2010 News & Media

(Crosbyton, TX - August 19, 2010) - State Representative Joe Heflin will attend hearings of the House Committee on Elections this Thursday at 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. at the State Capitol in Austin. The Committee will hear testimony and study interim charges designated by House Speaker Joe Straus in anticipation of the 82nd Legislative Session that begins in January 2011.

Rep. Heflin said the morning session will include testimony about possible changes to Texas campaign finance laws as a result of the U.S. Supreme Court's decision about the First Amendment rights of corporations in Citizens United v. FEC. Testimony will also be heard on the use of super precincts and how voter turnout and rejection of provisional ballots compares between jurisdictions that do and do not utilize super precincts.

In the afternoon, the Committee will meet jointly with the House Committee on Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence. Together the Committees will review Texas campaign finance laws as they apply to judicial races in light of the U.S. Supreme Court decision, Caperton v. Massey.

Rep. Heflin invites his constituents to attend the hearings or to watch them on-line at http://house.state.tx.us/media/welcome.php (either live or recorded). Interested citizens are also encouraged to provide input on these or any other issues by calling Rep. Heflin at his Capitol Office in Austin, 512.463.0604, at his District Office in Crosbyton, 806.675.0017, or in Big Spring, at 432.213.2897.

Rep. Heflin represents Texas House District 85, including Borden, Crosby, Fisher, Floyd, Garza, Glasscock, Hale, Howard, Jones, Kent, Lynn, Irion, Reagan, Sterling, Stonewall, and Terry Counties.

Texas Tech takes the lead in solving wind power energy challenges

(Crosbyton - August 15, 2010) State Representative Joe Heflin joined Gov. Rick Perry last month to announce an $8.4 million award to Texas Tech University and the National Institute for Renewable Energy (NIRE) that will be used to resolve key scientific and technology issues facing the wind power industry. The award will be made from the Texas Emerging Technology Fund (TETF).

In making the announcement, Gov. Perry said, "Texas is home to some of the brightest minds in the energy business, both in the private sector and at our world-class universities like Texas Tech. This TETF investment will ensure that Texas can continue to add wind capacity and prepare to connect wind farms to the grid and our major cities."

Rep. Heflin noted that West Texas has always played a key role in the nation's energy industry. "As the need for and use of wind power and renewable energy continues to expand, this award ensures that our region will continue to lead the way," Heflin said. "West Texas will benefit not only from higher-paying jobs, but also from an expanded tax base to fund the necessary services of our public schools and local communities."

A nationally-recognized leader in wind-energy research, Texas Tech and its wind research organizations will receive $6.4 million of the award. Texas Tech University System Chancellor Kent Hance said, "We are thrilled to receive this Texas Emerging Technology Fund grant. As our country moves toward energy independence, Texas Tech will continue to create innovative solutions and make advancements in all areas of the power generation sector. Consumers will benefit more quickly from the ever-expanding investments in wind power generation technologies."

NIRE, a non-profit, public/private collaboration will receive $2 million in support of its plans to design, construct and operate research wind farms, selling the power generated in the commercial marketplace to fund a non-profit research center.  NIRE also will provide services to industry partners and offer an industry consortium managed by The Wind Alliance.

Initial plans for the Texas Tech-led coalition and national institute include facilitating technology development to further decrease the cost of wind energy and other renewable energy sources and to develop and optimize energy storage technologies, hiring additional world-class renewable energy scientists at Texas Tech to direct research, and purchasing mobile equipment to map wind flows and help design more efficient commercial wind farms.

Rep. Heflin represents Texas House District 85, including Borden, Crosby, Fisher, Floyd, Garza, Glasscock, Hale, Howard, Jones, Kent, Lynn, Irion, Reagan, Sterling, Stonewall, and Terry Counties.  He may be reached at his Capitol Office in Austin, 512.463.0604, at his District Office in Crosbyton, 806.675.0017, or in Big Spring, at 432.213.2897.

(Crosbyton, TX - August 5, 2010) - Today Representative Joe Heflin announced that the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is providing more than one-half million dollars to fund transportation construction projects in Jones and Stonewall counties beginning next month.  The scheduled work involves bridge replacement and approach repair at Carter Creek in Anson and at Stinking Creek in Stonewall County.

Rep. Heflin said, "I am extremely pleased to announce the TxDOT funding for these necessary road projects. While media coverage tends to focus on the transportation challenges of our big cities, it is good to know that TxDOT does not forget about the critical transportation needs we have in rural West Texas."

