What Happened:

  • When the Texas Legislature told Sid Miller to live within his means, he did the opposite. Unable to get more funding approved, Miller went around lawmakers and jacked up 117 license and inspection fees on Texas farmers, ranchers, and small businesses, from pesticide applicators to feed stores.

  • He said the hikes were needed to “fix” a budget shortfall, but a 2017 State Auditor’s Office report found Miller’s department collected $27.3 million while spending only $20.8 million on those programs, a $6.5 million overcharge that hit rural Texans already struggling with drought and inflation.

  • Instead of refunding the excess or cutting waste, Miller handed out more than $400,000 in staff bonuses and created new high-paid positions for political allies. That’s not reform, that’s self-dealing on the backs of producers.

THE PROOF:
Lawmakers Object to Fee Hikes – Legislators criticized Miller’s unilateral move to increase hundreds of agricultural fees after being denied a larger budget.

Audit Finds Fees Exceeded Costs – State auditors found Miller’s fee increases generated $27.3M while program costs were only $20.8M, a $6.5M surplus.

Miller Handed Out $410,000 in Bonuses – Records show Miller awarded hefty staff bonuses amid his fee hikes, many to political appointees.

FEE HIKES & CRONY BONUSES