McNamara's Band

Unemployed? Send your Resume to Obama, Employer in Chief

2012-01-31T10:30:00.000-06:00

Need a job? Send your resume directly to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Seriously.

In a Google + “hangout” session with the President, Jennifer Wedel of Fort Worth complained that her husband remained out of work despite the fact that he is one of those highly-skilled workers that are supposedly in great demand, according to Obama. Mr. Wedel is a semiconductor engineer. He has been unemployed for three years. The President responded, “That’s interesting.”

Mrs. Wedel asked why foreign workers were getting visas when Americans are desperate for work. The President replied that her husband “should be able to find something right away.” He also asked her to “send me your husband’s resume.”

“I’ll have to take you up on that,” responded Wedel.

Well, there you have it. We can solve the whole unemployment problem by going straight to the top. To all of you out there who can’t find work, to those who have given up looking, this is wonderful news. If you are unemployed, the President will find a job for you. Let’s get those resumes in the mail.

Send your resume to: President Barack Obama, 1600 Pennsylvania Ave., Washington, D.C., 20500. Then just wait by the phone.

Ongoing Redistricting Fight Necessitates a Delayed Primary

2011-12-15T14:07:00.002-06:00

To: Chairman Steve Munisteri, Republican Party of Texas

The redistricting fight that is taking place is causing an unprecedented hardship on non-incumbent candidates.

In certain districts, entire counties have been added and then removed after candidates have already begun campaigning. In a multi-county district the uncertainty of district lines gives incumbents a solid advantage while placing challengers at a serious disadvantage. How are these candidates able to compete when they do not know where they are competing?

The Republican Party of Texas has a duty to represent all Republicans in making sure that there is ample time for candidates to adequately campaign. Until district lines are certain, how can candidates send direct mail? How can candidates decide how best to spend their resources? In a multi-county district, travel expenses from one end of the district to another are a substantial cost. Those candidates are in limbo.

The only fair solution is to delay the primary, whether it be a unified primary or a dual one. I believe that a second primary for legislative candidates at a later date is the best way to address this unprecedented situation.

As Harold Cook said, "So, just to review, regarding the San Antonio Federal court hearing today: we have no hard filing deadline, for seats that don't yet exist, for an election date we don't know. Any questions?"

In representing Texas Republicans, the RPT must take into consideration the interests of all candidates, not just those who are currently elected officials.

Denise McNamara
Former Republican National Committeewoman

Our Liberal Texas Senate

2011-12-13T16:26:00.000-06:00

As you all know, the Texas State Senate is entirely too liberal. Although we have a majority of 19 Republicans in the Senate, only eight of our Senators received a score of 70 or higher on the Conservative Index Average.

And only three: Jane Nelson, Dan Patrick and Brian Birdwell, received an 80 or higher.

One of the worst offenders is 11-year incumbent Craig Estes in SD 30. His composite rating, after combining legislative scorecard ratings from Texans for Fiscal Responsibility, Heritage Alliance (fiscal), Young Conservatives of Texas, and Eagle Forum, is a dismal 57%.

Average Conservative Rating for State Senator Craig Estes, 11-year Incumbent for Senate District 30

Legislative Session	Texans for Fiscal Responsibility (TFR)	Heritage Alliance Fiscal	Young Conservatives of Texas (YCT)	Eagle Forum	Average Conservative Rating
2009	67	53	63	64	62
2011	57	55	55	60	57*

*Ranked 15^th out of 19 Republican State Senators

**Refused to sign the Texans for Fiscal Responsibility “Taxpayer Pledge.”

It is primary season, and we have an opportunity to elect a conservative in SD 30. Jim Herblin, an old friend who was on the front lines in the '90's on the Richardson School Board (advocating for abstinence-based curriculum), is now a resident of Prosper, Texas. He is running to replace Craig Estes. Jim is the total package: both a social and a fiscal conservative. As a CPA and forensic accountant who specializes in attest and tax services, Jim would be a wonderful asset for conservatives in the Texas Senate.

Although Jim is a great candidate, he is running against an entrenched incumbent with support from lobbyists and the establishment. He needs the help of conservatives and the grassroots to beat Estes.

The good news is that district lines have changed, and the population center for SD 30 is now centered in Denton/Collin rather than Wichita Falls, hometown of Estes. This is a huge advantage for Jim.

Jim has already been interviewed by the Young Conservatives of Texas, and he is anxious to earn the endorsement of like-minded social and fiscal conservatives across the state.

Please visit Jim's web site at www.JimHerblin.com.

Anyone but Obama, Literally

2011-12-02T18:30:00.000-06:00

As Republicans run the gauntlet of primary candidates, searching for their personal favorite, there is one fact on which we can all agree: Any one of them would be better than President Obama. Newt, Mitt, Rick; we all have our preference. But in fact, the most important criterion on which these candidates should be judged is: Who has the best chance of defeating Obama and his billion-dollar campaign machine?

This week an article in the U.K.’s Daily Mail Online describes the plight of American families during Obama’s Recession. The report, based on data compiled by Yale professor Jacob Hacker and his team, looks at income, savings, and bills between 2008 and 2010. His conclusion? “One in five Americans have lost a sizeable amount of their disposable income.” That’s twenty percent of the country.

Not only that, but half of the U.S. population may be unable to purchase Christmas gifts this season due to their financial insecurity. Just this week, the first week in December, new unemployment claims topped four hundred thousand. Merry Christmas from the Democrats. (Or, as they would say, Happy Holidays.)

President Obama’s big government mentality, along with his tax-and-spend friends in Congress, is fast leading the United States down the same road as Europe. We are nearing the point where the number of American citizens who pay no tax will outvote those of us who do. Just as we have witnessed in Greece, those who live off of the government’s largesse will resort to violence to preserve their perceived standard of living. They do not seem to understand that it is unsustainable. Europe is paying the price. If we do not elect a new President in 2012, it could literally be too late in the United States. ObamaCare will do to us what entitlements have done to Europe. So regardless of which Republican candidate we select in the primary, we must support that nominee with all of our enthusiasm. Our country depends on it. As Benjamin Franklin said, “When the people find that they can vote themselves money, that will herald the end of the republic.”

It's Primary Season...Do you Know how your Elected Representatives have Voted?

2011-12-02T16:55:00.000-06:00

Yes, it’s that time again…Primary Season. With the rise of the Tea Party and the dismal performance of certain politicians both in Austin and in D.C., challengers abound.

Granted, Texas fares better than most states in general, but we have our share of establishment politicians who are more concerned about retaining power than they are with doing what’s best for taxpayers.

How do you know who is a statesman and who is a politician? One way is to review the legislative scorecards of conservative organizations. The top four, in no particular order, are:

Texans for Fiscal Responsibility/Empower Texans - http://www.empowertexans.com/index/

Eagle Forum - http://texaseagle.org/legislative-scorecard.html

Young Conservatives of Texas - http://www.yct.org/

Heritage Alliance - http://www.heritagealliance.com/tcr/tcrhome.php

These four organizations pay close attention to key votes during the legislative sessions, providing invaluable information to the public regarding the performance of their elected officials. Both social and fiscal policy votes are included in these scorecards, and it is imperative that we support candidates who are strong in both areas.

Time to Vote - on Texas Constitutional Propositions

2011-10-23T15:14:00.006-05:00

Synopsis of Constitutional Propositions on November 8 Ballot

Proposition 1 – Would provide the surviving spouse of a 100 percent or totally disabled veteran with a property tax exemption on his or her residential homestead.

Proposition 2 – Would allow the Texas Water Development Board to borrow as much as $6 billion.

Proposition 3 – Would allow the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to borrow money in order to provide student loans.

Proposition 4 – Would allow a county to issue bonds or notes to finance the development or redevelopment of an unproductive, underdeveloped, or blighted area within the county, and to pledge increases in tax revenues imposed on property in the area by the county for repayment of such bonds or notes.

Proposition 5 – Would allow cities and counties to enter into interlocal contracts with other cities and counties without having to assess an additional tax or set aside a specified amount of money for the cost under the interlocal contract.

Proposition 6 – Would increase the amount of principal that is available for withdrawal from the permanent school fund each year and would also clarify certain references to that fund in the constitution.

Proposition 7 – Would amend the constitution by adding El Paso County to the list of counties authorized to create conservation and reclamation districts to develop parks and recreational facilities financed by taxes.

Proposition 8 – Would allow for special property tax rules on land devoted to water conservation.

Proposition 9 – Would authorize the governor to grant a pardon, reprieve, or commutation of punishment to a person who successfully completes a term of deferred adjudication community supervision.

Proposition 10 – Would extend the length of the unexpired term that causes the automatic resignation of certain local elected officeholders if they announce candidacy or become candidates for another office from one year to one year and 30 days.

See the following web site for further explanation: www.votexas.org. Here is more information from Empower Texans.

The President Authorizes DREAM Act; Ignores Constitution

2011-10-23T14:41:00.000-05:00

As our presidential hopefuls debate border security and immigration reform, many Americans may be unaware that President Obama has, in effect, authorized a version of the DREAM Act via an enforcement memo handed down by the director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

On June 17, 2011, ICE Director John Morton penned an order that directs enforcement agents to exercise “prosecutorial discretion” for any illegal alien who was born in the U.S., who is a student, or who has served in the military. In all, the memo lists 19 bullet points to take into consideration before an illegal alien is prosecuted, as well as eight categories of illegals who should prompt particular “care and consideration.” This directive, in effect, grants amnesty to illegal aliens. It was sent to “All Field Office Directors, All Special Agents in Charge, and All Chief Counsel,” and it charges them to “exercise prosecutorial discretion consistent with the civil immigration enforcement priorities of the Agency.”

Says columnist Charles Krauthammer, “The DREAM Act was rejected by Congress. It is now being enacted by the executive, despite the express will of the Congress. That is lawless. It may not be an explicit executive order; it’s an implicit one.”

The ICE memo cites a lack of resources, stating, “Because the agency is confronted with more violations than its resources can address, the agency must regularly exercise prosecutorial discretion.”

Perry gets a Pass on Policy

2011-09-13T12:41:00.002-05:00

Texas Governor Rick Perry swaggered through last night's CNN/Tea Party Debate with his usual confidence and charm. Not backing down on his previous assessment of the Social Security entitlement as a Ponzi scheme, he stuck to his guns. Heck, he was probably packing a gun. Looking incredulous every time one of the other seven candidates levied a criticism at him, Perry was at his vintage Texas best. And President Clinton is right; Perry's a good-lookin' rascal. I recall one political operative, during the 2010 gubernatorial race, telling me that every time Rick Perry's face appeared on television in a campaign ad, his poll numbers went up. It's good to be Rick Perry.

The CNN/Tea Party Republican debate last night provided voters with another look at the eight GOP candidates, and for political junkies who weren't watching football or The Bachelor Pad finale, it was quite entertaining. What I find fascinating is the fact that Governor Perry's record on some of the hottest button conservative issues is flawed; so much so that those same positions would disqualify any other candidate immediately. Can you imagine what would happen if Michele Bachmann stated that she opposed a border fence? Her supporters would abandon her in droves. What if Rick Santorum were campaigning on giving taxpayer benefits to illegal aliens? The Republican base would be up in arms. How about the thought of Governor Mitt Romney signing an executive order, bypassing the legislature, to force children to have a government vaccination; add to that the notion that Mitt's former chief of staff happened to be the chief lobbyist for the manufacturer of the vaccine? Mitt would be immediately disqualified in the eyes of most primary voters.

No one at the debate mentioned the business margins tax, signed by Perry, which taxes Texas businesses whether they make a profit or not. Congressman Paul did mention, however, the growth of the size of government in Texas and the increasing tax burden.

Why does Perry give new meaning to the term "teflon"? How does Perry run ads where he's standing on the Texas/Mexico border looking for all the world like a Clint Eastwood tough guy, win re-election as an anti-illegal-immigration Governor, and then the next day make a speech about the futility of building a border fence? What about his refusal to stand with Arizona and support Governor Brewer? What about Perry's long-time support of in-state tuition for illegal immigrants?

In Texas, one explanation for the double standard afforded Perry is the unprecedented network of supporters who have benefited from helping the Governor. Perry has cultivated and then rewarded friends in record numbers due to his historic longevity. Being Governor for a record-setting 13 years and counting, Perry has been in control of appointments to plum commissions and has given out those perks generously. He has become close to conservative opinion leaders and evangelicals, to the point where some even boast that they have the Governor on speed dial. What are those kind of bragging rights worth? Conservatives are just as prone to being influenced by power as liberals, so whenever the Governor has gone off the reservation, criticism has been muted and rationalized, mainly because of Perry's strong pro-life stance. Most conservative politicians would have sustained serious if not career-ending consequences for the Merck vaccination executive order or the anti-border fence stance, but not Perry. Friends of Perry are everywhere in Texas, and many have personally benefited from that friendship. Rick Perry and cronyism go hand in hand. Not only is it good to be Perry; it's good to be a Friend of Perry. Just ask Mike Toomey.