The Jones and Stonewall County transportation construction projects will take about 10 months, and work is scheduled to be completed by July 31, 2011. TxDOT's $526,000 work order for the projects was issued in June.

Rep. Heflin represents Texas House District 85, including Borden, Crosby, Fisher, Floyd, Garza, Glasscock, Hale, Howard, Jones, Kent, Lynn, Irion, Reagan, Sterling, Stonewall, and Terry Counties.  He may be reached at his Capitol Office in Austin, 512.463.0604, at his District Office in Crosbyton, 806.675.0017, or in Big Spring, at 432.213.2897.

(Crosbyton - July 30, 2010) - State Representative Joe Heflin is urging his constituents to attend and participate in a meeting of the House Committee on Redistricting in Lubbock on Wednesday, August 18, beginning at noon.  According to Rep. Heflin, the redistricting process will affect the representation of West Texas for the next 10 years, both in Austin and in Washington, D.C.

"It is difficult to overstate the importance of this meeting," Rep. Heflin said. "I encourage all West Texans to attend this meeting and to let their voices be heard by the people in Austin who will be making these very significant decisions for our area."

According to Redistricting Committee Chair Delwin Jones of Lubbock, redistricting will be a primary focus when the 82nd Texas Legislature convenes in January. Although a number of Redistricting Committee meetings have been scheduled for other parts of the state, the August 18 meeting is the only one dedicated to addressing the perspective of West Texas.

The Committee's Lubbock meeting will take place at the International Cultural Center of Texas Tech University, 601 Indiana Avenue, beginning at noon.  Additional information about the meeting can be obtained by calling Rep. Jones' Lubbock office, 806-763-4468, or by calling Rep. Heflin at his Capitol Office, 512.463.0604, at his District Office in Crosbyton, 806.675.0017, or in Big Spring, 432.213.2897.

Rep. Heflin represents Texas House District 85, including Borden, Crosby, Fisher, Floyd, Garza, Glasscock, Hale, Howard, Jones, Kent, Lynn, Irion, Reagan, Sterling, Stonewall, and Terry Counties.

(Crosbyton, TX - July 6, 2010) - The National Rifle Association's Political Victory Fund announced the endorsement of State Representative Joe Heflin for reelection to the Texas House and announced Rep. Heflin's "A" rating with the NRA last week.

Tara Reilly Mica, NRA-Institute for Legislative Action State Liaison stated, "Rep. Heflin's endorsement is based on his record of support for Second Amendment issues in the Texas Legislature." Rep. Heflin responded by saying, "I am extremely happy to receive the endorsement of the NRA and to earn an "A" rating for the 2010 election cycle."

Additionally, Rep. Heflin and the National Rifle Association of America praised the U.S. Supreme Court's historic decision in the Second Amendment case, McDonald v. City of Chicago.

Rep. Heflin had joined in an amicus brief filed to support the NRA in the McDonald case, bringing an end to the nearly 30 year-long handgun ban the city of Chicago had imposed on its law-abiding citizens. In a 5-4 decision, the Court held that the Second Amendment applies not just to Washington, D.C. and other federal enclaves, but also protects the rights of all Americans throughout the country.

NRA Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre said, "This is a landmark decision. The Second Amendment-as every citizen's constitutional right-is now a real part of American constitutional law."

Rep. Heflin added, "As a strong supporter of the Second Amendment, I am very pleased with the Supreme Court's decision."

Rep. Heflin, along with a bipartisan group of U.S. Congressmen and Senators, 38 state attorneys general, and hundreds of other state legislators joined in filing a "friend of the court" brief arguing that the Second Amendment applies to state and local governments through the Fourteenth Amendment and that handgun bans, like those in the City of Chicago and the Village of Oak Park, are unconstitutional under any standard of judicial review. As a party to the McDonald case, the NRA argued that position before the Court in March.

Rep. Heflin represents Texas House District 85, including Borden, Crosby, Fisher, Floyd, Garza, Glasscock, Hale, Howard, Jones, Kent, Lynn, Irion, Reagan, Sterling, Stonewall, and Terry Counties. He may be reached at his Capitol Office in Austin, 512.463.0604, at his District Office in Crosbyton, 806.675.0017, or in Big Spring, at 432.213.2897.

Supporters of a nature center at Big Spring State Park are taking a long-term approach to the project.

Despite tough economic times, project supporters are convinced that the 5,000 square-foot facility will eventually become a reality — and they spent several hours Tuesday enlisting the aid of state officials to their cause.

