The three GOP candidates for agriculture commissioner stress that rural areas must not be left behind as the state moves forward on water policy.
Neena Satija
Neena Satija worked at the Tribune from 2013 to 2019. She was an investigative reporter and radio producer for the Tribune and Reveal, a public radio program from the Center for Investigative Reporting. Previously, she was the environment reporter at the Tribune. A native of the Washington, D.C. area, she graduated from Yale University in 2011, and then worked for the New Haven Independent, the Connecticut Mirror, and WNPR/Connecticut Public Radio. She has also been a regular contributor to National Public Radio. As an East Coast transplant she is particularly thrilled with Austin tacos and warm weather.
Texas Groundwater Districts Face Daunting List of Challenges
Groundwater managers in Texas have applauded lawmakers’ push to fund a comprehensive water plan, but as a water summit this week made clear, money alone won’t fix the tangle of concerns facing the state’s groundwater authorities.
Animation: Bison Now Protected Under Texas Livestock Law
Texas animal owners can rest assured that their cows, pigs, horses — even rhinos and elephants — are protected under the state’s agriculture code if they wander off of their property. But until the most recent legislative session, bison were not safe.
New Law Protects Bison Alongside Cows, Llamas
Texans can now rest assured that their bison are protected under the state’s agriculture code if they wander off their property. This story is part of our 31 Days, 31 Ways series.
Energy Lobbyists Set Sights on Prairie Chicken
Some of Texas’ biggest oil and gas lobbyists are hoping to take control of the fate of the fast-disappearing lesser prairie chicken — much like what happened with the dunes sagebrush lizard earlier this year.
In North Texas, Struggle to Conserve Water and Prepare for Growth
Building the reservoirs and pipelines to keep up with the Dallas-Fort Worth region’s surging population growth will cost billions of dollars. But environmentalists say conservation must come first.
Poor Texans’ Electric Bills to Dive, Then Go Back Up
The Legislature ensured that a fund to help poor Texans with their electricity bills went to its intended purpose. But it also agreed to empty the fund by 2017. This story is part of our 31 Days, 31 Ways series.
Perry Appoints New Water Development Board
Gov. Rick Perry has announced his appointees to the Texas Water Development Board, a key state agency that lawmakers overhauled this year.
Creighton Releases First Ag Commissioner Campaign Video
A week after launching his bid for agriculture commissioner, state Rep. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe, has released his first campaign video, in which he promises to continue his “stand against the continued overreach of the federal government.”
Businesses Choose Reality Over Politics in Backing New Emissions Law
Despite some Texas politicians’ drumbeat against environmental regulations, the Legislature ordered the state to regulate greenhouse gases this year, with backing from big energy companies.