You can see that poor Rick Santorum, Michele Bachmann, and the rest of the field are somewhat baffled by Perry's poll numbers in the face of his less-than-consistent conservative record. That's the thing about Perry; he defies explanation. Voters see his face, observe his confidence, and his policies, even when contradictory, become irrelevant. Opponents always underestimate Perry, and if he is our nominee, you can be sure that Obama will, too. The condescending attitude of the left in an Obama vs. Perry election would be fun to watch. A warning to President Obama: If I were you, I wouldn't make disparaging remarks about clinging to guns and faith in a campaign against Rick Perry.

Governor Rick Perry appeals to voters, especially those voters who don't care to delve too deeply into policy details. He has an intangible appeal that most candidates lack. We've watched the Perry phenomenon in Texas for over a decade. Should Perry become the GOP nominee, he will have my full support. And it appears that, despite his policy lapses, Perry may be the nominee. This election is solely about electability. And because of that, Perry is once again getting a pass on policy. And hey, if that is what it takes to beat Obama, then spare me the details.

Perry, Prayer, and Politics

2011-08-07T19:55:00.004-05:00

Yesterday's event, "The Response," was a great idea and a successful event. Praying for our country is a noble and wise pursuit. For most participants, the emphasis on prayer and intercession for the country, for our President, and for our troops was inspirational and uplifting. And those who prayed with a sincere heart and pure motives are patriots and brothers and sisters in Christ.

Governor Perry, in organizing this event, included reputable organizations such as Concerned Women for America and the Family Research Council. What is disappointing is the lack of discernment, both by Perry and FRC/CWA, in including leaders from the National Apostolic Reformation and International House of Prayer, organizations with radical and non-scriptural emphases.

These fringe movements, replete with false prophets and dangerous doctrines, harm evangelical Christianity as well as the candidacy of Governor Perry.

As an evangelical Christian who wants nothing more than the defeat of President Obama in 2012, I find it extremely alarming that Rick Perry's handlers would allow him to be aligned with disreputable cults in an effort to curry favor with Christians. He pretty much has a lock on that group of voters, so his campaign would do well to investigate any ministry or leader who wants to piggyback on the momentum of the Perry campaign. He has gotten away with it in Texas, but the national spotlight will be unforgiving.

Beware of false prophets: 1 John 4:1
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

So McCain wants Lord of the Ring Analogies?

2011-07-31T17:44:00.002-05:00

Senator John McCain, our last GOP Nominee for President, recently compared Tea Partiers to "Hobbits," quoting from a Wall Street Journal editorial. If McCain had read Tolkien's novels or seen the movies, he might have remembered that the Hobbits are heroes who save Middle Earth and the Shire.

The similarities between politicians and LOTR characters are remarkable. McCain, exactly like the character Saruman in Lord of the Rings, is supposed to be one of the good guys. Saruman is trusted by Gandalf, but after long conversations with Sauron, he becomes a corrupted wizard who decides that the evil Sauron is going to win, so he might as well switch sides. If you can't beat 'em, join 'em. After his betrayal, things don't go well for Saruman, however. McCain should read the book. Saruman ends up being stripped of his powers and ultimately killed.

President Obama, or "The One," possesses the One Ring of Power, the "precious" Presidency. Like Sauron, Obama wants ultimate control. He has thwarted every effort to inject common sense into the debt ceiling debate.

Senator Harry Reid seems to be playing the part of Gollum, who has long conversations with himself, much like Reid at the Senate microphone. "My Precious," the power to rule, has gone to Reid's head. Americans overwhelmingly favor the "Cut, Cap & Balance" legislation put forward by the House. Tea Party Hobbits everywhere should not give up.

D.C. Negotiations Resemble WWE Bouts

2011-07-31T13:07:00.023-05:00

Can you smell what The Rock Obama is cookin'? It's a bad deal for Americans.

As Boehner warns his fellow Republicans to get their *#$x&%@ in line, and as Harry Reid pronounces the GOP proposal as "dead on arrival," it is becoming harder and harder to take the antics of our elected representatives seriously. It's kind of like professional wrestling, only worse. Just as in wrestlers' rants, threats and hyperbole abound. Especially when they warn that failure to raise the debt ceiling would lead to disaster. Sorry, but we no longer believe them. And no one believes that the government will shut down. According to D.C. insiders, that would lead to Armageddon. And no politician wants to be blamed for Armageddon.

Why all the drama? Will the world end on August 2nd if we do not raise the debt ceiling? Politicians decry the thought of "defaulting on our debt" as if all revenue would end on that day, when it obviously won't.

The same old small group of D.C. establishment insiders are negotiating behind closed doors to raise the debt ceiling - and it will no doubt be raised as it always has been. Never mind that our country is continuing to spend our way off a cliff. Never mind that the recession is ongoing and has never really lifted.

What is distressing is when Republicans such as Senator McCain begin name-calling and belittling those few courageous souls who actually believe that raising the debt ceiling is a bad idea. McCain labeled them "Hobbits," just because they want to stop the madness.

What is crazy is that we have elected so many career politicians that the freshmen who pledged to hold the line on spending are being pressured to break their promises. They're not Hobbits; they're heroes. What is even crazier is that Congress let this situation develop in the first place. Harry Reid and his Senate have not passed a budget in two years. What in the *&%$ are they doing in D.C.? We might as well be watching WWE wrestling. At least that is entertaining. This is just sad.

Anyone Else Tired of Politicians Crying Wolf?

2011-07-27T18:12:00.002-05:00

In a recent CBS News interview, our President said, “I cannot guarantee that those checks (Social Security, military pay) go out on August 3rd if we haven’t resolved this issue.” He also stated that he “didn’t know if there would be enough money in the coffers.” How does he not know this? In fact, he does know; he just prefers to use scare tactics. Words like Armageddon and crisis are being thrown around in Washington, D.C., to describe everything from the debt ceiling deadline to the too-big-to-fail bailouts. Politicians need to stop. And for the President to engage in this kind of rhetoric is outrageous. The biggest crisis that Americans are suffering right now is the governance of the Obama Administration.

Yesterday Fox Business Network senior correspondent Charlie Gasparino broke the story that the White House has been privately reassuring the banks that a default will not occur. "I think the administration is being really duplicitous in this, " Gasparino said. Meanwhile, despite some modest sell-offs, Wall Street is reacting calmly to the so-called looming crisis. What is the motivation for the scare tactics?

All that will happen if the debt ceiling is not raised is that spending will have to be cut. Oh, no. That is far from a crisis. But to progressives, the thought of shrinking government and cutting spending is worse than Armageddon. Newsflash: Budget shortfalls are happening in virtually every state and city in America right now. Governments are overspending and overtaxing. That's what governments do. As Ross Perot used to say, "Stop the bleeding!" There is enough to pay the debt, the Social Security, the Medicare, and the Military. There is not enough to continue paying for an out-of-control government bureaucracy. And boy oh boy, is it out of control. The real problem is the possibility of a credit downgrade, which looks like it will happen no matter which plan passes in Congress.

Remember Al Gore’s Doomsday Countdown Clock? In 2006 he predicted that we have only ten years until total destruction due to man-made global warming. That was six years ago. Democrats are particularly good at using hyperbole and exaggeration and junk science to sway public opinion. They've now changed their terminology from "global warming" to "climate chaos." In the wake of "Climategate," in which British scientists falsified their climate research in order to corroborate this manufactured crisis, some people continue to buy into the radical environmentalists' agenda. In fact, Al Gore and his friends are "crying wolf" solely to perpetuate their money-making hoax as they fly around on their fuel-guzzling private jets.

While the economy is faltering, unemployment is high, and the housing market continues to suffer, it is definitely not the end of the world. Spending is out of control in D.C. and it has to stop eventually. Printing more money is not a solution. While Republicans controlled Congress and the White House, spending increased. Under Obama, spending has skyrocketed. Republicans need to gain control of the Senate and the White House in 2012 if we have any hope of getting this problem under control. Hopefully the GOP has learned its lesson and will have the will to make the cuts necessary, using Paul Ryan’s plan as a starting point. Democrats will surely cry that it is the end of the world when the EPA’s budget is cut. It will only be the end of their fear mongering. And if we do not get spending under control soon, it may well be that a true crisis will ensue.

There's Hope for Dallas County

2011-07-06T15:16:00.002-05:00

When the FBI staged surprise raids on County Commissioner John Wiley Price's house and office, as well as those of his friends, citizens of Dallas County cheered.

For years we have witnessed the corruption, shakedowns and shenanigans of JWP, culminating in the firing of Dallas County Elections Clerk Bruce Sherbert and the underhanded redistricting of County Commissioner districts designed to elect allies of Price.

Thank you to Maurine Dickey for her willingness to stand up to John Wiley Price on the Commissioner's Court. Let's hope that JWP will get what he deserves.

Dallas County is on the road to becoming a "super massive blue hole" like Detroit unless we elect strong and ethical leadership.

For more details on the investigation, I recommend the Dallas Observer articles.

And for fun, here's a hilarious video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKMPRIAMx5I.

Is Obama Suffering from Arsenio Hall Syndrome?

2011-07-06T14:44:00.002-05:00

Being President of the United States is hard. When you become President, your time is no longer your own. You age much faster. Watching President Obama since he took office in 2009, it almost seems that he is surprised by the complexity of the job. And he doesn’t seem all that committed. President Obama has played more golf than any President in the history of the country. Does he realize that the United States is suffering from the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression?

Barack Obama’s political star rose so quickly through the ranks of aspiring candidates that he finds himself in the White House, President of the United States, with little or no prior experience in the actual day-to-day, hands-on work that is required for what is arguably the most stressful job in the world. Fulfilling the duties of an office is different than campaigning for an office. Obama prefers the campaigning part. He was in the United States Senate for eighteen months when he started thinking about running for President. It has been a little over two years now since he assumed the office of the presidency, and he seems bored. This President has never had to work so hard for so long in his life. And the job is unrelenting. Worse than that, he does not always get his way. Despite holding the most powerful position in the world, he is not King. Obama has always sought political power, but now that he has the ultimate power, he appears to be frustrated. Some believe that his apparent lack of interest in pressing issues is simply due to the nature of his personality, a/k/a “No Drama Obama.” Others see his detachment as apathy. Is it possible for the POTUS to be bored with his job?

In fact, Obama has a history of dissatisfaction with each job he has held, quickly becoming frustrated and moving on to the next challenge. When the President was asked by ABC’s Diane Sawyer, “Did you ever think maybe one term is enough?” Obama replied, “…the one thing I’m clear about is that I’d rather be a really good one-term president than a mediocre two-term president.” Is President Obama tired of being President? Could that be the reason that he seems so detached?

President Obama brings to mind another fast-rising star that flamed out after discovering that it is tedious to maintain a long-term job. Arsenio Hall became a successful talk show host, starring in “The Arsenio Hall Show” from 1991 to 1994. Before his show was canceled, Hall appeared to be “mailing it in” to many viewers. He invited controversial guests such as Louis Farrakhan, Nation of Islam leader, and proceeded to allow Farrakhan to filibuster for the entire hour-long show. In the August 25, 1991 edition of the Los Angeles Times, it was observed: “Has anyone noticed a real decline in the past six months of "The Arsenio Hall Show" (syndicated)? He has the same guests on so frequently that he seems bored himself.”

Like Arsenio Hall, President Obama seems to be “mailing it in,” leaving important decisions to others and creating a vacuum of leadership in the world. Could anyone have predicted that France would emerge as the leader in the latest military mission in Libya? As the United States President vacillated, showing the world just how incompetent and ineffectual he is, Europe stepped up to the plate. When a crisis occurs, from the gulf oil spill to the tragedy in Japan, Obama seems uncertain how to respond appropriately. Or it could be that he just doesn’t really care.

In his State of the Union address, President Obama promised, “I don’t quit.” As Americans watch their President and his seeming lack of engagement during times of crisis, many wonder whether he already has.

The Perry Predicament

2011-06-24T12:54:00.002-05:00

Love him or hate him, the entire Republican presidential primary may be on the verge of transformation with the entry of Governor Rick Perry. There is non-stop speculation, rumor, and opinion on a Perry candidacy from folks all over the country. It appears that Perry’s impeccable sense of timing is about to propel him into the race for the White House. The word that immediately springs to mind? “Winning.” And not in a Charlie-Sheen-sarcastic way. He has never lost an election. Perry is luckier than a Leprechaun with a four-leaf clover. Or God is watching over him. Either way, Rick Perry is one charmed politician.

Republicans who do not live in Texas view Perry as a conservative savior who can defeat President Obama. It is possible that he could. Rick Perry is a wildly successful politician. And the absolute priority of the Republican Party has got to be the nomination of a winning candidate. As a conservative in Texas who has watched Governor Perry for many years, it is almost amusing to hear the Democrats characterize Perry has a far-right conservative. You see, the reason that some conservatives could not support Perry for reelection in 2010 was because he was not conservative enough. Yes, that’s right. After all, this is Texas. And what bothers Texas conservatives is that Perry’s actions do not always match his rhetoric. (I know, that is a laughable statement to make about a politician.) Perry’s willingness and ability to promise one thing to one group and another to the next may be the reason why Perry would be the best presidential nominee.

