SID MILLER

Gov. Greg Abbott, who Trump endorsed for his reelection, has not commented about the former president’s announcement to run for the White House a third time.

Securing a third term with strong support across rural Texas, the Republican pledged to expand medical use of cannabis and funding for rural health care.

The state’s agriculture commissioner oversees a vast portfolio including farming and ranching, rural health care and the scales you use at grocery store checkout.

Watchdog groups fear the film will fuel chaos in the upcoming midterm elections and could be a pretext for more restrictive voting laws in the future.

For example, members of the Railroad Commission don’t deal with railroads. Here’s what the many officials elected statewide do with the power voters give them.

Texans have stood by their AG through two criminal indictments. Is there any misdeed that might stick to his Teflon coating before the November election?

According to the National Conference on State Legislatures, 37 states allow medical marijuana while 19 states allow adults to use it for non-medical reasons.

The Republican commissioner on Friday published an editorial saying the outlawing of...

Last year for the first time in 60 years, the nation’s first cotton bale to be produced and ginned did not come from the Rio Grande Valley but instead from Nueces County’s Priestly Farms. A combination of early-season drought followed by excessive rainfall pushed back cotton planting in the Valley, and Priestly Farms near Robstown took advantage by picking the nation’s first cotton bale on July 18. But the weather was more cooperative this year, and the country’s first bale of 2022 was produced by Wesley Vanderpool of Alamo and delivered to the Willacy Co-Op. “Agriculture remains one of the key economic sectors in the RGV even with the rapid growth and expanding trade we have experienced in the region,” said Sam Simmons Jr., Harlingen Cotton Committee chair. The Harlingen Cotton Committee is still searching for sponsors to reach the $10,000 goal to support students pursuing a career in an agricultural–related field.

Experts said the plan, announced at the state GOP convention on Saturday, is not realistic and possibly not legal.

The forum will feature four Democratic candidates running for statewide positions, some of whom are facing a primary runoff challenge.

Gov. Greg Abbott's rule imposing safety inspections at the border did "nothing to stop the flow of illegal immigration or illegal drugs," Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller told NPR.

With commercial traffic on the Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge still at a halt for the second day in a row, Gov. Greg Abbott is facing bipartisan backlash for the inspection policy he initiated that sparked a protest by Mexican truckers frustrated by the dayslong crossing delays it has caused.

Abbott’s new policy has resulted in hourslong delays and protester blockades at border crossings. The state’s agriculture commissioner criticized the measure as an “economy killing action.”

The two-term Republican agriculture commissioner Sid Miller will face Democrat Susan Hays, assuming his lead holds in the Republican primary.

The incumbent avoided a runoff. State Rep. James White had tried to unseat Miller with criticisms centered on controversies under Miller’s leadership.

Patrick urged former Gov. Rick Perry to mount a challenge to Gov. Greg Abbott, who is seeking a third term. He’s taken the already considerable power concentrated in the state’s No. 2 job to another level, forcing opponents from races and tightening his grip on the Senate.

The statewide races on the March primary ballots are sprinkled with the names of state and federal legislators from Texas. You might think they have the upper hand in those contests. Maybe, and maybe not.

Miller’s top challenger is state Rep. James White, a Hillister rancher, who is running a hard-charging campaign calling out the incumbent for creating a scandal-prone culture at the commission.

Early voting starts on Monday, and the primaries are on March 1. But some recent polling foreshadows May runoffs for some offices high on the Texas ballot.

You need a (Sid Miller–type) hero.

Trump, who also hinted at a possible run for president in 2024, floated the idea of pardoning the rioters who took part in the Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol insurrection.

The rally in the Houston suburbs put on full display how much of a grip former President Donald Trump still has on Texas Republican leaders.

For three of the state’s most experienced politicians, bad news comes with the territory. But bad news in the critical stages of an election is another, more serious, kind of trouble.

Sid Miller is challenging a debt relief program that the U.S. Department of Agriculture saw as a way to correct historic discrimination. An advocate for Black Texas farmers says the challenge “pushes us back even further.”

