By Jessica Domel
Multimedia Editor
A pair of Texas Farm Bureau (TFB) members are making waves in Austin and Washington, D.C. during their first terms in office.
Jodey Arrington represents West Texas in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Since elected, he has been appointed to the House Agriculture and Budget committees. He also chairs the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.
Arrington said although it’s been hectic, being able to represent West Texas and serve on three committees is a blessing.
“I still every day pinch myself that I get to represent West Texas and ag country,” Arrington said.
Congress is working on several issues that will affect farmers, ranchers and rural Texas, according to Arrington. They include health care, overreaching regulations like Waters of the U.S. and tax reform.
“We need to repeal and eliminate the death tax, which is just common sense and common decency. People have been paying taxes for years on their land and then turn around and have to pay it when they die. It doesn’t make any sense,” Arrington said.
Congress also needs a farm bill written and passed.
Working with House Agriculture Committee Chairman Mike Conaway has also been helpful, Arrington said, because Conaway understands the need for a working farm bill.
“On top of that, we’ve got to open up new markets. We can’t farm bill our way into a growing farm economy and ag economy. We can’t farm bill our way into a slice of the global pie,” Arrington said.
The country has to negotiate good trade deals that help agriculture and the country.
“I’m not going to be short on battlefronts to fight for our hardworking farmers and ranchers,” Arrington said.
The congressman said he won’t be the type of politician who gets to D.C. and forgets his roots.
“It’s freshly emblazoned upon my mind and my heart just how difficult times are in farming and ranching, but especially with our cotton farmers,” Arrington said. “They give me great encouragement, and they remind me of whom I’m fighting for.”
On April 4, Arrington spoke to the House Agriculture Committee’s Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management. He urged the committee to return cotton to Title 1 of the farm bill to ensure cotton farmers have a viable safety net.
“West Texas and cotton are synonymous. Cotton is king, and we’re in a real crisis. If we let it continue much longer, it will fundamentally alter our economic landscape,” Arrington told the committee.
He ended his speech by imploring his colleagues to take action.
“Please help us get cotton back as a Title I covered commodity. It’s the only commodity that’s not in the farm bill and we are sucking air. Ag is sick, the farmer is in the hospital, and cotton is in the ICU!” Arrington said.
In Austin, the legislative session for State Rep. Ernest Bailes officially kicked off Jan. 10, but his work on behalf of Texas farmers and ranchers started long before then.
Bailes, a long-time TFB member, was raised on a family dairy and cattle operation in San Jacinto County.
He said the first few weeks in the Texas House have been productive.
“There’s a lot of good people,” Bailes said. “You learn your way around and you learn how to best get things done. The best quote I’ve heard so far is, ‘Respect the body, and respect the process.’”
For the rest of the session, Bailes hopes to continue to learn from his peers while fighting for the rights of farmers, ranchers and the people of his district.
“We’ll listen to what needs to be done, take care of our business and have those relationships developed. That way, we can be an effective voice on behalf of agriculture and our district,” Bailes said.
One of the biggest issues this session could be the divisions within the parties and the House, according to Bailes.
He said eminent domain legislation will be an issue farmers, ranchers and landowners should watch this session.
“It’s an issue that has to be addressed,” Bailes said. “We just have to find an amicable solution between landowners and business.”
Other issues on Bailes’ radar include: cutting taxes, improving local schools, ensuring private property rights, growing small businesses, protecting life, defending second amendment rights and preserving water.
Bailes serves on three committees in the Texas House: Eco