Perry is an amazingly adept candidate. There are moments, especially when he bemoans the Federal government's attempts to mess with Texas, that he is inspiring. When it comes to campaigning, there is no one better. He looks great on television and he’s charismatic in person. He delivers a captivating speech. And he has a knack for saying what his audience wants to hear. Would he be able to get away with that on the national stage? Well, our President has certainly done that. Maybe Obama has met his match in Perry.

Rick Perry is not a liberal, by any means. But the fact that he endorsed Rudy Giuliani, a pro-choice candidate, for President in ’08; the fact that he was a Democrat until 1989; and the fact that he once chaired Al Gore’s 1988 presidential campaign in Texas tells us that he is no hard-core conservative. Perry’s support and signing of the margins tax on businesses in Texas, and his refusal to support a border fence, have also been a problem for conservatives. Then there’s the Gardasil vaccine debacle.

When it comes to running for President, however, these things may be advantages. He has the ability, almost Clintonesque, to finesse these issues. Independents probably don’t care, and we need independents in order to win the election. Perry’s pro-life credentials are solid, despite the Giuliani endorsement. And this is huge: Texas leads the country in job creation. His policies are popular and resonate with the TEA party when it comes to states’ rights and opposition to intrusive federal regulations. Those issues matter to swing voters. He is definitely more conservative than Mitt Romney and Jon Huntsman.

So…Governor Rick Perry may be the right presidential candidate at the right time. Perfect, he’s not, but neither is anyone else. It is really not up to Texans, other than the fundraisers and consultants, to propel Perry through the primary. Those of you in Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina, Nevada, what do you think? Perry for President? For some of us here in Texas, this is a perplexing predicament, indeed.

Cantor and Kyl Show Leadership

2011-06-24T12:02:00.000-05:00

It's about time. Could it be that the GOP leaders in D.C. will finally stand up to Obama?

Secret negotiations to cut a deal on the debt ceiling increase broke down yesterday when it was reported that Majority Leader Eric Cantor walked out, followed closely by Senator Jon Kyl. The impasse occurred when Vice President Joe Biden and his fellow Democrats refused to take tax increases off the table.

Following years of reckless spending, the country is drowning in a tsunami of debt. Senator Jim DeMint, a favorite of the TEA party, emphasized that Republicans must not cave on this issue. "Republicans owe it to Americans to tell them where we stand and what we are willing to fight for, " said DeMint.

Thank you to Leader Cantor and Senator Kyl for standing firm. We appreciate their leadership.

Bachmann vaults to second in Florida

2011-06-24T04:21:00.000-05:00

Bachmann vaults to second in Florida

No Candidate is Perfect; No, not One

2011-06-14T14:48:00.003-05:00

When it comes to judging people, we would do well to remember Romans 3:10, “No one is righteous, no, not one.” And the same can be said for our Republican presidential candidates: No candidate is perfect; no, not one.

In 2008 and in every election since elections began, we tend to look for the “perfect” candidate. There will always be some vote, some policy, some foible, some flaw that potential voters will use to disqualify a candidate.

It is already happening with our current crop of GOP contenders. Newt Gingrich, one of our most prolific thinkers, has been labeled as "not committed enough" after going on a cruise following his announced candidacy. Mitt Romney created RomneyCare in Massachusetts. Tim Pawlenty is vanilla. Michele Bachmann made a geography mistake in a speech. Herman Cain worked for the Fed. Rick Santorum lost a senatorial election. Ron Paul wants to legalize drugs. And Sarah Palin? She has been crucified by the press for years.

Anyone who decides to run for President, no matter how ideologically pure, will have bogies in his or her record. If Rick Perry throws his hat into the ring, watch the left go to town.

There are some conservatives who caution that we should never vote for the lesser of two evils. Unfortunately, there will never be any other choice, in my opinion. It doesn’t matter who becomes the GOP nominee, that person will have baggage. So be prepared to be disappointed. I wish we had a perfect choice; but there are no perfect candidates. That’s reality.

GOP Dream Team

2011-06-14T11:52:00.003-05:00

With the announcement by Michele Bachmann that she has officially filed her paperwork to run for POTUS, the total number of GOP candidates has increased to seven. All seven candidates performed well in last night’s CNN Debate, despite the annoying moderator John King. Any one of them would be a significant improvement over President Obama. Every one of them brings something to the table. Here is my dream team for 2012. Feel free to disagree. Things will no doubt change before Election Day. More candidates will enter the race. Some candidates will stumble (as Newt, sadly, already has.) But if it were totally up to me, there is plenty of room for every one of these leaders. We need them! If only we could convince them to work together. I am including Rick Perry (who seems to be on the campaign trail) as well as Sarah Palin.

President – Michele Bachmann (first female Republican nominee for President)

Vice President – Herman Cain (first black Republican nominee for Vice President)

Secretary of Treasury – Ron Paul

Secretary of Commerce – Mitt Romney

Secretary of State – Newt Gingrich

Secretary of Labor – Tim Pawlenty

Attorney General – Rick Santorum

Secretary of Defense – Rick Perry

Secretary of Energy – Sarah Palin

And that’s my dream team. If we could all work together, this group would be pretty amazing. The Democrats would be totally outgunned. Oh, to dream.

Debate

2011-06-13T21:12:00.004-05:00

This is an excellent field of candidates. Any one of them would be a HUGE improvement over President Obama.

Comments on the candidates based on this debate:

Bachmann - Smart, experienced, charismatic candidate who is ready and able to take on Obama.
Gingrich - Always gives informative and detailed responses.
Cain - Refreshing in his candor and common sense. Very likable.
Santorum - Strong conservative with good answers. He would do away with ethanol subsidies.
Romney - Decent performance. His business background is always appealing, but he seems to equivocate on some issues.
Pawlenty - He seems like the guy next door, very nice. He also takes the courageous stand of supporting the elimination of ethanol subsidies.
Paul - Stressed his opposition to the Federal Reserve and to sending troops abroad; he seemed a little more mellow than usual tonight.

The Nominee is Key - Part Deux

2011-06-05T16:00:00.016-05:00

Four years ago at this time (see McNamara's Band) I was firmly ensconced on the Draft Fred bandwagon, and it truly seemed as if he was the best candidate. McCain did not seem remotely plausible as a nominee. Lesson learned? First of all, Texas is too late in the primary season to make much of a difference, other than as a jumbo ATM machine. Sure, we in Texas knew that McCain was not a winning nominee. But we in Texas don’t matter much. By the time the primary hit Texas it was too late. We have Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina first. Iowa chose Huckabee, and in retrospect, if the Fredheads had gotten on board with Huckabee, he would have been a better choice in the long run. (Yes, I know that he had some issues as Governor of Arkansas, which called into question his conservative credentials. But Fred ended up being an astoundingly ineffective candidate, and we ended up with McCain and ultimately President Obama.)

Summer is too early in the primary season to settle on a candidate. It is premature to endorse any candidate when we are still not sure if the field is complete. And I exhort my fellow conservatives to keep their powder dry. This race is still wide open. We have some stellar conservatives in the race. But it is too early. Let’s not nitpick the announced candidates to death. Let’s not declare that we cannot support one or the other of them. Let’s not spread our support out so thinly that the least favorable candidate will win by default. Our goal must be to defeat President Obama. No, I’m not suggesting that we settle for a non-conservative just so that we can win. But I am declaring that even our worst Republican would be better than Obama. It is the constant dilemma that we face as conservatives. As soon as we know the entire field of candidates, then we can better judge whom to support. And if you really want to have a voice in this process, you’d better get ready to travel to Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina, and Florida. That’s where the choice will ultimately be made.

GOP Hopefuls Schooled by Trump

2011-04-28T15:16:00.003-05:00

Say what you will about The Donald, his use of the bully pulpit would make even Theodore Roosevelt proud.

Following the depressing, anemic presidential campaign of Senator John McCain, in which he seemed afraid to broach the scandalous inexperience and obvious weaknesses of then Senator Obama, the last thing Republicans need is another bunch of timid candidates.

What happened to leadership? What happened to boldness? Do any of the probable candidates have the courage to take on President Obama? Donald Trump does, and it is extremely refreshing.

The arrogant elite in the party “pooh-pooh” Trump’s possible candidacy. Karl Rove, he of “No Child Left Behind,” maintains that Trump is a clown. Well, granted, Donald Trump is not a conservative, but neither, I would point out, is Karl Rove.

To Rove, and Krauthammer, and all the naysayers: Yes, we understand that Donald Trump is not a conservative. We still like what Trump is saying about Obama. Trump makes sense. He gets things done. He is a leader. And we are absolutely starving for some leadership right now.

Who else wants to lead?

Republican presidential wannabes had better sit up and take notice.

Will Legislators Dip into the Rainy Day Fund?

2011-03-21T14:05:00.001-05:00

The answer to that question appears to be both yes and no. Despite pleas from conservatives throughout the state calling for spending cuts to bridge the budget gap, the House Appropriations Committee voted unanimously to withdraw $3.2 billion from the Economic Stabilization Fund, commonly known as the Rainy Day Fund. Three-fifths of the House and Senate must approve the withdrawal, and then it would go to the Governor’s desk for signature. But while Governor Perry has gone on record against using the RDF, stating that he “will not sign a 2012-2013 state budget that uses the Rainy Day Fund,” he does support this $3.2 billion draw to cover the fiscal year 2011 budget gap.

It appears that the House Appropriations committee is throwing in the towel on any further effort to cut spending, going instead for the easy fix of tapping nearly a third of the RDF. It is still relatively early in this legislative session, and the Appropriations Committee has committed to cutting only $800 million from the current budget, while the gap between spending and revenue exceeds $4 billion.

Now legislators must focus on crafting the next two-year budget. Depleting the RDF to solve the current budget shortfall effectively kicks the can down the road and will likely create further deficits for the next biennial budget when it is projected that there will be increased costs due to Medicaid and the probability of a worsening budget gap. The Rainy Day Fund was created to be a safety net. Were Texas to have some type of natural disaster or if the economy remains volatile, as experts predict, it is vital to have those funds available. Now is the time for legislators to come up with creative solutions for reducing current spending, while there are still months left in the session. It may be cloudy now, but the long-range forecast calls for rain. Legislators would be wise to preserve the RDF in full for future emergencies.

Sonogram Bill HB 15 Passes House

2011-03-21T14:03:00.000-05:00

Another issue that Governor Perry designated as an emergency item, requiring sonograms before abortions, is moving forward. Despite 30 amendments offered to weaken the bill, HB 15 passed the House by a vote of 102-43. This bill contains the following crucial requirements:

• 24-hour waiting period between the sonogram and the abortion

• Sonogram must be provided by a physician or licensed, certified sonographer

• Sonogram image must be presented to the woman along with the heartbeat and the accompanying verbal explanation of the image

• Woman certifies in writing that she was given the sonogram

• Woman can choose not to receive the information

Over in the Senate, however, the sonogram legislation that passed, SB 16, had to be weakened in order to get the necessary 21 votes required for passage. Because of the differences in the House and Senate versions, it is now up to Lieutenant Governor Dewhurst and Speaker Straus as well as the authors of the two bills, Representative Sid Miller and Senator Dan Patrick, to reconcile the bills and send the strongest version to the Governor’s desk for signature.

With the overwhelming support for HB 15 in the Texas House, this 82nd Session may well be one of the most pro-life legislative bodies in Texas history.

Voter ID Bill SB 14 on Fast Track

2011-03-21T13:58:00.002-05:00

On January 20 of this 82nd legislative session Governor Rick Perry designated the Voter Identification bill as a priority when he placed it on the emergency agenda. As many of you will recall, during the 81^st session the Democrats stalled Voter ID, effectively killing it. With the Governor’s assistance this time around, SB 14 has passed the Senate and is being debated in the House, where it has strong support. While there will no doubt be a vigorous debate, and barring an unforeseen circumstance, SB 14 appears on the verge of sailing through the House and will soon be sent to the Governor’s desk for signature. The implementation of a Voter ID law is an essential tool for maintaining and improving the integrity of our electoral process.

When Governor Perry declared the passage of Voter ID an emergency item, he stated, "Texans are required to show an ID in many day-to-day circumstances like boarding an airplane, withdrawing money from a bank account and driving a car. There is no reason an ID should not be required to vote in the effort to uphold the integrity of our electoral process.” Texas Republicans, who have been fighting for this legislation for years, couldn’t agree more.

What many Texans may not realize is that voters are held to a higher standard in Mexico than they are in the United States. During the last GOP Convention, Representative Leo Berman displayed a Mexican Voter Identification Card to the Platform Committee and passed it around to the members. To our astonishment, the Mexican Federal Electoral ID requires not only the voter’s name, address, and signature, but also a photograph and fingerprint. Recently the Hispanic Republican Conference of Texas (HRC) announced its unanimous support of SB 14.

Texans deserve honest elections, and this legislation will go a long way to ensure that voter fraud is reduced.

