ISSUES AND POLICY
such bad shape because thousands of trucks travel them due to the oil and gas boom in these areas. Maybe the oil and gas industry
should share in the costs to help maintain these roads. The oil and gas industry is im-
portant to the Texas economy, and we need to work with this economic engine to keep it thriving. That means taking care of the roads that allow them to produce and transport their product. Unfortunately, the oil and gas
industry is its own worst enemy. They tear up roads without a plan to repair or fi x them hoping TxDOT bails them out. Without good farm- to-market and rural ranch-roads, the oil and gas industry will suffer just like the cattle industry. Cattle raisers have strongly
urged the oil and gas industry to help fund the repair and mainte- nance of the rural roads. The legis- lature has tried to encourage them to do so, but those attempts have been stopped. In fairness, the oil and gas in-
dustry does pay a lot of taxes to the State of Texas. Some companies are doing the right thing and offering additional fi nancial assistance for road repair, but many are not. Some have suggested that counties take over the repair and maintenance of these roads. That’s simply not a viable option considering that most counties can barely take care of their own roads. Something must be done to pro-
tect and maintain our rural road system. As rural landowners with a stake in this decision we must actively participate in this process. Tell your elected offi cials to make farm-to-market and rural-ranch road funding a priority before we start to see more of our rural roads turn to dust.
tscra.org Summer Meetings Successful T
HE 2013 CATTLE INDUSTRY SUMMER CONFERENCE WAS AN opportunity to celebrate a signifi cant milestone.
This year marked the 50th Anniversary of the Fed- eration of State Beef Councils, and during our time in Denver we had an opportunity to see many longtime friends who gathered to celebrate the Federation and all of the tremendous work our states have accomplished over the past 5 decades. It was good to see current and former staff mem-
bers who gathered for the Federation Anniversary Reception. We truly appreciate all of the hard work and the dedication of all our staff members past and present, and I personally want to extend a heartfelt thank-you to each of them for helping to make this industry what it is today. I also want to extend a thank-you to all of the committee members
By Scott George, NCBA President
and volunteer leaders who work so hard to make the summer conference business meetings run so successfully. Without the hours of hard work and preparation ahead of and during
our annual meetings we wouldn’t be nearly as successful or productive as we are as an organization or as an industry. It takes everyone working closely together to make NCBA tick, and their performance during the summer meetings was truly exceptional. Our summer meeting is primarily a business meeting. It represents an
opportunity for our grassroots members to be heard, and we all know the old saying about policy being made by those who show up to participate. Whatever the issue, if it is presented by our members, large or small, it
can be on the agenda for discussion. It’s also now the place where NCBA policy will be passed for a vote by our membership. As a result of a change to our bylaws, our members will now receive a ballot in the fall allowing them to vote on the policies passed during our summer meeting. This change in our bylaws allows our staff in Washington, D.C., to
better represent your interests on Capitol Hill. Previously, our policies were considered interim until the membership ballots were returned and counted following the annual meeting in late winter. That process meant NCBA interim policy was in place until late spring,
well into the Congressional session. Now, with the bylaw change, NCBA policy will be effective prior to
the start of the new Congressional session, giving our staff in Washing- ton, D.C., a more effective tool to represent the interests of our members. All of us at NCBA fi rmly believe that it’s important for our members
to be heard. Attendance at the summer meeting is critically important as we shape policy for our industry, but we know it’s a diffi cult time to be away from your operation and your family. For those who made the trip to Denver to participate, allow me to
extend a sincere thank you. For those who didn’t have the opportunity to travel to Denver, please take a few minutes this fall to complete your membership ballot and mail it back. We want to be sure you make your voice and your membership count.
November 2013 The Cattleman 89
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