Based on some feedback, I’m taking another look at Proposition 1
Proposing a constitutional amendment protecting the right to engage in farming, ranching, timber production, horticulture, and wildlife management.
Why a Review…. When originally trying to understand this amendment, I was focused on the right to farm, the threat from nuisance lawsuits and the need to protect the institution of the family farm and our food security. But this Constitutional amendment then adds on to farming with ranching, timber production, horticulture, and wildlife management operations. Tossed into this is the caveat that local governments cannot add additional regulations that would constrain the operation - only rules on a state-wide level. In retrospect, this is quite a hodge podge of special interest industries with the intent of pulling away local zoning control in favor of business interests.
Local government is in the best position to understand the needs of their community and to protect those interests. Taking away local control makes it easier for big industry that has huge lobbying money at the state level, to unduly control local communities from doing what is best for their constituents. By keeping these property decisions at the local level, it allows impacted citizens to participate in decisions and control their destiny. This proposition suggests that the state knows best, and this is not true in all cases.
Additionally, the legislature has decided to lump together farming, ranching, timber production, horticulture, and wildlife management operations into the same protective legislation. While farming and ranching tug at our rural heartstrings, when you add timber production, horticulture, and wildlife management operations into the mix, I start to think of special interests on steroids! None of the materials from the Texas Lege suggest why these should be considered protected industries.
Originally, I was caught up with the fact that this bill unanimously passed both houses. I suspect that no legislator wants to be on the record for voting against “the right to farm”. Except no one is saying that! If I were a rural constituent, I wouldn’t be in favor of an amendment that protects agricultural big business by pushing control to the state level.
After further reflection, I would say this amendment is too broad and should be sent back to the legislature. I now plan to VOTE NO ON PROPOSITION 1.
Rob Clifford BCDP Communications Team
Click HERE to view all the proposed Amendments to the Texas Constitution for the November 2023 Ballot.
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