State Representative Jim Keffer visited Brownwood on Friday to speak to the Brown County Republican Women during their monthly luncheon and touched on many issues that Texas will be facing in the next year.

Although final census numbers will not be out until April of 2011, Keffer stated that preliminary numbers show Texas to be around 24 million in population, an increase of 3 million.  An average number of 1200 people are moving to Texas each day, according to Keffer.

“…even with things in Texas not being perfect, we are the place to be.  A low tax rate, manufacturing base and Texas has many, many things going for it and that is why people are coming in…”  stated Keffer.

Because of the influx of people moving into the state, Texas is facing redistricting.  Keffer is currently serving on the redistricting committee and stated that although nationally Texas will be gaining 4 seats in Congress; on the state level, West Texas has not seen the growth and will lose about 3-4 seats after redistricting.  Although district 60 has about a 130,000-135,000 population currently; new districts will be approximately 170,000 in population, changing the current district layout.  The majority of Texas’ growth will be along the I-35 corridor.

Keffer also spoke about the next (82nd) session of Congress, which will be challenging.  Although Texas is economically stronger than other states in the nation, a budget shortfall will have to be addressed along with border issues and redistricting.

Cap and Trade legislation from Washington, D.C. threatens the Texas economy, according to Keffer.

“This is something that we are watching very closely,” stated Keffer.

Keffer stated that some in Washington have the belief that Texas has “had it too good for too long” and noted that an official with the EPA made a statement that the only reason Texas is successful is because it has cheated on its environmental responsibilities.  Because of these comments, Keffer stated, “We have to keep our eyes open.”

“If you are elected to go to Congress, then I think your #1 job is to protect your state from harmful legislation,” said Keffer.

Keffer is running for reelection in District 60, and he faces no opposition in the November 2 general election.

See some of Keffer’s comments in the video below.

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