Morning News article, “Texas gains people – and their income,” click here.

Happy Labor Day, Texas!

Here in Texas, we have always enjoyed a strong work ethic among our citizens, which is one of the reasons we’ve weathered the economic downturn much better than most around the nation. While other states were raising taxes and losing jobs, we were lowering taxes, reducing state budgets and creating more jobs. As we celebrate Labor Day, let’s salute all the Texans who wake up every day and contribute to our economy. Your initiative, pride and sense of self-worth are what drive our strong economic engine in the Lone Star State.

To stay on top, our state must get ahead of two labor problems. One is the skills preparation of our workforce. Businesses investing in Texas need the confidence that our education system is able to prepare their future workers with the technical skills necessary for their operations. Sometimes this comes through college education and sometimes it is in the form of vocational and technical education programs. Both educational resources are critical to ensure we provide students with the knowledge and skills to enter our workforce and expand the Texas economy.

It also is essential we push Congress to move forward with strategic immigration reform that consists of border security first, complemented by a flexible guest worker program based on market demands. Businesses here in Texas must have a steady flow of workers willing to work. As always, Americans must have the first opportunity at a job, and where Americans are not lining up to fill positions, we must ensure guest workers are available to allow businesses to thrive. But the system we have today, as well as some policies being debated in Washington, encourages the flow and hiring of undocumented workers ahead of Americans and legal immigrant workers. 

If you’re enjoying a day off this Labor Day, I thank you for your daily efforts to better yourself, your family and our great state. If you’re working, thanks for keeping the powerful Texas economy churning. And if you’re working hard to find work today, I offer my encouragement and commend you for being motivated to be part of the solution instead of the problem. Together as hardworking Texans, we will continue to lead our nation on the road to economic prosperity. Happy Labor Day, Texas!

Texas, the True Champion of Small Business

As the nation and other states have struggled with recent economic challenges Texas has bucked trends and continued to be a leader in job growth. In fact, Texas added 293,000 jobs between July 2012-2013 and maintained positive job growth for 39 consecutive months.

Texas has risen above challenges where others have fallen short because the citizens of Texas demand policies that allow business to thrive. Low taxes, fair courts and a predictable regulatory environment continue to attract businesses to Texas and provide an incentive to grow. The heart of our success and economic growth is small business.

Recently, I was honored to receive the Champion of Small Business award from the National Coalition for Capital. This acknowledgement is humbling and truly a tribute to the hard-working men and women of our great state. The innovation, dedication and vigor of the small business communities in our urban and rural areas are an inspiration to me. Supporting programs that boost small business is a safe investment that I know will keep the Texas economy as a model for the rest of the nation.

While the Lone Star State has much to be proud of, we still have work to do to meet the challenges ahead. We must develop solutions to deal with the ongoing drought, insecure border with Mexico and availability of a reliable and skilled workforce to ensure Texas businesses prosper. That being said, I am confident that Texans are up the challenge, and we will continue to do our part to lead the way.

Clay Birdwell Leaves a Legacy of Leadership

Clay Birdwell, a native Texan with a true passion for agriculture, passed away this morning

with his family by his side. Not only did he dedicate his life to raising cattle, he always went above and beyond in his service to the industry, becoming one of the great agricultural leaders in the Lone Star State. 

Born in Odessa, Clay earned his degree in business from Texas Tech University in Lubbock. Birdwell’s determination and commitment to agriculture are ever evident in his service on the board of the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association. He was elected multiple times to the TSCRA board, serving as director in March 1995, second vice president in 2009, first vice president in 2011 and most recently as president. Clay was also the president of Great Plains Cattle Feeders and Birdwell Cattle Co. in Hereford, Texas. 

The agriculture industry thanks Clay for his many years of service and accomplishments that will always be cherished. We offer our prayers to his family and we will continue to honor Clay by remembering the incredible legacy he has left behind. 

Russian Delegation Travels to Texas

I recently had the opportunity to meet with President Rustem Khamitov of Russia’s Republic of Bashkortostan to open a dialogue about trade between Russia and the United States. Bashkortostan is one of the leading agricultural regions of the Russian Federation whose interests include timber processing, grains, meat, dairy products, horse breeding and poultry farming.

As Agriculture Commissioner, I’m very fortunate that I get to meet with people from all across Texas and around the globe. It’s through these meetings that we get to build valuable partnerships that results in a strong economy and more robust job growth from the private sector.

During my meeting with the 11-member Russian delegation, I had the opportunity to discuss trade opportunities for Texas livestock and other agriculture products. It was a focused, productive conversation that will hopefully lead to future collaborations. Here at TDA, we plan to work with the delegation, as well as their Minister of Agriculture, and it’s my hope that, ultimately, this will lead to stronger trade opportunities for Texas agriculture producers. This could be just the beginning of future partnerships with Bashkortostan, and I look forward to all of the possibilities.

Plus, we had the opportunity to share with them a Texas treasure—fresh Gulf shrimp. GO TEXAN member Quality Seafood prepared a delicious, fresh seafood salad using locally-grown products and Gulf shrimp. It was a great treat for us, and an excellent way to show our friends all Texas has to offer.

Calling FEMA Into Action

Wednesday marked the three-month anniversary of the tragic explosion at the fertilizer plant in the city of West. Several emergency responders were killed and a large section of the town was destroyed. This small-knit community was left with shock and grief—mourning those who were lost and looking for a way to rebuild. Last month, when the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) rejected West’s request for a major disaster declaration and much-needed assistance, I was disappointed to say the least. 

I am grateful that Governor Perry took action to appeal FEMA’s decision. Governor Perry called FEMA’s decision to deny further aid to West “simply unacceptable,” and I couldn’t agree more.

The West explosion inflicted severe damage to the city infrastructure, schools and residences. Any normal person would see the damage as nothing short of a disaster. We need a strong combination of local, state and federal assistance to help facilitate a full recovery.

President Obama said himself, “We’ll be there even after the cameras leave and after the attention turns elsewhere.” I urge FEMA and President Obama to hold true to his word and to his responsibility. He must act on Governor Perry’s appeal and deliver the aid necessary to rebuild West in the wake of this terrible disaster. Doing so will ensure that this Texas town can come back stronger than ever.

Click here to read a copy of my letter to FEMA. 

Texas Law Enforcement Officers Fired Upon At Border

The Texas Department of Public Safety is reporting that on multiple incidents on Thursday, DPS Rangers and U.S. Border Patrol Agents were fired upon from suspects from Mexico. The incidents occurred along the Rio Grande River.

Thankfully, our Texas DPS and US Border Patrol agents were unharmed in this latest incident of criminals from Mexico attacking our country. This is yet one more example of why Texas landowners have been pleading with Washington for more resources. Our nation cannot allow cartels and criminal elements to take control of our border. If Washington continues to be unable or unwilling to do its job, Texans will meet any force with a stronger force.

Click here to read a press release from DPS.

U.S. Citizens Living in Fear on Southern Border

American citizens should not have to live in daily fear of transnational terrorist attacks on

their home and land. However unfortunate, this is a reality for many South Texans. It’s a fear that comes from living along an insecure border. Through first-hand accounts, we hear the truth about what border life is truly like: property destruction, dead bodies, littered fields, criminal behavior, violent intimidation.

Some South Texans, who are fed up with the status quo, have banded together to fight the border infiltration. Groups like the Texas Border Volunteers, made up of private citizens, have emerged in the wake of our broken border and ongoing immigration crisis. Our federal, state and local law enforcement agents are to be commended for the individual efforts they invest into border security, but federal policy officials continue to under-staff and under-resource their needs.

Despite the fact that federal policy officials seem to be looking the other way, the efforts of these citizen groups aren’t going unnoticed. This recent, telling U.S. News & World Report article details the work being done by these volunteers, and highlights the non-stop flow of illegal traffic crossing and the fear experienced by our fellow Texans who are trying to work, raise families and live in peace along our porous border. Our country is becoming a land breached by drug smugglers, human traffickers and violence.

We cannot let this continue. We must continue to fight to fix our broken immigration system until the only word used to describe our border with Mexico is secure.

I invite you to read the full news article here, and let’s work together to raise awareness and fight to secure our nation’s border.  

Expanding Workforce Skills in Texas

Ensuring Texas workers have the skills to compete in today’s marketplace is key to continued economic success in Texas. Here at the Texas Department of Agriculture, we’re working hard to help education providers in rural communities equip students with the critical skills needed to meet local workforce needs—whether it’s through direct career training or a traditional college route.

TDA is currently accepting applications for our Parallel Pathways to Success grants, which help develop educational programs for students to earn vocational skills certifications or college credits at the same time they are completing their high school diploma.

Parallel Pathways is a terrific program that equips students with workforce skills that can be translated into successful careers. Since we started awarding Parallel Pathways grants in 2009, hundreds of current and former students have benefited from the program.

It’s through programs like Parallel Pathways that we can achieve the absolute best for Texas. Lampasas County Higher Education Center used a Parallel Pathways grant to help more than 600 students receive career and college readiness assistance. Take Knox City High School as another example: Grant funding helped more than 100 students enroll in dual credit courses, allowed more than 50 students to attend college and career fairs, and employed another 50 students in a summer work program through the Texas Workforce Commission.

Skilled workers are in demand in Texas, and we need them to ensure our economy continues to flourish. To learn more and find out if you qualify, I invite you to visit us online. The deadline to apply is July 11, so the window to take advantage of this opportunity is closing soon. Thank you for helping to shape the future of Texas’ workforce for the better.

American Dream

We are blessed to be part of a nation where the opportunity for success is still very much alive. Yes, even after 237 years, the American Dream is still within the grasp of all, regardless of where we live, the color of our skin or the size of our bank account. We live in a nation where upward mobility is available to anyone who wishes to work hard, study and give back. Life is tough, and many have obstacles to overcome. There is no better place that provides the opportunity to overcome challenges than the United States of America.

I hope our generation never takes what it means to be an American for granted. Each of us should strive to serve more, vote more and do more for our neighbors.

Please take a moment to enjoy the video below about what being an American means to me. Have a safe and happy Independence Day!