Author Archive

Contact Information:
(817) 381-8282

Early Voting starts today and runs through Friday, May 23rd. Early voting locations are now open in Parker and Wise counties. With numerous important statewide and local races yet to be determined, every vote counts!

Early voting locations are:

Parker County

7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, May 19-23.

Parker County Annex, 112 Santa Fe Dr.;
Springtown City Hall, 102 East 2nd St.;
Peaster Fire Department, 221 Judd Street;
Willow Park Municipal Building, 516 Ranch House Road;
Aledo Community Center, 104 Robinson Ct.;
Old Brock ISD Admin. Building, 100 Grindstone; and
Azle Masonic Lodge, 257 W. Main St.

Wise County

8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, May 19 – May 23.

Decatur City Hall, 201 E. Walnut St.;
Rhome City Hall, 105 1st St.; and
Bridgeport Law Enforcement Center, 1000 Thompson St.

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.

Contact Information:
(817) 381-8282

AUSTIN, TX – State Representative Phil King (R-Weatherford) was named to the Joint Interim Committee to Study Water Desalination. The committee is charged with examining the status of seawater and groundwater desalination in Texas, as well as ways that expanded use of desalinated water could help meet Texas’ needs.

“Water continues to remain a top priority for Texas and for our community,” King stated. “Looking at alternative solutions to address our future water needs is critical for ensuring a strong Texas economy.”

During the 83rd Legislative Session, HB 4 was passed and signed into law by Governor Perry. This legislation established the SWIFT account to pay for needed water supply and conservation projects across Texas. Last November, Texans voted by a three-to-one margin to dedicate funding for those projects in the Texas Constitution.

The appointees will work to ensure that efforts to improve the state’s water supply are properly and effectively implemented. They will also help the full House prepare to address water matters in the next legislative session, which begins in January 2015.

Contact Information:
(817) 381-8282

Wise County and Parker County Early Voting Locations and Hours

Early Voting Dates: February 18 – February 28, 2014
Primary Election Day: March 4, 2014

For Wise County:

8:00 am – 5:00 pm – WEEKDAYS

Decatur City Hall, 201 E Walnut, Decatur, TX
Rhome City Hall, 105 1st Street, Rhome, TX
Bridgeport Law Enforcement, 1000 Thompson Street, Bridgeport, TX

Walmart, 800 S US HWY 81-287, Decatur, TX (ONLY – Saturday, February 22 – 9:00am – 6:00pm)

For Parker County:

Locations:
Parker County Courthouse Annex, 112 Santa Fe Dr., Weatherford, TX
Springtown City Hall, 102 E 2nd St., Springtown, TX
Willow Park Municipal, 516 Ranch House Rd., Willow Park, TX
Peaster Fire Department, 221 Judd St., Peaster, TX
Azle Masonic Lodge, 257 W Main St., Azle, TX
Aledo Community Center, 114 Robinson Ct., Aledo, TX
Old Brock ISD Admin. Building, 100 Grindstone Road, Brock, TX

Hours:
Tuesday, February 18 – Friday, February 21: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
Saturday, February 22: 7:00 am – 7:00 pm
Sunday, February 23: 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
Monday, February 24 – Friday, February 28: 7:00 am to 7:00 pm

Contact Information:
(817) 381-8282

AUSTIN – To celebrate Christmas at the Texas Capitol, Representative Phil King (R-Weatherford) presented a special ornament from District 61 that is displayed on the Lone Star Celebration Christmas Tree in the House Chamber at the Texas State Capitol.

Melanie Singleton, a local artist and owner of Singleton Art Studio in Bridgeport, designed this year’s ornament that depicts an interpretation of peach blossoms and pecans that are an important asset to the rural landscape of District 61, which includes Wise and Parker counties.

“I am privileged to submit this true piece of art on behalf of District 61, King stated.” Having Melanie as the artist for the district ornament is an incredible opportunity for both her and our district. It is with great honor to share a piece of our history with thousands of visitors who will travel to Austin this holiday season to visit their State Capitol and view the Lone Star Celebration Christmas Tree.”

