News

State Representative Phil King

The Barnet Shale is both a blessing and a curse to Parker and Wise counties. The economics benefits have been wonderful and our state and nation certainly need the domestic natural gas (which is now being imported more and more from overseas). On the other hand, this is the first time Texas has had a major gas play in such a populated, growing community like our counties. The result has been serious, costly road damage caused by truck traffic, disruption caused by well-head sites, water conservation issues, and eminent domain cases from new gas pipelines.

I have worked with numerous constituents and the gas industry to mediate many of the concerns, but it has become more evident to me that legislative action is necessary. Therefore, I have filed several bills in an effort to address some of the negative consequences that result from local natural gas production.

The first of these is HB 3402, which would prohibit oil and gas companies from drilling wells within 600 feet of buildings and homes in the Barnett Shale. Wells in unincorporated areas are often drilled in close proximity to homes, causing both aesthetic and noise disruption, as well as safety issues. Just this week, this bill went before the House Committee on Energy Resources for consideration. Several local citizens and County Judge Mark Riley traveled to Austin to testify on their personal experiences.

Another bill, HB 3403, would prohibit the operation of large truck traffic through platted subdivisions. For three years, the residents of the Chisholm Heights subdivision in East Parker County have been inundated with heavy truck traffic from drilling operations on a neighboring property. Parker County Judge Mark Riley, other county officials, and I have been negotiating with the residents, industry, and other parties in order to resolve the situation. Just this month we were finally able to reach agreement. However, it is important to prevent this same situation from occurring in the future when other ingress options are available to drilling companies.

I am also part of a new ad hoc group of Barnett Shale legislators and we are working in partnership to create additional protections for landowners and area residents. We hope to have a comprehensive package of legislation soon to further address issues such as pipeline safety and property rights. Of course, any of the bills filed must be passed by both the House of Representatives and Senate and then signed by the Governor to become law. Opposition is intense but our coalition is working hard to secure passage.

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Elizabeth Campbell

Bobby Pickard and Lisa Kelly can once again enjoy the birds and watch their children play while sitting on their porches.

Two years ago, that wasn’t possible. Pickard, Kelly and others in the eastern Parker County subdivision of Chisholm Heights were battling an energy company over gas trucks roaring through their neighborhood to drilling sites.

The view from their front porches was speeding trucks and clouds of dust.

But that ended last month when EnCana Oil and Gas found an alternative truck route away from Chisholm Heights.

And the furor over the high number of trucks also led to proposed legislation that would prohibit gas trucks from driving through unincorporated subdivisions and would place other restrictions on drilling companies.

Pickard and Kelly testified Wednesday in Austin in hearings on the proposed legislation.

“We had all this privacy with nothing but cows, and then we had hundreds of guys driving by and looking into our living rooms,” Lisa Kelly said.

State Representative Phil King

Last Thursday, Governor Rick Perry announced his opposition to $555 million in federal economic stimulus money to expand the state’s unemployment insurance program. As many of you know, I have been adamantly opposed to the Federal Stimulus Package from the beginning, because it represents terrible economic policy. My stance on the $555 million for unemployment compensation was a more difficult decision, one that I have struggled with over the past several weeks. But, after exhaustive study, I have concluded that Gov. Perry’s position is the best for Texas, and I will defend that action in the House.

I wholeheartedly agree with Gov. Perry’s decision for many important reasons. First and foremost, the federal strings will ultimately cost Texans more money than they would receive by forcing Texas to:
1) Expand unemployment benefits to those seeking only part-time employment,
2) Compensate workers who resign to care for a ill family member, or;
3) Reverse welfare reform by paying additional money, per child, that a worker has at home.

We fully recognize that Texans are facing difficult times. Hard-working individuals that have been adversely impacted by the economic recession deserve assistance in the form of unemployment compensation, and the Legislature will continue to fully fund the unemployment trust fund.

It is difficult to think about turning down such a large amount of money, but it is incredibly important to understand that these accepting the $555 million would require a change in the state’s definition of unemployment, expanding coverage to more people and placing more of the state’s tax burden on employers. Texas has already accepted money with no strings attached, which will increase unemployment benefits by $25 a week for most of 2009.

It is no accident that Texas led the nation in job creation in 2008, has more Fortune 500 companies calling Texas home than any other state, and has continued to draw businesses to Texas even with the slowing economy. This is no time to abandon the principles that have led to our success: keep the burden of government low and the regulatory and tax climate predictable, making Texas the place that people want to invest their capital and create jobs for hardworking Texans.

Opponents of Gov. Perry argue that the Texas Unemployment Trust Fund continues to decline and we need the stimulus dollars to rebuild its equity. It is a fact, that regardless of whether or not we take the federal stimulus money for unemployment, we will need to find alternative means to protect our trust fund for unemployed workers. The Texas Workforce Commission currently has the capability to prevent the bankruptcy of this fund, and it would be a very poor policy decision to expand its obligations if it is already going to need to take out loans or raise taxes on business to remain solvent.

