Texas Legislature – Page 2 – North Texas Citizens Lobby

Introduction to NTCL-Sat. Sept 6th (1-2pm)

Becoming MORE effective with your government

Mission Statement of the North Texas Citizens Lobby:
“Through education and active civic participation, restore limited government that benefits all and shows preference to none.”

Join us!
In 1 hour we will present an overview of what the North Texas Citizens Lobby did in the 83rd Texas Legislative Session, and what we’re planning for the 84th Session (begins Jan. 13, 2015)

We want to share our model with you and invite you to see where you can make a difference.

Join us!
Sat. Sept 6th (1:00pm – 2:00pm)
Spring Creek BBQ-McKinney
1993 North Central Expressway
(at Highway 380)
McKinney, TX 75070
Map: http://springcreekbarbeque.com/mckinney.htm

NTCL networks with citizen lobbyists in 7 north Texas counties, working together to watch what government is doing, engaging with government, and reporting it when there is still a window of opportunity for US to do something about it – not after the fact (like the 5:00 news report). We ARE the news!

Join us Saturday, Sept 6th, from 1:00-2:00pm in McKinney, and bring a friend!

We’ll stick around for an hour afterwards, to answer any questions.

DPS is Violating Legislative Intent

-posted by Barbara Harless

The law states that individuals applying for original driver licenses, renewal drivers licenses, applicants applying for duplicate drivers licenses and personal identification certificates, must render thumbprints or index fingerprints (if a thumb is not available), along with an Image Verification System Photo (facial recognition photo).

The Texas DPS has been collecting full sets of 10 digit fingerprints, against legislative intent, since April that this blogger knows of. Dave Lieber with the Dallas Morning News reports that all 10 digits were being collected as early as January 2014 (see DMN links below).

Here is the legislative history:

– 1967 HB 354 (60th Legislature) – Added thumbprints or index fingerprints (if a thumb was not available) requirement to Continue reading “DPS is Violating Legislative Intent”

Putting Teeth in the GOP Platform

Every two years, thousands (maybe millions) of volunteer hours go into crafting our Texas GOP Platform to represent the majority of about 9000 Republicans in the state of Texas. These 9000 volunteers are the delegates to our state convention.

Texas, being a red state, has seen many politicians benefit from running under the Republican banner in the Primary Election. They win, and they are a shoe-in when the straight party voters cast a ballot the following November. We know this is true because we label many of these politicians as RINOs (Republican In Name Only). Once they gain office, they execute their powers their own way.

How would you like to see a policy similar to the following adopted and enforced by the Republican Party of Texas?

“The Republican Party of Texas may vote to censure a Republican office holder for consistent actions taken in opposition to the core principles of the Republican Party of Texas as defined in our Platform. This censure may include a stipulation Continue reading “Putting Teeth in the GOP Platform”

9 Proposed Amendments – Put Through the Constitutional Test

Here is a taxpayer’s view of the intended and unintended consequences of the efforts of our noble Austin legislators.

First, one must read the proposed legislation because the brief explanatory statement of the nature of each proposed amendment listed on the ballot is not even close to addressing what is in the amendment. If a proposed amendment has enabling legislation (many do), the details of the amendment with taxing authority, penalties for violations, and other changes/additions to other state statutes may be found there. In short, you have to read the amendment/enabling bill to find out what’s in it and often times we have to pass the amendment/bill to find out what’s in it. On some of the proposed amendments, the enabling legislation is silent (deficient) in certain areas. Where there is silence in the enabling legislation, once the amendment is passed then it may be up to the courts to decide the intent of the author(s) of the amendment or enabling legislation. This is unfortunate but true.

Second, one should understand the Purpose and Consequences of laws.

Third, one should put each proposed amendment to the 3 question test of “constitutionality”. Continue reading “9 Proposed Amendments – Put Through the Constitutional Test”

Dorothy & Toto Finally “Got It” – Why Can’t Mark Levin?

Dorothy and crew If you grew up in the 50’s or 60’s, you huddled around the television set once each year when Metro Goldwyn Mayer would air a musical titled, The Wizard of Oz. The musical trek from the Land of Oz to the Emerald City was a 2 hour televised fantasy trip down a yellow brick road to ask the Wizard of Oz to grant magical powers to those less fortunate souls; such as to grant a heart for the Tin Man, courage for the Lion, a brain for the Scarecrow, and a trip back to Kansas for Dorothy Gale and her little dog Toto (to be reunited with her Auntie Em and Uncle Henry). Follwoing advice from the Munchkins and Glinda the good witch, Dorothy and Toto follow the yellow brick road to the Emerald City to seek the help of the Wizard of Oz. Continue reading “Dorothy & Toto Finally “Got It” – Why Can’t Mark Levin?”

Transportation, PPPs, TEF, and Our Appetite for Imports

Gov. Perry’s press release announced that TEXAS taxpayers are providing $800,000 through the Texas Enterprise Fund to close a deal with Fritz Industries, Inc. in Greenville, TX.

COULD THIS HAVE ANYTHING to do with the “Blacklands Corridor Feasibility Study”, proposing to build the new multimodal (includes toll road option) transportation facility along or near the Northeast Texas Rural Rail Transportation District (NETEX) right-of-way, from IH-30 in Greenville (Hunt County), through Collin County, to the President George Bush Turnpike in Dallas County? By the way, NETEX already signed a lease agreement on Jan 9, 2013 with a private company named Cotton Belt Turnpike LP (public private partnership) to do such a thing, so this study is a “cart before the horse” study. Continue reading “Transportation, PPPs, TEF, and Our Appetite for Imports”

Nov 5, 2013…Nine Proposed TEXAS Constitutional Amendments

Hot off the press….
Nine (9) propositions will appear on the Nov 5th ballot, in the attempt to amend our state constitution [this has been done every 2 years since 1879]
Does Austin want more of your savings account?

Below, you can find 2 state legislative produced documents that outline the 9 propositions that you will be asked to vote on this Nov 5th. Before you read, please understand who is directing the narrative on these 2 publications:
HRO Steering Committee and the Governing Body of the TX Lege Council
These are the very people that wrote the bills and managed to pass them. As you read, you will see more details are attributed to the “supporters” than the “opponents”. Read them very carefully and do some research. It’s only your money they are spending. Continue reading “Nov 5, 2013…Nine Proposed TEXAS Constitutional Amendments”

“NO” to 26% Increase in State Spending

Your phone calls WORKED! Gov. Perry vetoed SB 346 yesterday (May 25th), but our job is not finished! Please continue to make your voice count…

Urge the House to Reject HB 1025 & SB 1 budget bill
Urge the Governor to Veto if House Passes

See full explanation and contact information at: http://gawtp.com/spending-up-26-texas-legislature-takes-wild-left-turn-spends-like-theres-no-tomorrow/

Students Lobbying in Austin

By Thatcher Townson

May 24, 2013

On Wednesday, May 22^nd, five high school students along with two adults from the Collin County civics group, SALT[1], accompanied the North Texas Citizens Lobby to the capitol. We spoke with Representative Phil King, and Representative Scott Turner, and Continue reading “Students Lobbying in Austin”

Texas Death Panel dies in Committee, with Heated Testimonies

I want to thank Rep. Lois Kolkhorst for her leadership on the House Committee on Public Health. SB 303 (aka Death Panel bill) has died in her committee, and with good reason.

SB 303, by Representatives Deuell | Estes | Lucio III, proposes to remove my inherent right to life and Continue reading “Texas Death Panel dies in Committee, with Heated Testimonies”