Proud to Serve Rural Texas
One of my favorite parts of serving you as state representative is being able to effect real change for real rural Texans. The very best way to do that is by listening directly to you. I’m constantly crisscrossing our district, attending community events, and sitting down with folks to hear your concerns and ideas. In fact, many of the bills I introduced this session were ideas that first came from a constituent of House District 13. That’s why I always encourage you—if you have an idea for how to make our laws work better for rural Texas—reach out. Some of the best legislation in Austin starts as a conversation here at home.
Just recently, I had the privilege of thanking several of these constituents by mailing them a copy of their bill—complete with the signatures of Governor Abbott, Lt. Governor Patrick, Speaker Burrowes, and myself— after it became law. Seeing their idea go from a café or living room conversation all the way to the Governor’s desk was an incredible full-circle moment. It’s a reminder of why I’m here: to show up and get to work for the people of HD 13 and all of rural Texas.
Since rural lawmakers are outnumbered three to one in the legislature, I have to work three times as hard to make sure your voice is heard. I roll up my sleeves alongside my team, putting in the hours and effort needed to get things done. With their support and the strong leadership of Speaker Burrows, the most rural conservative speaker we’ve ever had in the Texas House, we were able to pass a record number of bills for rural Texas.
This includes a new grant program to bring much-needed ambulances to rural counties (HB 3000), a law to stop foreign adversaries like the Chinese Communist Party from buying Texas farmland (SB 17), reforms to strengthen the Texas Agricultural Finance Authority so young and small producers can access financing to grow their operations (HB 43), and $100 million in funding to stabilize rural hospitals (HB 18). Big-city politicians don’t understand us, our values, or our way of life. My job is to make them listen. And as chair of the committee overseeing onethird of the entire state budget this session, I made sure House District 13— and all of rural Texas—had an unprecedented seat at the table.
From Mexia to Clifton, I know our communities. I know our people. And I’m here to protect our way of life. I’ve said it many times before: rural Texas is real Texas.
That’s why, when a big company tried to drain our shared aquifer in Leon, Freestone, and Limestone counties, I jumped in to stop them. In this special session, I’m working with my fellow rural Republicans on a package of bills to protect our water and our way of life. First, we have a bill to ensure local landowners can drill wells and use the water under their property—as long as it doesn’t hurt a neighbor. Second, a bill making sure no one can take more than five percent of a district’s available groundwater. Third, a bill that gives our local water districts the legal backing they need to stop big companies from over-pumping and to enforce the rules. Lastly, a bill that says that any largescale water exports outside a district have to get approval from two-thirds of the local districts first. Together, these bills give our communities the tools to protect our water now and for the future.
I’ve been here my whole life. I raised my family here. I’ve run errands at the same local stores, cheered under the same Friday night lights, and shared in the everyday life that binds our communities together. I know the people, the land, and the values of House District 13 because they’re my own. I will keep fighting to make sure our voice is heard in Austin, because when rural Texas is strong, all of Texas is strong.
Thank you for reading my weekly column! Make sure you stay connected and informed by calling our Capitol office at (512) 4630600 or by following my social media page at www.facebook.com/AngeliaOrrForTX.