Chet Edwards For Congress - Rural Texas

Standing Strong for Texas Farmers & Ranchers

Kat — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 09:29:04 -0700

Standing Strong for Texas Farmers & Ranchers

Chet Edwards knows that farmers and ranchers are the backbone of our country and that American agriculture plays a vital role in feeding and clothing our nation:

Chet opposes the Death Tax, which causes the breakup of family farms and ranches.

Chet supports the 2008 Farm Bill that will maintain a meaningful safety net for America's producers.

Chet is a national leader on trying to reduce fertilizer costs by opening up the continental shelf to natural gas drilling.

Chet successfully fought ill-advised regulations from the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife service that would have trampled on private property rights and harmed Texas farmers and ranchers.

Chet is supporting Texas' ability to play an integral role in renewable fuels production which will provide new markets for agricultural commodities, but realizes that there does need to be a balance between food, feed, and fuel requirements.

Chet voted to extend and make permanent Chapter 12 Bankruptcy Protections to family farmers to give them “breathing room” by protecting agricultural equipment from forced sale in a bankruptcy proceeding.

Congress Comes Through With New Farm Bill

Kat — Fri, 30 May 2008 21:48:47 -0700

Congress Comes Through With New Farm Bill

Hillsboro Reporter | May 29, 2008

Edwards: "This bipartisan Farm Bill makes real reforms that will strengthen American agriculture to meet the 21st-century needs of the United States and provide a safe, low-cost food supply for American families."

A new farm bill that will carry the country through 2012 made it through Congress last week.

The conference report on The Food and Energy Security Act of 2007, commonly called the "Farm Bill," was passed by the House of Representatives and Senate on back-to-back days.

Republican Senators John Cornyn and Kay Bailey Hutchison, along with Democratic Congressman Chet Edwards, were among the members of the Texas delegation supporting the bill.

Covered in the bill are programs relating to commodities, sugar, dairy, conservation, exports and trade assistance, food stamps and nutrition, agricultural credit, rural development, rural electrification, agricultural research, forestry, energy, specialty crops and livestock.

The House passed its version of the bill the end of July, and the Senate passed its bill in December.

Since the original legislation expired December 31, Congress was required to pass several extensions before the conference report was released and acted upon.

Edwards said that the bill makes a $289 billion investment in the American food and farm economy.

"This bipartisan Farm Bill makes real reforms that will strengthen American agriculture to meet the 21st-century needs of the United States and provide a safe, low-cost food supply for American families," said Edwards, a member of the House Rural Working Group.

"Our farmers and ranchers are the backbone of America, and despite rising food prices, Americans still spend the lowest percentage of their income in the world for food because of the success of the programs under the Farm Bill.

"If you don't like the high cost of foreign OPEC oil, just imagine how high food prices would be if the U.S. was dependent on foreign farms for its food supply," the congressman added.

Nearly three-fourths of the Farm Bill goes toward nutrition programs that help 38 million American families afford healthy food.

The Farm Bill also invests $1 billion in renewable energy, focusing on new technologies and new sources.

It supports the transition beyond corn ethanol to cellulosic ethanol sources such as sorghum, switch grass, woodchips and corn stalks, which can help lower food prices.

While many of the 2002 Farm Bill programs are continued, there were changes of note, in Edwards' opinion.

The bill reduces the cap for non-farm income by 80 percent to $500,000, and puts in place the first-ever cap for farm income at $750,000 for fixed direct payments.

It also takes another critical step in transitioning biofuels beyond corn by reducing the current tax credit for corn-based ethanol by six cents per gallon and creating a new tax credit to promote the production of cellulosic biofuels.

Senator Cornyn said, "Passage of this bill is an important and long-overdue step for Texas farmers and ranchers, providing them a stable policy moving forward.

"It's not perfect but it represents a carefully-crafted compromise that will protect Texas agriculture, including family farms, strengthen key nutrition programs and fight childhood obesity.

"One in every seven Texans can trace their employment to agriculture. In rural Texas agriculture is the engine that drives much of the economy, so this bill will also help protect and expand Texas jobs."

The senator said that he was particularly pleased that Congress successfully excluded burdensome livestock-ownership regulations.

He added, "There are extraneous spending provisions in this legislation that I would have liked to see excluded, but overall, this is a good bill for Texas.

"It provides our farmers and ranchers with the support they need and will ultimately benefit consumers, particularly as working families struggle with rising food prices. I hope the President will sign it into law quickly."

In addition to a number of key programs in the bill that will benefit Texas, Sen. Cornyn was also successful in adding two amendments to the Farm Bill.

The senator secured one to ensure that taxpayers do not pay for natural disasters twice.