After his top aide, Todd Smith, was indicted in an alleged hemp license scheme, Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller said the two are parting ways.

Todd Smith will no longer work for Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller following Smith’s indictment on charges of felony theft and commercial bribery.

Attorneys for Smith said he has not broken any laws. Miller, who is seeking reelection and facing a competitive primary, said Tuesday evening he's "not ready to throw [Smith] under the bus" and believes the indictment was politically motivated.

The nascent industry is celebrating itself amid a series of setbacks, including having its most popular products deemed controlled substances by the state.

Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller announced the nutrition team at Laredo ISD has...

Conservative activist Steve Hotze and Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller were among those who tried to block the mailings, which they said flouted state law.

AUSTIN, Texas — Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller is known as a big booster of hemp production in the state, cheering legalization of the crop in 2019 and even planting a few acres himself since then on land near Stephenville.

Why did so many Americans receive strange packages they didn’t think they’d ordered?

GOP challengers have announced bids against Greg Abbott, Ken Paxton, and Sid Miller, while a forlorn Democratic party casts its eyes on Matthew McConaughey.

Miller is running for a third term.

Miller is running for a third term.

The most important voter in Texas politics in 2022 doesn't even live in the state, but...

Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller announced Monday he would seek reelection, putting to rest speculation that he could challenge Gov. Greg Abbott for the top elected position in the state.

Miller was seen as a potential challenger to Abbott because of his vocal criticism of the governor's restrictions to stop the spread of COVID-19 last year.

The endorsement comes as Abbott faces a primary challenge from former state Sen. Don Huffines of Dallas and as other fellow Republicans eye the race.

Todd M. Smith was arrested Thursday and released from Travis County Jail on Friday,...

The top political consultant to Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller was arrested Thursday on allegations that he participated in a scheme to solicit money and campaign contributions for state hemp licenses issued by Miller’s Texas Department of Agriculture.

Maybe the latest announcement from Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller was just the sound of a political gnat hitting the windshield. Miller was unveiling his response to the blackouts that knocked Texas off its feet last month. Miller hasn’t said what he’ll do in 2022, but it was notable when he joined Texas GOP Chair Allen West in a demonstration outside the Governor’s Mansion before last year’s elections. (That assessment goes double for West, a one-term congressman from Florida who has never run for government office in Texas.) Ad“Mandating masks was associated with a decrease in daily COVID-19 case and death growth rates within 20 days of implementation,” they wrote.

Co-hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina delve into the latest news in national and local politics. This week on Party Politics, co-hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina discuss the fallout over ERCOT’s handling of the Texas power-grid crisis, the hearings in Congress over President Biden’s appointees, and Texas Agricultural Commissioner Sid Miller’s apparent affinity for a clean vehicle, among other stories. NATIONAL TOPICSNomination battles: Neera, Garland, Becerra, HaalandTrump TaxesNewsmax anchor attacks Biden dogs! Party Politics is produced by Troy Schulze, the audio engineer is Todd Hulslander. Subscribe to Today in Houston Fill out the form below to subscribe our new daily editorial newsletter from the HPM Newsroom.

"Texans running out of food as weather crisis disrupts supply chain" was first published by The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans — and engages with them — about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues. From farm to table, freezing temperatures and power outages are disrupting the food supply chain that people rely on every day. Some are storing their remaining rations in coolers outside, and trips to the grocery store often do little to replenish pantries. For Texas residents, disruptions to the food supply chain, often combined with continued power outages, mean eating non-perishable canned goods or leftover items, like peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. The Texas Tribune is a member-supported, nonpartisan newsroom informing and engaging Texans on state politics and policy.

From farm to table, freezing temperatures and power outages are crippling the supply chain that people rely on for food every day. Some are storing their remaining rations in coolers outside, and trips to the grocery store often do little to replenish pantries. Several food banks affiliated with Feeding Texas have also started providing food supplies to emergency warming shelters in the state’s major cities. AdFor Texas residents, disruptions to the food supply chain, often combined with continued power outages, mean eating non-perishable canned goods or leftover items like peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Residents around the state have also taken to social media to share their stories about struggling to find food or an open grocery store.

