Tag: 83rd texas legislature

YOU DECIDE-Is DPS Violating Texas Law?

Since January of 2014, the Texas Department of Public Service (a very powerful bureaucracy) has been collecting fingerprints of all 10 digits to obtain an original driver license, renewal of driver license, or a duplicate driver license. This change also applies to the photo I.D. cards obtained through DPS.5-5-05 HSE Chamber-2nd reading

Texas law reads:
(b) The application must include:(1) the thumbprints of the applicant or, if thumbprints cannot be taken, the index fingerprints of the applicant

YOU DECIDE whether the legislative intent was to extend the thumbprint collection to all 10 digits. Watch the videos… Continue reading “YOU DECIDE-Is DPS Violating Texas Law?”

DPS is Violating Legislative Intent

-posted by Barbara Harless

The law states that individuals applying for original driver licenses, renewal drivers DPS fingerprint scannerlicenses, 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”

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.Constitution

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”

All Laws Must Pass the Constitutional Test

All legislative matters, the conduct and actions of government officials, and the enforced ordinances and laws which restrict human activity, should pass the three question test:Constitutional Test

1.) Is it “constitutional”?
(Supports the constitutional republic)

2.) Is there a need?
(Do all the People have a need for and benefit from the proposed government intervention?)

3.) Affordability?
(Can the People afford it? Is the cost equal and uniform?)

Continue reading “All Laws Must Pass the Constitutional Test”

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”

PUBLIC HEARING in DALLAS: THURSDAY June 6th @ 2pm

The Texas House Committee on Redistricting, Select will hold a public hearing (Thursday in Dallas) on the Texas redistricting plans which if you will recall, were decided in the courts against the will of the Texas Legislature in 2011. Governor Perry called a Special Session of the current 83rd Texas Legislature (can last for 30 days) within hours after the regular 83rd session adjourned sine die last week (May 27th), with specific instructions on the subject to be addressed:

The special session will consider the following issue: Continue reading “PUBLIC HEARING in DALLAS: THURSDAY June 6th @ 2pm”

CALL Gov. Perry – “Add Pro-Life Bills to the Call”

Contact Gov. Perry. Ask him to “add to the call” Protection of pain-capable unborn children from abortion at 20 weeks gestation
Rep Laubenberg filed a bill during the regular session, which was held up in the House Calendars committee, but she has filed the bill again in this the 1st special session… Continue reading “CALL Gov. Perry – “Add Pro-Life Bills to the Call””

“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/

Good Link – Legislation passed in Austin

Here’s a good link to keep up with what bills are being passed in Austin:

http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/Reports/General.aspx

To get to this link, if you should lose sight of this post:

…if you’re looking for a particular subject, you can cut to the chase by hitting Ctrl+F and typing a key word into the box, which should highlight all of those words on that page.  Ex: “firearm” will highlight all the text on that page that has “firearm” in it.