and let's remember it was SID MILLER's bill that pushed what is now voluntary participation in RFID chipping your animals. Who's running against Sid??????? What Hank said.

After HB461 passed to engrossment by an 88-51 vote, Gilbert said efforts will continue toward repealing HB1361, but acknowledged those will have to come in the next Legislature, to convene in January 2009.

“We didn’t have the time to get the legislation (to repeal) in. We ran out of time to get something prepared before the filing deadline,” he said, saying the only legislation that was filed was HB461 as authored by Sid Miller, R-Stephenville.

“(HB461) mainly changes it from a mandatory to a temporary deal and allows you to opt out. As long as the bill (HB1361) stands though, at any time they can come and change it back,” Gilbert said.

“It’s like what they’ve done with the Trans-Texas Corridor, they can come back in the next session and change it all back when no one’s watching,” he said. “Right now, we have everybody’s eyes and ears on the TTC and the NAIS (National Animal Identification System). If everyone gets comfortable next session (and stops watching), and with nobody in attendance except the legislators, they can change it back to mandatory before the public even knows what’s going on. If it’s completely off the table (repealed), it’s easier for the public to become aware (if something starts up).”

....

“We’ll take this because it will ease the burden on the small farmers and ranchers who won’t have to sign up for right now,” said Gilbert, who also promises to play a role in next spring’s elections.

“We’ve built a list,” he said. “We know exactly who’s for us and who’s against us on the TTC and animal identification. When the election comes around in 2008, we’re going to try to have people to run who are more Texas-friendly.

Yuppers. Texas friendly, not these people who care only for their corporate money machines.