Local residents, ranging from Big Spring Mayor Tommy Duncan and Howard County Judge Mark Barr to a group of Elbow Elementary students, displayed their support for the proposed center during a tour of the site.

Escorted by Big Spring's representatives in the Texas Legislature — Rep. Joe Heflin (D-Crosbyton) and Sen. Kel Seliger (R-Amarillo) — Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Executive Director Carter Smith came away impressed by the show of support.

"We want to have a strong partnership with local leaders for this center and we will have a strong partnership," Smith said. "We look forward to seeing this come to fruition."

How fast the dream of a new center becomes a reality depends, as expected, on finances.

Roy Worthy, chairman of the Friends of the State Park committee that has championed the idea of a nature center at the park for the past several months, estimated the facility will cost approximately $560,000 to complete.

Pledges in excess of $60,000 have been received so far, but most of the support has been of the non-monetary variety.

That emotional support was perhaps best personified by a group of gifted and talented students from Elbow Elementary, who made the proposed center their class' yearly project. Among other things, the class wrote letters of support to Heflin and Seliger and even took a trip down to Austin to visit with their representatives on the issue.

While Worthy said he'd just as soon as see all the money raised locally, he concedes that the project might need help from the state.

And that, everyone agrees, will not be forthcoming anytime soon.

"We can try to move it up the priority list, but I can tell you that this next session of the Legislature, there won't be much of a priority list," Heflin said.

"We are dedicated to the Texas parks system," Seliger added. "At the same time, we are dedicated to the Texas taxpayers … This is going to be a tough year economically, no doubt about it."

Both representatives preached patience on the matter.

"This will not be an overnight thing," Heflin said. "Like I told the (Elbow students), they may be out of high school before they see this completed, but that doesn't take away how important this project is."

While the state may not be able to help financially, there are other ways Parks and Wildlife officials can support the project.

"A lack of funds shouldn't preclude us from helping to bring this vision to reality," Smith said. "What we can do is lend some of our expertise to help with this project. Certainly, for the short term, we will be resource-constrained, but times will get better and will improve. What we need to do in the meantime is help lay a good foundation for this project."

The message was received and understood.

"We know this is not going to happen this year," Duncan said. "This is just the first step … but we're going to get there."

Article Written by: Steve Reagan, Big Country Herald

STATE REPRESENTATIVE JOE HEFLIN, left, hosted the first-ever West Texas Agriculture Issues Summit at the Plainview Civic Center on June 17. Texas Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples, right, presented the keynote address for a near-capacity crowd.

(Crosbyton - June 28, 2010) State Representative Joe Heflin hosted the first-ever West Texas Agriculture Issues Summit at the Plainview Civic Center earlier this month. Texas Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples presented the keynote address, and a number of other government and agriculture industry leaders addressed current issues facing agriculture in West Texas for a near-capacity crowd.

Legislative redistricting was a dominant topic, with State Senator Robert Duncan (Lubbock) saying that legislative seniority within the West Texas delegation will play an important role in assuring that West Texas retains maximum representation in Austin. Redistricting affects things like the amount of federal funding a region will receive, and that always impacts infrastructure such as schools, roads and utilities, Duncan said. "Our challenge," he said, "will be to preserve as many seats as we can (for West Texas)."

Commissioner Staples told the group, "We need policies that will support urban and rural Texas...and then we need to remind our urban neighbors that...we need policies that continue to support production agriculture.... We need to continue to look for technology and assure that's being dispersed to rural areas. That's why we need to keep our taxes low so that we can attract jobs and businesses and investment to rural areas," he added.

Other speakers and topics at the summit included State Representative Joe Pickett (El Paso) on transportation, Representative David Swinford (Dumas) on wind energy, and Representatives Hardcastle (Vernon) and Heflin on other alternative energy sources, including solar, nuclear, and coal. Eric Beverly of the Texas Department of Rural Affairs spoke on rural economic development, and Texas Farm Bureau Legislative Director Billy Howe addressed water issues.

The group was welcomed by Plainview Mayor John Anderson, and Rep. Heflin thanked the speakers as well as the local community leaders and involved citizens who attended the summit. "We have a new session coming up in 2011," Heflin said, "and the representatives and senators really want to know what agriculture and local communities see as the main issues for the coming session."

