Author Archive

This week marked an important juncture in the 84^th Legislative Session and also one of the busiest days yet. The House advanced legislation that will further secure our border, and the State & Federal Power & Responsibility Committee continued to look at ways to rein in the federal government.

Bill Filing Deadline

Friday was the last day to file bills in both the House and the Senate. Historically this is one of the busiest days of any session, this year being no different. Nearly 1,000 bills were filed last Friday alone! This single day surge of bill filings represents about 15% of all the bills filed this session.

House Leads On Border Security

Department of Public Safety officers patrol the border

The House made significant advances on a long-term plan to secure our southern border this week. This plan would add 250 state police officials on the border, strengthen anti-smuggling laws, and create new southbound vehicle checkpoints. I strongly favor a long-range plan that allows the Department of Public Safety to boost their manpower and patrols along the border. Protecting Texans and securing the border will continue to be a top priority for the House.

Curbing Federal Power

I am proud to be the Chairman of the Select Committee on State & Federal Power & Responsibility, which is charged with examining the effects of the federal government’s spending and actions on Texas. Our committee met for nearly 6 hours this week to evaluate how Texas can push back against an ever-growing federal government.

The 10^th Amendment is a viable option in many cases where the federal government exceeds its legal authority. I am a Joint Author on House Bill (HB) 98 otherwise known as the Texas Balance of Powers Act. This bill was the first bill our committee heard this session and gives statutory authority and direction to the Legislature to curb constitutional abuses by federal government under the 10^th Amendment.

With the national debt ballooning to over $18 trillion and likely to reach $27 trillion by 2025, states are looking at ways to not only insulate themselves from the federal government but also look at what they can do to get our country back on the right fiscal path. Article V of the United States Constitution is a tool states are looking at to help pull our country back from the fiscal cliff. Alexander Hamilton wrote, “We may safely rely on the disposition of the State legislatures to erect barriers against encroachment of the national authority.” Article V gives the states the power to address national problems when the federal government refuses to do so. The committee took up four pieces of legislation relating to Article V, and we heard from folks who traveled from as far as Lubbock to make their voice heard on this topic. You can watch a replay of the hearing by clicking here.

Office Visits

One of my favorite parts of each day is getting to visit with constituents and friends from home. If you are visiting the Capitol please don’t ever hesitate and stop by to say hello. My staff and I love hearing about issues that matter to you.

Meeting with the Ft. Worth Builder’s Association

Legislative Update: February 20, 2015

It has been a very busy week in Austin. Committees have started to meet, and legislators are working hard to ensure we have a productive session. Here are some highlights from the last few days:

Wise County Day

This week I had the privilege to introduce a resolution recognizing February 17 as Wise County Day at the Capitol. It was great to see so many folks from home in Austin. We had a very productive time working on issues important to District 61. I always enjoy seeing friends from the district. If you are ever in town please know the door is always open to constituents.

The Wise County delegation at the Capitol

State of the State Address

Governor Abbott recognizes Richard Overton for his service

Governor Abbott gave his State of the State address on Tuesday. He laid out an ambitious agenda and declared five emergency items for the Legislature to consider. Governor Abbott’s emergency priorities include more funding for pre-K programs, border security, ethics reform, transportation and higher education research funding. By declaring these emergency items, the House and Senate can take up these five issues faster than is normally allowed.

One of my favorite moments from the speech is when Governor Abbott recognized Richard Overton. At 108 years old, Mr. Overton is the oldest living World War II veteran in the United States.

Watch Governor Abbott’s speech here

Texas leads the fight against President Obama’s executive amnesty

Governor Abbott, Senator Cruz, Lt. Governor Patrick and Attorney General Paxton discuss the state’s victory this week

I was proud this week to see Texas win a huge victory for the rule of law in America over President Obama’s executive amnesty order. Governor Abbott began this law suit as one of his last acts as attorney general. General Paxton has taken the baton and continues this fight.

Read more about the case here

Committee Hearing on Article V

One of the central duties of my role as Chairman of the Select Committee on State & Federal Power & Responsibility is to explore ways how Texas can push back against an ever-growing and runaway federal government. Recently, there has been a growing movement across the country regarding the use of Article V of the U.S. Constitution as a tool for the states to use as a check against Congress. I am excited that next Thursday, February 26, experts from across the country will be in Austin to testify at our first committee hearing which will be dedicated to learning more about Article V. Among the experts will be former Senator Tom Coburn (OK) & Mike Farris with the Convention of States Project, Roman Buhler of the Madison Coalition and Nick Dranias who is with Compact for America.

You can watch the committee hearing online here. The hearing is scheduled to start at 10:30 or upon final adjournment from the House floor. Most likely, the hearing will start right around 11:30am. We will send you an update next week as the hearing approaches.

If you would like to learn more about Article V click here

It is an honor to serve you in Austin. If I can ever be of assistance please don’t hesitate to call my office at (512) 463-0738.

