News

Texas’ tradition of leading the way in state-level exchange and relations with Israel extends back generations. Texas’ bilateral trade with Israel now exceeds half a billion dollars per year. Over the years we have lead trade missions, signed compacts and engaged in mutual development projects.

Unfortunately, a campaign has emerged that seeks to delegitimize our ally Israel and attack her through economic warfare. Leading groups, such as the Israel Allies Foundation, have documented this campaign, known as the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement, and have revealed that it is largely driven by anti-Jewish bigotry. This BDS movement seeks to discriminate against Israelis and those who do business in Israel.

As you already know, Texas was one of the first states in the country to pursue Iran divestment legislation. Unfortunately, the Iran Nuclear deal placed before Congress and the American people was a bad deal. Our position on this matter has not changed. Texas must never permit its funds to be invested in state sponsors of terror who seek the development and proliferation of nuclear weapons and ballistic missile technology.

Texas will not tolerate national-origin discrimination against Israel, which is precisely what BDS is. Efforts to inflict economic harm upon Texas’ trading partners weaken our state’s ability to conduct trade, and harm our vital social interests. BDS is not only Israel’s problem, its Texas’ problem as well.

I am hopeful that Texas will join other states around the country in protecting our economy, our taxpayer dollars and our great ally Israel from national origin discrimination. As a member of your state legislature I intend to file anti-BDS legislation in Texas at the earliest possible date. I chair the House committee on State and Federal Power and Responsibility and plan for the committee to make this issue a priority. Our state government should not enter into contracts with parties that engage in national origin discrimination against Israel, nor should we allow your tax dollars to be invested in them.

I am here to ask for your support. We the citizens must speak out and make our demands impossible to ignore. Whether it’s standing up for America and Israel in Washington DC, in Austin or in our own local communities, the future rests in our hands with God’s help.

Last week we had yet another very successful conference of the American Legislative Exchange Council where I have been serving as the National Chairman. ALEC in its 43rd year is where conservative policy makers and job creators come together to identify best practices and innovative policy for state governments. Nearly one-quarter of our country’s state legislators are members serving alongside companies that provide over 30 million jobs.

This week we heard from presidential candidate and neurosurgeon Dr. Ben Carson. His full speech can be viewed online HERE. (Carson speech begins at 33:32)

ALEC 2015 SNPS Meeting Award for ALEC National Chairman Phil King

Pictured above presidential candidate Dr. Ben Carson, 2015 ALEC National Chair Rep. Phil King (R-TX), 2016 ALEC National Chair Sen. Leah Vukmir (R-WI)

We also heard from Mr. Mark Meckler and former U.S. Senator Tom Coburn discussing an Article V Convention of States. The Convention of States has organized over one million volunteers in the nation that are concerned with the tremendous amount of overreach from our federal government. It was indeed the states that created the federal government. For more information about the the Convention of States Project and how you can get involved, click HERE.

Pictured above: CSG President Mark Meckler , ALEC National Chairman Rep. Phil King (R-TX), ALEC CEO Lisa Nelson, Sen. Jim Buck (R- IN), Sen. Leah Vukmir (R-WI), and former U.S. Senator Tom Coburn

On November 3, you will have an opportunity to vote on seven different constitutional amendments. These amendments were all proposed as legislation during the 84th legislative session and vetted through the legislative process like all other bills. However, when amending the Texas Constitution, an amendment not only has a higher threshold of passage during the legislative process but it also requires voter approval before it becomes law.

In this post you will find the ballot language for each proposed amendment along with a synopsis of what supporters and opponents are saying and my recommendation. I hope this provides a good overview. You can learn more about the amendments at www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/.

In person early voting runs Monday, October 19th through Friday, October 30th. Election day is Tuesday, November 3rd. See you at the polls!

