How does Texas State Government affect my life?

It's one week away from the deadline for Texans to register to vote in time for the November 2022 General Election, and less than three weeks away from early voting. It's time to start researching the candidates to make an informed vote! Right?

But how can we know who's right for the job if we don't know what the job is?

Sometimes politics can be confusing. We may know where we stand on the issues, but not the processes that affect them.

Well, my fellow citizen, be confused no more!

Below is a list of roles and departments in Texas State Government whose positions are up for re-election this year, and how they relate to the average voter's actual concerns.

If you sweat about climate change or shiver at the thought of last year's power grid, then you should know: The Railroad Commission of Texas, "is the state agency with primary regulatory jurisdiction over the oil and natural gas industry, pipeline transporters, natural gas and hazardous liquid pipeline industry, natural gas utilities, the LP-gas industry, and coal and uranium surface mining operations," according to their government website.

If taxes are your concern, you might want to look at the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, whose website states: "As the state’s cashier, the Comptroller’s office receives, disburses, counts, safeguards, records, allocates, manages and reports on the state’s cash. In addition, the Texas Comptroller chairs the state’s Treasury Safekeeping Trust, which invests, manages and oversees more than $50 billion in assets."

If the criminal justice system is where you seek reform, examine the Attorney General's office. That is where you can find the State's chief legal officer, according to texasattorneygeneral.gov. The website says this is the office that is supposed to defend our right to receive any and all government-related  documents upon request. It is also charged with collecting court-ordered child support, investigating and prosecuting criminal activities, and administering victim support, among other things.

Do you ever wonder how the state pays for education? It doesn't all come from, "our taxes," despite what people who want to criticize our school district like to say. The main responsibility of the Texas General Land Office is managing the public lands set aside in 1876 for the Permanent Education Fund, which helps finance public schools.

Side Note: Did you know the General Land Office is the oldest state agency in Texas? The creation of the Commissioner of General Land Office position was in 1836. The governor's position wasn't created until 1845.

The Governor is basically the President of Texas– very similar duties and responsibilities, including signing or vetoing bills passed by the legislature, commanding the state's military forces and appointing state officials and members of state boards, commissions and councils.

If you're the farm to table type, The decisions made in the Department of Agriculture might be important to you. "The agency's key objectives are to promote production agriculture, consumer protection, economic development and healthy living," their website says.

All of the positions mentioned above and more are on the ballot this year. See you at the polls!