Rep. Heflin represents Texas House District 85, including Borden, Crosby, Fisher, Floyd, Garza, Glasscock, Hale, Howard, Jones, Kent, Lynn, Irion, Reagan, Sterling, Stonewall, and Terry Counties. He may be reached at his Capitol Office in Austin, 512.463.0604, at his District Office in Crosbyton, 806.675.0017, or in Big Spring, at 432.213.2897.

STATE REPRESENTATIVE JOE HEFLIN (third from left) attended a demonstration of the innovative health information exchange system at Stamford Memorial Hospital on June 22. Also at the demonstration were (left to right) Rick DeFoore, Stamford Memorial Hospital Administrator, Nathan Tudor, Stonewall Memorial Hospital Administrator, Rep. Heflin, Randy King, Nurse Practitioner & CEO of Throckmorton County Memorial Hospital, and Ted Matthews, Anson General Hospital Administrator.

(Stamford, TX - June 22, 2010) Today State Representative Joe Heflin attended a demonstration of the country's first-ever electronic rural health information exchange system at Stamford Memorial Hospital. The system will be used to provide doctors and health care professionals timely information about a patient's medical history, thereby enabling health care providers to determine and give patients the most appropriate treatment for their particular condition.

The electronic health records and information exchange system is being developed by four West Texas hospitals along with Prognosis Health Information Systems. In addition to Stamford Memorial, participating hospitals include Anson General Hospital, Stonewall Memorial Hospital, and Throckmorton County Memorial Hospital. The new system is still in development, but hospital administrators expect it to be fully operational within 18 months.

Rep. Heflin praised the group's work, saying that the implications of the new system are very exciting for rural Texans. "Cooperative efforts like this are exactly what spur the innovations necessary to improve healthcare for medically underserved areas like rural West Texas," Heflin said.

A grant from the Texas Department of Rural Affairs provided partial funding for the project. Rep. Heflin, who serves as vice-chair of the Texas Legislature's Rural Caucus, expressed his appreciation to the Department for its support.

"Once perfected, other rural hospitals and clinics will have the opportunity to modernize their record keeping and to improve the quality of healthcare available to their patients," Rep. Heflin continued. "My hope is that innovations like this ultimately will lead to an improved ability for us to recruit doctors to West Texas and other medically underserved areas of the state."

Rep. Heflin represents Texas House District 85, including Borden, Crosby, Fisher, Floyd, Garza, Glasscock, Hale, Howard, Jones, Kent, Lynn, Irion, Reagan, Sterling, Stonewall, and Terry Counties. He may be reached at his Capitol Office in Austin, 512.463.0604, at his District Office in Crosbyton, 806.675.0017, or in Big Spring, at 432.213.2897.

(Crosbyton, TX - June 28, 2010) Today State Representative Joe Heflin announced a $35,000 grant for purchase of an ambulance by the Fisher County Hospital District. The award comes from the Emergency Medical Services Local Grants Program of the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS).

In making the announcement, Rep. Heflin said, "I am extremely pleased that Fisher County Hospital District received this award. Texans who live in rural areas need and deserve ready access to quality medical treatment and services. This award will help ensure that the people of Fisher County have a modern ambulance to transport them to the hospital or doctor when the need arises."

According to the Department of State Health Services, most of the funds awarded through the EMS Local Grants Program go directly to emergency providers who are saving the lives of ill and injured Texans every day. Rep. Heflin expressed his appreciation to DSHS for recognizing the special needs of rural communities that often are underserved and in need of financial assistance to provide basic medical services.

The Fisher County Hospital District award was one of only 83 statewide grant proposals awarded funding through the EMS Local Grants Program this year. During the 20 years of the program's existence, over $22 million has been awarded through almost 2200 grants for the purchase of much-needed equipment, training, public education programs, and supplies.

Rep. Heflin represents Texas House District 85, including Borden, Crosby, Fisher, Floyd, Garza, Glasscock, Hale, Howard, Jones, Kent, Lynn, Irion, Reagan, Sterling, Stonewall, and Terry Counties. He may be reached at his Capitol Office in Austin, 512.463.0604, at his District Office in Crosbyton, 806.675.0017, or in Big Spring, at 432.213.2897.

(Crosbyton, TX - June 28, 2010) Today State Representative Joe Heflin announced a $7500 grant for purchase of a cardiac monitor defibrillator by the Brownfield Regional Medical Center Emergency Management Service. The award comes from the Emergency Medical Services Local Grants Program of the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS).

In making the announcement, Rep. Heflin said, "I am extremely pleased that the Brownfield Regional Medical Center's Emergency Medical Service received this award. Texans who live in rural areas need and deserve ready access to quality medical treatment and services. As a result of this award, people who live and work in Terry County can be confident that the necessary equipment will be available if and when the need for emergency cardiac care arises."