President Ronald Reagan once said, “Government doesn’t solve problems; it subsidizes them.” This is not the time for expanded government programs, that within five years will become unfunded mandates from the Federal Government. These are difficult times for people all across the entire country, but Texas, above all other states has a proven ability to create jobs and remain an economically viable environment for businesses Texas workers.

Contact Information:
(817)596-8100

Weatherford – Today, State Representative Phil King (R-Weatherford) announced that the residents of the Chisholm Heights subdivision in East Parker County, just off of White Settlement Road, will no longer be burdened by the large truck traffic that has been plaguing them for three years.

In 2006, EnCana Oil and Gas built a road directly behind the Chisholm Heights subdivision to access natural gas wells they drilled on the Beggs Ranch. To access this road their trucks drove through the middle of the subdivision. This truck traffic soon became a nuisance for the residents and they contacted their state and county officials for assistance.

For the past year and a half, Rep. King, Parker County Judge Mark Riley, and other county officials, have been negotiating with the residents, EnCana, and other parties in order to resolve the situation. Because of these negotiations, earlier this month EnCana built a road at a different access point and posted signs at the entrance to the subdivision reading: “No EnCana Traffic”.

“It’s good to see a resolution to this issue after the many negotiations we have been through”, King explained, “This issue epitomizes the problems that have resulted from the drilling in the Barnett Shale region. We are blessed to have this great natural resource, but there are several negative consequences that must be addressed.”

As a result of the Chisholm Heights struggle with truck traffic, Rep. King filed HB 3403 last week. HB 3403 would prohibit the trucks used for gas production in the Barnett Shale from traveling through platted subdivisions. The bill will have to be passed by both the House of Representatives and Senate and signed by the Governor before going into effect.

State Representative Phil King

Over the last two weeks, the House Select Committee on Federal Economic Stabilization Funding has held numerous hearings on the federal stimulus package recently passed by Congress. I have made it a priority to attend these hearings despite not being a member of the committee, because I feel strongly that fiscal conservatives must closely monitor the billions in tax dollars being funneled into our state.

I can tell you that the stimulus bill is 1,100 pages of ambiguity. The devil is in the details, and many of the details are still being drafted with federal agencies charged with distributing the funds. I will do my best to keep you posted, and I should have more to report in the coming weeks.

From the beginning, I have held a strong conviction that the bailout represents exceptionally poor economic policy, and endangers the free-enterprise system that has made our country the most prosperous in the world. However, once Congress passed this legislation, it became evident that Texas should accept the funding that does not come with unnecessary strings attached. If not, our tax dollars will end up in other state’s like New Jersey or California, which is totally unacceptable.

After sitting through hours of testimony, my primary concern is that the $16.8 billion Texas will receive in stimulus funding will force the legislature to change policy and abandon some very sound policies in order to accept funding. Add to this, the fact, that when the stimulus money dries up, Texas would be left with some very expensive budget obligations.

As testimony continues before the committee, I will focus on transparency and accountability for the money being spent. Regardless if money is going toward education or transportation, the legislature must ensure that state and local government spends the money for purposes most beneficial to our state.

At this early juncture, it appears that most money will flow through existing programs within state agencies. For example, education dollars will be dispersed throughout the state in accordance with the current funding formulas. Transportation dollars will fund shovel-ready projects, which were already in the pipeline for future funding. Much of the money is directed to various entitlement programs and the state has little, if any, authority to adjust these expenditures.

The policy debate will surround accepting funds that will create programs that must continue after the federal dollars are expended. This is dangerous ground for any taxpayer, and we must be wary.

It is an honor to serve you in the Texas Legislature.

Guest Column by Rep. Phil King

As a board member of the Texas Conservative Coalition (TCC), the conservative caucus of the Texas Legislature, I am excited talk to you about our roadmap for a responsible state budget.

During these difficult economic times, with congressional spending reaching over $1.5 trillion in the name of economic stimulus, the Texas Legislature has a responsibility to demonstrate fiscal restraint. Upholding sound budgeting practices will keep Texas from falling into the fiscal disrepair that the rest of the nation is experiencing.

Over the past six years, Texas has prioritized state spending and exercised fiscal responsibility, so it is by no mistake that Texas is one of only seven states to enter 2009 without a budget deficit. While California, for example, enters its budget cycle buried in red ink (with over $40 billion in state debt), Texas remains well in the black.

The TCC, in a recent letter to legislative colleagues and through press releases across the state, has proposed firm measures to ensure that your state government remains financially sound through these uncertain times:

1. Reduce current General Revenue and General-Revenue dedicated spending by 2.5 percent for the FY 2010-11 budget.
2. Maintain a Rainy Day Fund balance of at least five percent of state’s total budget.
3. To the extent possible, limit the use of federal “stimulus” funds to one-time expenditures, or expenditures with a sunset date that matches the end-date of the “stimulus” money.
4. Constitutionally limit state budget growth.