Legislative Lobbying Alert

2011-02-28T15:59:00.002-06:00

Now is the time to call, write, and visit your state legislators and let them know that:

The Rainy Day Fund should be preserved - cut spending and don't tap the rainy day fund.

http://www.empowertexans.com/node/1579

http://www.texastribune.org/texas-taxes/rainy-day-fund/texas-battle-rainy-day-fund-heating-up/

Gambling is not the way to cover the budget shortfall.

http://www.empowertexans.com/issues/do_not_bet_texas_budget_on_gambling

http://www.texastribune.org/texas-polling/inside-intelligence/inside-intelligence-gambling-will-be/

Support the Sonogram bill with the important provision of a 24 hour waiting period (removed in the Senate in order to get the 21 votes required). Read the Texas Right to Life Side-by-Side Comparison of bills.

http://www.texasrighttolife.com/a/599/Sonogram-Bills-SideBySide-Comparison

Support Voter ID (SB 14 has already passed the Senate). There will be a hearing tomorrow, March 1, in the House Committee Voter Identification and Voter Fraud, Select.

http://www.texasgopvote.com/2011-legislative-session/legislative-update-voter-id-hearing-tuesday-002565

Support the requirement of E-Verify for Texas Employers - HB 1888.

http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/html/HB01888I.htm

http://www.ircot.com/

Oppose any resolution calling for a Constitutional Convention.

http://www.texasgopvote.com/2011-legislative-session/serious-questions-texas-house-members-if-you-cannot-answer-these-questions-002570

Map of State Capitol Building for those of you who will be visiting this week...

http://www.tspb.state.tx.us/spb/plan/floorplan/florplan.htm

A Con-Con is Unwise and Unnecessary

2011-02-28T14:10:00.001-06:00

A Texas Senate Resolution calling for a United States Constitutional Convention to add a balanced budget amendment has moved forward, with the Committee Substitute Senate Joint Resolution 1 (CSSJR) being adopted by the following vote:

Yeas: 24; Nays: 7.

Yeas: Carona, Davis, Deuell, Duncan, Ellis, Eltife, Fraser, Harris, Hegar, Hinojosa, Huffman, Jackson, Nichols, Ogden, Patrick, Seliger, Shapiro, Uresti, Watson, Wentworth, West, Whitmire, Williams, Zaffirini.

Nays: Birdwell, Estes, Gallegos, Lucio, Nelson, Rodriguez, VanideiPutte.

Those Senators who voted against CSSJR1 expressed their concerns regarding the process and scope of a Constitutional Convention. You may read their remarks in the online senate journal - http://www.journals.senate.state.tx.us/sjrnl/82r/pdf/82RSJ02-23-F.PDF#page=16.

Governor Rick Perry and Lt. Governor David Dewhurst made the following statements:

Governor Perry:

I applaud the Texas Senate for taking this important step to reign [sic] in Washington's out-of-control spending, which has put our country on a collision course with economic disaster. We must insist on a balanced budget amendment to the U.S. Constitution, so Washington will be required to exercise the same fiscal restraint that sensible businesses and families have long employed. I look forward to working with members of the Texas House who share the goal of a federal balanced budget amendment to put the U.S. back on the path to fiscal responsibility.

Lt. Governor Dewhurst:

With a current national debt of $14.1 trillion and a federal budget deficit of $1.3 trillion, taxpayers literally cannot afford to wait any longer for Washington to put their fiscal house in order. The resolution passed by the Texas Senate today is intended to apply pressure on Congress to take prompt action on a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution and protect taxpayers from the runaway spending that has plagued Washington for decades.

Historically, the threat of an Article V convention has proved effective in pushing Congress to adopt important Constitutional Amendments such as the Bill of Rights and the direct election of Senators. In the unlikely event that an Article V convention is convened, the Texas Senate included certain safeguards in the resolution, but the ultimate protection is that any amendment to the Constitution requires ratification by three-fourths of the states as well as the overwhelming support of the American people.

While we all want to see our federal government operate within a balanced budget, calls for a Constitutional Convention are unwise and unnecessary. There is no limit to the scope of a Con-Con. Article 5 of the Constitution provides for the more conservative approach which entails Congress proposing the amendment and sending it to the states for ratification. (See below.)

HCR 18, which is scheduled for a hearing on March 3, urges Congress to propose and submit a balanced budget amendment. It does not include the language of the senate version which calls for a constitutional convention.

HJR 60, which is also scheduled for a March 3 hearing, does call for a constitutional convention.

HJR 81 has also been referred to the State Sovereignty Committee, and it calls for a constitutional convention to provide for term limits, line-item veto, balanced federal budget, limit on federal debt, and the repeal of federal law by two-thirds of the several states. These are commendable ideas which can also be proposed by Congress, ratified by the states without calling for a convention.

It is important that you express your opposition to a constitutional convention to your elected representative, and to the committee members of the House Committee on State Sovereignty (Creighton, Martinez-Fischer, Branch, Darby, Sid Miller, Pitts, Thompson). Let them know that you oppose any call for a constitutional convention, regardless of the reason or proposed amendments. Remind them that were a Con-Con to be convened, there is no mechanism in place to limit the scope of Amendments proposed.

Never before in the history of our country has a constitutional convention been convened in order to amend the constitution. There are two methods by which an amendment to the constitution can be passed. These are spelled out in Article 5:

The Congress, whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose Amendments to this Constitution, or, on the Application of the Legislatures of two thirds of the several States, shall call a Convention for proposing Amendments, which, in either Case, shall be valid to all Intents and Purposes, as part of this Constitution, when ratified by the Legislatures of three fourths of the several States, or by Conventions in three fourths thereof, as the one or the other Mode of Ratification may be proposed by the Congress; Provided that no Amendment which may be made prior to the Year One thousand eight hundred and eight shall in any Manner affect the first and fourth Clauses in the Ninth Section of the first Article; and that no State, without its Consent, shall be deprived of its equal Suffrage in the Senate.

The first method requires Congress to pass a bill by a two-thirds majority in each house. This is the way in which all current amendments were passed.

The second method requires that two-thirds of the state legislatures call for a Convention to add amendments, which then must be ratified by three-fourths of the states.

A constitutional convention has never before been convened, and because of the lack of specificity regarding who the delegates would be and how the scope of the convention would be defined it could very easily become a chaotic and dangerous event which would be hard to control. Because of the reality of modern-day community organizers and paid protestors, the process could also turn into a huge media event driven by special interests with a completely different agenda than the commendable addition of a balanced budget amendment. Because of that possibility, we should ask all of our elected representatives to vote against any resolutions calling for a constitutional convention.

The RPT Platform opposes a Constitutional Convention:

Constitutional Convention—“We oppose any constitutional convention to re-write the United States Constitution. We demand the Legislature rescind the 1977 call for such a convention. We call upon other states to rescind their votes for such a convention.”

A Constitutional Convention is unwise and unnecessary.

No Mo’ Money - State and Federal Budget Crises

2011-02-17T13:59:00.002-06:00

The waste of money cures itself, for soon there is no more to waste.
~M.W. Harrison

For anyone paying attention to the alarming numbers on the U.S. National Debt Clock (http://www.usdebtclock.org/), it is obvious that government spending is spiraling out of control.

Ignoring popular support for fiscal discipline, President Obama this week unveiled a proposed budget that would increase spending from less than $ 3 trillion in 2008 to $ 3.82 trillion in 2011. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) shows that the federal government deficit for 2011 will total approximately $ 1 trillion for the third year in a row. While Obama’s plan touts a five-year freeze in domestic spending, it is based on the elevated spending from the last two years, which included the stimulus and represents an 84 percent spending increase. Freezing spending at that high rate would do little to address the escalating federal deficit.

House Republicans, led by Budget Chairman Paul Ryan and bolstered by the Tea Party freshmen congressmen, have proposed $ 60 billion in budget cuts for this year alone. Appearing on Fox News Sunday, Ryan said, “Presidents are elected to lead, not to punt, and this President has been punting.” H.R. 1, Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2011, was introduced in the House this week.

House Speaker John Boehner, in an NBC interview, said, “I think it’s incumbent on the leaders in Washington… to go out and help the American people understand how big the problem is. Once the American people begin to get their arms around the size of the problem, then and only then should we begin to lay out an array of possible solutions to have that conversation.”

Meanwhile, back in Texas, legislators are struggling to find enough cuts to make up the multi-billion-dollar budget shortfall. Deficit estimates vary widely from $ 15 billion to $ 27 billion. There is a tug of war between those legislators who believe that revenue must be increased, either by increased taxation or legalized gambling, and those who advocate an across-the-board spending cut. Talmadge Heflin of the Texas Public Policy Foundation maintains that the answer is reduced spending, stating, “Every expenditure must be on the table.”

HB 1, Texas’ 2012-13 State Budget, would deliver a base budget within existing revenues. Debate over specific cuts is ongoing. HB 187, filed by freshman Representative Charles Perry (R-Lubbock), proposes a zero-based budgeting approach, which would require agencies to start from scratch in requesting their funding from the state. SB 165, introduced by Senator Florence Shapiro (R-Plano), also relates to zero-based budgeting for certain entities funded by the state. Lobbying your elected officials to support a zero-based budgeting approach will go a long way in helping lawmakers to address the looming budget shortfall

Bills to Watch

2011-02-07T22:24:00.002-06:00

Texas Conservative Coalition and Republican Party of Texas Platform Legislation

Election Integrity

· HB16- Riddle – Relating to requiring a voter to present proof of identification.

· HB111- Taylor – Relating to the adoption of voting procedures necessary to implement the federal Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment Act.

· HB112- Harless – Relating to requiring a voter to present proof of identification.

· HB174- Jackson - Relating to the cancellation of the voter registration and to the eligibility to vote of persons who are deceased or not citizens of the United States.

· HB186- Perry – Relating to requiring a voter to present proof of identification; creating a penalty.

· HB248- Chisum – Relating to requirements to vote, including presenting proof of identification; providing criminal penalties.

· HB250- Hilderbran – Relating to requiring a voter to present proof of identification; providing penalties.

· HB401- Smith – Relating to requiring a voter to present proof of identification.

· HB539- Anderson – Relating to requiring a voter to present proof of identification.

· HB624- Bonnen – Relating to requiring a voter to present proof of identification.

· HB804- Lewis – Relating to the offense of illegal voting by a person who is not a United States citizen.

· HB926- Harper-Brown – Relating to the use of information from the internal verification system of the Department of Public Safety for voter registration purposes.

· SB14- Fraser – Relating to requirements to vote, including presenting proof of identification; providing criminal penalties. Passed Senate 20-12

· SB178- Fraser – Relating to requirements to vote, including presenting proof of identification; providing criminal penalties.

· SB214- Fraser – Relating to early voting by mail by any qualified voter. In committee (State Affairs)

· SB384- Harris – Relating to the cancellation of the voter registrations of persons who are not U.S. citizens. In committee (State Affairs)

Immigration

· HB17- Riddle – Relating to the creation of the offense of criminal trespass by an illegal alien and to certain procedures for arresting illegal aliens for committing that criminal offense.

· HB18- Riddle – Relating to the enforcement by certain governmental entities of laws governing immigration.

· HB21- Riddle – Relating to reporting by state agencies on the financial effect of providing services to illegal immigrants.

· HB48- Pena – Relating to authorizing the DPS to investigate the feasibility of and cooperate in the establishment of southbound checkpoints along the international border of this state.

· HB113- Harless – Relating to the enforcement of immigration laws; providing a civil penalty.

· HB140- Laubenberg – Relating to requiring state contractors and grant recipients to participate in the federal electronic verification of work authorization program, or E-verify; adding a civil penalty.

· HB177- Jackson – Relating to the requirement of citizenship or lawful presence in the United States for issuance or renewal of certain occupational licenses, driver's licenses, and identification certificates.

· HB178- Jackson – Relating to requiring governmental entities to participate in the federal electronic verification of work authorization program or E-verify.

· HB183- Solomons – Relating to the duty of a law enforcement agency to verify the immigration status of an arrested person.

· HB186- Perry – Relating to requiring a voter to present proof of identification; creating a penalty.

· HB197- Solomons – Relating to the provision of certain documentation before a person may engage in a licensed occupation; providing a criminal penalty.

· HB202- Solomons – Relating to requiring state contractors to participate in the federal electronic verification of work authorization program, or E-verify.

· HB247- Solomons – Relating to the enforcement of state and federal laws governing immigration by certain governmental entities.

· HB292- Berman – Relating to birth records of children born in this state; creating an offense.

· HB293- Berman – Relating to eligibility of an individual born in this state whose parents are illegal aliens to receive state benefits.

· HB294- Berman – Relating to prohibiting a person who is in the U.S. illegally from bringing a claim in state court

· HB296- Berman – Relating to the enforcement of immigration laws, to the investigation, prosecution, and punishment of certain criminal offenses concerning illegal immigration, and to certain employment and labor practices and requirements regarding immigration and immigrants; providing civil and criminal penalties.

· HB302- Berman – Relating to the enforcement of state and federal laws governing immigration by certain governmental entities; providing a civil penalty.