According to the Department of State Health Services, most of the funds awarded through the EMS Local Grants Program go directly to emergency providers who are saving the lives of ill and injured Texans every day. Rep. Heflin expressed his appreciation to DSHS for recognizing the special needs of rural communities that often are underserved and in need of financial assistance to provide basic medical services.

The Brownfield Regional Medical Center EMS award was one of only 83 statewide grant proposals awarded funding through the EMS Local Grants Program this year. During the 20 years of the program's existence, over $22 million has been awarded through almost 2200 grants for the purchase of much-needed equipment, training, public education programs, and supplies.

Rep. Heflin represents Texas House District 85, including Borden, Crosby, Fisher, Floyd, Garza, Glasscock, Hale, Howard, Jones, Kent, Lynn, Irion, Reagan, Sterling, Stonewall, and Terry Counties. He may be reached at his Capitol Office in Austin, 512.463.0604, at his District Office in Crosbyton, 806.675.0017, or in Big Spring, at 432.213.2897.

PLAINVIEW—Todd Staples, commissioner of the Texas Department of Agriculture, and several other statewide officials will be at the Plainview Country Club June 17 to participate in a daylong West Texas Agricultural Summit.

The summit, hosted by District 85 State Rep. Joe Heflin, will focus on the challenges facing rural Texans whose livelihoods depend on agriculture and its numerous related industries. Attendees will have the opportunity to hear from some of Texas' most influential ag leaders about the state of the industry and potential legislation affecting the industry.

Staples, who is a strong advocate for economic growth in rural Texas, will be the keynote speaker during lunch.

Other elected officials who will speak during the event, which begins at 9 a.m. with a welcome from Plainview Mayor John Anderson, include State Sen. Robert Duncan of Lubbock; Rep. Yvonne Gonzales Toureilles, chair of the House Committee on Agriculture and Livestock; Rep. Joe Pickett of El Paso, chair of the House Committee on Transportation; and Reps. David Swinford of Dumas, Rick Hardcastle of Vernon, and Heflin.

Billy Howe, legislative director of the Texas Farm Bureau, and Eric Beverly of the Texas Department of Rural Affairs, also will be part of the summit, which is scheduled to conclude at 3 p.m.

Although the summit is free to the public, there is a $10 charge for the lunch segment, which can be paid at the door.

Because seating is limited, attendees are encouraged to make their reservations no later than Friday, June 11, either by calling Heflin's Austin office at 512-463-0604 or his Crosbyton office at 806-675-1583. Reservations can be made via e-mail at patricia.conradt@house.state.tx.us

(Crosbyton, April 21, 2010) - Representative Joe Heflin (Crosbyton) announced today he will attend two legislative committee hearings next week in Austin. The House Committee on Agriculture & Livestock will work on the interim charges issued last fall by House Speaker Joe Straus. The Agriculture & Livestock Committee will meet jointly on Tuesday, April 27, with the House Committee on County Affairs, and on Wednesday, April 28, with the House Committee on Transportation. Heflin said:

I am excited to begin working on these joint interim charges to study rural economic development and agriculture-related transportation issues. Hopefully, finding solutions to these two issues can help slow, and maybe reverse, the decline of rural Texas.

These Committee hearings will give legislators the opportunity to listen to state agency experts who can offer innovative ideas about what changes should be considered by the Legislature next session. The goal is to help local businesses and rural communities attract additional businesses and increase jobs, as well as discuss current transportation limitations facing farmers and ranchers. Heflin went on to say that "while rural Texans don't want 'Austin' telling them how to run their businesses and live their lives, the Legislature needs to discuss what existing barriers and impediments need to be eliminated so rural Texas can grow and prosper."

The public is invited to listen to these meetings via the internet at Texas Legislature Online at www.capitol.state.tx.us. Also, anyone who needs more information about the meetings is encouraged to contact Heflin's Capitol office at 512-463-0604 or District office at 806-675-0017.

(Austin, March 26, 2010) – State Representative Joe Heflin is joining in the fight against underage drinking with the Texas Hospitality Association (THA) through a statewide poster contest that will award a $5,000 educational scholarship to a 2010 graduating high school senior.

Rep. Heflin said, "We are very excited about involving Texas high school students in developing a message that will combat underage drinking and promote alcohol awareness throughout the state."