The Senate Farm Bill establishes, for the first time, a standing trust fund to respond to weather-related disasters that are not covered by existing law.

However, as written, the Farm Bill did not provide enough assurance that Congress would not double-bill taxpayers for disasters that would already be covered by the new trust fund.

Sen. Cornyn also secured an amendment to combat childhood obesity through food stamps, the largest federal-nutrition program.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture plans to offer grants to state and local governments and non-governmental organizations to develop ways to fight obesity among all food-stamp recipients.

With a 318 to 106 vote in the House and 81-15 tally in the Senate, the votes should be there to override a threatened veto by President George W. Bush.

Release of the House-Senate conference report brought a disappointing response from the President.

He contended that his administration's Farm Bill would have made wiser use of the people's money by reforming farm programs, funding emerging priorities and providing a safety net that better targets benefits for farmers.

He contended that Congress' claims that the bill would increase spending by $10 billion over the five-year life of the bill really translates into nearly $20 billion.

The President had called on Congress to extend the current law for at least a year in the absence of what he considered a good Farm Bill.

President Bush has 10 days from the vote to veto the measure, sign the bill or let it take effect without his signature.

TFB Asked TX Del. To Support Farm Bill Veto Override

Kat — Wed, 21 May 2008 21:40:17 -0700

KWTX TV: Farm Bureau Asked Texas Delegation To Support Farm Bill Veto Override

KWTX TV | May 21, 2008

President Bush made good on his promise Wednesday and vetoed the $300 billion farm bill, calling it a tax increase on regular Americans at a time of high food prices.

Meanwhile, in a letter to the Texas congressional delegation, the Waco-based Texas Farm Bureau called on lawmakers to support efforts to override the veto.

The letter was sent just minutes after the veto Wednesday, the Farm Bureau said.

"Texas farmers and ranchers have been waiting patiently through numerous short-term extensions of the 2002 Act and now have 2008 crops planted and moving toward harvest," said Texas Farm Bureau President Kenneth Dierschke in the letter.

"HR 2419, when enacted, will provide a much-needed safety net during the turbulent times in which we find ourselves with ever-increasing costs for input items."

"While many in the uninformed media area are criticizing the bill, agricultural producers are extremely concerned because of today's high costs of production," Dierschke said.

The U.S. House and U.S. Senate both passed the measure with enough votes last week to override the veto.

Rep. Chet Edwards, D-Waco, and Rep John Carter, R- Round Rock, both voted in favor of the bill.

But Mr. Bush calls the legislation fiscally irresponsible.

He says it gives away too much money to wealthy farmers but his criticism didn't faze lawmakers from both parties who voted for increased crop subsidies, food stamps for the poor and other items to help their districts in an election year.

Police receive $376,000 communications upgrade

econnor — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 12:11:31 -0700

March 26, 2008
Police receive $376,000 communications upgrade, thanks to Chet Edwards

By DAVE KUCIFER | Navasota Examiner

U.S. Congressman Chet Edwards met with Navasota city officials on Monday afternoon to announce a $367,000 award to the Navasota Police Department for the upgrade of the department's communication equipment.

Congressman Edwards, a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee said the funds would be used for 15 mobile radios to be installed in police vehicles as well as funding other communications technology for the police department.

In making the announcement the congressman said, "I believe we have a deep obligation to protect our families from criminals and support our law enforcement officers who put themselves at risk to protect our communities. This new equipment will help keep officers safe as they work to protect our families."

In thanking the congressman for his work on getting the requested funds, Navasota Police Chief Shawn Myatt said the new equipment will be a big help as the department moves from an analog system to a digital system. This will open up new avenues of communications and will facilitate improved communications between the police department and other public service departments in the city.

Myatt said the new communications software would help update the 911 system as well as other communications need.

According to Congressman Edwards, the funds are from the final 2008 appropriations bill that was signed into law late last year.

Central Texas Dam Getting Multi-Million Dollar Face Lift

econnor — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 12:11:31 -0700

KXXV TV: Central Texas Dam Getting Multi-Million Dollar Face Lift

March 8, 2008

"Clean energy is part of America's future," said Congressman Chet Edwards in the Whitney Dam Saturday afternoon.

In an effort to continue with his push for clean and sustainable energy sources, Edwards secured roughly 4.5 million dollars in funding to revamp the aging structure.

Built in 1949, Whitney Dam has generated thousands of homes in Central Texas with hydroelectric energy.

But after being online for more than half a century, the structure is showing its age.

Turbines and the two generators which convert water power to electricity are wearing out.

"As the plant gets older, we're going to start losing our reliability," said Army Corps of Engineer Tom McGrath.

Edwards said not only does the plant provide electricity for Central Texas but it is an example right here in our backyard of how to curb the nation's dependency on foreign fuel.

