Hello, I am Todd Staples, the 11th Texas Commissioner of Agriculture. Thanks for visiting my website.
As you know I am up for re-election, and excited about the opportunity to continue to serve as your Commissioner of Agriculture.
One thing I know for certain, the seat belongs to you, the people of Texas.
If you agree with me we need a dynamic agriculture industry, vibrant Texas economy, limited and efficient government, lower taxes and better services, better home and land owner rights, then I ask you to join me in this campaign to continue providing common-sense solutions to the challenges that face us today.
Click here to sign up today. Click here to make a contribution to help get out a positive message. Explore my website to find ways you can help. Join me on FaceBook and Twitter. Forward this link to your friends.
Thanks for visiting. I hope to see you on the campaign trail.
In The News
August Edition-Shooting Straight With Staples
Source
August 3, 2010
"Recessions are temporary, tax hikes tend to be permanent."
Texas’ economy leads the nation. Growth over the last few years has been phenomenal and positive news still abounds: Texas created more net jobs in the last five years than all other states combined. The trend continues in 2010, with the Lone Star State producing more jobs than any other state in the country from April to May. Despite that, many of our citizens and businesses are being negatively impacted by the national recession. That recession is being prolonged by the lack of a clear and cohesive strategy and course of action by our current administration and the Democratic-controlled Congress. As the Bureau of Economic Analysis has reported, U.S. corporations are sitting on $1.6 trillion in cash reserves. That’s a recovery waiting to happen, but no business is going to spend its money when it can’t predict what their future costs will be.
That uncertainty is fueled to a great degree by our public debt and the irresponsible spending that has caused it.
Texans know two things: you cannot spend what you do not have, and somebody has eventually got to pay the bills. More and more Americans, seeing our spiraling debt, are beginning to agree. I certainly hope November 2 will bring some major changes to the reckless actions that continue to sabotage economic recovery and sideline investors (those who create jobs).
Meanwhile, Texans can be confident our own state government is tightening its belt to address the downturn in projected revenues. I am grateful our leaders recognize it must be managed by reduced spending, not by raising taxes. Revenue experts predict there will be a shortfall of state income anywhere from $11 billion to $18 billion dollars.
At the Texas Department of Agriculture, my team has come in under budget each and every year I have been privileged to serve as your Commissioner. My pledge is to continue to deliver efficient and accountable services that respect our taxpayers and consumers. We are tightening our belts again at the agency in order to be prepared for the upcoming legislative session. We are working overtime to ensure we can do with less internally as an agency, and that we take all efforts to continue to deliver critically needed services and protect consumers.
Texas families have to live within their means...and they have every right, I mean every right, to expect their government to do the same. After all, government works for the people, not the other way around.