By Rep. Ken Paxton
Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN Texas As the 82nd Legislative Session approaches members of the Texas Conservative Coalition (TCC) the conservative caucus of the Texas Legislature have outlined their major goals for next Legislative Session. We are challenging members of the Legislature to act responsibly in an effort to balance our State Budget while addressing other important issues.
As our projected budget deficit continues to grow we must work to stabilize and even grow our economy and protect Texas individuals and families as well as the business community from increased taxes.
Additionally we must fight the federal governments efforts to limit the freedoms of Texans and inhibit our ability to succeed.
TCC created a Pledge with Texans to serve as a roadmap for the long-term success of the State of Texas by offering solutions to the five most pressing issues that the next Legislature must address:
- Balance the Budget Without Raising Taxes Texans currently face some major economic challenges such as a rise in the unemployment and foreclosure rates and members of the Legislature must resist the urge to balance our budget on the backs of hardworking taxpayers in our State. Rather we must work to pass legislation that encourages economic growth and provides employment opportunities for more Texas workers while cutting our State budget and operating our government more efficiently.
- Limit Federal Intrusion The federal government continues to offer states bailout funds with strings attached. These strings not only limit our freedoms but also make demands on our State resources by requiring the continuation of government programs after federal support has ceased. Furthermore the federal government continues to pass costly legislation such as the federal healthcare bill to limit states ability to best provide for our citizens. Texas must continue its fight to protect states rights and the rights of our citizens to live without unnecessary federal intrusion and mandates.
- Secure the Texas Border Illegal immigration drains economic resources from our healthcare education and criminal justice systems resources that our State simply does not have to offer at this time. Additionally we must secure the border in order to protect our citizens from the drug cartels and growing gang violence in our State.
- Cut Taxes Cutting taxes would provide families more income during this difficult economic time as well as provide more flexibility for businesses to create more jobs and offer better benefits to their employees.
- Improve Election Integrity Americans most fundamental right the right to vote is completely undermined when noncitizens participate in the election process. The Legislature must pass legislation next session such as the Voter ID bill which would require voters to show a picture ID in order to maintain the integrity of our elections process.
I am pleased to have the opportunity to stand with 48 other conservative State Legislators to promote principles of limited government individual liberty free enterprise and traditional values.
We must remain focused next session to defend and advance our principles as we directly address a revenue shortfall without raising taxes a federal government that too readily and too frequently intrudes on our liberty and the challenge of protecting Texans from increased violence along the Texas border.
Through these efforts Texas will continue to be the best place to live in our country.