Proposition 1 (SJR 1)

“The constitutional amendment increasing the amount of the residence homestead exemption from ad valorem taxation for public school purposes from $15,000 to $25,000, providing for a reduction of the limitation on the total amount of ad valorem taxes that may be imposed for those purposes on the homestead of an elderly or disabled person to reflect the increased exemption amount, authorizing the legislature to prohibit a political subdivision that has adopted an optional residence homestead exemption from ad valorem taxation from reducing the amount of or repealing the exemption, and prohibiting the enactment of a law that imposes a transfer tax on a transaction that conveys fee simple title to real property.”

DIGEST: Proposition 1 would increase the mandatory homestead exemption from $15,000 to $25,000. The taxable value of homesteads owned by the elderly or people who are disabled also would be correspondingly reduced. These provisions would take effect January 1, 2015, and would apply only to a tax year beginning on or after that date.

SUPPORTERS SAY: The property tax is one of the most onerous taxes. In areas of rapid economic growth where demand for housing is strong, homeowners, especially those living on fixed incomes, may be priced out of their homes by rising property taxes. The amount of the mandatory school district residence homestead exemption has not been updated since 1997, while appraisals have continued to increase. This amendment provides much needed tax relief by increasing the amount of the homestead exemption, reducing the amount of taxes paid by a homeowner. By making this effective for 2015 taxes, it ensures that relief is felt immediately. It also promotes economic growth by allowing homeowners to retain more of their money.

OPPONENTS SAY: The homestead exemption increase will only nominally provide property tax relief for homeowners. The exemption will reduce property taxes for the average homeowner by about $126 a year. The homestead exemption increase provides no benefit for those who rent homes. Property taxes are a local matter. The best way to control local property taxes is for voters to hold local officials accountable.

MY RECOMMENDATION: SUPPORT

Proposition 2 (HJR 75)

“The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to provide for an exemption from ad valorem taxation of all or part of the market value of the residence homestead of the surviving spouse of a 100 percent or totally disabled veteran who died before the law authorizing a residence homestead exemption for such a veteran took effect.”

DIGEST: Proposition 2 would extend the current homestead property tax exemption that applies to the surviving spouse of a totally disabled veteran who died on or after January 1, 2010, to include the surviving spouse of a totally disabled veteran who: 1) died before January 1, 2010; and 2) would have qualified for the full exemption on the homestead’s entire value if it had been available to totally disabled veterans at that time. A surviving spouse who otherwise qualified would be entitled to an exemption of the same portion of the market value of the same property to which the disabled veteran’s exemption would have applied.

SUPPORTERS SAY: This will provide a valuable form of tax relief for families of deceased disabled veterans. Any fiscal impact on a single taxing district would be minimal. Current law unintentionally creates two classes of surviving spouses and treats them differently depending on when their spouses died. This amendment recognizes the sacrifice by a 100 percent or totally disabled veteran and the person’s surviving spouse as the same regardless of the date on which the disabled veteran died.

OPPONENTS SAY: The Legislative Budget Board’s fiscal note indicates that school districts, municipalities, counties, and other special taxing districts (such as hospitals) will lose some tax revenue under the enactment of this proposition.

MY RECOMMENDATION:SUPPORT

Proposition 3 (SJR 52)

“The constitutional amendment repealing the requirement that state officers elected by voters statewide reside in the state capital.”

DIGEST: Currently certain state officers elected by the voters statewide, including the comptroller of public accounts, commissioner of the General Land Office, attorney general, commissioner of agriculture, and railroad commissioners, are to reside in Austin, at the state capital, while in office. Proposition 3 removes the residency requirement. The residence of the governor is not affected by this proposed amendment.

SUPPORTERS SAY: Current law requires all statewide officials to move to Travis County when they take office. The capital residency requirement was included in the 1875 Texas Constitution when state officers traveled to the state capital by train, horse and buggy. Some state officers would simply like the freedom to live in a neighboring county to Travis for selection of a preferred school district or similar local preference. Others wish to retain their residence in their home county commuting home on weekends.

OPPONENTS SAY: This amendment would allow state officers, who are serving in full-time paid positions, to be physically present at the state capital infrequently and to possibly neglect their duties of office. State officers serve as the chief operating officers for their respective agencies, which have central offices in Austin, and the officers’ duties require the officers to be available to the agency employees serving in Austin. State officers are often required to conduct statewide business at the seat of government, and residency in a location other than Austin may likely increase the state-reimbursed travel expenses of the officers.