With only two weeks before the funding expires, Texas’ state government still hasn’t spent about a quarter of the $8 billion it received from the federal coronavirus relief bill. In March, the U.S. Department of the Treasury assigned $11.24 billion to local and state governments in Texas. The state distributed $1.85 billion to smaller jurisdictions and has been distributing the remaining $8 billion through its health, education and emergency agencies, among others. The funds can pay for expenses incurred only until Dec. 30, according to federal guidelines. On Monday, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller said the remaining funds should be used to help rural hospitals and food banks.

If approved, shots could begin within days for health care workers and people in nursing homes. Shots would then begin for health care workers and nursing home residents. ___CANBERRA, Australia — Australian researchers say they have abandoned development of a potential coronavirus vaccine because it produced false positive results on HIV tests. A health ministry statement says the government will first vaccinate health care workers, particularly those who deal with COVID-19 cases. ___HONOLULU — Hawaii expects to receive 80,000 doses of coronavirus vaccine in December for health care workers and residents of long-term care facilities.

It is unclear how Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller contracted the coronavirus or whether he has received medical attention. Credit: Juan Figueroa for The Texas TribuneTexas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller said Wednesday evening that he has tested positive for COVID-19. He is the second known statewide elected official to test positive for the coronavirus. "Friends, I just got news that I have tested positive for COVID-19, and as a result, will be quarantining at my ranch,” Miller said in a written statement. The first statewide elected official to publicly confirm a positive coronavirus test was Texas Supreme Court Justice Debra Lehrmann in May.

Related Stories Sid Miller Is Still An AssholeSince first getting elected to the top spot in the state Department of Agriculture back in 2014, Miller has taken every opportunity to insert himself into the limelight. “I just spoke with the President,” Miller wrote in the subject line of a post-election email blast on November 7. With the oh-so subtle subject line “Vote Fraud is REAL and WIDESPREAD!” Miller launched another broadside against the November election. Since Hightower was unseated by Republican-convert and future governor Rick Perry in 1990, the state agriculture department was predictably boring until Miller showed up. “In a world where partisanship sells, Miller is the chief architect and salesman of that,” Rottinghaus said.

India’s health ministry says some coronavirus vaccines are likely to receive licenses in the next few weeks. ___THE VIRUS OUTBREAK:About 50% of Americans will take the new coronavirus vaccine, according to The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research survey. — EU drug regulator hacked, data on COVID-19 vaccine accessed— UK probing if 2 allergic reactions linked to vaccine— Pennsylvania Gov. Wolf tests positive for coronavirus___Follow AP’s coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak___HERE’S WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING:AUSTIN, Texas — A Texas state official who has been critical of measures ordered by Gov. According to the state’s coronavirus dashboard, COVID-19-related hospitalizations on Tuesday reached 3,287, up 130 from Monday.

Texas Republican Party Chair Allen West speaks to a crowd gathered at the Governor’s Mansion on Saturday to protest business closures and mask mandates. The "Free Texas" rally featured speeches from Texas GOP Chair Allen West and Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller, both of whom invoked the governor critically. "And if the governor did not get this resolution, I'm gonna leave it right here, at the gates of the Governor's Mansion." Alt text: Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller speaks to a crowd gathered in front of the Governor’s Mansion to protest statewide business closures and mask mandates. "I told him that true leaders don't pick and choose when they do what is right," West said.

Early voting in Texas can begin Oct. 13, following the timeline the governor laid out months ago, the Texas Supreme Court ruled Wednesday, rejecting a request from several top Texas Republicans to limit the timeframe for voters to cast their ballots. Greg Abbott ordered that early voting for the general election in Texas begin nearly a week earlier than usual, a response to the coronavirus pandemic. Abbott added six days to the early voting period through an executive order, an exercise of the emergency powers he has leaned into during the virus crisis. Abbott’s order to extend the early voting period has been the main way the state adjusted voting procedures during the pandemic. Abbott had also doubled the early voting period for lower-turnout primary runoff elections held in July.

