 AUSTIN, TEXAS – In a major win for Texas farmers and rural communities, Senator Roland Gutierrez (D-San Antonio) announced $100 million in funding for a statewide low-interest loan program for farmers secured in the passage of Senate Bill 1, Texas’ biennial budget.
The program, which Gutierrez fought to fund, is designed to provide low-interest loans to help Texas farmers recover from financial strain caused by drought, tariffs, natural disasters, and other economic pressures.
“Our farmers are facing some of the toughest conditions in decades—from historic droughts to supply chain chaos,” said Gutierrez. “This funding is about survival. It’s about keeping Texas agriculture alive and protecting the people who fuel our state.”
Gutierrez, who represents parts of rural West Texas, said the funding came after months of pressure on budget negotiators to prioritize rural needs.
“Farmers are the backbone of Texas. We have to look out for them,” he said. “I asked this body for $50 million in March because of federal budget cuts that threaten farm assistance. Senate Finance Chair Huffman, President Patrick, and I worked hard to secure every dollar for our farmers. We produced $100 million to fund a low-interest loan program over the next biennium, so farmers can have that buffer when times get tough.”
State Senator Roland Gutierrez closed by emphasizing the importance of rural mental health. “Farmers commit suicide at 3.5 times the national average. It’s hard enough to access a physician in rural areas, let alone a therapist. We must fund lifelines like loan programs and the farmer suicide hotline. Our rural communities must know that someone is here, and they care.”
SB 1 passed with bipartisan support and will soon be on the Governor’s desk. |