My pledge to you is that I will hold firm to the principles that have kept Texas’ state government financially sound while so many other states are near financial collapse. This requires hard decisions but no more difficult than the tough decisions you make in your family and business every day of this recession. I also pledge to you that I will work against any and all efforts to increase your tax burden this legislative session. This is the time to make sure families and businesses keep more of what they earn. This type of fiscal policy is the single best “stimulus” to keep Texas’ economy strong.

State Representative Phil King

The 81st Legislative Session is officially underway, as House committee assignments were announced by Speaker Joe Straus this past Thursday. After serving ten years in the House of Representatives, I know that each session brings its own set of challenges. This session, I am looking forward to working on the important issues that arise in the House Committee on Ways and Means and the House Committee on Public Safety.

Both of these committee placements hold a great deal of importance for District 61. As a former police officer and judge, I understand the complex issues and the importance of the jurisdiction that the Public Safety committee holds. Over the next four months, this committee will oversee all matters pertaining to law enforcement including important state agencies such as the Department of Public Safety and the Commission on State Emergency Communications. Additionally, we will have an opportunity to address border security issues and the growing crime problems in South Texas. I plan to apply my law enforcement and judicial background in order to see that our state continues to uphold the safety and security of our citizens as a top priority.

In my opinion, during this session, the decisions made by the House Committee on Ways and Means will be critical for Texas during these very challenging economic times. This is why I exercised my seniority appointment for placement on this committee. As a strong fiscal conservative, I am committed to ensuring we keep our state’s tax policy centered on lowering the tax burden on Texas families and small businesses. There are already numerous bills pertaining to our existing state tax or revenue statutes filed in the House that will come through this committee. One of these proposals would dramatically mitigate the burden on small businesses caused by the state Margins Tax, placing a higher floor on the small business exemption. Additionally, there is my proposal of a constitutional amendment that would dedicate 25 percent of all future surplus revenues to property tax reduction. These items among many others will dictate our state’s fiscal policy for the next biennium, and I plan to work hard to see our state uphold fiscal restraint and responsible budgeting.

While working on the important issues of these two committees, I will continue to work on local matters that many of you have taken the time to bring to my attention. As always, please feel free to contact my office with any questions or concerns.

It is an honor to serve you in the Texas House of Representatives.

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Elizabeth Campbell

Parker County developers and real estate agents are joining cities who believe the new Upper Trinity Ground Water Conservation District is overstepping its authority and not listening to residents’ concerns.

The developers and cities are at odds with the district over temporary rules that took effect Jan. 1 that require a 2-acre minimum for drilling a new water well and fees assessed for wells that pump over 25 gallons a minute.

The district maintains that it was created to conserve water and monitor usage, which is what voters overwhelmingly approved in 2007.

Jim Duncan, a Weatherford real estate broker and government affairs chairman for the Greater Metro West Association of Realtors, said there are concerns about the 2-acre minimum for drilling a new well. He said people are worried that landowners with lots smaller than 2 acres may not have water for their land, thus reducing its value.

“We all want to have water for our children and grandchildren, but I find it hard to believe that one set of rules fits four counties,” Duncan said.

The Upper Trinity Ground Water District serves Parker, Hood, Wise and Montague counties.

Weatherford Democrat

Phil Riddle

Weatherford State Rep. Phil King lost his committee chairmanship when Joe Straus took over as Speaker of the House. But King said he landed exactly where he wanted to be.

King’s primary committee assignments include the House Committee on Ways and Means and the House Committee on Public Safety.

King, who last session chaired the now-defunct Regulated Industries Committee, said many will consider his new assignment a demotion, but he doesn’t look at it that way.

“Not at all,” he said. “Ways and Means is exactly where I wanted to be. I have faced a lot of frustration dealing with the states’ gross margins business tax, property taxes and sales taxes. Now I have everybody in one place to work out the issues all together.”

State Representative Phil King

It is an unfortunate reality that Texas is one of the nation’s leaders in drunk driving fatalities. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 1,569 people were killed in alcohol-related crashes in Texas in 2006 and more than 63,500 were injured. This session, the legislature has an opportunity to change these disturbing statistics and save lives in Texas.

House Bill 379 and Senate Bill 170 would require all those convicted of drunk driving to install an ignition interlock device on their vehicle. Current policy only requires an interlock device if the convicted person agrees to probation as a result of the conviction. Today, approximately 83 percent of all those convicted of a DWI choose serving jail time over probation. These individuals get back on the road with no mechanism to deter them from driving under the influence.

Eight states now mandate interlock for all drunk driving convictions. In fact, in New Mexico, the first state to pass the all-offender ignition interlock bill, they have seen remarkable progress. The recidivism rate for drunk driving offense has dropped by 60 percent and alcohol related traffic fatalities have decreased by approximately 34 percent. Those are actual lives saved by good public policy.

Over the next several months as the 81st Legislative Session progresses, I will support the bi-partisan efforts of Rep. Linda Harper-Brown and Senator Rodney Ellis in the fight to keep drunk drivers off the road.

It is an honor to serve you in the Texas Legislature.

Phil King