Government Collects Non-Criminal Data for Individual Freedom?

by Barbara Harless

The Texas 83rd Legislature failed to pass strong 2nd Amendment bills that support individual right of self-defense and individual right to defend individual property.  Instead, they Continue reading “Government Collects Non-Criminal Data for Individual Freedom?”

“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…

  1. Urge the House to Reject HB 1025 & SB 1 budget bill
  2. 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/

IMMEDIATE ACTION: SB 346 – political contributions

Senate Bill 346 requires that any “person or group of persons” making more than $25,000 in so-called “political expenditures” in a calendar year turn over to the government the identities of the sources of all “political contributions” over $1,000 (§ 254.253(a)). This obligation applies unless the group of persons is “labor organization or any subordinate entity or associated account of a labor organization,” in which case there is no obligation to turn supporters’ identities over.

Excluded from this mandate are unions!

If Governor Perry signs SB346, this will lead to enhanced scrutiny of grassroots groups in Texas and their supporters. Supporters’ identities will have to be turned over if the groups are found to have tendered–or agreed to tender–more than $25,000 of value “in connection with” election-related activities in a calendar year, or tendered such value knowing that it could potentially be used “in connection with” such activities.

PERRY NEEDS TO VETO THIS BILL TODAY (Saturday), OR IT BECOMES LAW.
Governor Rick Perry’s contact info: Phone: (512) 463-2000 http://governor.state.tx.us/contact/

Students Lobbying in Austin

By Thatcher Townson

May 24, 2013

On Wednesday, May 22nd, 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 Nick Cantrell, Thatcher Townson,Natalie Mott, Levi Box,Duncan Voyles,Samuel Vott,Julia, Voyles,Linda Townson Continue reading “Students Lobbying in Austin”

Welcome, New Citizen Lobbyists

NTCL welcomed new citizen lobbyists, Suzanne and Elizabeth Souza on May 15th. Suzanne, Elizabeth, and Barbara Harless traveled to the capitol to visit with legislators and tour the capitol. Gratitude goes to Rep. Jodie Laubenberg for sponsoring Elizabeth as a House Page for the morning of May 15th. Continue reading “Welcome, New Citizen Lobbyists”

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”

Invasion of Privacy and Dereliction of Fiscal Duty

This year, Senator John Carona (Dallas) authored a bill (SB 241) that would allow electricity consumers to opt-out of the advanced meters (aka smart meters) without additional fees, but the bill is dead in the senate. This story reads much like the TSA Anti-Groping bill by David Simpson in the 82nd legislative session. Continue reading “Invasion of Privacy and Dereliction of Fiscal Duty”

BAD Bill Alert…SB 1029 removes local public hearing/county commissioner approval (toll roads)

Below is a cut & paste from Terri Hall (http://texasturf.org/grassroots-action-center/327-bad-bill-alert). Read her explanation below – or – go to the bottom of this article for info on what you can do now – TODAY – to stop this bad bill

SB 1029 keeps 5 loopholes in the law that allow the conversion of free lanes into toll lanes, removes public vote Continue reading “BAD Bill Alert…SB 1029 removes local public hearing/county commissioner approval (toll roads)”

HB 78 – Tax Exemption for Small Purchases of Coins and Metals

HB 78 is David Simpson’s bill that exempts certain coins and precious metals from sales tax.  The bill passed the house and has been placed on the Senate calendar.  This bill will extend the sales tax exemption on coins/metals to purchases under $1000. (Current law exempts purchases over $1000).  Judging from the fact that the bill had over 120 co-sponsors in the House, the politicians see value in passing this.
Recommended action: Contact your Senator and urge them to vote IN FAVOR of HB 78.

Texas Legislature Attempting to Punish Grassroots Activist?

Another relevant and important article from Empower Texans:

Unethical Commission (updated with vote results)

Texas House GOP moderates — and the entire block of Democrats — voted to silence conservatives and give new powers to labor unions. The legislation still has to be voted on one more time by the House (probably Tuesday), and then it will go to Gov. Rick Perry for either his signature or veto. See how your legislator voted at the link below.

http://www.empowertexans.com/features/unethical-commission/