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State Representative Phil King (R-Weatherford) this week joined a group of legislators calling for a thorough investigation of abortion facilities in Texas by the Texas Department of State Health Services. The letter comes on the heels of a report released by Operation Rescue, alleging violations by Texas abortion clinics of dozens of state and federal laws related to women’s health. The legislator’s request was made even more urgent by a disturbing news report out of El Paso, which uncovered a black plastic bag containing a human fetus found in the parking lot of an abortion facility.

“The reports of these gross violations of law that threaten the health and safety of women, including minor women, must be investigated thoroughly,” King stated, “We look forward to a prompt response form the Department of State Health Services to our urgent request.”

The Operation Rescue report alleges a variety of violations of state and federal laws by a dozen abortion clinics in five broad categories:

1. The illegal disposal of hazardous bio-medical and infectious waste, including human urine, blood, and tissue.
2. Drug violations through the illegal disposal of vials still containing controlled substances.
3. Violations of the Federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
4. Widespread abuses to the Texas mandated informed consent laws.
5. A pattern of willingness to help minors evade parental consent laws and ignore the mandatory reporting of child sex abuse.

Weatherford Democrat

Sally Sexton

Texas public schools may find a little breathing room after the announcement from State Rep. Phil King that the allocation of federal education dollars has been made available to schools, netting district schools in Parker and Wise counties a total of $8 million.

“This money will help save the jobs of teachers and classroom staff during these hard economic times,” King stated in a release. “It is crucial that during this difficult time, we focus on keeping money in the classroom to support the teachers who work so hard for our children and the future of Texas.”

Weatherford ISD alone will receive $1.2 million in funds, which may not be used for central office employees, administrative expenses or construction.

The money comes from the Education Jobs Fund, a new federal program that provides $10 billion in assistance to states to save or create education jobs for the 2010-11 school year. Jobs funded under this program include service providers for childhood, elementary and secondary education.

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State Representative Phil King (R- Weatherford) announced today the allocation of federal education dollars that have recently been made available to Texas. School districts across Parker and Wise counties will receive a total of $8,058,906.

“This money will help save the jobs of teachers and classroom staff during these hard economic times,” King stated, “It is crucial that during this difficult time, we focus on keeping money in the classroom to support the teachers who work so hard for our children and the future of Texas.”

The project period for the federal grant is August 10, 2010 – September 30, 2012. No funds may be expended for central office employees, administrative expenses, or construction. This money had been the subject of much controversy over the past year when Congressman Lloyd Doggett (D-Austin) did his best to prevent the money from being sent back to Texas. King and several other conservatives called on Congress to release the money back to the Texas taxpayers.

The following is a list of the school districts in Texas House District 61 that will receive education job funds, followed by the amount they will receive:

Aledo ISD – $699,091
Alvord ISD – $145,692
Azle ISD – $909,724
Boyd ISD – $209,969
Bridgeport ISD – $400,512
Brock ISD – $159,050
Chico ISD – $118,076
Decatur ISD – $505,518
Garner ISD – $41,924
Millsap ISD – $154,205
Northwest ISD – $2,303,442
Paradise ISD – $200,625
Peaster ISD – $190,795
Perrin-Whitt CISD – $78,669
Poolville ISD – $104,079
Slidell ISD – $55,154
Springtown ISD – $578,029
Weatherford ISD – $1,204,352

Texas Public Policy Foundation

As we progress through this legislative session and attempt to craft a fiscally responsible budget in the shadow of the looming shortfall we are facing, there have been many calls from outside groups to spend money that we don’t have. I would like to share with you an excellent video of former U.S. Senator Phil Gramm discussing these challenges facing the state. This video was released by the conservative think tank Texas Public Policy Foundation, and I encourage you to share it with everyone you know. Please click here to watch the video. It is an important message that needs to be shared. It is a pleasure to serve you in the Texas Legislature.

Wallbuilders LIVE!

Rick Green

Rep. King was recently a guest on the Wallbuilders LIVE! radio program with Rick Green. They discussed the Texas budget, the current budget proposal from the House of Representatives, and how important it is that as a state we don’t spend what we don’t have. You can listen to the interview by clicking here.

Weatherford Democrat

Crystal Brown

The state house-approved budget includes cuts that underfund schools by $800 per student based on current funding laws, but Rep. Phil King said public education was cut far less than other sections of the $164.5 billion budget.

The budget for the next biennium passed the Texas House of Representatives late Sunday night, 98-49, with $23 billion less than the current budget. The Senate continues to work on their version.

Pajamas Media

Bryan Preston

Facing a large budget shortfall, Texas Republicans came into the 82nd legislative session with total control and facing a few options. They could raise taxes and fees hope to overcome the shortfall that way, while also breaking their promises to Texas voters and risking more damage to an already weak economy. They could cut spending, knowing that the media and the left’s establishment will flame them. They could dip into the state’s rainy day fund, which is intended to be saved and only used in times of genuine crisis. Or they could implement some combination of all three.

The Texas House of Representatives passed its version of the budget late Sunday, after a very long session. And according to spending watchdog Empower Texans, it’s mostly good news.

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Yesterday State Representative Phil King (R-Weatherford) successfully passed amendments to House Bill 1 (the state budget bill for Fiscal Years 2012-2013), which freeze hiring by state agencies and prevents $100 million of new broad-based fees from being implemented by the state on taxpayers. The hiring freeze amendment would call for a freeze on non-essential state hiring effective September 1, and would apply until August 31, 2013, the last day of next budget cycle.

“As a state we are facing a large projected budget shortfall for next biennium,” King stated, “Families and businesses across Texas are doing what it takes to balance their checkbooks in a fiscally responsible manner, and it is critical that the state government conduct business in the same way. By implementing a hiring freeze and balancing our state budget without raising taxes or fees, we can save precious dollars during a time when every dollar counts. These funds can be directed to the critical services our state provides, such as educating our children.”

HB 1, which was passed by the House of Representatives late Sunday night, cuts $23 billion of spending out of state government. This represents a 12.3% reduction in spending from the previous biennium. HB 1 will next go to the Senate for approval.

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Last week State Representative Phil King (R- Weatherford), at the request of schoolteachers and superintendents, signed on as co-author to HB 2491. In an effort to support teachers in the classroom, HB 2491 implements a two year moratorium to suspend all state mandated testing and assessments for a period ending September 30, 2013. In addition, superintendents may apply funds or appropriations originally intended for this testing to support teacher jobs and the resources they need.

King stated, “In these tough economic times and with the projected budget shortfall Texas is facing, it is important that we keep in mind how hard our educators work and not add to their workload with new mandates, especially in light of possible budget cuts to school districts.”

The cost for testing, which can easily go well into the hundreds of thousands of dollars in a school district, can be staggering.

“We have to change the way we are asking schools to do business and help them lower their costs,” King said, “This legislation is a step in the right direction.”

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Today State Representative Phil King (R-Weatherford) filed three bills to consolidate four state governmental agencies in an effort to preserve money that can be better used in the classrooms of public schools and for other essential services provided by the state. HB 2664 will abolish the Texas Facilities Commission and provide an estimated savings of $4.2 million; HB 2665 will consolidate the Board of Plumbing Examiners and the Texas Funeral Commission into the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation and provide an estimated savings of $1 million; and HB 2879 will suspend the Texas Historical Commission and provide an estimated savings of $4.6 million.

“This legislation is a creative way to reduce the state budget by directing other agencies to take on the key functions of the agencies we’ve targeted,” King explained, “With the projected shortfall Texas is facing in the next biennium it is critical that we think outside of the box on how to save money and redirect it to the areas of our budget that are a real priority such as our classrooms, our teachers, and our elderly.”

The estimated cost savings from these bills comes from the elimination or suspension of the administration of each agency.