"The more we can do of this the more we find other energy sources and develop those the less the chance we have people spending over three dollars for gas," said Edwards.

Edwards added the modernization of the Whitney Dam is a win-win solution.

"This is truly part of our national effort to find renewable and clean energy," added Edwards.

The Army Corps of Engineers was able to sell roughly two million dollars worth of power last year alone.

All that money went right back into the hands of the U.S. Government.

The first stage of the renovation will start at the plant later this year.

Edwards secures $392,000 for road in Grimes County

econnor — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 12:11:31 -0700

February 27, 2008
Edwards secures $392,000 for road in Grimes County

Keith News

About 60 residents of Keith, county officials and others from around Grimes County were on hand at the Keith Community Center on Thursday morning, Feb. 21 to hear our representative Chet Edwards officially announce that CR 172 will receive $392,000 to help move fencelines and pave this dirt road. We, the people who have endured the dust and mud of this road, certainly have reason to rejoice. As the saying goes, we can now see light at the end of the tunnel. Praise the Lord!

VA ups mileage reimbursement

econnor — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 12:11:31 -0700

Friday, February 01, 2008

Waco Trib: VA ups the mileage reimbursement for vets traveling for medical care

Waco Tribune
By David Doerr

The pinch at the pump will become a bit less painful for veterans across the country today as the mileage reimbursement rate to visit Veterans Affairs doctors more than doubles to 28.5 cents, the first increase since 1978.

James Peake, secretary of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, announced Thursday the 17.5 cent increase, up from 11 cents per mile.

“This increase helps veterans — especially those living in rural areas — offset some of the gasoline costs as they travel to VA’s world-class health care,” Peake said in a news release.

Advocates hope the rate increase will make it easier on veterans who sometimes have to travel hundreds of miles to receive specialty care at the VA’s six medical centers across Texas, including the hospitals in Waco and Temple.

“It’s not far out to say that you could have people coming from the Louisiana border to Temple or from Brownwood to Temple,” said Bill Mahon, McLennan County veterans officer. “That’s a good drive. There are a lot of people that don’t go to the VA, and their reasoning is, ‘Why in the world would I want to travel 300 miles just to get my eyes checked?’ ”

The rate increase could make the difference for veterans deciding between seeking VA health care or going without, said U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards, D-Waco, who chairs the appropriations subcommittee over veterans spending.

“One of the untold stories of 2007 was the historic $11.8 billion increase in funding for veterans passed by the Democratic-led Congress,” Edwards said in a news release. “The increase in travel reimbursement rates is one example of how millions of veterans will benefit from the $5.5 billion we added above the president’s request for the VA in just 12 months.”

Veterans who are rated 30 percent or more disabled and who are traveling for treatment of a service-connected condition are eligible to receive the reimbursement.

VA pensioners and veterans traveling for scheduled compensation and pension exams are also eligible.

With the new rate, a veteran traveling 400 miles on a round trip would receive a $98.46 reimbursement compared to $38 under the old system.

One of the reasons why previous VA secretaries have not increased the mileage rate was because the funds that paid for the program came out of the same pot of money that funds the agency’s medical operations, said Jennifer Fay, Central Texas Veterans Health Care System administrative services chief. Last year’s funding increase allowed the secretary to increase the reimbursement rate, she said.

Volunteer-run shuttle services between cities can save veterans and the VA money that would otherwise be spent on gasoline.

Eight shuttles based at the Waco hospital transported 10,866 veteran last year, saving the VA about $235,000 on mileage, said Sherry Hughes, the Waco VA’s director of volunteer services.

Economic Impact of Texas Ag Hits Record $100 Billion

econnor — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 12:11:31 -0700

Texas A&M Ag News

Economic Impact of Texas Agriculture Hits Record $100 Billion

January 08, 2008
Writer(s): Blair Fannin

COLLEGE STATION – Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples touted the work ethic of Texas farmers and ranchers Tuesday discussing an economic milestone. For the first time in history, statewide agriculture production in 2007 contributed more than $100 billion to the Texas economy.

“All Texans should be proud of the dedicated men and women who live and breathe agriculture daily, providing food and fiber to feed and clothe their fellow Texans,” Staples said at the Texas A&M AgriLife Conference at Texas A&M University.

Texas leads the nation in the number of cattle, horses, goats, sheep and deer. The state also ranks first in production of cotton, wool, mohair and hay. The Texas agriculture industry employs nearly 2 million Texans, contributing approximately 9 percent of the gross state product.

“Folks, it’s an amazing story to tell,” Staples said. “We have to tell it everyday, and the key is to tell the story effectively and get people’s attention.”

One in seven individuals in Texas are employed “in some form of agriculture,” and everyone in the industry has to be involved in branding, marketing and selling, Staples said.