MY RECOMMENDATION: SUPPORT

Proposition 4 (SJR 73)

“The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to permit professional sports team charitable foundations to conduct charitable raffles.”

DIGEST: This proposition authorizes the legislature to permit professional sports team charitable foundations to conduct charitable raffles under the terms and conditions imposed by the law and to use raffle proceeds to pay reasonable advertising, promotional, and administrative expenses. The Texas Constitution as originally adopted prohibited all lotteries and gift enterprises in the state and has been interpreted to prohibit the state from authorizing most forms of gambling.

SUPPORTERS SAY: Would allow professional sports team charitable foundations to highlight the team’s philanthropic activities, bring awareness to community needs, encourage sports fans to contribute to worthy causes, and raise additional funds for the foundation’s charitable purposes. Under current law, nonprofit organizations may annually conduct not more than two charitable raffles. This amendment merely increases the number of raffles charitable foundations may conduct and authorizes cash payments.

OPPONENTS SAY: No comments opposing the proposed amendment were made throughout the legislative process. A review of other sources, however, indicates that gambling opponents, while not necessarily opposed to charitable raffles, are concerned that this will expand gambling in this state and encourage future expansions.

MY RECOMMENDATION: SUPPORT

Proposition 5 (SJR 17)

“The constitutional amendment to authorize counties with a population of 7,500 or less to perform private road construction and maintenance.”

DIGEST: This proposition proposes an increase from 5,000 to 7,500 for the maximum population threshold of a county that may construct and maintain private roads if the county imposes a reasonable charge for the work.

SUPPORTERS SAY: This increase in the constitution should be updated to reflect the population growth we have seen in rural counties since this threshold was originally placed in the Texas Constitution in 1980. This amendment will give rural counties and private landowners more flexibility to update private roads that are poorly maintained. These poorly maintained roads create public safety hazards for citizens and emergency services.

OPPONENTS SAY: Instead of increasing the maximum population threshold for counties allowed to perform private roadwork, the population limit should be eliminated. All counties in the state should have the option to construct and maintain private roads in the county as long as private landowners agree and pay the county for the cost of the work.

MY RECOMMENDATION: SUPPORT

Proposition 6 (SJR 22)

“The constitutional amendment recognizing the right of the people to hunt, fish, and harvest wildlife subject to laws that promote wildlife conservation.”

DIGEST: Proposition 6 creates a new right for people to hunt, fish, and harvest wildlife and establishes hunting and fishing as preferred methods of managing and controlling wildlife. This amendment does not affect laws or regulations that relate to trespass, property rights, eminent domain, or the municipal regulation of the discharge of a weapon in a populated area in the interest of public safety.

SUPPORTERS SAY: Supporters of the amendment feel that animal rights groups and antihunting activists may try to impose stricter limits on hunting and fishing in this state, and therefore seek constitutional protection for those activities as a preventative measure to preserve the opportunity to hunt and fish for future generations. This also protects the economic benefit enjoyed by the state from revenue generated from these activities.

OPPONENTS SAY: Opponents of the amendment feel that the amendment is unnecessary because there is no threat to hunting and fishing in this state. Efforts to enact the amendment as a preventative measure may in fact spur groups opposed to hunting and fishing to begin activity in response. A constitutionally stated preference of control may force regulations to change in a way that would make it more difficult to achieve a balanced ecosystem when other methods of control may be more appropriate in certain circumstances.

MY RECOMMENDATION: SUPPORT

Proposition 7 (SJR5)

“The constitutional amendment dedicating certain sales and use tax revenue and motor vehicle sales, use, and rental tax revenue to the state highway fund to provide funding for nontolled roads and the reduction of certain transportation- related debt.”