· HB311- Geren – Duty of peace officer to verify immigration status of arrested persons

· HB601- Jackson – Requiring employers to participate in E-verify

· HB608- Zerwas – State agency reports on cost of services to non-citizens

· HB623- Bonnen – Enforcement of immigration laws; English as official language

· HB838- Elkins - Relating to the enforcement of laws governing immigration by governmental entities.

· HB875- Howard – Relating to non-citizen defendants’ status and bail

· HB878- Howard – Requiring employers to participate in E-verify

· HB892- Howard – Unlawful transport of undocumented persons

· SB124- Patrick – Relating to the enforcement of state and federal laws governing immigration by certain governmental entities; providing a civil penalty. In committee (Transportation & Homeland Security)

· SB126- Patrick – Relating to duty of a peace officer to inquire into the lawful presence of certain persons. In committee (Transportation & Homeland Security)

· SB259- Harris – Relating to the duty of a peace officer to inquire into the immigration status of persons arrested on other grounds. In committee (Transportation & Homeland Security)

· SB394- Patrick – Relating to the creation of the offense of unlawful transport of an undocumented person. In committee (Transportation & Homeland Security)

Limiting Federal Intrusion, Healthcare

· HB32- Creighton – Relating to the prohibition of required health insurance coverage.

· HB97- Paxton – Relating to the creation of the Health Freedom Act.

· HB124- Legler – Relating to payment for health care services and participation in health care system.

· HB144- Laubenberg – Relating to payment for health care services and participation in health care system.

· HB203- Hughes – Relating to payment for health care services and participation in health care system.

· HB297- Berman – Relating to certain federal health care legislation; imposing penalties.

· HB335- Shelton – Relating to implementation and requirements of certain health care reform laws.

· HJR24- Paxton – Proposing constitutional amendment relating to rights of individuals to choose or decline to choose to purchase health insurance coverage.

· HJR27- Legler – Proposing constitutional amendment prohibiting required participation in health care system

· HJR30- Laubenberg - Proposing constitutional amendment authorizing certain payment for health care services and prohibiting requiring participation in a health care system.

· HJR51- Christian - Proposing constitutional amendment relating to rights of individuals to choose or decline to choose to purchase health insurance coverage.

· HJR69- Kolkhorst – Applying to Congress of the U.S. to call a convention to propose an amendment to the U.S. Constitution providing that power to regulate health and education is reserved to the states.

Limiting Federal Intrusion

· HJR50- Creighton – Applying to Congress of the U.S. to call a convention to propose an amendment to the U.S. Constitution to permit the repeal of federal law by two-thirds of the state legislatures.

· HJR 55- Christian - Proposing a constitutional amendment to prohibit a hospital district from using tax revenue to finance the performance of an abortion.

· HJR60- Pitts - Applying to the Congress to call a convention to propose an amendment to the U.S. Constitution to require a balanced federal budget.

· SJR1- Ogden - Applying to the Congress to call a convention to propose an amendment to the U.S. Constitution to require a balanced federal budget.

· SJR10- Shapiro - Applying to the Congress to call a convention to propose an amendment to the U.S. Constitution to require a balanced federal budget.

· SJR15- Wentworth - Applying to the Congress to call a convention to propose amendments to the U.S. Constitution to provide for term limits, the line-item veto, a balanced federal budget, a limit on federal debt, and the repeal of federal law by two-thirds of the several states.

· HCR16- Creighton - Affirming that the State of Texas claims sovereignty under the Tenth Amendment to the Constitution

· HCR17- Creighton - Applying to Congress to call a convention to propose an amendment to the U.S. Constitution to permit the repeal of federal law by two-thirds of the state legislatures

· HCR18- Creighton - Urging Congress to propose and submit to the states an amendment to the U.S. Constitution providing for a federal balanced budget.

· HCR19- Truitt – Memorializing the U.S. Congress to submit an amendment to the U.S. Constitution providing for repeal of any law if approved by two-thirds of the state legislatures

· HCR39- Elkins - Urging Congress to propose and submit to the states for ratification a federal balanced budget amendment and to cap the maximum federal income tax rate at 15 percent.

Tax & Budget Reform

· HB95- Fletcher - Relating to an exemption from ad valorem taxation of the residence homestead of the surviving spouse of a 100 percent or totally disabled veteran.

· HB146- Laubenberg - Relating to retention of the $1 million total revenue exemption for the franchise tax.

· HB187- Perry – Relating to zero-based budgeting for certain entities funded by this state.

· HB234- Otto – Relating to liability for interest on ad valorem taxes on improvements that escaped taxation in a previous year.

· HB241- Parker - Relating to liability for interest if land appraised for ad valorem tax purposes as agricultural or open-space land is sold or diverted to a different use.

· HB312- Callegari – Relating to limitation on increases in appraised value of a residence homestead for ad valorem taxation

· HB380- Callegari – Relating to the constitutional limit on the rate of growth of appropriations and the use of surplus state revenues.

· HB461- Kleinschmidt - Relating to an exemption from ad valorem taxation of the residence homestead of the surviving spouse of a 100 percent or totally disabled veteran.

· HB469- Callegari - Relating to the calculation of ad valorem taxes on the residence homestead of a 100 percent or totally disabled veteran for the tax year in which the veteran qualifies or ceases to qualify for an exemption from taxation of the homestead.

· HB472- Anderson - Relating to an exemption from ad valorem taxation of the residence homestead of the surviving spouse of a 100 percent or totally disabled veteran.

· HB476- King – Relating to the retention of the $1 million total revenue exemption for the franchise tax.

· HB579- Callegari - Relating to the retention of the $1 million total revenue exemption for the franchise tax.

· HB581- Hancock - Relating to the constitutional limit on the rate of growth of appropriations.

· HB609- Zerwas - Relating to the limitation on increases in the appraised value of a residence homestead for ad valorem taxation.

· HB651- Christian – Relating to certain restrictions on funds administered by the Department of Agriculture.

· HB701- Murphy – Relating to the total revenue exemption for the franchise tax.

· HB724- Scwertner – Relating to the abolition of the Alternative Fuels Research and Education Division program administered by the Railroad Commission of Texas.

· HB732- Hopson – Relating to increasing the amount of the residence homestead exemption

· HB740- Orr – Relating to liability for ad valorem taxes on property that is subject of consignment.

· HB756- Paxton –Relating to the maximum rate of growth of appropriations.

· HB780- King – Relating to abolition of school district maintenance and operations ad valorem taxes.

· HB781- King – Relating to exemption from ad valorem taxation of the residence homestead of the surviving spouse of a 100 percent or totally disabled veteran.

· HB795- Zerwas – Relating to the franchise tax and alternative revenue sources and spending priorities for this state.

· HB798- Creighton – Relating to the limitation on increases in the appraised value of a residence homestead for ad valorem taxation.

· HB817- Hughes – Relating to the computation of taxable margin for purposes of the franchise tax by certain taxable entities.

· HB839- King - Relating to treatment under the public school finance system of school district revenue resulting from reduction or elimination of an optional homestead exemption.

· HB868- Huberty – Relating to the calculation o the rollback tax rate of a taxing unit other than a school district.

· HB869- Creighton – Relating to the franchise tax and alternative revenue sources and spending priorities for this state.

· HB874- Howard – Relating to the provision of information by tax officials related to ad valorem tax rates.

· HB877- Howard - Relating to the definition of controlling interest for purposes of franchise tax.

· HB879- Howard – Related to the limitation on increases in the appraised value of a residence homestead for ad valorem tax purposes.

· HB889- Lewis – Relating to the appraisal for ad valorem tax purposes of a real property interest in oil or gas in place.

· HB891- Howard – Relating to the computation of cost of goods sold for purposes of the franchise tax

· HB930- Darby - Relating to the requirements for an application for a tax warrant authorizing the seizure of personal property for the payment of ad valorem taxes.

· HB932- Paxton – Relating to franchise tax liability of certain taxable entities.

· HJR5- Otto - Proposing a constitutional amendment regarding an increase in the maximum amount to be retained in the constitutional economic stabilization fund and dedicating for deposit in that fund certain sales and use tax revenues.

· HJR16- Riddle - Proposing a constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to provide for a local option election in a county to set a limit on the maximum appraised value of a residence homestead for ad valorem tax purposes of less than 110 percent but not less than 103 percent of the appraised value of the property for the preceding tax year.

· HJR18- Branch - Proposing a constitutional amendment requiring any increase in a franchise tax rate to be approved by two-thirds of all the members elected to each house of the legislature.

· HJR23- Fletcher - Proposing a constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to provide for an exemption from ad valorem taxation of the residence homestead of the surviving spouse of a 100 percent or totally disabled veteran in an amount equal to the amount of the residence homestead exemption to which the disabled veteran was entitled.

· HJR25- Paxton - Proposing a constitutional amendment requiring any increase in a franchise tax rate to be approved by two-thirds of all the members elected to each house of the legislature.

· HJR29- Callegari - Proposing a constitutional amendment requiring certain tax bills to be approved by two-thirds of all the members elected to each house of the legislature.

· HJR37- Hughes - Proposing a constitutional amendment requiring certain tax bills to be approved by two-thirds of all the members elected to each house of the legislature.

· HJR39- Callegari - Proposing a constitutional amendment to authorize the legislature to set a lower limit on the maximum appraised value of a residence homestead for ad valorem taxation.

· HJR42- Callegari - Proposing a constitutional amendment concerning the limitation on the rate of growth of state appropriations and the use of unencumbered surplus state revenues to provide for a rebate of state franchise taxes, to reduce public school district property taxes, and to fund the state's rainy day fund.

· HJR45- Parker - Proposing a constitutional amendment to prohibit a state income tax or increase in a state income tax unless there is a two-thirds vote of the legislature to enact and submit to the voters a law imposing an income tax or increasing that tax.

· HJR47- Kleinschmidt - Proposing a constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to exempt from ad valorem taxation the residence homestead of the surviving spouse of a 100 percent or totally disabled veteran in an amount equal to the amount of the residence homestead exemption to which the disabled veteran was entitled on the same property.

· HJR48- Anderson - Proposing a constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to exempt from ad valorem taxation the residence homestead of the surviving spouse of a 100 percent or totally disabled veteran in an amount equal to the amount of the residence homestead exemption to which the disabled veteran was entitled on the same property.

· HJR49- Anderson - Proposing a constitutional amendment requiring any increase in a rate of the franchise tax be approved by two-thirds of all the members elected to each house of the legislature.

· HJR50- Creighton - Applying to Congress to call a convention to propose an amendment to the United States Constitution to permit the repeal of federal law by two-thirds of the legislatures of the several states.

· HJR53- Christian - Proposing a constitutional amendment prohibiting any political subdivision of this state from imposing ad valorem taxes.

· HJR58- Hancock - Proposing a constitutional amendment concerning the limitation on the rate of growth of state appropriations.

· HJR59- Hancock - Proposing a constitutional amendment requiring certain tax bills to be approved by two-thirds of all the members elected to each house of the legislature.

· HJR62- Zerwas - Proposing a constitutional amendment to authorize the legislature to limit the maximum appraised value of a residence homestead for ad valorem tax purposes to 105 percent or more of the appraised value of the property for the preceding tax year.

· HJR68- Hopson - Proposing a constitutional amendment increasing the amount of the residence homestead exemption from ad valorem taxation for public school purposes from $15,000 to $30,000 and providing for a reduction of the limitation on the total amount of taxes that may be imposed for those purposes on the homestead of an elderly or disabled person to reflect the increased exemption amount.

· HJR72- King - Proposing a constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to provide for an exemption from ad valorem taxation of the residence homestead of the surviving spouse of a 100 percent or totally disabled veteran in an amount equal to the amount of the residence homestead exemption to which the disabled veteran was entitled.

· HJR73- King – Proposing a constitutional amendment abolishing school district maintenance and operations ad valorem taxes.

· HJR74- Creighton - Proposing a constitutional amendment to authorize the legislature to limit the maximum appraised value of a residence homestead for ad valorem tax purposes to 105 percent or more of the appraised value of the property for the preceding tax year.

· HJR79- Howard – Proposing a constitutional amendment to authorize the legislature to limit the maximum appraised value of a residence homestead for ad valorem tax purposes to 105 percent or more of the appraised value of the property for the preceding tax year.

· SB125- Patrick – Relating to the retention of the $ 1 million total revenue exemption for the franchise tax. In committee (Finance).

· SB129- Patrick – Relating to the limitation on increases in the appraised value of a residence homestead for ad valorem taxation. In committee (Finance).

· SB135- Wentworth – Relating to the permissible uses of the state highway fund. In committee (Finance).

· SB165- Shapiro – Relating to zero-based budgeting for state agencies as a part of the sunset review process. In committee (Finance).

· SB175- Nichols – Relating to the limitation on increases in the appraised value of a residene homestead for ad valorem taxation. In committee (Finance).

· SB202- Shapiro – Relating to achievement benchmarks in fiscal notes and to legislative review of those benchmarks. In committee (Finance).

· SB326- Duncan – Relating to the exemption from ad valorem taxation of certain tangible personal property stored temporarily at a location in this state. In committee (Finance).

· SB393- Patrick – Relating to amended sales tax reports and the reallocation of sales tax revenue. In committee (Finance).

· SB409- Estes – Relating to the appraisal for ad valorem tax purposes of open-space land devoted to water stewardship purposes on the basis of its productive capacity. In committee (Finance).

· SJR7- Patrick – Proposing a constitutional amendment to authorize the legislature to set a lower limit on the maximum appraised value of a residence homestead for ad valorem taxation. - In committee (Finance).

· SJR11- Nichols - Proposing a constitutional amendment to authorize the legislature to limit the maximum appraised value of a residence homestead for ad valorem tax purposes to 105 percent or less of the appraised value of the property for the preceding tax year and to permit the voters of a county to establish a higher limitation not to exceed 110 percent on the maximum appraised value of a residence homestead in the county. In committee (Finance).

· SJR12- Patrick – Proposing a constitutional amendment requiring certain tax bills to be approved by two-thirds of all the members elected to each house of the legislature. In committee (Finance).

· SJR16- Estes - Proposing a constitutional amendment providing for the appraisal for ad valorem tax purposes of open-space land devoted to water stewardship purposes on the basis of its productive capacity. In committee (Finance).

Public Education

· HB22- Creighton – Relating to information regarding the citizenship and immigration status of public school students.

· HB79- Flynn – Relating to the posting of the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms.

· HB106- Brown – Relating to the consolidation of, or detachment and annexation of territory in, certain school districts.

· HB107- Brown – Relating to requiring certain home-rule municipalities to obtain annexation approval from voters in the area to be annexed.

· HB551- Christian – Relating to the eligibility of members of the SBOE to participate in benefits

· HB742- Hunter – Relating to student information required to be provided at time of enrollment in public schools.

· HB845- Murphy – Relating to computation of public high school grade point averages.

· HB860- Patrick – Relating to categories of performance for which a public school campus may receive a distinction designation.

· HB861- Patrick – Relating to membership of the state continuing advisory committee for special education services.

· HB862- Patrick - Relating to placing the State Board of Education and the State Board for Educator Certification under periodic review by the Sunset Advisory Commission.

· HB914- Hancock – Relating to the applicability of certain laws to open-enrollment charter schools.

· HB936- Harless – Relating to the establishment, operation, and funding of open-enrollment charter schools.

· HJR46- White – Proposing a constitutional amendment releasing a school district from the obligation to comply with an unfunded state educational mandate.

· HJR70- Paxton – Proposing a constitutional amendment regarding the maximum rate of growth of appropriations and the use of unencumbered surplus general revenues to fund the state’s rainy day fund and a public school property tax relief fund.

· SB79- Nelson – Relating to the contents and applicability of a school district’s grading policy. In committee (Education).

· SB127- Patrick – Relating to the establishment, operation, and funding of open-enrollment charter schools. In committee (Education).

· SB140- Shapiro – Relating to minimum public school attendance for class credit or a grade. In committee (Education).

· SB183- Wentworth – Relating to placement of a student in a disciplinary alternative education program for certain harassing behavior directed at an educator. In committee (Education).

· SB217- Huffman – Relating to expulsion of a public school student who commits certain criminal acts involving a computer, computer network, or computer system owned by or operated on behalf of a school district. In committee (Education).

Higher Education

· HB33- Branch – Relating to measures to increase the affordability of textbooks used for courses at public institutions of higher learning.

· HB104- Brown – Relating to abolishing the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and transferring the coordinating board’s functions and activities and the State Board of Education’s statutorily assigned functions and activities to the Texas Education Agency.

· HB136- Shelton – Relating to restrictions on dropping courses at public institutions of higher education.

· HB458- White – Relating to exempting a school district from the obligation to comply with certain unfunded state educational mandates.

· HB459- White – Relating to temporary limitations on the total amount of tuition charged to a student by a four-year public institution of higher education.

· HB464- Kleinschmidt – Relating to the determination of resident status of students by public institutions of higher education.

· HB523- Christian – Relating to authorizing the issuance of revenue bonds for a molecular science building at Stephen F. Austin State University.

· HB537- Brown – Relating to the sale of instructional materials to students of public institutions of higher education.

· HB560- Christian – Relating to electronic textbooks, state-developed open-source textbooks, and other instructional materials for public schools.

· HB587- Kleinschmidt – Relating to eliminating the set-aside of a portion of designated tuition for student financial assistance at public institutions of higher education.

· HB653- Christian – Relating to student loan repayment assistance for speech-language pathologists or audiologists employed by a public school or as faculty members of certain graduate programs at public institutions of higher education.

· HB714- Anderson – Relating to the acquisition of land and facilities by the Texas State Technical College System.

· HB723- Harless – Relating to the Lone Star College System District service area.

· HB733- Patrick – Relating to the number of charters the State Board of Education may grant for oen-enrollment charter schools.

· HB736- Patrick – Relating to online institution resumes for public institutions of higher education.

· HB743- Sheffield – Relating to requiring public institutions of higher education to notify the federal Student Exchange and Visitor Information System (SEVIS) regarding the withdrawal or nonattendance of certain foreign students.

· SB162- Shapiro – Relating to developing a developmental education plan for students entering public institutions of higher education. In committee (Higher Education).

· SB164- Shapiro – Relating to a fixed academic cost option for resident undergraduate students at general academic teaching institutions. In committee (Higher Education).

· SB176- Huffman – Relating to student eligibility for tuition rebates offered by general academic teaching institutions. In committee (Higher Education).

· SB228- Nelson – Relating to reporting requirements for institutions of higher education conducting human stem cell research. In committee (Health & Human Services).

· SB298- Wentworth – Relating to eliminating the set-aside of a portion of designated tuition for student financial assistance at public institutions of higher education. In committee (Higher Education).

· SB391- Patrick – Relating to the provision of electronic sample copies of a textbook adopted by the State Board of Education. In committee (Higher Education).

Concealed Carry

· HB86- Simpson – Relating to the carrying of concealed handguns on the campuses of institutions of higher education.

· HB698- Huberty – Relating to the carrying of concealed handguns by certain persons attending a school board meeting.

· HB750- Driver – Relating to the carrying of concealed handguns on certain premises of or locations associated with schools or institutions of higher education.

· SB354- Wentworth – Relating to the carrying of concealed handguns on the campuses of institutions of higher education. In committee (Criminal Justice).

· SB418- Williams – Relating to the carrying of concealed handguns by certain persons attending a school board meeting. In committee (Criminal Justice).

Choose Life

· HB85- Simpson - Relating to the state's or a state governmental entity's provision of support for the performance of an abortion or abortion-related services.

· HB201- Morrison – Relating to informed consent to an abortion.

· HB325- Smith – Relating to providing access to an ultrasound before an abortion.

· HB411- Laubenberg – Relating to the confidentiality of newborn screening information.

· HB552- Hunter – Relating to a prohibition on coverage for abortion under health benefit plans offered through a health benefit exchange.

· HB561- Christian – Relating to a hospital district’s use of tax revenue to finance the performance of an abortion.

· HB580- Hancock – Relating to informed consent to an abortion.

· HB779- King – Relating to the state’s or a governmental entity’s direct or indirect use of state or local tax revenue to finance the performance of an elective abortion or elective abortion-related service.

· HB797- King – Relating to the venue for the filing of certain applications by a pregnant minor with respect to an abortion.

· HB816- Hunter – Relating to health plan and health benefit plan coverage for abortions.

· HJR55- Christian - Proposing a constitutional amendment to prohibit a hospital district from using tax revenue to finance the performance of an abortion.

· SB16- Patrick – Relating to informed consent to an abortion. In committee (State Affairs).

Criminal Justice

· HB227- Smith – Relating to exempting persons who are convicted of certain sexual offenses from registering as a sex offender in this state.

· HB236- Madden – Relating to the sex offender civil commitment program and to the creation of a state agency to perform the functions relating to the sex offender civil commitment program that are currently performed by the Council on Sex Offender Treatment.

· HB530- Shelton – Relating to the definition of local law enforcement authority for purposes of the sex offender registration program.

· HB772- Riddle – Relating to the applicability of certain laws to certain sex offenders.

· HB867- Darby – Relating to the eligibility of a person convicted of certain sex offenses for jury-recommended community supervision.

· SB166- Shapiro - Relating to the sex offender civil commitment program and to the creation of a state agency to perform the functions relating to the sex offender civil commitment program that are currently performed by the Council on Sex Offender Treatment. In committee (Criminal Justice).

Eminent Domain

· HB188- Sheffield – Relating to limitations on the use of eminent domain authority.

· HB279- Geren – Relating to the use of eminent domain authority.

· SB174- Nichols – Relating to prohibiting the use of eminent domain to take private property for recreational purposes. In committee (State Affairs).

· SB180- Estes – Relating to the use of eminent domain authority. In committee (State Affairs).

Other Issues

· HB81- Flynn – Relating to the use of public funds to print certain public documents in a language other than English and other bilingual requirements.

· HB82- Flynn – Relating to the criminal offenses applicable to gambling and gambling devices.

· HB176- Jackson – Relating to designating English as the official language of the state.

· HB301- Berman – Relating to the establishment of English as the official language of Texas and the requirement that official acts of government be performed in English.

· HB362- Solomons – Relating to the regulation by a property owners’ association of the installation of solar energy devices and certain roofing materials on property.

· HB615- Kleinschmidt – Relating to requiring that certain tests required for the issuance of a driver’s license be conducted in English.

82nd Legislative Session is Underway: Time to Lobby in Austin

2011-02-07T00:13:00.006-06:00

Now is the time to lobby your representatives in Austin. If you are interested in monitoring bills on important issues, go to the link below and search by bill number or key word.

•82nd Legislature Regular Session – 82(R) 2011

•Search Legislation by word/phrase, bill number, text, subject, author, sponsor, committee, filing date

•Create a personal “bill list” at the “My TLO” option

•Types of bills:

•Senate/House Bills SB1, HB1;

•Senate/House Joint Resolutions SJR1, HJR1;

•Senate/House Resolutions SR1, HR1;

•Senate and House Concurrent Resolutions SCR1;

•Joint Resolution - measure that requires passage by both chambers but does not require action by Governor; i.e. to propose amendments to Texas Constitution or U.S. Constitution

•Concurrent Resolution - used to convey the sentiment of the legislature such as a memorial or request for action by another entity.

Proposed Legislation would allow Guns on Campus and in Employees' Vehicles

2011-01-21T12:50:00.005-06:00

From Texas Insider:

“I don’t blame guns. I’m not mad at the guy that killed 23 people, including my parents, at the Killeen Luby’s years ago. How can I be mad at a rabid dog? I blame politicians that legislated away my right to carry a gun to protect myself & my family. I made the most stupid decision of my life when I decided, several months before the Luby’s shooting, to stop carrying a revolver in my purse in the event I would be caught & lose my chiropractor’s license. That decision left me unarmed at the time when I most needed a gun.
Suzanna Hupp, former Texas State Representative, Lampasas

Two proposals to expand the right-to-carry laws in Texas are making their way through the legislative process. Backed by the NRA, the "campus carry" bill would give citizens with Concealed Handgun Licenses the ability to protect themselves on university campuses. Also NRA-endorsed, the "parking lot" bill would allow employees with lawfully-owned firearms to store the guns in their vehicles while parked at their places of employment.

Currently, some corporations maintain policies which prohibit employees from storing firearms in their personal vehicles while parked on company parking lots, thereby denying those employees the right to protect themselves on their daily commute. House Bill 681, introduced by Tim Kleinschmidt (R-Lexington), is the House version of the parking lot bill; Glenn Hegar (R-Katy) is the author of
SB 321, the senate version.

While evidence clearly shows that criminals will obtain guns regardless of laws or policy, current Texas law, as well as administrative policy, prohibits Concealed Handgun Licensees from carrying their handguns at institutions of higher learning. Senator Jeff Wentworth (R-San Antonio) has filed
SB 354, a bill to allow Texans with CHLs to protect themselves on college campuses. State Representative Joe Driver (R-Garland) has filed the companion house bill, HB 750.

Corporate lobbyists as well as university administrators will vigorously oppose both measures. Please contact your state representative and state senator to voice your opinion. To read these bills in their entirety, go to www.house.state.tx.us.

Republicans File Several Versions of Voter ID Legislation

2011-01-20T06:03:00.003-06:00

Last session the GOP was unable to deliver a voter identification bill after Democrats used delaying tactics to run out the clock. The new Republican super majority in the Texas House should have no problem getting it passed this time around.

During a stop in West Texas in December, Governor Rick Perry stated that a voter ID bill will pass “so fast that it will make your head spin,” reported the Lubbock Avalanche Journal.

The question for Texans is which voter ID bill is the best out of the several that have been filed.

Republican State Representative Todd Smith of Euless, who was House Elections Committee Chairman last session, has filed HB 401, which is modeled after a Georgia law that requires voters to produce a photo ID in order to cast a ballot. Smith’s bill would also create a voter identification card for those who may not have a driver’s license, passport, or other approved form of photo ID.

HB 16, filed by Debbie Riddle, gives voters the option of producing either photo ID or two forms of non-photo ID, including a utility bill, a library card, a government check, or even a hunting license.

HB 186 by Charles Perry specifies government-issued photo ID only, as does Warren Chisum’s HB 248. On the Senate side, SB 14 has been introduced by Troy Fraser, which would require a government-issued photo ID.

In 2008 the United States Supreme Court ruled that individual states may require valid photo identification at polling places in order to reduce voter fraud, but
challenges to voter identification laws are being waged across the country on the state level. Democrats allege that any requirement to show photo identification in order to vote disenfranchises poor, rural, elderly, and minority voters. Nine states currently require voters to show a photo ID: Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Louisiana, Michigan, Oklahoma, and South Dakota. While the Georgia law requiring a photo ID has been upheld in federal court, the Democrat Party is challenging the law in state court. Indiana’s State Supreme Court upheld its voter ID law in a 4-1 decision last summer.

Now is the time to let your state representative know your opinion. Bills are available to read online at: www.capitol.state.tx.us.

Reince Priebus Elected RNC Chairman

2011-01-16T14:55:00.010-06:00

From 2000-2008, during the Bush Administration, RNC Chairs were chosen by White House operatives, as is customary, and the 168 members were expected to duly elect those candidates, which included Gov. Jim Gilmore, Gov. Marc Racicot, Ed Gillespie, Ken Mehlman, Senator Mel Martinez, and Mike Duncan. The RNC elected six chairmen in eight years, with the same administrators and consultants overseeing operations through the turnovers. When Michael Steele was elected in 2009, those operatives who had been, in effect, managing the RNC for a decade were no longer in charge.

Prior to the 2010 election, Karl Rove, Ed Gillespie (former RNC Chair), and Mike Duncan (former RNC Chair) each formed a 527 group designed to help elect Republicans with donations from major donors. Those donors were RNC donors with whom they had worked throughout the Bush years. Did this competition for GOP fundraising dollars hurt Michael Steele? With the RNC currently in a 20 million dollar hole, it would seem the answer is yes. Karl Rove was not happy about Steele's election. Michael Steele tried to run for RNC Chairman in January of '08, but he was stymied by the establishment. When Steele won in '09, he brought in his own consultants and allies. One of those was Reince Priebus.

The new RNC Chairman seems to be independent of the Rove/Gillespie/Duncan crowd. He did get the endorsement of Governor Haley Barbour, however, and he has been a successful state chairman and fundraiser in Wisconsin. Speaker John Boehner endorsed Maria Cino, one of the Bush operatives and former Deputy Chairman of the RNC during the Bush Administration. Cino came in a surprising third in the first ballot, presumably the result of Boehner's lobbying for votes, but she was unable to close the deal. Another Bush ally, Ambassador Ann Wager, came in fifth on the first ballot and never gained momentum, finally withdrawing from the race after several ballots.

Early reports on Priebus are promising. At 38 years old, he is young, energetic, and competent. Cutting the RNC's ties to establishment Republicans in D.C. is a good thing. Voters have long observed that there is a disconnect between the RNC and the grassroots. Michael Steele seemingly did a pretty good job of getting out there and meeting grassroots voters. And he won elections. But Priebus watched Steele from the inside of RNC operations in his role as RNC Counsel, and his decision to challenge Steele speaks volumes.

RNC members with whom I have spoken are encouraged by the election of Priebus. The RNC must play a major role in the defeat of President Obama. Chairman Priebus has the ability; he will also need the support of all Republicans, including the establishment.

Governor Tim Pawlenty says No to Increased Debt Ceiling

2011-01-16T14:39:00.007-06:00

On FoxNews Sunday this morning, Governor Tim Pawlenty stated his opposition to raising the debt ceiling. His idea? Send the President emergency legislation which would allow spending to be sequenced in such a way as to avoid a default on government payments.

Pawlenty stated, “They (Congress) should not raise the debt ceiling. I believe they should pass legislation, allow them to sequence the spending as the revenues come in to make sure they don't default, and then have the debate about what other spending can be reduced.”

Very good idea. Is Congress listening?

Voter I.D.

2011-01-16T14:25:00.004-06:00

How any citizen of the United States can object to the requirement that a voter must show a government-issued photo I.D. in order to cast a ballot is beyond me.

We can't board an airplane without a government-issued photo I.D. We can't cash a check without one. And have you seen the requirements one must meet in order to vote in Mexico? You practically have to give a blood sample.

There are multiple voter I.D. bills making their way through the legislature. The only satisfactory bill is one which requires a government-issued photo I.D. Not a utility bill. Not a library card. Not a gym membership I.D.

This problem should never have gone on as long as it has - voter fraud is rampant. Contact your elected state representative and state senator to request their support of this vital legislation.

She's Baaaaack...

2011-01-15T17:26:00.006-06:00

Debra Medina is rumored to be a candidate for the U.S. Senate. She supported Joe Straus for Speaker, just fyi.

We've got David Dewhurst, Michael Williams, Roger Williams, Elizabeth Ames Jones, Tom Leppert, Ted Cruz, Joe Barton, and many more possible candidates. That's just on the GOP side.

There are certain to be challengers to Republican incumbents who supported Straus. There are certain to be challengers to Republican incumbents who didn't support Straus.

Not to mention the fact that we have a pretty important presidential primary on the Republican side of the aisle.

Texas will have four new congressional districts.

The 2012 primary will be one for the history books.

Senator Hutchison will not Seek Reelection

2011-01-13T23:23:00.004-06:00

Senator Hutchison announced today that she will not run for reelection in 2012, marking the end of her career in the United States Senate which began in June of 1993.

Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison began her career as a state representative from the Houston area in 1972. In 1990 she was elected Texas State Treasurer. In 1993, in the special election to fill the unexpired term of Lloyd Bentsen, she tied with Senator Bob Krueger out of a field of 24 candidates and ultimately won the runoff by 67%.

While Senator Hutchison and I have disagreed on issues, I have always found her to be straightforward and honest. She has never been a politician who tells you what you want to hear. That is a rare commodity in today’s political climate. Senator Hutchison was always willing to meet, to discuss issues in detail, and to consider all sides. She is also, in my opinion, one of the hardest-working elected officials in D.C. A tireless advocate for Texas, Senator Hutchison never stops working to strengthen our military, support our veterans, and supply the resources needed to make Texas competitive in every arena, whether it be our universities or NASA. I’ll never forget the prominent Texas flag in the corridor leading to her Senate office in D.C. She truly has a heart for Texas.

Please join me in thanking Senator Hutchison for her decades of service, and also for announcing in such a timely manner, allowing potential candidates ample opportunity to prepare for the 2012 campaign.

RNC Chairman Election is Friday, January 14

2011-01-13T16:04:00.001-06:00

The Winter Meeting of the Republican National Committee is currently underway in National Harbor, Maryland.

On Friday, January 14, the 168 Members will undertake the daunting task of electing the RNC Chairman and Co-Chairman. Michael Steele, the current Chairman, was elected in 2008 and has served as RNC Chairman for the last two years, along with Co-Chair Jan Larimer of Wyoming. Tomorrow's election will determine who will lead the Republican effort for the 2012 presidential campaign to defeat President Barack Obama.

Each state and territory has three (3) representatives on the RNC. Texas is represented by State Chairman Steve Munisteri, National Committeewoman Borah van Dormolen, and National Committeeman Bill Crocker. As of the writing of this email, Munisteri has not publicly committed; Van Dormolen and Crocker have publicly committed to support Saul Anuzis, former Chairman of the Michigan Republican Party.

As in 2008, there are multiple candidates, so the election will likely take several ballots before a winner is named. C-Span should be carrying the RNC Meeting live if you are interested in watching. For a list of the endorsements for each candidate, go to http://hotlineoncall.nationaljournal.com/archives/2011/01/updating-hotlin-5.php.

Here are the candidates:

Michael Steele - Incumbent (17 public commitments)

Reince Priebus - Chairman of the Wisconsin Republican Party (38 public commitments)

Saul Anuzis - former Chairman of Michigan Republican Party, also ran two years ago (14 public commitments)

Ann Wagner - former Chairman of the Missouri Republican Party, former Co-Chairman of the RNC, appointed as Ambassador to Luxembourg by President Bush (14 public commitments)

Maria Cino - operative from the Bush Administration, former RNC Deputy Chairman, endorsed by Speaker John Boehner (12 public commitments)

May the best man, or woman, win. Stay tuned!

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http://www.icontact-archive.com/nSEQkmUVF8tUtGrNjlAzBfVucGJCtip9?w=2

2011-01-13T16:00:00.000-06:00

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Speaker’s Race had it all: Heroes, Villains, and Double Agents

2011-01-12T11:45:00.007-06:00

Soap operas have nothing on the race for Speaker of the Texas House. And while Joe Straus has been reelected, the drama will no doubt continue. How will Straus treat the “fearless fifteen”? Will the LRB seek revenge on Paxton and his allies? Will Ken Paxton have a district after redistricting? Will Straus raise taxes to balance the budget? Will he push for legalized gambling? Will he be indicted? Who is recruiting primary opponents against whom? Are there any political consultants left who are not on Straus’ payroll?

When Ken Paxton announced as a candidate for Speaker, he was derided as a long shot, which was understandable considering that Straus had locked up a large majority of pledges. He was running as the people’s conservative candidate, and in the view of his supporters it was not so much about winning as it was about flushing out the Republicans. After all, the GOP has the votes to push a strong agenda. No excuses. Why elect a Speaker who is beholden to Democrats?

And if all conservatives had hung together, worked as a team, the pressure on those state reps willing to cede control to Democrats would have been intense. But it was not to be.

The power of the Speaker of the Texas House is a highly coveted possession. Egos got in the way of teamwork. In the end, it seems that some Straus foes decided that if they couldn’t be the candidates, then neither could Paxton.

Warren Chisum ran for speaker, but you might not have noticed. In speaking to my own state representative, Jim Jackson, it seemed that even some of Warren’s closest friends, as Jim is, wouldn’t support Chisum for Speaker. Paxton supporters were hopeful that Chisum was working with Paxton to form a strong anti-Straus coalition that would be united when it came time to choose the strongest candidate. Reportedly, Paxton and Chisum supporters had such a meeting. Paxton was ahead in pledges and enthusiasm, but Chisum refused to bow out. And as the vote grew closer, Chisum was all over the map. He went from candidate, to supporting Paxton, to nominating Paxton, to ultimately voting for Straus. Huh? What did Warren Chisum get for his support?

After the GOP Caucus meeting, Representative Wayne Christian spoke to the activists who were gathered in Austin. He told of Joe Straus’ manipulation of state rep campaigns across the state, of consultants who acted as “double agents” and who took money from Straus to influence candidates without the candidates’ knowledge. It seems that Joe Straus had the election covered from all angles, and there are currently at least two investigations being undertaken at the TEC.

Paxton supporters descended on the Capitol, wearing t-shirts, carrying signs, and vowing to hold their representatives accountable. Paxton, the night before the vote, announced that he was still in the running, despite the GOP caucus “vote.” Because it was not a secret ballot, the fear of retaliation cost Paxton votes. Insiders say that the caucus was manipulated; no big surprise there. But it was definitely a surprise when, moments before the session was to begin, Paxton decided to withdraw his candidacy. Who persuaded Paxton to drop out? Certain names have been mentioned, including some prominent conservatives. What about the grassroots? How did his withdrawal affect the final vote? We’ll never know the answer to that question.

In the end, the entire experience left activists, tea partiers, conservatives, and even some Paxton insiders bitterly disappointed. The good news is that the record vote for speaker was not unanimous, and fifteen representatives voted in protest against Speaker Straus. The candidate of the people may not have prevailed, but voters can now judge how their elected representative chose to handle this situation, and whether that representative deserves their support in the future. And that may be the most important reason for a Speaker’s race – because it all happens again in two short years.

Watching the Vote and Taking Names

2011-01-10T12:06:00.002-06:00

It is amazing that some misguided members of my own GOP are circulating and obviously agreeing with a post by a certain liberal editor of a popular liberal publication.

If you support Straus, give solid policy-oriented reasons why, but don't support media elitist liberals and their arguments of "bipartisan tradition" and the "it's already over" argument.

This vote, while still not over, may be a foregone conclusion and it may not. But I personally am thankful that Ken Paxton is running so that we, once and for all, will see who wants a conservative agenda to be successfully enacted and who doesn't.

This vote will go down in Texas political history as the day that we separated the sheep from the goats. It really is about policy, no matter what the Dems, the Mods, and the media say.

Ken Paxton is the only candidate of the three Speaker candidates who voted against a margins tax on businesses in Texas. He did not cave into the pressure from then-Speaker Tom Craddick. He stood on principle. The representatives voting today in the caucus and tomorrow in the opening session should do the same.

Will our Republican Super Majority Cede Control to Democrats?

2011-01-09T00:43:00.008-06:00

Not only did Republicans win big in November, the Texas House Republicans now have a super majority following the decision by two Democrats to switch parties. Will they take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, the way we know the Democrats would? Will they use this window to push through the legislation that Democrats have stymied for years? Or will they allow the Democrats to elect the Speaker of the Texas House, diluting the power that only a super majority can bestow?

