Category: For Legislators

Gov. Abbott Wants a Con Con, part II

The Article V convention is a Constitutional Convention [Part II]

In Governor Abbott’s own words, his Texas Plan calls for a “constitutional convention”, a.k.a con con. He calls for a constitutional convention no less than 5 times (pages 67 & 68). This flies in the face of those who support his Article V Convention (from the right and the left). The Convention of States supporters have vehemently denied this “amending” convention could have the authority to rewrite the U.S. Constitution, and they come out swinging when constitutionalists describe their “amending convention” as a con con. Well, it seems that the governor has slung mud on the faces of his supporters, or the governor didn’t author the Texas Plan and lacks knowledge of its contents. Either is no excusable matter. Continue reading “Gov. Abbott Wants a Con Con, part II”

Convention of States Lied to Texans

Texas Plan
By Governor Greg Abbott

Texans don’t like to be deceived and lied to. It is especially disappointing when that Texan has invested countless hours and resources behind a leader’s words, trusting that the leader has Texan’s best interests in mind.

Well, in politics just as in business, it is unwise to trust your resources to another without proper oversight and investigation.

Convention of States proponents have long been told by such deceivers as Michael Farris, Mark Meckler, Mark Levin, and Tom Colburn to name just a few, that the Article V convention is not a constitutional convention – it can’t be, and it won’t be.  They further pretend that those naysayers claiming that it is a constitutional convention are ignorant or misleading, and refuse to do anything about our runaway federal government. Continue reading “Convention of States Lied to Texans”

Where’s Texas on Interposition? Tennessee, and now Alabama Gets It

In what is a growing movement of state interposition against federal judicial tyranny, the Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore 10th amendment_Nullification DVDtoday issued an order directing probate judges not to issue marriage licenses to homosexuals. The order states:

IT IS ORDERED AND DIRECTED THAT:

Until further decision by… (read more)

QUESTIONS for the Pro Article V convention advocates

This is the first of several postings intended to encourage civil, thoughtful debate regarding the idea of an Article V convention to amend the U.S. Constitution.

The Texas 84th legislature defeated the A5 (Article V) convention effort to re-write the U.S. Constitution this year. But those pushing the effort will return next session with even more paid lobbyists from outside of Texas pressing our legislators to join the scheme.

Texas should refrain from participating in a re-write of our form of government.

Pro Article V convention lobbyists have instructed Texans to challenge the accusation that an Article V convention could be a constitutional convention (con con) but they refuse to answer pertinent questions with reliable facts. Here are the first in a series of questions for Texans to ponder:
QUESTION #1 that the pro con-con effort won’t answer:

1.)  When was the 1899 Texas call for a constitutional convention rescinded?
http://www.lrl.state.tx.us/scanned/sessionLaws/26-0/SCR_4.pdf
A5 convention lobbyists are sure that a convention can be limited, yet there is an un-limited call outstanding from Texas.

If the Texas legislature supports a “limited” A5 convention, why didn’t ¹HJR 144 pass in the 84th Legislature?  HJR 144 was killed in the House Committee on State & Federal Power & Responsibility, Select, chaired by Representatives Phil King and Paul Workman, who also happen to have authored bills advocating for a “limited” A5 convention.

¹ [HJR 144 by Rep. Elkins, proposed to rescind the unlimited call for a constitutional convention, dated June 1899]

 

Sen. Van Taylor’s Ethics Reform bill – TRASHED in the House

Tuesday May 27th the Texas House of Representatives came out showing their true colors by effectively killing Sen. Van Taylor’s bill to increase transparency of government officials and terminate conflicts of interest.

SB 19 by Van Taylor was passed unanimously in the senate (April 28) but is being gutted and used to further shield government actions from public eyes over in the House of Representatives, under the leadership of Speaker Joe Straus. Continue reading “Sen. Van Taylor’s Ethics Reform bill – TRASHED in the House”

How threatening is the U.S. Constitution?

When a marriage goes south, the partners don’t amend the marriage vows to keep the vows compliant with issues of infidelity.

Likewise, when the federal government violates their Oath, we must not change the words in the constitution to justify federal non-compliance.  Enforce the 10th Amendment first, and then see what America looks like. Continue reading “How threatening is the U.S. Constitution?”

Why Texans don’t have faith in an Article V Convention

Texas has the independent power, without the advice or consent of any other state, to enforce the 10th Amendment

An Article V Convention won’t work to benefit the People because the same legislators who refuse to enforce the good parts in the current constitution will be the ones to propose new amendments.1787 Constitutional Convention

Did Joe Straus appoint Rep. Phil King to chair the House committee that would oversee 10th Amendment bills because King could be counted on to stall any and all good 10th Amendment action bills? Would Straus be a likely Texas delegate to an Article V Convention? The answer to both questions is a very possible yes. Continue reading “Why Texans don’t have faith in an Article V Convention”

School Choice already exists in Texas

PARENTAL CHOICE is, and has been, in the Texas Education Code since at least 1995, allowing for a student to transfer to another campus within a school district, to another School-Vouchersschool district, to another county, and even to a district in another state (for districts bordering the state line).

PUBLIC EDUCATION GRANTS and the public FINANCING of the grants is, and has also been, in the Texas Education Code since 1995.

Why then, does the Texas Legislature continue to reinvent the wheel with programs designed to force private schools to accept public money through grants or vouchers?  This is done under the guise of Continue reading “School Choice already exists in Texas”

Key Public Education Bills in the 84th

Bill Ames has reviewed some 200 bills that have been filed in the 84th Texas Legislature, relating to public education. We express our gratitude to Bill for his offering of 12 of the “Best” , and 10 of the “Worst” bills filed.

84th Texas Legislature – Key Public Education Recommendations
– created by Bill Ames for North Texas Citizens Lobby (NTCL)

Bill Content Description: State contractors (incl. school district contractors) must participate in E-Verify program.
Bill Number: HB88E-Verify
Author: James White (R)
NTCL Recommendation: Support
Justification: Contain employment of illegals

Bill Content Description: Course in U. S. Constitution in curriculum US_Constitution_2requirements for public school students
Bill Number: HB135
Author: Dan Flynn (R)  NTCL Recommendation: Support
Justification: Counters trend towards progressive curriculum in Texas public schools

Continue reading “Key Public Education Bills in the 84th”