DIGEST: Directs the Texas Comptroller to annually deposit to the state highway fund, in each fiscal year beginning with 2018, $2.5 billion of state sales tax revenue that exceeds the first $28 billion of those taxes collected during the year, and, in each fiscal year beginning with the 2020 fiscal year, 35 percent of the state motor vehicle sales, use, and rental tax revenue that exceeds the first $5 billion of those taxes collected during the fiscal year. This dedicated revenue will be deposited directly to the state highway fund for constructing, maintaining, acquiring right-of-ways for public roadways other than toll roads and for paying certain transportation- related bond debt.

SUPPORTERS SAY: The proposed amendment would provide a consistent and reliable source of funding for transportation projects in the state. The current system is inefficient and in poor repair in many areas, which has a negative effect on the state’s economy. A dedicated revenue source allows for future planning, addressing the state’s infrastructure demands. Under this amendment, existing projects can be completed and new projects can be planned up to 10 years in advance and started in areas that will lead to the greatest return on the state’s monetary investment.

OPPONENTS SAY: The proposed amendment is not the best method to address our transportation infrastructure concerns. It constitutionally dedicates billions of dollars each year and would tie the hands of future legislatures in a time when the legislature has discretion over less than 20 percent of the state’s budget. This could lead to the state being required to make substantial cuts in state services in the event of a downturn in the state’s economy. There are better alternatives for providing transportation funding that would not affect the state’s ability to respond to a future budget crisis. There is currently a considerable budget surplus available to the legislature that could be appropriated for transportation projects.

MY RECOMMENDATION: SUPPORT

This is the third entry in our series on the proposed amendments to the Texas Constitution. This election will be on November 3rd. The review of each proposition can also be reviewed on my website at www.philking.com.

PROPOSITION 3

“The constitutional amendment repealing the requirement that state officers elected by voters statewide reside in the state capital.”

DIGEST: Currently certain state officers elected by the voters statewide, including the comptroller of public accounts, commissioner of the General Land Office, attorney general, commissioner of agriculture, and railroad commissioners, are to reside in Austin, at the state capital, while in office. Proposition 3 removes the residency requirement. The residence of the governor is not affected by this proposed amendment.

SUPPORTERS SAY: Current law requires all statewide officials to move to Travis County when they take office. The capital residency requirement was included in the 1875 Texas Constitution when state officers traveled to the state capital by train, horse and buggy. Some state officers would simply like the freedom to live in a neighboring county to Travis for selection of a preferred school district or similar local preference. Others wish to retain their residence in their home county commuting home on weekends.

OPPONENTS SAY: This amendment would allow state officers, who are serving in full-time paid positions, to be physically present at the state capital infrequently and to possibly neglect their duties of office. State officers serve as the chief operating officers for their respective agencies, which have central offices in Austin, and the officers’ duties require the officers to be available to the agency employees serving in Austin. State officers are often required to conduct statewide business at the seat of government, and residency in a location other than Austin may likely increase the state-reimbursed travel expenses of the officers.

MY RECOMMENDATION: SUPPORT

ICYMI: ISRAEl PRIME MINISTER BENJAMIN NETANYAHU SPEECH TO U.N.

Netanyahu’s speech last week was among the most compelling I’ve ever heard. It’s so rare to hear a true statesman. A link to the full speech can be found HERE.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Parker County Republican Women Monthly Luncheon – October 8th, 11:30 am at Doss Heritage Center

Wise County Republican Party meeting – Monday, October 12th, 6:30 pm at 200 Rook Ramsey, Decatur

This is the second entry in our series on the proposed amendments to the Texas Constitution. This election will be on November 3rd. I warned you some of these are a bit dry to study. Nevertheless, they are all important.

PROPOSTION 2

“The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to provide for an exemption from ad valorem taxation of all or part of the market value of the residence homestead of the surviving spouse of a 100 percent or totally disabled veteran who died before the law authorizing a residence homestead exemption for such a veteran took effect.”

DIGEST: Proposition 2 would extend the current homestead property tax exemption that applies to the surviving spouse of a totally disabled veteran who died on or after January 1, 2010, to include the surviving spouse of a totally disabled veteran who: 1) died before January 1, 2010; and 2) would have qualified for the full exemption on the homestead’s entire value if it had been available to totally disabled veterans at that time. A surviving spouse who otherwise qualified would be entitled to an exemption of the same portion of the market value of the same property to which the disabled veteran’s exemption would have applied.

SUPPORTERS SAY: This will provide a valuable form of tax relief for families of deceased disabled veterans. Any fiscal impact on a single taxing district would be minimal. Current law unintentionally creates two classes of surviving spouses and treats them differently depending on when their spouses died. This amendment recognizes the sacrifice by a 100 percent or totally disabled veteran and the person’s surviving spouse as the same regardless of the date on which the disabled veteran died.

OPPONENTS SAY: The Legislative Budget Board’s fiscal note indicates that school districts, municipalities, counties, and other special taxing districts (such as hospitals) will lose some tax revenue under the enactment of this proposition.

MY RECOMMENDATION: SUPPORT

OTHER NEWS

This weekend I attended the Texas State Guard Leadership Conference at Camp Swift. About 100 senior officers and NCOs attended. We discussed the TXSG’s mission and vision. Pictured below I am giving a legislative budget update to Major General Nichols, Texas Adjutant General, Major General Jake Betty and his senior command staff. You can learn more about the TXSG at https://www.txmf.us/

LOCAL EVENTS

Thursday, October 1 – Monthly Parker County Republican Party meeting at 7:00 pm in Strain Community Room at Weatherford College

Saturday, October 3 – Red Boot Soiree hosted by Bush Legacy Republican Women

Saturday, January 23 – 2016 Red Gala hosted by Wise Republican Women and Wise County Republican Party with Keynote Address by Lt. Col. Allen West. Buy tickets onlineHERE.

Today we’ll begin a series on the amendments to the Texas Constitution that will be up before the voters on November 3rd. We’ll take up a different amendment each week for seven weeks. I will try to give you both the pros and cons.

I hope this will provide a good overview to help you prepare for election day. I have to warn you though, some of these amendments are a bit dry but they are all important.

PROP 1 BALLOT LANGUAGE: “The constitutional amendment increasing the amount of the residence homestead exemption from ad valorem taxation for public school purposes from $15,000 to $25,000, providing for a reduction of the limitation on the total amount of ad valorem taxes that may be imposed for those purposes on the homestead of an elderly or disabled person to reflect the increased exemption amount, authorizing the legislature to prohibit a political subdivision that has adopted an optional residence homestead exemption from ad valorem taxation from reducing the amount of or repealing the exemption, and prohibiting the enactment of a law that imposes a transfer tax on a transaction that conveys fee simple title to real property.”

DIGEST: Proposition 1 would increase the mandatory homestead exemption from $15,000 to $25,000. The taxable value of homesteads owned by the elderly or people who are disabled also would be correspondingly reduced. These provisions would take effect January 1, 2015, and would apply only to a tax year beginning on or after that date.

SUPPORTERS SAY: The property tax is one of the most onerous taxes. In areas of rapid economic growth where demand for housing is strong, homeowners, especially those living on fixed incomes, may be priced out of their homes by rising property taxes. The amount of the mandatory school district residence homestead exemption has not been updated since 1997, while appraisals have continued to increase. This amendment provides much needed tax relief by increasing the amount of the homestead exemption, reducing the amount of taxes paid by a homeowner. By making this effective for 2015 taxes, it ensures that relief is felt immediately. It also promotes economic growth by allowing homeowners to retain more of their money.

OPPONENTS SAY:The homestead exemption increase will only nominally provide property tax relief for homeowners. The exemption will reduce property taxes for the average homeowner by about $126 a year. The homestead exemption increase provides no benefit for those who rent homes. Property taxes are a local matter. The best way to control local property taxes is for voters to hold local officials accountable.

OTHER NEWS

LEGISLATION TO LIFT CRUDE OIL BAN
The U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee this week voted to advance a bill repealing the ban on crude oil exports from the United States. I strongly support this legislative and advocated for repeal of the ban in a letter to the Texas’ congressional delegation last month. Lifting the 1970’s oil embargo is critical for Texas as we have one-third of U.S. crude oil reserves and we are the top producer. Allowing Texas to compete in worldwide markets will promote energy independence and dramatically expand economic development.