When Democrats have the votes, they get down to business. As we saw with the Pelosi/Reid/Obama team over the last two years, it didn’t matter what the Republicans wanted. It didn’t even matter what the voters wanted. It only mattered that the Democrats push through their agenda, no matter the consequence. Now, even after substantial losses at the ballot box, the Democrats are still defiant and vowing to stop any attempt to repeal ObamaCare. Pelosi, Reid, and Obama are still in office, and their liberal agenda has not abated. Democrats are relentless, and they will always take advantage of power when it is in their grasp. Why don’t Republicans learn this lesson?

When the GOP has the votes, they too often fall victim to the “bipartisan” guilt trip emanating from the Democrats. We must work together, we must compromise, say the liberals. Media types and self-appointed wise men will hold forth about how Texas has a tradition of bipartisanship. Joe Straus has fallen victim to the Democrats’ promises of bipartisan cooperation. He would never have been elected in 2009 without their support. Legislation that should have passed last session did not pass because the Democrats stopped it from passing. That cannot be in dispute. Straus has the support of all of the Democrats in 2011. Why is that? Because he has promised to work with them. If they had the votes, do you think that the Democrats would work with the Republicans? Sure, they will work in a bipartisan fashion if it suits their agenda. But when it comes to true conservative initiatives, for instance the simple act of requiring a voter to show a photo identification in order to vote, they not only won’t cooperate, they vehemently oppose such measures. When it comes to cutting spending in order to balance the budget, they accuse Republicans of heartless cruelty. When it comes to securing our borders, they accuse Republicans of racism. The Democrats can spout propaganda about bipartisanship until the cows come home; but as soon as they have the votes, it’s back to their liberal agenda and their true colors. This super majority has a super opportunity. Let’s not forget that during this session. It’s time for Republicans to lead. If they won’t do it now, they may never have another chance.

Texas House Speaker's Race - 82nd Legislature

2011-01-06T14:04:00.006-06:00

The drumbeat from grassroots conservatives across Texas is deafening (see links below). We can now add Chuck Norris to the list of voters asking for a new Speaker - one elected from among the Republican caucus.

http://townhall.com/columnists/ChuckNorris/2011/01/04/will_the_112th_congress_finally_get_it_right/page/2

How each elected state representative votes in the Speaker's election will have repercussions in this session and beyond. A vote for Joe Straus may provide some perks during this session, but a pro-Straus vote will undoubtedly provoke conservatives in Republican districts. Such a vote could potentially attract a Republican primary opponent in 2012. At the very least, those supporting Straus will feel the wrath of their constituents.

GOP Caucus Chair Larry Taylor has scheduled the GOP Caucus for Monday, January 10, one day before the 82nd Legislature convenes. As a fellow activist, now is the time to contact your own state representative and find out how he or she intends to vote. The formal vote for Speaker is traditionally a unanimous vote, but that custom will be sorely tested on Tuesday when the Members gather to elect their next leader. Voters are paying close attention, and many plan to attend the opening session in person to watch the proceedings. For those of you unable to travel to Austin, you can watch the vote at this link: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/MnuHouse.aspx.

LISTED BELOW ARE LINKS TO OFFICIAL STATEMENTS, MESSAGES AND OPEN LETTERS BY INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS EXPRESSING OPPOSITION TO JOE STRAUS, SUPPORT FOR AN ALTERNATE CANDIDATE OR SUPPORT FOR A REPUBLICAN CAUCUS:

Conservative Policy Organizations and Activists (CLICK to Open)

Coalition Letter Calling for Change in House Leadership:

Heritage Alliance District-by-District Poll : 89% of GOP Voters Want Conservative for Speaker

Heritage Alliance Statewide Poll : 89% of GOP Primary Voters Want More Conservative Speaker

Statement of Young Conservatives of Texas:

Liberty Institute Call to Action on the Speakers' Race

Message from RedState.com:

Texas Patriots Tea Party : Why We Oppose Joe Straus

Denise McNamara's Endorsement of Ken Paxton

Republican Party Resolutions (CLICK to Open):

Resolution of the Texas State Republican Executive Committee

Resolution of the Tarrant County GOP Calling for a New House Speaker

Dallas County GOP Resolution Calling for Conservative Speaker

Texas Republican Assembly Endorses Ken Paxton

Rockwall County GOP Endorses Ken Paxton

Open Letter of the Denton County Republican Leadership

Travis County Republican Party Endorses Call for Conservative Speaker

Resolution of the Executive Committee of the Harris County Republican Party

Resolution of the Galveston County Republican Party

Resolution of the Johnson County Republican Party Executive Committee

Statement of Texas Republican Liberty Caucus:

An Open Letter to Bexar County Repubicans

Statement of Collin County Conservative Republicans

Hayes County Passes Resolution in Opposition to Joe Straus

GUN OWNERS:

Message from Gun Owners of America

"In spite of Texas being such a pro-gun state overall, the current Speaker of the House, Joe Straus, has impeded getting pro-Second Amendment legislation passed."

IMMIGRATION:

Message from NumbersUSA (Immigration)

"[Reform] is unlikely if Rep. Joe Straus continues in his role as Speaker."

PRO-LIFE:

Bishop Rene Henry Gracida : Joe Straus Must Not be elected Speaker of the Texas House

Texas Alliance for Life Endorses Ken Paxton for Speaker

Texas Right-to-Life Opposes Joe Straus

Message from RNC Life (Pro-Life)

"Clearly, Joe Strauss is NOT pro-life,"

Texas Alliance for Life : Chisum and Paxton Answer Pro-Life Survey; Straus Does Not

Cathie Adams (Texas Eagle Forum) : Straus is NOT Pro-Life

TAXPAYER WATCHDOGS:

Empower Texans : 6,200 Texans Sign Letter Calling for Change in Leadership

Why Americans for Prosperity is Weighing in on the Speakers' Race

Message from Dick Armey / FreedomWorks

PRO-FAMILY CONSERVATIVES:

Message of David Barton of Wallbuilders (Traditional Constitutionalist)

Texas Eagle Forum Alert on the Speakers' Race

Texas Pastor Council : Why the Texas House Needs A Conservative Speaker

Texas Home School Coalition : Minority Mentality

Message from Gov. Mike Huckabee / HUCKPAC:

Letters and Statements of Texas Legislators (CLICK to Open):

Reps. Flynn, Hughes, Berman and Christian Endorse Ken Paxton

Rep. Leo Berman's Open Letter

Rep. Bryan Hughes' Open Letter:

Rep. Jodie Laubenberg's Statement:

Rep. Tan Parker's Statement:

Rep. Phil King Wants New Speaker

Former Rep. Bill Keffer's Message:

Rep.-Elect Kenneth Sheets:

Reps.-Elect Jim Landtroop and Charles Perry:

Rep.-Elect Cindy Burkett:

Rep.-Elect Bill Zedler:

Rep.-Elect David Simpson:

Reps.-Elect Erwin Cain and James White

Rep.-Elect Van Taylor

And We're Off...112th Congress and 82nd Legislature

2011-01-06T12:08:00.010-06:00

Legislative Happenings – January 2011

112th Congress

Yesterday, Wednesday, January 5th, Nancy Pelosi became the Former Speaker of the House.

Newly-sworn-in House Speaker John Boehner gave his first speech as the Republican Speaker, reminding Members that, “The people voted to end business as usual, and today we begin carrying out their instructions.” He added, “In the Catholic faith, we enter into a season of service by having ashes marked on our foreheads. The ashes remind us that life in all its forms is fragile – our time on this Earth, fleeting. As the ashes are delivered, we hear those humbling words “Remember you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”

Today Members of Congress began the session with the reading of the Constitution.

One of Boehner’s first priorities will be to push legislation to repeal ObamaCare. The proposed bill is entitled “Repealing the Job-Killing Health Care Law Act” and it is only two pages long. Republicans, and especially the newly elected freshmen, many of whom rode into office vowing to repeal government-controlled healthcare, plan an all-out assault on ObamaCare. The top five Democrat Senators: Reid, Durbin, Schumer, Murray and Stabenow, have vowed to block any attempts at repeal.

The House yesterday passed House Resolution 5 to adopt the Rules of the 111th Congress except as amended. These amendments include:

• All legislation must include a reference to specific language in the Constitution that authorizes the legislative proposal;
• Legislation cannot be considered unless it has been available for public viewing for three days;
• Members cannot consider legislation that has the net effect of spending more money over the span of one, five and 10 years — the "cut-as-you-go" provision, which replaces the "pay-as-you-go" concept.

The question of whether or not to raise the debt ceiling is another battle that is brewing in Congress. Senator Jim DeMint of SC believes the GOP should stand firm to avoid an increase in the debt ceiling, but congressional Republicans will likely end up voting to raise the ceiling as part of a larger deal to cut spending.

The Obama administration, unable to get Cap and Trade passed, is ramping up its radical environmental agenda through ever-increasing government regulations. The EPA has mandated new climate regulations for industrial plants and plans to set national emissions standards for power plants and refineries specifically in 2012. Incoming House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-Mich.) is weighing how best to attack EPA climate change rules. Stay tuned.

Congressmen Joe Barton and Michael Burgess, along with Marsha Blackburn, have introduced legislation to repeal the ban on incandescent light bulbs. The Better Use of Light Bulb Act (H.R. 6144) repeals the ban passed in 2007, which closed U.S. manufacturing plants in favor of more cheaply made compact fluorescent light bulbs, or CFLs, which are made in China.

82nd Texas Legislature Republicans, who now have a Super Majority in the Texas House, will caucus on Monday, January 10th. The purpose of the caucus is to elect a Republican speaker from among the Republicans and to avoid Democrat influence. The election of a new speaker will be the first battle in what promises to be an eventful session. The following are the major issues facing legislators:

Budget – with a multi-billion dollar shortfall, Republicans aim to balance the budget with no tax increase
Voter ID – this important initiative failed last time, but the GOP’s majority should have no problem passing a law which requires a photo ID proving eligibility in order to vote.
Redistricting- Texas gets four new congressional districts.

TFRW Legislative Day, a day to lobby your elected officials, is March 3, 2011.

Merry Christmas from the McNamaras!

2010-12-15T16:45:00.004-06:00

from The McNamara Family

Tim, Denise, Timmy (20), Taylor(18), Mackenzie (16), and Pierce (12)

Immanuel, God with us...

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16

And suddenly there was the angel, a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying: "Glory to Godin the highest." Luke 2:13

All Kings shall pay Him homage, all nations shall serve Him. Psalm 72:11

Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11

She shall bring forth a son, and thou shall call His name Jesus; for He shall save His people from their sins." Matthew 1:21

We have seen His star in the East, and have come to worship Him." Matthew 2:2

Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name." Philippians 2:9

And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. Luke 1:14

"Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel" (which means, God with us). Matthew 1:23

Texas Legislators Face Budget Deficit

2010-12-10T11:01:00.003-06:00

With Texas lawmakers facing a several billion dollar budget deficit in the upcoming legislative session, it seems that the Legislative Budget Board (LLB) has its work cut out for it. Exactly what is the Legislative Budget Board? According to its web site, “The Legislative Budget Board (LLB) is a permanent joint committee of the Texas Legislature that develops budget and policy recommendations for legislative appropriations for all agencies of state government, as well as completes fiscal analyses for proposed legislation. The LBB also conducts evaluations and reviews for the purpose of identifying and recommending changes that improve the efficiency and performance of state and local operations and finances.”

Prior to the creation of the LBB in 1949, individual appropriations bills funded state agencies. In 1973 the LBB’s powers were expanded to include analyses of the performance of state agencies and the creation of fiscal notes to estimate the probable cost of proposed legislation and resolutions. The LBB is made up of the Lieutenant Governor, Speaker of the House, Chair of Senate Finance, Chair of House Ways and Means, Chair of House Appropriations, three appointed Senate members, two appointed House members.

The good news is that there is more than one way to come up with a budget. When Texas Legislators report to Austin in January, they will have three possible methods for creating a budget:
• Baseline budgeting,
• Zero-based budgeting, and
• Performance-based budgeting. Baseline budgeting begins with the existing budget as a starting point; zero-based budgeting starts the process from scratch; and performance-based budgeting begins by identifying the core functions of government, requiring agencies to rank their activities based on priority.

From 1973 to 1991 the LBB practiced zero-based budgeting, a process in which each state agency begins from zero and must justify every dollar budgeted. This method was also used successfully in 2003 during an economic situation similar to today, a multi-billion dollar deficit and recession, allowing legislators to balance the budget without raising taxes. Performance-based budgeting, while the preferable method on paper, requires more time and resources. Governor Perry, Lieutenant Governor Dewhurst, and Speaker Joe Strauss have already requested that state agencies identify a percentage of their current budgets to be cut, following the baseline budgeting method. As demonstrated in 2003, zero-based budgeting is an efficient and effective way to cut the budget.

Contact your legislator and let them know your opinion on the best way to handle the looming budget crisis.