“Each of us have to energize our agricultural industry, excite the public and tell them how breakthroughs make their lives better,” he said.

Dr. Elsa Murano, president of Texas A&M University and former vice chancellor and dean of agriculture and life sciences, told attendees that “your work is life enhancing, and I certainly value the recognition you bring to Texas A&M University.”

Promoting partnerships and collaborative work among the colleges at Texas A&M is one of many goals Murano outlined. She touted Texas A&M’s bioenergy alliance, an ongoing research program investigating alternative fuels among both the agriculture and engineering programs, as a lead example.

U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards, D-Waco, who received the Texas A&M AgriLife Outstanding Public Servant Award, also emphasized the importance of telling Americans how important agriculture is and how it plays a key role in daily life.

“It’s more important than ever to tell the positive impact of AgriLife,” he said. “Strong values come from rural life, and it may depend on how well we tell the story agriculture is life.”

The Texas A&M AgriLife Conference brings together two of the state’s premier agencies as part of the Texas A&M University System – Texas AgriLife Research and the Texas AgriLife Extension Service – in addition to faculty that serve the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas A&M.

Funds approved for county road improvements

econnor — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 12:11:31 -0700

January 3, 2008
Funds approved for county road improvements

Navasota Examiner:

Grimes County Commissioner, Pct. 4, Pam Finke relayed that the county would be receiving $392,000 for ongoing CR 172 projects during a regularly scheduled Commissioners Court meeting on Monday.

A press release received by Commissioner Finke states U.S. Representative Chet Edwards announced that he has secured $392,000 to repave CR 172 in northern Grimes County under the final 2008 Appropriations bill, which passed the House late Monday, the Senate Tuesday, and is expected to be signed into law by the President. “Improving CR 172 is a safety and economic development issue for Grimes County, and I am thrilled that my request for this important transportation investment was granted,” said Edwards, a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee.

“I want to commend the Grimes County Commissioners Court for bringing this project to my attention. It is clear to me that improving transportation infrastructure is a top local priority that will create new jobs, encourage economic growth and improve quality of life for area residents,” he added.

Specifically, this project would repave the travel surface on CR 172 for a distance of 2 miles and expand the surface to 20 feet. The surface will be repaved with an Asphalt overlay. This project would also straighten a sharp curve on the roadway, which primarily serves the citizens of Keith and Anderson in Grimes County.

In 2005, Edwards secured $400,000 for bridge construction in Grimes County under the annual transportation bill.

City, hospital receive federal funds for repairs

econnor — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 12:11:31 -0700

Wednesday, January 02, 2008
City, hospital receive federal funds for repairs

Madisonville Meteor
By Dave Lewis | Meteor staff writer

Madison County residents will be seeing visible proof of their tax dollars at work this coming year with federal funds coming here to help repair the roof at Madison St. Joseph Health Center and to resurface Collard Street.

According to an announcement Thursday, Dec. 27, from the office of U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards, $117,000 has been earmarked to renovate the roof and emergency room at Madison St. Joseph, a 57-year-old non-profit facility.

The hospital here has seen the number of emergency room visits increase by nearly 40 percent in recent years in what has been designated a Health Professional Shortage Area and a Medically Underserved Area by the federal government.

Funding for both the hospital and Collard Street comes from the final 2008 appropriations bill, which passed both the U.S. House and Senate earlier in December and was signed by President George W. Bush on Dec. 26.

“I am pleased that my colleagues in the Congress approved my request to help relocate the emergency room for the St. Joseph's Hospital in Madisonville, and I especially want to commend Madisonville community leaders for stressing the importance of this priority project to me,” said Edwards, who is a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee.

The Collard Street project was earmarked for $169,000, which will help repair potholes and broken curbs on one of the town's major east-west feeder streets.

“Improving roads,” said Edwards, “is important for future economic growth and the quality of life in Madisonville. I want to thank Madisonville city leaders for recommending this important project to me.”

Madisonville Mayor Sonny Dean said receipt of the news was “fantastic.”

Interim city manager Dave Ward said, “We're going to rebuild Collard street, not just fix potholes. I'm not 100 percent sure how much of Collard Street we can repair. We'll probably have enough to go from S.H. 75 to S.H. 21 and widen it a bit to make it more conducive to two-way traffic and put a good surface on it rather than seal coat.

“I'm going to get bids to hot mix (asphalt). That is what I hope we'd be able to do to it. It's a very busy street and needs to be widened a good 18-24 inches. I wish we would have enough to go the full length, but I just don't think $196,000 will go all the way.

“I will assure you the west side of Collard to North Madison that has been a problem area will be fixed. That's one of the busiest intersections in town.”