Todd Staples is the president of the Texas Oil and Gas Association, the state's largest petroleum group. He was the state's agriculture commissioner from 2007-2014 and also served in the Texas Legislature.
The Texas Railroad Commission must be properly funded to keep pace with growth and technology. It needs more staff, more field inspectors and technology upgrades to execute its work with greater transparency and efficiency.
Beyond his bullish stance on domestic energy production and proven management prowess, energy secretary nominee Rick Perry’s philosophy about the role of government in general will be a shot in the arm for America, which has been bogged down for too long by bureaucrats and over-regulation.
It's not just the royalties and taxes going to public schools. The energy industry is also partnering with some of Texas' leading colleges and universities.
Texans know from experience that local officials and the oil and gas industry can work together to reach reasonable compromises. A plan up for debate in the Legislature preserves that legacy.
