Landfills
Landfills should not be near homes Developers shouldn't build and sell homes in that area People with little means are suffering Existing Landfills should be moved Another concern in El Paso Texas
THE WAR ON THE BEEF INDUSTRY
CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT YOUR POSITIONS ON THE CHALLENGES THAT CATTLE FARMERS, AND HAULERS/TRANSRTERS FACE IN THE STATE?
BESS FACILITY AUSTIN COUNTY
This truly concerns me as they are targeting rural counties like the Data centers. Here is a link. The meeting in Bellville is July 13 NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING Notice is hereby given that the County Commissioners Court of Austin County, Texas will hold a public hearing at 6:00pm on July 13, 2026 at the Austin County Expo Center located at 1076 Hwy 159 East, Bellville, Texas 77418. To take public comment regarding the Proposed Battery Energy Storage System and Data Center. While lithium Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) are critical for grid stability and renewable energy integration, they carry major cons: high upfront costs, rapid degradation, strict thermal requirements, and fire hazards resulting in toxic emissions.Key Drawbacks of Lithium BESSSafety & Fire Hazards: Lithium-ion cells are prone to thermal runaway—a chain reaction where damaged or overheated cells ignite. These fires are extremely difficult to extinguish and can release toxic gases like hydrogen fluoride into local communities.High Upfront Costs: Installing large-scale lithium BESS requires significant initial capital investment, making it a major barrier for many organizations and homeowners.Limited Lifespan & Degradation: Batteries degrade by 3% to 7% annually and usually last 10 to 15 years, meaning expensive module replacements are often required halfway through the system's operational life. Moratorium. The purpose of this public hearing is to allow local residents and other interested parties to discuss the proposed moratorium, ask questions, and make statements. Written statements may be submitted before or at the time of the hearing
SWASS
I agree with you on every issue but this. I am strongly against SWASS because of its environmental effect.
Reducing 1-d-1 ag exemption down to 3 acres across texas
I want the counties and cities to actively support agriculture. Many counties requires a 10-acre minimum (9 acres + homestead) for an ag exemption. This should be lowered to 3 acres across Texas — something many other Texas counties have already done. This change is within the Chief Appraiser’s authority. I strongly believe the Ag commissioner can influence this by declaring that ag in Texas can be done on 3+ acres. This will force the chief appraisers to include this guidance in their countries 1-d-1 policy. Why 3 acres helps agriculture and everyone else: • It incentivizes more landowners to keep land in ag use and attracts new small-scale farmers who can’t afford 10+ acre tracts or the high taxes on 5-acre parcels. • It makes it economically viable to subdivide larger farms without massive rollback taxes, giving current landowners better per-acre value and opening options for buyers who aren’t millionaires. • Taxing entities benefit from new 3+ acre homes without the massive infrastructure burden of large subdivisions.
Hemp to rival other textiles and materials
For almost a decade I’ve seen videos and articles on how hemp fabrics or building materials could totally change the reliance on plastics and toxic materials. But since 2019, not much has been done to make hemp more popular or supported as an alternative to polyester or chemical based products. I think that not only as a crop to help revitalize soil but also as a source of new industries, Texas should work to support it.
NO BORDER WALL IN BIG BEND
A $1.7 billion package just passed for this idiotic border wall and they want to build right through Big Bend National Park. The environmental and ecosystem devastation this will cause is infuriating. Where are all the environmentalists!! Nature needs your protection and grit NOW!!
Stop Housing Developments
San Antonio, Austin, Killeen, Waco, and Dallas/Fort Worth are essentially going to combine into one mega city completely eradicating rural living. Our wildlife population is suffering, and hunting for our food has become increasingly difficult since the deer population have moved to the suburbs. Additionally, housing prices in low population areas have skyrocketed without the job market expanding at the same pace. Finally, these $300,000-$700,000 cookie cutter homes are poorly built, leaving your average Texan to deal with safety issues from poor construction, causing tens of thousands of dollars due to preventable repairs.
The buck stops here!
While low spec subdivisions are taking ranch/farm land at an alarming rate it's not our only issue! Wildlife exemptions are hurting the Texas ranchers as well! In nature livestock and wildlife graze side by side in peace eating different things. Currently large scale wildlife ranches are taking vast amounts of ranch land. Mowing the grass that deer or other wildlife won't eat that cattle will! Large corporations are buying these ranches selling the cows putting up a high fence and keeping the cattle ranchers out! These freakishly large antler deer grazing thousands of acres with no cattle in sight is crippling ag exemptions! While I understand the need for bees cattle and bees can coexist. Regulations need to be made. Currently 12 bee hives will tax exempt 20 acres. When 12 bee hives only need approximate 450 sq. ft. of space. A simple hotwire fence or cattle panel around the hive can deter cattle. Now they're coexisting. WASTED LAND! FARMES AND RANCHERS ARE GETTING BEAT EVERY DIRECTION!
Immigration
It's the elephant in the room. How much immigrant labor should Texas agriculture employ, legally or otherwise? Perhaps the Ag Commissioner could have a program to match high school graduates or dropouts with farms to fill the gap left by deportations. It would build character.
Humane treatment of farm animals
As a "civilized" society, we must extend our compassion to farm animals. They are sentient beings who are giving their lives for humans, so the least we can do is treat them humanely at every step of the way from birth through slaughter. Even better would be to promote minimizing the consumption of animals in favor of locally grown fruits, vegetables and grains.
H2-A reform
We need to work on the program that provides legal workers for farms and ranches. It is so cumbersome and complicated most just accept the undocumented worker. happy to talk about it as a 3 yr active participant.
Unions for Texas Farm Workers and other working class folks on Texan farms
Howdy Clayton, As part of your fight against Sid Miller, I think you should consider being more pro-worker and pro-unionization of farm worker communities. As we have seen with the NYC Mayoral race with Zohram Mamdani, you should be as pro-working class as possible to win this race. A lot of farmers are super rich, but there are way more poor farm workers than those rich farm owners. Please consider fighting for the working class and unionization of farm worker communities. If you want young Texans to vote for you, consider those who work on those farms- not just the owners. Thank you for your consideration, Kayte Weeks
Issues page needs work
Hey Clayton, My feedback is to flesh out your issues page. Go into more depth about the problems and be specific about how you will use the office to implement positive change. How are you going to help solve these issues? Good luck, Chase