Hutchison Says New Interior
Head Must Have Common Sense

ARLINGTON, Texas —(AP)— The United States needs a new Interior secretary who has ``good common horse sense,'' U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison said last week.

Farmers and ranchers at the 67th annual convention of the Texas Farm Bureau liked what they heard.

The Republican senator said the person who replaces Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt should be someone who understands farmers and ranchers and shouldn't treat them as someone trying to destroy land.

``Farmers have been treated like children,'' she said in a question-and-answer session later. ``We need to protect farmers' private property rights.''

Hutchison is pinning her hope on Gov. George W. Bush appointing the right person if he becomes president.

Hutchison was one of several guest speakers who addressed bureau members during the third day of the convention. Lt. Gov. Rick Perry and Agriculture Commissioner Susan Combs also spoke Tuesday before the group held its annual business session.

Perry talked to members about the state's effort to promote easier access to higher education in rural areas.

``One out of five Texans have a college degree and that's not good enough,'' Perry said.

He said technology can help ensure access. Higher education institutions, for example, are offering more distance education opportunities that allow rural residents to take classes through the Internet.

Combs told members that water preservation will be the most important issue for the organization during the 2001 state legislative session. Texas farmers and ranchers have been hit hard by drouth over the past four years, she said.

Combs also praised the Farm Bureau, the largest farm organization in the state, for its work during the last legislative session, which she referred to as the ``ag session.''