By Jason Moore
Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN Texas Its almost that biennial time of the year again;
The post-election run-up to the dust-up that is the Texas Legislature which includes
the election of the Speaker of the House. Two years ago you may recall many of us in the conservative grassroots movement made our desire known that we had earned the right to have conservative legislation reflected by the election of a much more conservative body. However lessons are always learned by those who
choose to learn from previous battles.
With the election of a much more conservative body during a landmark 2010 Election we felt we deserved a more conservative Speaker of the House and a long several month battle played out in various media circles and outlets culminating in a very spirited" convergence of activists at the State Capitol.
We all know that the same Speaker of the House returned and the budget and redistricting battles stole the spotlight over most all other legislation. However the election results provided proof to confirm some of the dangers we as conservatives warned about during the legislative process.
When I reflect back while also looking forward I can tell you that I will still be talking to my legislator about the Speakers race but from a different perspective this year.
At the end of the day there are in fact TWO votes for Speaker of the House; One when we voters carefully choose our State Representative which leads to the second vote when elected legislators carefully cast their votes on our behalf for Speaker of the House.
But this year
my discussion with my legislator will be based upon asking him to support a Speaker candidate who supports three simple principles.
The next Speaker should:
- Support the Texas Budget Compact;
- Support the principles of the Republican Party; and
- Affirm through chairmanships & legislation the 2012 Republican Primary Ballot Initiatives passed overwhelmingly by Republican voters.
Just like two years ago I will again be supporting a principle instead of a person.
Because at the end of the day we all know that a vote for Speaker of the House is ultimately cast by members of the House.
Moreover if the Speaker of 2013 Legislative Session fails to appoint Committee Chairmen who facilitate getting the voters agenda passed during the Session that Speaker will have failed the legislative body and the overwhelming majority of Texas voters.
Therefore first and foremost conservative grassroots activists should support and encourage our respective legislators to support only those candidates for Speaker that have demonstrated a commitment to
at least these three principles.
At this stage of the process we dont yet know who all the personalities will be in the Speakers race. But we should know what principles we
want embodied in the eventual Speaker chosen.
I believe Texas taxpayers have made it clear which direction they want to go.
It is the duty of our elected officials to facilitate that direction by how they run the Peoples House.
Texas is the top state for business relocation the top state for job creation as well as the nations top exporting state. But we have done little to protect the states economy for the future. We need to enact spending limits and we need to put in place a strong foundation for economic freedom in the Lone Star State.
This battle as far as I am concerned is not about personalities nor is it really about politics. It is about policies and the Texas that conservatives want to leave for our children and grandchildren.
The first vote in the process electing a Speaker of the House is now behind us (the elections). Now lets discuss with legislators the principles that should guide
THEIR vote for Speaker.
With that vote by our States House legislators we the conservative Texas citizens will have a guiding principle to help us know how we want to proceed the next time WE exercise our vote for Speaker".
Jason Moore of Odessa is a former member of theRepublican Party of Texas State Republican Executive Committee (SREC) for State Senate District 31.
