Tuesday marked Brownwood Day in Austin as Brownwood and Brown County officials, community leaders, and business representatives traveled to the state Capitol to help ensure that the legislators are mindful of issues affecting Brown County. Officials met with Senator Troy Fraser and Representative Jim Keffer throughout the day and were briefed on many of the issues facing that state.
The biggest issue facing Texas is the state budget shortfall, and legislators are working to trim expenses which could affect state and local jobs.
“There is no doubt about it, everything is being looked at,” said Keffer. “Everybody should be concerned about their profession, their industry, whatever the case may be. It is one of those sessions where everything is on the table, and it’s not a pretty sight.”
The issue of Ranger College being defunded in the draft of the house budget proposal was a heavily discussed topic. The senate version of the budget shows continued funding of the college and Keffer was optimistic that Ranger College would not be closed.
“We have already been broadsided about Ranger College and the unfortunate situation there,” Keffer said. “I think we have put that back on track.”
Keffer said that community college funding will be addressed later this week when they go before an appropriations subcommittee on Friday.
Redistricting was another hot topic discussed in Austin. Brownwood civic leaders were presented a bleak outlook of redistricting to rural Texas with most of the population growth being in and around the urban areas.
“It is not a pretty sight for rural Texas,” said Keffer. “Based on population, we don’t have the population that I-35 corridor does.”
Keffer said that West Texas is likely to lose two congressional seats during redistricting.
Senator Fraser reiterated many of these points, but expanded on an issue that he believes will be even larger in the future and that many should watch closely.
“I am carrying a water bill that potentially could change our individual water rights,” Fraser said. “What it will do is validate the right of the individual that water on their property is clearly theirs, and they should not be denied the ability to drill a well and recover that water. It is going to be an interesting battle.”
The Brownwood delegation was briefed by several other state officials and also enjoyed a tour of the state Capitol and visitor’s center on Tuesday. A reception was held and gave those in attendance another chance to speak with state officials.
Top photo shows the Brownwood delegation posing on the steps of the Capitol with Senator Fraser and Representative Keffer.
Dee Reynolds, Tim Espinoza, Jessica Arellano, and Keith Clark enjoy Brownwood Day at the state Capitol
Civic leaders take a tour of the Capitol.
Representative Keffer briefs the Brownwood group with the help of Rural Issues Consultant Bob Turner.