The district ornament project was initiated in 2009 to give all of the unique Texas communities a place on the Lone Star Celebration Christmas Tree in the Chamber of the Texas House of Representatives. The ornaments were placed on the tree on December 6, 2013, and will hang through January 2, 2014. The story of each ornament is displayed in an album in the House Chamber so that visitors to the Capitol may learn each ornament’s story.

The album may also be viewed online at: http://www.house.state.tx.us/resources/holiday-ornaments/

Contact Information:
(817) 381-8282

AUSTIN, TX – Last week, State Representative Phil King signed a letter submitted by the Texas Conservative Coalition to Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott supporting Texas Adjutant General John Nichols in his decision to withhold state benefits to same-sex couples who serve in the Texas Military Forces (TXMF).

“The Texas Constitution recognizes only a union between one man and one woman as a lawful marriage,” King stated. “I support and applaud General Nichols in his position to withhold state benefits from same-sex couples who serve in the Texas Military Forces and for upholding our Texas Constitution.”

Recently, United State Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel announced his directive to extend family and partner benefits to same-sex couples for active US military personnel due to the U.S. Supreme Court decision that found Section II of the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) unconstitutional. While TXMF is a state agency that is under federal authority in limited and well-defined circumstances, per the state constitution, the Adjutant General is bound by oath and duty to uphold laws in the State of Texas. Offering state benefits to same-sex couples who serve in the TXMF would be a direct violation of the Texas Constitution and Texas State Law.

A letter to Attorney General Greg Abbott, signed by Representative King and 48 other legislators, asks that the Attorney General issue an opinion in support of the Texas Constitution, which prohibits state agencies – specifically the Texas Military Forces – from recognizing same-sex marriage.

A copy of the Texas Conservative Coalition letter can be found at HERE.

Contact Information:
(817) 381-8282

AUSTIN – Today, State Representative Phil King (R-Weatherford) announced that he will seek re-election in the Texas House of Representatives. A proven leader for Parker and Wise counties, King serves as State Representative for Texas House District 61.

“It has been the honor of my life to serve the people of District 61 in the Texas House of Representatives,” King stated, “I have spent my tenure in office fighting for limited government, individual liberty, free enterprise and traditional values. I will continue to fight for these principles that are so critical to our district, to Texas and to our nation.”

King currently serves as a member of the Energy Resources and Pensions committees. He also serves on the board of directors for the American Legislative Exchange Council, the Texas Conservative Coalition Research Institute, and as vice-chair of the Texas Legislative Tea Party Caucus.

King is a practicing attorney with the firm of Eggleston Flowers & King. Representative King and his family are longtime members of Trinity Bible Church. Phil and his wife Terry are the proud parents of six children, four granddaughters and four grandsons.

King will appear as a candidate on the 2014 Republican Primary ballot. The Texas primary election date is set for March 4th, 2014.

Contact Information:
(817) 381-8282

I wanted to remind you that this weekend – August 9th, 10th, and 11th – is the state’s annual sales tax holiday. Texans will not pay sales tax on most clothing, footwear, school supplies and backpacks priced under $100. This exemption also includes items sold over the internet, television, or by mail.

For more information please visit the Texas Comptroller’s website by clicking HERE. It is a pleasure to serve you in the Texas Legislature.

Sincerely,

Phil King

Mr. John Keel
State Auditor’s Office
P.O. Box 12067
Austin, TX 78711-­‐2067

Dear Mr. Keel:

We are writing to express our support for an audit of the Texas Education Services Center Curriculum Collaborative (TESCCC) and CSCOPE program, which has already been requested by Senator Dan Patrick and the Attorney General’s office.

As you know, the CSCOPE program was created by TESCC and, until recently, provided approximately 1,600 internet-based lesson plans and exams to Texas school districts. Mounting controversies over the past year culminated in successful efforts to end CSCOPE.