STAR OF TEXAS MEMORIAL CEREMONY AND AWARDS
On September 10, I participated in the Star of Texas memorial ceremony hosted by Gov. Greg Abbott. The Star of Texas awards honor first responders who are seriously injured or killed in the line of duty. Pictured below is Sgt. Shane Drake of Fort Worth PD and his wonderful family. Sgt. Drake is still recovering from his wounds. I served at FWPD for 15 years and was proud to see the Drake family recognized.

State Representative Phil King represents Parker and Wise counties in the Texas House of Representatives.

Texas continues to lead the nation in pro-life legislation including the Sonogram bill in 2011, the defunding of Planned Parenthood, and HB2 in 2013 (which was probably the most sweeping pro-life legislation in our nation since Roe v. Wade). Earlier this year, your Texas Legislature passed additional bills defending life.

HB 3994: Requires a woman seeking an elective abortion to provide a valid government photo ID to confirm she is not a minor. Since 2000, the state of Texas has required that minors seeking abortions do so with parental consent, or else must be granted judicial bypass from this requirement. House Bill 3994 tightens this process by requiring that a woman seeking an abortion present to the abortion provider a valid government-issued photo ID to confirm that she is of-age to legally seek an elective abortion without parental consent or judicial bypass. The bill also amends and strengthens the judicial bypass procedure.

HB 416: Requires employees and volunteers at abortion facilities to complete human trafficking training.
Under the provisions of HB 416, any employee, volunteer, or contractor of a licensed abortion facility that performs 50 or more abortions per year must undergo a human trafficking education and training program. The hope is that such a curriculum will train individuals working in these facilities to identify victims of human trafficking so that intervention and assistance can be provided, and no woman is forced to undergo an abortion against her will.

Floor Amendment to HB 1891: Prohibiting community schools from using or providing referrals to abortion providers and their affiliates.
House Bill 1891 establishes a model for community schools which, according to the bill author’s analysis, are “public schools open throughout the year to students, families, and community members before, during, and after school hours.” Supporters contended that while these schools provide quality education and engage the community, prior to legislation there was no definition or model to follow. A floor amendment was added to the bill that statutorily prohibits community schools from: · Providing abortion-related services · Providing referrals to abortion providers or their affiliates · Partnering with an abortion provider or affiliate in transitioning to a community school · Hiring an employee of an abortion provider or affiliate as the community school coordinator

HB 3074 : Required provision of artificially administered nutrition and hydration to sustain life.
Under the provisions of HB 3074, artificially administered nutrition and hydration must be provided to patients under the Texas Advance Directives Act. Before enactment of this legislation, Texas law relating to advance directives lacked clarity and potentially allowed for the withdrawal of food, water and pain medication without medical standards for doing so. HB 3074 clarifies that prolonging life is the default priority.

Budgetary Provisions in the 2016-2017 General Appropriations Act
DSHS Rider 72: Prohibits abortion providers and affiliates from participating in the Breast and Cervical Cancer Services (BCCS) Program. This prohibition currently applies to providers in the Texas Women’s Health Program and will be extended to the BCCS program when the new budget becomes effective on September 1, 2015.
HHSC Rider 31: Prohibits the use of any state-funded human sexuality or family planning instruction or materials provided or produced by abortion providers or their affiliates.
HHSC Rider 85: Prohibits the use of any state funds to pay direct or indirect costs associated with abortion procedures provided by any state contractors. Prohibits the distribution of any Women’s Health Services for Family Planning funds to elective abortion providers or any entities that contract with or provide funds to elective abortion providers
HHSC Rider 87: Lays out the requirements that must be met in order for the affiliate of any elective abortion provider to receive family planning funds.

