Texas Governor Republican Rick Perry: Follow the Money !

Rick Perry, Republicans and Eminent Domain Abuse ! Coming to a farm near you ? I wonder how many of the 371,320 Texas Farm Bureau members agree with the TFB "Political Arm" decision (see below) ? Read the TFB mission statement and other points and see if they match up with this decision. Follow the money !
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Farmers back Perry, not highway
Bureau endorses re-election bid, fights Trans-Texas Corridor
12:00 AM CST on Saturday, February 4, 2006
/ Associated Press
AUSTIN – The political arm of the Texas Farm Bureau has decided to endorse Gov. Rick Perry's re-election bid, even though it vigorously opposes his Trans-Texas Corridor highway plan.
"It's not just about the corridor. We will continue to oppose it, and will kill it if we can," farm bureau spokesman Gene Hall said Friday. But "the farm bureau is not a single-issue organization."
Mr. Perry, the son of West Texas tenant farmers, has worked well with the farm bureau on other issues such as water rights and government seizure of private property, Mr. Hall said.
Officially, the endorsement comes from the Texas Farm Bureau Friends of Agriculture Fund, the bureau's political action committee, which can donate money to a campaign. Mr. Hall declined to say how much the group would donate.
"There's a lot that happens [at the state Capitol], and we have a stake in most of it," Mr. Hall said. "We covet our seat at the table."
The Trans-Texas Corridor is Mr. Perry's sweeping $184 billion vision of thousands of miles of highways, railways and utilities crisscrossing the state.
Mr. Perry has said the development, a 50-year project that hinges on new privately run toll roads, is necessary for Texas to meet its future transportation needs.
International consortium Cintra-Zachry is already developing a plan for the first phase, a 600-mile traffic and trade route from Oklahoma to Mexico to run parallel to Interstate 35.
Farmers and environmentalists worry that landowners and small towns will pay the greatest cost.
The Texas Farm Bureau had resisted the corridor project because of worries that farmers could be forced to give up land without adequate compensation.
Opponents have rallied at the state Capitol. A rally in May drew one of Mr. Perry's opponents, Carole Keeton Strayhorn, who is running for governor as an independent.
Perry spokesman Robert Black said Mr. Perry, a former state agriculture commissioner, welcomed the endorsement and would continue to work with farmers.
"Governor Perry is someone who has a deep understanding of how important agriculture is in Texas," Mr. Black said.
source: http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/texassouthwest/stories/DN-perry_04tex.ART.State.Edition2.22d88bb4.html
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From the Texas Farm Bureau Website:

FB's Mission — To be an effective organization in successfully advancing the public policy interests of farmers and ranchers and serving as the “Voice of Texas Agriculture” while providing high-value member benefits and services.

Texas Farm Bureau History

Welcome to the Texas Farm Bureau Website! It is our goal to tell not only members, but the general public, about TFB's mission and commitment to providing a voice for farmers, ranchers, rural citizens and everyone interested in preserving and protecting this way of life.
I look forward to addressing the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead and want our members to know that this site will remain dedicated to keeping them up-to-date on the latest issues of concern to our livelihoods.
I remember my father telling me, "You need to be involved in Farm Bureau. They’re a very good tool." I heeded his advice and, with the strength of 371,320 members, know that others share this same sentiment. Together, we can provide America with safe and wholesome food. Reap the benefits of becoming a part of the voice of Texas agriculture.

A Little History

The modern Texas Farm Bureau was founded in 1933, and grew from a fledgling organization to one of the largest groups of farmers, ranchers and rural families in the world. TFB is totally controlled by its members and financed by voluntary dues. Service companies were developed to serve members' interests, and today, members enjoy the dual benefits of political representation and solid pocketbook savings.
One of Farm Bureau's most important principles is that of grass roots policy development. Policies always originate at the member level and are debated and adopted at the county, state and national levels. Legislative staffs in Austin and Washington, D.C. work to implement Farm Bureau policy and keep lawmakers informed on agricultural and rural issues.

Where We've Been...
A few of TFB's accomplishments:
• Agricultural exemptions from ad valorem taxation
• Texas superb farm-to-market road system is a result of TFB's efforts
• Sales tax exemptions for machinery, feed, seed and fertilizer
• Refunds of state and federal taxes on farm used fuel Reform of inheritance and gift tax laws
• Protection of property rights
• Reduce regulatory burden for agriculture
• Research and implementation of animal health programs

Where We're Going...
These are some of the goals of Farm Bureau:
• Achieve an economic climate that will improve net farm income
•Enhance public perception of agriculture
• Promote free and fair trade
• Preserve individual freedoms
• A smaller, more efficient federal government
• Work for strong local and state government
• Promote a fair tax system
• Balance the federal budget

source: TFB Website - http://www.txfb.org/