Texas Agriculture Commissioner Candidate Eric Opiela Says Water Must Be Primary Focus Of Next Commissioner [AUDIO]

On the Wednesday edition of The Chad Hasty Show, Eric Opiela talked with Chad Hasty about his campaign for Texas Agriculture Commissioner.

Opiela said that water is the most pressing issue for Texas framers and ranchers, and the one issue that the next Agriculture Commissioner should focus on the most. He explained that the state has had a "patchwork quilt" approach to managing ground water, and that needs to change.

"We have a patchwork quilt system of groundwater conservation districts in this state. Some areas are covered, some areas are not. Some districts are single-county districts that do very little to actually protect that property right...and some groundwater conservation districts over-regulate. So we have to have an Ag Commissioner that takes a leadership role in reforming our groundwater law in this state and to make sure that property right actually means something."

Opiela added that he is the only candidate with proven experience in defending the right of land owners when it comes to water issues.

Opelia also spoke about the school lunch program, a subject that other candidates have yet to bring up. He explained that the program, which was lumped in to the Department of Agriculture, has ballooned out of control and that parents, not the government, are the best stewards of children's nutritional needs. Opiela also shared his thoughts on the current Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples.

For more information on Eric Opiela and his campaign for Texas Agriculture Commissioner, visit his website at ericopiela.com.

Listen to the full interview with Eric Opiela here: