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State Representative Phil King (R-Weatherford) was named one of Texas’ most conservative legislators and received a 96 out of 100 rating this week on the Texas Eagle Forum’s 2011 Texas Legislative Scorecard. King’s 96 rating was the second highest score given this legislative session.

“Texas Eagle Forum is proud to honor Representative Phil King as one of the most conservative Texas Legislators in the 2011 Legislative Session,” Texas Eagle Forum President Pat Carlson stated, “We appreciate his commitment to Texas families on both social and economic issues.”

Texas Eagle Forum’s scorecard is made up of 25 key votes on conservative measures during the legislative session and can be viewed at the following link: http://texaseagle.org/torch_legscorecard_11.pdf

Aledo Community News

State Representative Phil King

Why does a balanced budget approach work? It’s simple really. The importance of a balanced budget amendment is that it forces the legislature, by force of law, to focus all budget discussions on reconciling spending and revenue. We are free to reconcile by a number of means: raise taxes, cut spending, or a combination of the two. But, at the end of the day, every budget debate comes back to reconciling spending and revenue. As a legislature, we can never ignore it. Even the most liberal members of the legislature are forced to work toward that reconciliation. Otherwise, the Comptroller of Public Accounts will never certify the budget and we start all over again.

Texas runs on a biennial (two year) budget. At the beginning of every biennium the Comptroller submits a biennial revenue estimate to the legislature. This estimate tells the legislature the amount of revenue from taxes and other sources that will likely be available to spend. The legislature then makes the decision on how they want to meet that estimate. If, in years like this one, there is a projected shortfall in revenue, the prudent way for the legislature to reconcile the shortfall is to cut its expenses. For instance, this legislative session the legislature cut spending by 8.1% from the previous biennium. The Comptroller then looks at the adjustments in spending and revenue the legislature makes, and determines whether that amount of revenue is sufficient to cover the state’s obligations for the biennium. If it is, then the budget is certified and put into place.

The difference in Washington is that reconciling revenue and spending is never the focus. Instead, the debate is about spending limits. Reconciliation can be easily ignored. Without the force of law compelling reconciliation it will never be realized and the federal government will continue to spend the futures of our children and grandchildren into oblivion. The real difference between an Austin budget debate and a Washington budget debate is that the force of law compels Texas to reconcile our spending to our revenue. Without this requirement, Texas legislators might be just as prone as congressmen are to want to “bring home the bacon” and escalate reckless spending in hopes of re-election.

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

Dear Friend:

This legislative session, as we faced the worst economy in 75 years, Texas passed a responsible balanced budget – one which did not raise taxes and cut 8.1% in total spending. Last November Texans sent a clear message that they wanted to see less spending of their hard-earned taxpayer dollars and I believe this budget is a reflection of that wish.

To balance the budget with no new taxes, some tough cuts had to be made to many state agencies. The natural resources budget was cut by 25%, general government operations were cut by 19%, the judiciary by 13%, and the legislature by 9%.

Education is by far still Texas’ number one priority; in fact, 43.3% of the entire state budget is dedicated to public education (1.9% larger than last biennium). The 5.6% “cut” to education is actually just a reduction in the growth of the education budget, rather than a true cut. Only in government is lowering a projected increase in funding considered a budget cut.

This session, I received pressure from several unions to vote to drain the Economic Stabilization Fund (Rainy Day Fund). Many threatened that if I didn’t support this action, teachers would lose their jobs. However, the size of the Rainy Day Fund relative to the size of the entire state budget is less than 4% and I’m not comfortable having anything less than that. Families know that as a general rule you should keep at least 10% in reserve funds for emergencies. In fact, collectively, the school districts in Texas have $7.5 billion in their own reserve funds. Most of the school districts in Parker and Wise counties have more in their reserve funds, as a percentage of their entire budget, than Texas does. For example, Northwest ISD’s reserve fund is 18.22% of their entire budget, and Aledo ISD’s is 26.7%.

We did vote to spend $3.2 billion from the Rainy Day Fund to address the shortfall from the previous budget cycle, and $80 million to pay for the wildfires in Texas. Additionally, as we approach hurricane season, we need to ensure that we have reserve funds to address any possible catastrophes that could easily cost the state $1 billion or more.

I’m pleased that we were able to pass a budget that reigned in state spending, did not raise any new taxes on hard working Texans, and preserved a prudent balance in our Rainy Day Fund. These policies will help to ensure that Texas continues to be the most prosperous state in the nation.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve you in the Texas Legislature.

Thank you,

Phil King
State Representative

Contact Information:
(817) 381-8282

AUSTIN – Today State Representative Phil King (R-Weatherford) was named a “Taxpayer Champion” and received an A+ rating on the Fiscal Responsibility Index by Texans for Fiscal Responsibility, a taxpayer watchdog group.

“Rep. King has been steadfast in his commitment to defending hardworking Texans and their pocketbooks from out of control government spending and higher taxes,” Michael Quinn Sullivan, President and CEO of Texans for Fiscal Responsibility stated, “Texans for Fiscal Responsibility is proud to name Rep. King a ‘Taxpayer Champion’ for all of his work promoting conservative principles in the Texas Legislature.”

The 2011 Fiscal Responsibility Index rates lawmakers on their votes. In the House, more than 40 votes were used. It focuses on the size and cost of government, providing voters with a measure of which lawmakers are working to protect Texas’ taxpayers.

Contact Information:
817-381-8282

AUSTIN – Today, State Representative Phil King (R-Weatherford) announced several historic accomplishments for the pro-life movement from this legislative session:

Passed HB 15 – The Sonogram Bill
The abortion industry is suing for an injunction and recruiting abortion clinics in Texas to join a class action lawsuit to stop this historic law from taking effect. Many pro-life advocacy groups, pregnancy centers and legislators will be involved in the defense of the new law, which is considered the strongest in the nation.

Increased funds for the State’s Alternatives to Abortion Program
Since 2005, Texas has funded alternatives to abortion through an allocation to the Health and Human Services Commission. The funds for this landmark program were not only protected, but also increased in HB 1.

Cut funds to the abortion industry and Planned Parenthood
The abortion industry receives funds through the state’s family planning revenue streams. With the successful adoption of eight amendments to HB 1, $64.2 million was redirected to other health and human services programs, and the distribution of the remaining family planning funds is now restricted. Preliminary estimates are that $88 million was taken from all abortion providers, with $47 million of that from Planned Parenthood alone.

Stopped abortion funding at county hospitals
County hospital districts can adopt policies to use taxpayer funds for abortions at their local hospitals. An amendment to SB 7 (special session) closed that loophole, preventing local hospital districts from paying for abortions at the county hospitals.

Anti-Life Measures Stopped:
• SB 188 on genetic counseling
• HB 2967 on Travis County Hospital District making capital or financial donations to non-profit organizations
• Women’s Health Program reauthorizing legislation that would have expanded abortion funding
• Measures to attack Pro-Life pregnancy centers

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

Dear Friend:

This was a great legislative session for Pro-Second Amendment reform in Texas. The key piece of legislation that passed and has been sent to the Governor for his signature, is SB 321, the employee/parking lot protection bill. SB 321 has been a main priority for the National Rifle Association and Texas State Rifle Association for years, so this was a big victory.

The key components of SB 321 are:

• Prohibits employers from enacting and enforcing bans on employees transporting and storing firearms in their locked, private motor vehicles while parked at work
• Applies to both public and private employers, as well as all lawfully-owned firearms – not just firearms in possession of Concealed Handgun Licensees
• The bill does not authorize an employee to possess firearms on any property where such possession is prohibited by state or federal law and does not apply to:
• Vehicles owned or leased by the employer and used by the employee for work purposes
• School districts, open enrollment charter schools, and private schools
• Property subject to an unexpired oil, gas or mineral lease that contains a provision prohibiting the possession of firearms on the property
• Property owned or leased by a chemical manufacturer or oil and gas refiner on which the primary business conducted is the manufacture, use, storage or transportation of hazardous, combustible, or explosive materials (CHL holders have a limited exemption from this stipulation)

The bill, if signed by the Governor, becomes effective on September 1 of this year.

It is a pleasure to serve you in the Texas Legislature.

Thank you,

Phil King, State Representative

Dear Friend:

One of the major victories of the recently concluded legislative session was SB 18, the eminent domain reform bill. This bill implements some very important protections for Texas landowners and strengthens private property rights.

Here are a few of the highlights of the bill:

• Previously there was ambiguity in Texas law that allowed governmental entities to use eminent domain to take private land for a “public purpose”. With the help of other conservative legislators, I was able to amend the statute changing “public purpose” to “public use”, which conforms the statute to the Texas and U.S. constitutions. We believe this will further ensure that eminent domain is only used as envisioned in our Constitution.
• Requires government entities to make bona fide, good faith offers to landowners
• Requires fair compensation for loss of access to property
• Ends government land speculation by allowing property owners to re-purchase their land at the price paid to the owner if the governmental entity has made no actual progress on the public use project after 10 years

SB 18 was signed by the Governor on May 19 and will become effective on September 1 of this year.

It is a pleasure to serve you in the Texas Legislature.

Thank you,

Phil King
State Representative

Dear Friend:

Monday was the last day of the regular legislative session, which was one of the most, if not the most, successful sessions for the pro-life community in Texas!

HB 1 – I was proud to help pass the state appropriations bill which removed 100% (approximately $60 million) of state funding to abortion facilities or abortion facility affiliates. We believe this makes Texas the first state to totally defund Planned Parenthood.

HB 15 – This bill requires that doctors in Texas perform a sonogram and offer an option to view the baby prior to obtaining an abortion. This bill also increases medical oversight of the abortion process.

SB 23 – This Medicaid reform bill contained language prohibiting state Medicaid dollars from being used to perform or promote elective abortions, or to contract with entities that perform or promote ele ctive abortions or affiliate with entities that perform or promote elective abortions. This bill unfortunately died on the last day of the regular session, but is back up in the special session that started this week. I’m hopeful that we will be successful in keeping this pro-life language in the bill.

It is a pleasure to serve you in the Texas Legislature.

Thank you,

Phil King
State Representative

Dear Friend:

Each week for the next couple of months I’m going to report to you on important progress made during this legislative session. This week the update will focus on election reforms, including “Voter ID”, that were passed by the House and Senate. This session I was proud to serve on the House Committee on Elections; we tackled some very important issues and passed bills that I truly believe will help preserve the integrity of our election process in Texas. The following is a list of just a few of the bills that were passed that address election integrity and process:

SB 14 – The “Voter ID” bill, which I was proud to co-author, requires that an individual show their photo identification prior to voting. This bill ensures that law-abiding citizens’ votes are not cancelled out by those voting illegally and truly helps prevent major fraud in our election process that has been happening for years.

HB 174 – This common sense legislation, which I also co-authored, requires that the Secretary of State cancel the voter registration and eligibility to vote for deceased persons and those that are not citizens of the United States.

HB 360 – This bill requires that when a local taxing entity holds an election to approve the imposition, increase, or reduction of a tax or issuance of bonds, the ballot language must clearly state the dollar amount of bonds to be issued or the amount of the tax or tax rate increase being proposed and any projects to be supported by the bonds. Current law allows a local taxing entity to write proposed ballot language for a proposition in a way that obscures the intended use for the additional funding, and this bill will help fix this ambiguity.

HB 2449 – This legislation makes it illegal to obtain another person’s ballot to be voted by mail. There is currently a shameful practice being conducted in Texas called “vote harvesting”, whereby individuals collect mail-in ballots and sell them to the highest bidder in elections. It’s a despicable practice that must be stopped. HB 2449 strengthens laws to penalize those engaged in vote harvesting.

I look forward to continuing to serve on the Committee on Elections throughout the coming interim. Over the next year and a half, we will conduct hearings and consider additional election related reforms in preparation for the next legislative session in 2013. It is a pleasure to serve you in the Texas Legislature.

Thank you,

Phil King
State Representative