Companies and investors dealing with Iran aid a threatening foreign regime that is pursuing nuclear- weapons capability, brutally repressing its citizens while knowingly violating human rights, and sponsoring insidious forms of terrorism. Based on these dangerous actions antithetical to American security and prosperity, U.S. state governments, which manage trillions of dollars of taxpayer money through pension funds, should divest from and deny contracts to companies that do business in Iran, as is expressly allowed for by federal law.

In the 83rd Texas legislative session, we as lawmakers enacted SB 200 to do precisely that. Under the bill, all “state governmental entities”, including the Employees Retirement System, the Teacher Retirement System, and all municipal, county, and local retirement systems, are required to divest from companies that are engaged in business activities in Iran. In addition, the State Pension Review Board is instructed to create a list of all “scrutinized” Texas companies that have contracts with or provide supplies (both military and non-) or services to the government of Iran, as well as ones in which the Iranian government has a direct or indirect equity share. The list must be updated annually and distributed to the legislature and attorney general. For each company engaged in active business operations in Iran:

• A state governmental entity must send a notice warning the company that it may become subject to divestment by state governmental entities.
• The company has an opportunity to clarify its Iran-related activities and whether they are subject to the state’s divestment scheme. If the company continues to have scrutinized active business operations in Iran following the warning, the state must sell, redeem, divest, or withdraw all publicly-traded securities of the company.
• All of the divested assets must be removed from state’s investment portfolio.
• Each year, a publicly available report is filed that identifies all securities sold, redeemed, divested.

[1]See Douglas F. Gansler, “Uniting States Against Iran,” Wall Street Journal, March 8, 2013, available at http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424127887324662404578332622153212746#articleTabs=article(citing National Association of State Budget Officers study).

[2] 22 U.S.C. 8532 § 202(b).

Planned Parenthood Investigation Update

Last week, the Texas Senate Health and Human Services Committee began it’s investigation into the alleged marketing and sale of organs derived from aborted babies. The committee is examining the business practices of Planned Parenthood and also whether state or federal laws were broken. Witnesses discussed ways to strengthen laws regulating abortion providers and further restrictions on the sale of fetal tissue.

The committee invited Planned Parenthood to testify but only minutes before the hearing began Planned Parenthood declined to appear and answer questions. Instead of testifying, representatives of Planned Parenthood held a rally outside the Capitol.

I believe these videos and the testimony only furthers what we in the pro-life community have long known – Planned Parenthood has very little to do with women’s health and is more about financial gain.

I am proud to have voted again this year to continue Texas’ defunding of Planned Parenthood and to receive a 100% rating from Texas Right to Life.

Kate’s Law

Last week I also signed a letter with colleagues encouraging the Texas Congressional Delegation to enact Kate’s Law. Under the proposed federal law, previously deported criminal aliens who return illegally to the United States would be subject to mandatory jail terms of five years upon conviction. This legislation is named for Kate Steinle, a young woman who was murdered by a criminal alien in San Francisco with multiple prior criminal convictions and five previous deportations.

To view the letter, click HERE.

Successful ALEC Annual Meeting

I am proud to serve as this year’s national chair of the American Legislative Exchange Council. ALEC’s membership includes 25% of America’s state legislators. Our private sector members create over 30 million jobs in America. Our mission is to bring business leaders, subject matter experts, and state officials together to develop policies that promote free markets, limited government and the rebalancing of state and federal powers.

I just returned from ALEC’s summer conference where over 1,300 attendees (350 first-time attendees) and 71 members of the media heard from presidential candidates, participated in dozens of workshops and training sessions and discussed free-market policies that will have a measurable impact on economic freedom in the states.

Pictured from left to right: Lisa Nelson, CEO of ALEC; Rep. Linda Upmeyer, Iowa Majority Leader; Gov. Mike Huckabee; Rep. Phil King; Sen. Leah Vukmir, Wisconsin; Sen. Jim Buck, Indiana

Pictured from left to right: Rep. Linda Upmeyer, Iowa Majority Leader; Rep. Phil King; Gov. Scott Walker; Sen. Leah Vukmir, Wisconsin; Sen. Bill Cadman, Colorado Senate President