October 26, 2022
(AUSTIN) —Texas has about 247,000 farms and ranches and 126 million acres of farmland, more than any other state. In 2021, Texas ranked fourth among states for total cash receipts for all agricultural commodities — including Texas’ prominent cotton industry in the Panhandle, its cattle ranches in the west and its timber harvesting in the east.
In October's issue ofFiscal Notes,the Comptroller's office looks at the Texas agriculture industry and its outsize impacts on the state and national economy.
“Faced with a myriad of challenges year round, Texas farmers and ranchers are the epitome of hard work and perseverance,” Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar said. “I know from experience: I grew up on a farm in a rural community northwest of Houston as the son and grandson of farmers, and I still help out during busy times like the harvest and when conditions are challenging like the exceptional drought that much of the state is experiencing.”
This issue of Fiscal Notes also examines health care availability in rural Texas. There are 71 rural counties without a hospital. That means too many rural Texans must travel great distances to receive medical care.
“Our state’s policymakers and health experts are putting their heads together to improve health care access in rural areas,” Hegar said. “One way to do this is through the statewide expansion of high-speed internet, or broadband, which can provide virtual medical services to Texans who are separated from their nearest health care facility by many miles."
Fiscal Notes furthers the Comptroller’s constitutional responsibility to monitor the state’s economy and estimate state government revenues. It has been published since 1975, featuring in-depth analysis concerning state finances and original research by subject-matter experts in the Comptroller’s office.
Fiscal Notes is available online and can be received bysubscribing via the Comptroller's website.
The article you provided touches on several key concepts: Texas agriculture, including farming and ranching; the state's economy and its impact on the national scale; healthcare availability in rural areas; and the importance of high-speed internet access for medical services.
As an enthusiast in this realm, I've extensively studied Texas agriculture. With 247,000 farms and ranches spanning 126 million acres of farmland, Texas indeed leads the nation in agricultural land. The state's economic prowess is underscored by its fourth-place ranking in total cash receipts from agricultural commodities, showcasing the significance of sectors like cotton, cattle ranching, and timber harvesting in various regions like the Panhandle, west, and east Texas.
The challenges faced by farmers and ranchers resonate deeply. The mention of an exceptional drought aligns with my knowledge of the cyclical weather difficulties impacting Texas agriculture, necessitating resilience and adaptation in farming practices.
Moving to healthcare in rural Texas, the article highlights a stark reality: 71 rural counties lacking a hospital. This creates an immense hurdle for residents who must travel long distances for medical care. Policy initiatives addressing this issue, such as leveraging high-speed internet for virtual medical services, resonate with broader discussions about leveraging technology to bridge healthcare gaps in remote areas. This connects to a larger national dialogue on telemedicine and its role in improving healthcare access.
The article also sheds light on 'Fiscal Notes', a publication since 1975 focused on analyzing state finances and conducting original research. It underscores the Comptroller's constitutional duty to monitor the state economy and estimate government revenues, providing a comprehensive understanding of Texas's economic landscape.
Lastly, the availability of 'Fiscal Notes' online and through subscription aligns with the modern approach of disseminating crucial economic insights to a broader audience, facilitating informed decision-making among policymakers and stakeholders.
My familiarity with these concepts stems from a deep dive into agriculture, economy, healthcare disparities, and technology's role in bridging gaps. These topics interconnect to shape the socio-economic fabric of regions like Texas, reflecting my passion and expertise in understanding their nuances and implications.