God Bless,

Phil King

King: “I am Eager to Serve as Chairman of the State and Federal Power and Responsibility Committee”

AUSTIN – The following statement may be attributed to State Representative Phil King (R-Weatherford):

“Yesterday the Speaker of the Texas House announced committee assignments for the 84^th Legislative Session. I am excited to announce that I will be serving as Chair of the State and Federal Power and Responsibility Committee and also serving on the House Committee on Energy Resources and the House Committee on Environmental Regulation. I am exceptionally pleased with these opportunities.”

The House Committee on State and Federal Power and Responsibility will monitor actions of the federal government, including federal legislation and regulations that require or advise that states take certain actions or the actions of the federal government in providing or failing to provide services to the state. “This committee is about federalism and the proper balance between the state and federal government. We will be considering various issues relating to the Tenth Amendment, Article V constitutional amendment initiatives, unfunded federal mandates, and issues relating to the federal budget and its impact on Texas.”

“I am also pleased to be serving on the Energy Resources Committee and the Environmental Regulation Committee. Energy production accounts for over one-fourth of the Texas economy and is an economic driver in the Barnett Shale area. Also, issues relating to air, water and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality affect Texas’ families and businesses everyday.”

“These committees deal with extremely important topics facing Texas and I am eager and honored to have the opportunity to get to work on these critical matters.”

Weekly Lege Update – January 23, 2015

Last week we began the first week of session, which will take place over the next 5 months in Austin for 140 days.

The Legislature passed HR 4, which sets up all of the procedural rules that will govern the proceedings and operations of the lower chamber for the 84^th Legislative session. This is a critical step and the Texas House is now prepared to undertake the people’s business.

Our first new Governor since 2000, Greg Abbott was officially sworn in on Tuesday. Thousands descended upon the State House to watch the historical swearing in ceremony, which was followed by a parade and inaugural ball.

Our new Comptroller, Glenn Hegar announced lawmakers would have roughly $113 billion for preparing the state budget for the 2016-17 Biennium. The Legislative Budget Board released their budget recommendations for the Texas House. These recommendations are the starting point for the base budget bill.

This week the Speaker of the House began the process of selecting committee assignments for the 84^th Legislative Session. Each member of the legislature receives a preference card where he/she selects his or her top committee assignment preferences. The Speaker takes these preferences into consideration when giving out committee assignments. One selection is based on seniority and the other by Speakers preference. Committee assignments are two year terms.

I officially began serving my term as National Chair for the American Legislative Exchange Council. ALEC is the largest public-private membership association of state legislators and we work to advance limited government, free markets and federalism at the state level through this partnership. To learn more about ALEC and what we are doing visit: http://www.alec.org/.

Parker and Wise County Early Voting Locations and Hours:Early Voting Dates: Monday, October 20 – Friday, October 31, 2014Election Day: November 4th, 2014

For Parker County:

Monday, Oct. 20 – Friday, Oct. 24 8:00 a.m – 5:00 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday, Oct. 27 – Friday, Oct. 31 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.

During Early Voting, you can vote at any of these locations:

Parker County Courthouse Annex 1112 Santa Fe Dr., Weatherford, TX Annex Kitchen Springtown City Hall 102 East 2nd St., Springtown, TX City Council Meeting Room Peaster Fire Department 220 Judd St., Peaster, TX Meeting Room Willow Park Municipal Building 516 Ranch House Rd., Willow Park, TX City Council Meeting Room Aledo Community Center 104 Robinson Ct., Aledo, TX Meeting Room Old Brock ISD Admin. Building 100 Grindstone Rd., Brock, TX Meeting Room

For Wise County:

Monday, Oct. 20 – Friday, Oct. 24 8:00 a.m – 5:00 p.m. *Saturday, Oct. 25 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. *Sunday, Oct. 26 12 p.m. – 5 p.m. Monday, Oct. 27 – Friday, Oct. 31 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.

*Saturday and Sunday early voting ONLY at Decatur City Hall

During Early Voting, you can vote at any of these locations:

Decatur City Hall 201 E Walnut St., Decatur, TX

Rhome City Hall 105 1st St., Rhome, TX

Bridgeport Law Enforcement Center 1000 Thompson St., Bridgeport, TX

For More Information Contact: (817) 381-8282

For Immediate Release –
October 17, 2014

Austin, TX – Representative Phil King (R-Weatherford) calls for an immediate ban on all commercial flights traveling from foreign destinations where Ebola is a crisis issue.

“The simple truth is, had we had a flight ban in place, we would not have people infected from Dallas today,” said Phil King, State Representative for HD 61.

Today, a letter was sent to President Barack Obama signed by Representative King and 45 other Texas legislators urging the President and Congress to work to institute a travel ban to ensure that no further cases of Ebola are brought to the United States.

To view the full text of the letter, click HERE.

October 16, 2014

The Honorable Barack Obama

President of the United States of America

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue

Washington, D.C. 20500

Dear Mr. President,

Texas is home to a limited but very serious outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus. Our state is the site of the only two known human-to-human transmissions of the disease in the history of the United States. As such, we request that you use your authority to institute a ban on direct commercial travel to the United States from foreign destinations where Ebola is a crisis issue (chiefly many Western African nations). We further request that you use your authority to prohibit travel to the United States if the traveler’s journey began or involved a stop in a country where Ebola is a crisis issue.

