Austin Texas Today conservatives in the Texas House of Representatives passed three bills to spur innovation to cut taxes on small businesses to help the environment and to increase protections for private property owners.
State Representative Wayne Christian (R-Center) President of the Texas Conservative Coalition stated: With conservatives leading the way the House today cut taxes on small businesses helped to take a major step forward in environmental protection while creating new jobs and strengthened private property rights. I am also pleased we stepped forward to help bring public education into the 21st Century by allowing school districts to purchase electronic learning materials."
Three conservative bills passed by the Texas House of Representatives today include:
- House Bill 4765 joint authored by Republicans Ken Paxton (R-McKinney) Bill Callegari (R-Katy) and Brandon Creighton (R-Conroe) temporarily raises the small business exemption to the margins tax from $300000 to $1 million for the 2010-2011 biennium. The bill passed the Texas House of Representatives on May 4.
Rep. Christian stated: The timing of the new margins tax on Texas business could not have been worse: tax bills came due right as the economy began to worsen. By raising the revenue exemption small businesses will get some needed relief to help deal with the terrible aftershocks of the economic crisis."
- House Bill 469 by Rep. Phil King (R-Weatherford) creates an incentive program for clean coal technology that allows for carbon dioxide to be captured sequestered and used for enhanced oil recovery. The bill passed the House of Representatives on May 5.
Rep. Christian stated: Technology and innovation are the keys to a clean environment. While the federal government is moving toward regulations and higher taxes that will stifle business and cost jobs the Texas House today incentivized technological advancements that will allow for more electricity that has less of an impact on the Texas environment."
- House Bill 2685 by Rep. Bill Callegari (R-Katy) defines exactly when a property owner must receive a copy of the Landowners Bill of Rights" that explains the property owners rights when facing eminent domain. The bill passed the House of Representatives on May 5.
Rep. Christian stated: Property rights area top priority for conservatives especially since the infamous 2005 Supreme Court decision in Kelo. We are not done passing property rights legislation. More must be done to protect our land homes and businesses against encroachment by the government but this is a good start."
- On Monday May 4 conservatives also helped pass House Bill 4294 by Rep. Dan Branch (R-Dallas) which allows school districts to adopt electronic textbooks in addition to traditional textbooks.
Rep. Christian stated: Public school students use advanced technology to listen to music play video games and to text message their friends and family. H.B. 4294 allows our students to learn by using 21st Century technology in the classroom. Electronic textbooks allow advanced technology to contribute to learning."
In addition conservatives halted passage of House Bill 1886 by Robert Miklos (D-Mesquite) which would have had negative ramifications for home school students and their parents.
Rep. Christian concluded: The month of May has barely begun but already conservatives have won some major victories. With a little less than 30 days left in the session we will remain focused and energized on pushing key elements of our agenda."
