Texas Legislative Session Issue Update: Texas Sovereignty

Dear Friend:

With the Obama Administration’s irresponsible spending and the out of control federal government implementing costly regulations every day, it is important that Texas stand up against the encroachment upon our sovereignty. This legislative session several bills were passed that work toward this end. Please understand that these bills are not fix-alls, but are important steps in our fight against an overreaching federal government.

These bills include:

HCR 18 – Calls on the United States Congress to propose and submit to the states a federal balanced budget amendment to the United States Constitution. Texas operates on a balanced budget and is economically the most successful state in the U.S. Until Congress starts operating their budget more like Texas does, federal spending will be out of control.

HB 5 – Allows Texas to enter a “Health Care Compact”, or an interstate compact, which will provide the flexibility to fight back against the expensive health care mandates from the federal government. This bill is making its way through the legislature and is expected to be passed by next week.

HB 2510 – Exempts the intrastate manufacture of light bulbs from federal regulation. The federal government recently banned the sale of certain types of light bulbs, which will be extremely costly. This bill will allow Texans to buy whatever type of light bulbs they would like to use as long as they are manufactured and sold only in Texas.

SB 875 – Helps protect Texas businesses from greenhouse gas nuisance and trespass lawsuits that stemmed from the EPA’s unilateral and flawed proposed regulation of greenhouse gases.

HB 41 – Makes it a criminal offense for a government official to intrusively touch a person seeking access to a public building or transportation without probable cause. Since the federal government implemented their stringent “groping” policies at airports across the nation, many Texans have been subjected to inappropriate touching and groping by government agents. This bill will prohibit these actions from taking place in Texas. HB 41 is hoped to be passed during this special session.

I am encouraged at the progress Texas made this session in fighting the federal government’s encroachment on our state, and hope other states will follow our example. It is a pleasure to serve you in the Texas Legislature.

Thank you,

Phil King
State Representative