State Representative Stan Kitzman (R) recently spoke at a Rural Friends/ACRE breakfast meeting hosted by Fayette Electric Cooperative. Rural Friends/ACRE was formed with the mission of making the voice of electric co-op members heard in the Texas Legislature and U.S. Congress. 

Kitzman spoke about the importance of having communication with your legislators in office. He stated that he would like to hear from all his constituents regarding their concerns so he knows how his vote might affect his district. He said he likes to plan his vote on topics. He stated that other legislators may not agree with him but, if they ask, he will explain his reasonings for a vote on a certain bill or topic. 

When it comes to the legislature, he stated that it's not always Republicans versus Democrats  ̶  more often it's rural and urban ideologies clashing. Our way of life in our rural districts has an advocate by its people in the form of our state representative. 

He then spoke about getting HB 4246 passed. This bill relates to the delivery of certain unclaimed money for scholarships for rural students, rural economic development, and energy efficiency assistance. Instead of this money being claimed by the state, a percentage of it is now coming back to the rural areas for use. 

Lastly, he spoke of the importance of cooperatives  ̶  how they keep the lights on and the energy flowing into our homes when we need it the most during the hot summers and the cold winters. 

Also speaking at the event was Caleb Goodman, Director of Legislative Affairs at Texas Electric Cooperatives, the statewide association for electric cooperatives serving Texas. Goodman spoke about the importance of Rural Friends/ACRE and how they help candidates seeking election in the Texas Legislature and statewide offices.

At the end of the second meeting, a campaign donation was made to Representative Kitzman on behalf of the 5,400 members of Rural Friends/ACRE across Texas in appreciation of his support for cooperatives.

About Rural Friends
Rural Friends of Electric Cooperatives is the nonpartisan political action committee that supports candidates seeking election to the Texas Legislature or statewide office. Rural Friends was formed in 1976 and operates under the guidance of a committee representing cooperatives from across the state and is subject to all state campaign finance laws and reporting requirements.

About ACRE
ACRE, the Action Committee for Rural Electrification, is the nonpartisan political action committee that supports candidates seeking election to the U.S. Congress. ACRE was formed in 1966 and operates under the guidance of a committee representing cooperatives from across the county and is subject to all federal campaign finance laws. 

About Fayette Electric Cooperative
Organized in 1937, Fayette Electric Cooperative provides reliable, cost-effective service to over 10,400 members’ residences, farms, ranches, and businesses in portions of Fayette, Bastrop, Lee, Washington, Austin, Colorado, and Lavaca counties. FEC owns and operates over 3,000 miles of line and serves over 16,000 meters.