COMPARE: Hank vs. Sleazy Staples

What are the key differences between incumbent, career politican Todd “Sleazy” Staples and Hank Gilbert on issues of importance in the race for Texas Agriculture Commissioner? See for yourself.

ISSUE TODD STAPLES HANK GILBERT
National Animal Identification System (NAIS) Voted for the National Animal Identification System to be instituted in Texas. Hank has consistently fought against NAIS and other incursions upon private property rights.
The Trans-Texas Corridor, Toll Roads, and Eminent Domain Abuses Voted for the TTC—several times. Sponsored a so-called “clean up” bill that made the TTC worse than it already was. Has expressed he favors toll roads over other forms of transportation funding. Hank co-founded TURF, and organization to fight the Trans-Texas Corridor and other eminent domain abuses, and has helped cities and communities across Texas fight toll roads, eminent domain abuses, and the Trans-Texas Corridor.
Transparency Refuses to release his tax returns. Hank has released his tax returns to the press and has been honest with voters—even to the point of candidly discussing his family’s difficulties with the IRS.
Pay-To-Play Took money from the CEO of a company who wanted to build a nuclear waste dump in Texas and voted his way. Has taken thousands from telecom companies and handed their preferred vendor a $3 million state contract. Stages massive media events at companies that have given him campaign contributions. Hank doesn’t believe in pay-to-play politics. He believes that every Texan must be represented by their elected officials regardless of campaign contributions.
Food Safety On Todd Staples’ watch, nine people died and hundreds more became sick after eating salmonella tainted peanut butter from a Texas factory that the Texas Department of Agriculture failed to report for being littered with feces and operating without a health department permit. Will reform TDA to insure that the foods that go on Texans’ dinner tables and in their lunchboxes are safe—particularly with regard to foods imported from foreign countries.