In this episode of Texas Rural Reporter, Suzanne Bellsnyder sits down with Travis Ransom, County Judge of Cass County, for a wide-ranging conversation about the future of rural Texas—and who gets to shape it.

The discussion tackles one of the most urgent but underfunded issues in rural Texas: roads. With nearly 1,000 miles of county roads and limited revenue, Ransom lays out the reality of maintaining critical infrastructure, argues for redirecting a portion of the motor fuels tax, and shares ideas for innovative funding tools to keep rural Texans safe—especially during economic downturns.

Suzanne brings the conversation back to the people behind the policy, reflecting on town halls, grassroots advocacy, and the responsibility communities have to speak up for their water, land, and future. Together, they explore why small towns matter, how private property rights intersect with development, and what it will take to build a durable network of rural advocates.

This is a grounded, practical conversation about roads, resources, and representation—rooted in rural Texas and focused on what it takes to protect communities for the long haul.