Should City Voters Pick the Ag Commissioner?
For more than a century, Texans have elected their agriculture commissioner, unlike more than two-thirds of states where governors fill the job by appointment.
But as Texas' urban population inches toward 90 percent, should they? Or is there danger that the obscure statewide position, often seen as a stepping-stone to higher office, could get tied up in political campaigns about guns and God instead of soybeans and sows?
Farm groups say they still favor elections, expressing confidence that, in this election at least, voters did fine picking former Republican state Rep. Sid Miller.
Miller will oversee a Department of Agriculture ...
Comments (6)
Mack Green
Should rural voters define the statutory solutions available to the 90% in urban areas? Thanks to gerrymandering, they indeed do.
I propose that if Republicans are willing to end gerrymandering for fair redistricting, then rural agricultural districts should be able to keep the city slickers out of farm management.
Dream on.
Pickles Sorrell
Frankly this office should be merged with the Land office so one official has enough to do. At this stage we have two statewide offices with not enough to do or manage. Frankly the Ag Commissioner should be appointed because Sid Miller would never be considered for an appointment based on skills, brains and integrity (or lack thereof).
Ponytale Ponytale
At least Miller will be out if the vaginal probe business.
Gary Cozart via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Urban in population, read the industry numbers.
https://www.texasagriculture.gov/About/TexasAgStats.aspx
WUSRPH
Insuring a safe, healthy and profitable agriculture is as important to city dwellers as it is to country folks....both need each other.
Michael Dyer
Thanks, Mack. The question is " Should rural voters be allowed to elect the governor ? "