Published: 10-02-08
“Pledge” Contains Sweeping Policy Initiatives for the 81st Texas Legislature
TYLER – At a Town Hall meeting in Tyler on October 1 State Representative Leo Berman (R-Tyler) and the Board of Directors of the Texas Conservative Coalition (TCC) announced their “Pledge with Texans” a set of policy goals to address the biggest issues facing the State of Texas. The Pledge represents a renewed commitment to build on the successes that conservatives have achieved since 2003.
The Board of Directors of the Texas Conservative Coalition the conservative caucus of the Texas Legislature signaled their commitment to fight for the goals outlined in the Pledge. TCC will work with other members of the Coalition to encourage them to sign the Pledge before the 81st Texas Legislature convenes in January 2009.
Rep. Wayne Christian TCC President (R-Center) said “With the rest of the nation stuck in an economic and fiscal ditch bold steps are necessary to keep Texas the best state in the nation to raise a family start a business or earn a degree.” Rep. Christian called the Pledge “a landmark commitment by conservatives to tackle the tough challenges facing our state including illegal immigration unacceptably high property taxes and the burden imposed on families by high health care costs.”
The ten-item “Renewed Pledge with Texans” touches on every major policy issue that will be considered by the 81st Legislature including property taxes public education illegal immigration election integrity education and health care.
Meeting in the Smith County Commissioners’ Court Room with residents of East Texas Rep. Christian said “With Washington mired in an economic crisis and political stalemate the time is right for us to stand up and take charge of our future.”
TCC Board Member Dan Flynn (R-Van) added “Conservative legislators have worked hard to keep Texas in the right direction. Our Pledge is designed to refocus and re-energize our fellow conservative legislators to unite behind policy ideas to keep Texas strong growing and prosperous.”
Under conservative leadership Texas has made extraordinary gains.
• In 2003 the 78th Legislature balanced the budget without raising taxes despite a $10 billion shortfall passed lawsuit reform added new protections for unborn children and allowed school districts to expel students who commit crimes such as murder or aggravated robbery.
• In 2005 the 79th Legislature protected the sanctity of marriage by defining marriage in Texas to be only between a man and a woman provided record property tax rate relief and made it a crime to solicit a child online.
• In 2007 the 80th Legislature limited spending growth to less than the increase in population plus inflation dedicated unprecedented state resources to secure the Texas border passed “Jessica’s Law” to increase penalties for sexual predators adopted a “Landowners’ Bill of Rights” and cut telephone taxes.
Representative Linda Harper-Brown (R-Irving) Vice President of TCC added “Conservatives have made great strides in protecting traditional values holding the line on the budget and protecting against lawsuit abuse. I am very proud of our record of achievement.”
Representative Leo Berman concluded “The work of conservatives is far from finished and our bold plan won’t be accomplished overnight. But we intend to remain vigilant determined and unrelenting in our drive to implement conservative initiatives.”
Founded in 1985 the Texas Conservative Coalition unites legislators who share a commitment to the core conservative principles of limited government individual liberties free enterprise and traditional family values.