An early voting location in Houston on Feb. 21, 2018. Credit: Michael Stravato for The Texas TribuneNeed to stay updated on coronavirus news in Texas? In July, Abbott added six days to the early voting period, moving the start date up to Oct. 13 from Oct. 19, citing the coronavirus pandemic. West said in the same statement that he opposes the "extension of early voting through the decree of a single executive instead of through the legislative process." Using the same rationale, he previously extended early voting for the July primary runoffs. Abbott's expanded that option to the entire early voting period.

HOUSTON – Should Texas expand medical marijuana? Well, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller believes the state should. During a tour of the Austin-based marijuana facility Compassionate Cultivation on Thursday, Miller said he wanted to learn more about how hemp, THC and medical marijuana can help people. After meeting with a group of parents whose children use medical marijuana for autism and other conditions, Miller said he is in favor of expanding the use of medical marijuana, according to a report by Austin NBC affiliate KXAN. “I would certainly expand medical marijuana.

At least 187 Texans have reported receiving mystery packets of seeds in the mail from China. An invasive plant species might not sound threatening, but these small invaders could destroy Texas agriculture. Intentionally keeping or planting the seeds would be illegal, Miller said., because they are an illegal product. First, it was a China virus, then it was murder hornets. The phrase "China virus," used by President Donald Trump and defended by politicians including U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, has been criticized as racist and anti-Chinese.

HOUSTON – Both the U.S. and Texas departments of Agriculture are advising people not to plant any unsolicited seeds they may have gotten in the mail. According to Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller, these seed packets, falsely labeled as jewelry, come from China and have been mailed to people all over the country, including Texas. People are being advised not to plant the seeds as it could contain a harmful invasive plant that could cause damage to the Texas ecosystem, Miller said. “An invasive plant species might not sound threatening, but these small invaders could destroy Texas agriculture. The TDA is asking anyone who may have received a packet to report it immediately at SITC.Mail@aphis.usda.gov.

The posts from those local officials have prompted calls for resignation from the states top GOP officials. One post from Miller on Sunday included an image of Soros with accompanying text that read, Climate change didnt work. The Anti-Defamation League has reported that hundreds of thousands of social media posts in recent days have falsely suggested that he is behind the recent protests. Fact-checkers have debunked multiple fake flyers circulating on social media purported to be from organizations linked to Soros that were offering people money to protest. Miller has a history of posting incendiary and false statements on his social media channels, including on a Facebook page that has more than 800,000 followers.

So we-- we're-- we're trying to keep 163 rural hospitals open and from, you know, going out of business. Sharyn Alfonsi: Any sense of how many hospitals-- rural hospitals are at risk right now in Texas? And I'm-- I'm afraid this pandemic-- we're gonna-- we're gonna continue to lose health care providers in rural Texas and across the nation. That's left one out of five rural Texas counties without a doctor. Things like colonoscopies and lab services that usually make up half the revenue at the state's rural hospitals.

Nurse practitioner Elizabeth Ellis makes a house call in rural Texas CBS NewsTexas, like other states, will begin a slow, gradual re-opening of business Friday. But health care providers in rural areas of Texas tell Sharyn Alfonsi if COVID-19 outbreaks get worse in rural areas their financially fragile care systems could become overwhelmed. Hospitals already teetering on the brink of financial collapse lost precious revenue from nonessential surgeries and procedures like colonoscopies the state cancelled to prepare for the pandemic. "I'm afraid-- this pandemic we're going to continue to lose healthcare providers in rural Texas and across the nation," he tells Alfonsi. And what frightens me is that all of America's critical access hospitals, especially here in Texas, are at risk of closing."

Listen: Investigating Iranian cyber attacks in TexasAs tensions flare with Iran, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott says Iranian cyber attacks are attempted against state government systems as often as 10,000 a minute. Meantime, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller says the FBI is investigating an Iranian inspired attack against his agency's website. Plus, Democrats running for the White House are campaigning in Texas perhaps more than ever. Join the conversation featuring Scott Braddock, editor of The Quorum Report, Houston Chronicle political writer Jeremy Wallace, and San Antonio Express News reporter Allie Morris.