Earlier this year, it was alleged that school districts were attempting to charge parents hundreds of dollars in order to access CSCOPE lesson materials in direct violation of Section 26.006(a) of the Texas Education Code, which provides that parents are “entitled to review all teaching materials, instructional materials, and other teaching aids used in the classroom of the parent’s child.” There have also been allegations that the TESCCC has lacked transparency. Access to TESCC meetings and minutes were denied until the Attorney General insisted that the Texas Open Meetings Act required that they be open and available. Another concern was that development of CSCOPE by TESCCC was funded with public money, making it difficult to justify requiring taxpayers to pay for the service twice, the second time being when CSCOPE lessons were puchased by schools. Recently-as Senator Dan Patrick stated in a letter sent to your office-questions have arisen regarding nonconformity with state bidding processes, as well as expenditure-related issues.

The 83rd Legislature passed important legislation in the form of Senate Bill 1406, which requires that CSCOPE curricula be subjected to the same review and adoption process by the State Board of Education (SBOE) that is already applied to instructional materials. Additionally, in a major development, the TESCCC agreed to end production of CSCOPE lesson plans beginning on August 31, 2013.

Unfortunately, recent statements from Texas Education Agency (TEA) attorney David Anderson indicate a belief on the part of TEA that Texas schools may continue using CSCOPE lessons because they are now part of the public domain and no law prohibits them from doing so. The SBOE is set to consider the public domain argument in a meeting planned for September 18. However, this issue remains unresolved.

Senator Patrick and the Attorney General’s office have requested an audit of TESCCC and CSCOPE program from the time of its inception. Considering the numerous controversies surrounding CSCOPE, we believe that such an audit is warranted in the interests of transparency and accountability.

Sincerely,

Sen. Bob Deuell

Sen. Dan Patrick

Rep. Charles “Doc” Anderson

Rep. Cindy Burkett

Rep. Dan Flynn

Rep. Linda Harper-Brown

Rep. Phil King

Rep. Jodie Laubenberg

Rep. Geanie W. Morrison

Rep. Tan Parker

Rep. Ron Simmons

Contact Information:
(817) 381-8282

AUSTIN – Representative Phil King (R – Weatherford) was recognized by the Texas Eagle Forum with a top conservative rating in the Texas House. Representative King earned this accolade based on casting consistently conservative votes throughout the 83rd Texas Legislative Session and both Special Sessions.

Rep. King is a courageous defender of:

-our Constitutional right to keep and bear arms,
-smaller government benefiting every taxpayer,
-integrity at the ballot box,
-a great education for every child,
-human life, both born and pre-born,
-& more…

“Rep. King serves his constituents extremely well on both fiscal and social issues. We especially appreciate his tireless efforts for life during the special sessions,” stated Cathie Adams, president of Texas Eagle Forum. “His invitation to Gov. Mike Huckabee to attend the Texas life rally in Austin greatly helped bring about the final victory.”

Contact Information:
(817) 381-8282

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

“In May my office began to receive calls from residents regarding a contractor for the City of Ft. Worth dumping human waste near their homes that gave off a horrible odor,” King stated. “I called Ft. Worth Mayor Betsy Price, who immediately ordered the contractor to cease dumping until our concerns were addressed. I also contacted the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) requesting an investigation. TCEQ has since issued an enforcement letter to the contractor directing that dumping operations cease pending further investigation.”

“On June 18th, TCEQ held a formal hearing in Austin on this matter,” King explained. “I believe the regulations on waste dumping are clearly insufficient and I requested that TCEQ strengthen these rules. At the formal hearing, the Commission decided to initiate a process to change those regulations and the first of several meetings in this process will take place on August 13, in Springtown. I encourage citizens to attend and give input to the Commission.”

“Parker and Wise County officials have also been very engaged in responding to this problem. We are working together to see this process through to a positive outcome,” King concluded.

TCEQ will hold several different hearings and meetings over the next few months as they formulate the proposed new rules. The first meeting is slated for August 13th at 7 p.m. at the Springtown Senior Center, 1070 N. Main Street. All concerned parties are welcome to come and give their input to the Commission.