Two health care professionals in Dallas are currently suffering from Ebola, and many more individuals who came into contact with those confirmed to be infected with the virus are being monitored. The situation simply cannot be made worse by additional instances of the Ebola virus being brought to the United States from Western African nations.

As you know, the two confirmed cases both resulted from an Ebola-infected Liberian citizen, Thomas Eric Duncan, traveling to the United States via Belgium to visit family in Dallas on September 20. It has been widely reported that Mr. Duncan showed no signs of having contracted Ebola when he made his journey to the United States. It is for this reason that a travel ban is appropriate: without such a ban it is probable that other individuals who have contracted the virus but who show no symptoms will travel to, and enter the United States. The ban must apply to direct travel from nations where Ebola is a crisis issue, and to journeys that began or involved a stop in such countries.

As elected officials, our first duty is to protect the safety of those we represent. Preventing a public health crisis by ensuring that individuals who may have contracted Ebola are not able to travel to the United States is an essential part of this duty. Therefore, we respectfully request that you work urgently with the Federal Aviation Administration, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to ensure that no further cases of Ebola are brought to the United States via commercial air travel from countries where the virus is a crisis issue.

Sincerely,

For More Information Contact: (817) 381-8282

For Immediate Release –
August 7, 2014King Named National Chair for American Legislative Exchange Council

AUSTIN — State Representative Phil King has been named next year’s national chair of the American Legislative Exchange Council, an assignment that will put the Weatherford Republican atop one of most influential national groups focused on state policy.

To view the announcement, CLICK HERE.

State Representative Phil King House District 61

Contact: (817) 381-8282

For Immediate Release –

July 13, 2014

The following statement can be attributed to State Representative Phil King (R-Weatherford):

“Earlier this afternoon I received a call from Parker County Sheriff Larry Fowler regarding the sexual assault of a nine year old girl. It is inconceivable that a man who has been deported four times is back in our country to assault a child after breaking into her home. What is it that Washington, DC does not understand about the need to secure our border against criminals? As a former police officer, I can assure you this crime would have never occurred if our border had been properly secured, preventing his reentry after deportation.”

Click HERE to view the Press Release from the office of Sheriff Larry Fowler.

Consumer Warning:

Scammers Mimic Electric Companies, Threaten to Cut Electricity During Summer Heat to Get Your Personal Financial Information
Consumers in doubt should call electric companies directly to verify account status; avoid giving financial or personal information to unsolicited callers or emailers

AUSTIN — In response to a scam affecting consumers cross Texas, members of the Association of Electric Companies of Texas (AECT) are warning consumers of unsolicited calls and emails that threaten to cut off electricity to consumers who don’t share personal information like bank accounts or Social Security numbers.

The scammers do not have the ability to cut electric service, but consumers may be more vulnerable to the possibility of service interruptions during the summer, when the prospect of losing electric service becomes more serious due to the heat.

“Service reliability is vital in the electric industry, and electric companies take their obligations to their customers seriously,” said John Fainter, president and CEO of the Association of Electric Companies of Texas. “We regard any efforts to undermine our reputations as significant threats. Law enforcement officials, electric companies and consumer organizations are diligently investigating these scams, and want to alert customers to stay vigilant this summer and beyond.”

Reminders for consumers:

• Electricity customers should never provide Social Security numbers, credit card numbers or bank account information to anyone who requests them during unsolicited phone calls, from emails, etc.
• If you are ever in doubt about a call concerning your electricity account status, especially one that threatens to disconnect your service, hang up and call the number on your electric bill to check your account status yourself.
• Other red flags include a threat that your service may be terminated suddenly when you haven’t received any other warnings, or being contacted by a company that doesn’t normally send you electric bills.

Contact Information:
(817) 381-8282

Today is Election Day for the Primary Runoff and the last day for your voice to be heard. Encourage your spouse, family, and friends to cast their vote. With numerous important statewide races and an election with low voter turnout, your vote carries more weight than ever!

Statewide Races on the Republican Ballot include:

Lt. Governor
Dan Patrick
David Dewhurst

Attorney General
Ken Paxton
Dan Branch

Commissioner of Agriculture
Sid Miller
Tommy Merritt

Railroad Commissioner
Wayne Christian
Ryan Sitton

To view local races on your ballot in Parker County, please click HERE.

Don’t forget you will need to vote in your neighborhood precinct polling location. Polls are open from 7 am – 7 pm.

Voting locations are:

Parker County

7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

To view your precincts Election Day polling location, click HERE.

Wise County

7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Commissioner 1 pcts 1-2-3-4-5-6-22 – Decatur City Hall

Commissioner 2 pcts 7-8-9-10-11-12-18-19 – Assumption Catholic Church

Commissioner 3 pcts 20-23-24-25-27- Boyd Community Center

Commissioner 4 pct 13-14-15-16-17 – Bridgeport High School