THA will award a $5,000 scholarship to the Texas high school senior who designs and submits the best poster conveying the message or theme: "If you are under 21, it's illegal to consume or purchase alcoholic beverages in Texas."

The contest is open to all 2010 high school seniors. Participating students have until May 14 to design and submit their poster to THA. Artwork must be an original design and may be computer or electronically generated, hand drawn, or photographed.

The contest winner will be determined by a vote of each Texas House of Representatives office, and the winning poster will be distributed statewide to establishments that sell or serve alcohol. For complete details on the 2010 high school seniors' $5,000 scholarship poster contest visit: www.texashospitalityassociation.com.

Rep. Heflin represents Texas House District 85, including Borden, Crosby, Fisher, Floyd, Garza, Glasscock, Hale, Howard, Jones, Kent, Lynn, Irion, Reagan, Sterling, Stonewall, and Terry Counties. He may be reached at his Capitol Office in Austin, 512.463.0604, at his District Office in Crosbyton, 806.675.0017, or in Big Spring, at 432.213.2897.

(Austin, TX - March 16, 2010) - Today State Representative Joe Heflin announced that he will meet with the Texas House Committee on Agriculture and Livestock concerning the feral hog population and its impact on agriculture and livestock operations. Concerned citizens are encouraged to attend and present testimony at the meeting on Wednesday, March 24, at 10 a.m., at the State Capitol.

Rep. Heflin said, "Feral hogs are an expensive and time-consuming problem for our farmers and ranchers. Fortunately, House Speaker Joe Straus has recognized that we need to address the issue and has asked our committee to work on ways to solve the problem when the Legislature convenes again in January."

At the March 24 meeting the Committee will hear invited and public testimony on efforts to manage the feral hog population and to mitigate the damage they cause to livestock and agriculture operations. Public testimony will be limited to five minutes per witness.

Rep. Heflin encourages his constituents to attend the meeting and present testimony if they would like to do so. Alternatively, he said, constituents may write to him or call his office with their concerns, comments, and suggestions.

Rep. Heflin represents Texas House District 85, including Borden, Crosby, Fisher, Floyd, Garza, Glasscock, Hale, Howard, Jones, Kent, Lynn, Irion, Reagan, Sterling, Stonewall, and Terry Counties. He may be reached at his Capitol Office in Austin, 512.463.0604, at his District Office in Crosbyton, 806.675.0017, or in Big Spring, at 432.213.2897.

Emerging Energy Industries Provide Job and Economic Development Opportunities

(Big Spring, TX – March 10, 2010) – State Representative Joe Heflin and the Permian Basin Petroleum Association hosted the West Texas Energy Summit in Big Spring on Tuesday. State legislators, energy industry representatives, and local government officials discussed the future of Texas' energy industry and what must be done for Texas to maintain its status as the country's energy leader.

Rep. Heflin said the summit was intended to give West Texans an update on the oil and gas industry, wind and solar energy, and even nuclear power.

"The demand for energy continues to increase, and West Texas has a unique opportunity to capitalize on that increasing demand to provide jobs and boost our local economies," Rep. Heflin said. "We want to make sure all phases of energy move forward so our children and grandchildren have a place to live and work in West Texas."

Ben Shepperd, executive vice president of the Permian Basin Petroleum Association, noted that West Texas is not only a leader in oil and natural gas production, the region also leads in wind energy and is developing solar and nuclear energy capabilities.

Officials attending the summit said that while alternative energy sources are promising, oil and gas will continue to be the major energy contributor in Texas for some time. As for the future of the energy industry, creating additional transmission lines for wind energy in northern and western Texas will be vital not only to the development of the industry itself, but to the economic future of the entire state.

In addition to Rep. Heflin, state legislators attending the summit included Senator Kel Seliger (Amarillo) and State Representatives Warren Chisum (Pampa), Jim Keffer (Eastland), and Drew Darby (San Angelo). Energy industry participants included speakers on behalf of the oil and gas industry, wind, solar, and nuclear power, electricity, and energy transmission.

Rep. Heflin expressed his appreciation to all those who took the time to be a part of the West Texas Energy Summit. He represents Texas House District 85, including Borden, Crosby, Fisher, Floyd, Garza, Glasscock, Hale, Howard, Jones, Kent, Lynn, Irion, Reagan, Sterling, Stonewall, and Terry Counties. Rep. Heflin may be reached at his Capitol Office in Austin, 512.463.0604, at his District Office in Crosbyton, 806.675.0017, or in Big Spring, at 432.213.2897.