Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN Texas Recent generations may remember a brief cartoon from their Saturday mornings or civics classes called Im Just a Bill" that provides a memorable lesson on how laws are created. In a musical cross between Fats Domino and Hank Williams an animated bill with arms legs and a lyrical soul explains how he becomes a law. The cartoon leaves the viewer with two firm impressions. First our well-meaning melodic narrator Bill" needs to live to become a law. Second once a bill passes into law it joins an immortal pantheon of democratic goodness.
I understand that its hard to ask much of a childrens cartoon but not all laws remain eternally good. Some laws become antiquated costly to maintain or unreasonably expand the size of government. At some point a legislature looking towards government reform must consider that the laws that Bill brought must go.
For over a century the Texas Legislature has passed legislation typically without the musical charm of the animated Bill" into hundreds of chapters of law. Some of these laws have outlived their usefulness. One provision micromanages the size of paper and filing cabinets that state agencies must buy as if a sane person were incapable of doing this on their own. In 2007 I repealed a law allowing the state to condemn private property for Texas centennial celebration which was in 1936. A provision in the Texas Constitution that harkens from the time of Charles Dickens allows counties to operate poor farms and workhouses. Devotes of Dickens A Christmas Carol" may remember Scrooges famous muttering on the need for these callous institutions.
While some laws are obsolete others are very much alive and affect our everyday lives. For example one law could send a person to jail for 100 days if they sell a secondhand watch without a paper invoice. I dont think this is a fair reason to send people to prison.
Then there are laws that regulate the types of occupations people may pursue. In fact we have reached a point where nearly one-third of the Texas workforce is regulated by state law. These regulations require state agencies bureaucrats and paperwork all at taxpayers eventual expense.
Other laws create programs that expand the role of government. As an example the State of Texas is in the business of subsidizing the film industry marketing wines and promoting the arts to name a few activities. More laws dictate the types of tests that our school children must take labeling that must be applied to certain products and who can work on certain types of jobs.
Taken together all of these laws affect citizens ability to carry on with their everyday lives.
The current budget crisis brings the debate over the role of government into sharp focus. As Chairman of the House Committee on Government Efficiency and Reform I believe that this session presents the perfect opportunity to begin the discussion on what the term limited government" really means. While some programs may be cut through the budgeting process now is the time to critically evaluate the laws that created those regulations and programs in the first place. To be blunt: at some point the role of government must be curbed to allow the decisions of businesses families and common sense to prevail. Texans should be allowed to carry on with their lives in the absence of government interference.
Of course I believe that some of the laws that we create are good and necessary. I also believe that future legislatures have a right and an obligation to revisit the laws that have been passed. Should they find that these laws and programs no longer work or have outlived their usefulness I would expect and appreciate that they exercise prudence and have them repealed.
Representative Callegari has represented Katy and the west Harris County area in the Texas House of Representatives since his election in year 2000. He was appointed by House Speaker Joe Straus to serve as Chairman of the House Committee on Government Efficiency and Reform.
Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN Texas Recent generations may remember a brief cartoon from their Saturday mornings or civics classes called Im Just a Bill" that provides a memorable lesson on how laws are created. In a musical cross between Fats Domino and Hank Williams an animated bill with arms legs and a lyrical soul explains how he becomes a law. The cartoon leaves the viewer with two firm impressions. First our well-meaning melodic narrator Bill" needs to live to become a law. Second once a bill passes into law it joins an immortal pantheon of democratic goodness.
I understand that its hard to ask much of a childrens cartoon but not all laws remain eternally good. Some laws become antiquated costly to maintain or unreasonably expand the size of government. At some point a legislature looking towards government reform must consider that the laws that Bill brought must go.
For over a century the Texas Legislature has passed legislation typically without the musical charm of the animated Bill" into hundreds of chapters of law. Some of these laws have outlived their usefulness. One provision micromanages the size of paper and filing cabinets that state agencies must buy as if a sane person were incapable of doing this on their own. In 2007 I repealed a law allowing the state to condemn private property for Texas centennial celebration which was in 1936. A provision in the Texas Constitution that harkens from the time of Charles Dickens allows counties to operate poor farms and workhouses. Devotes of Dickens A Christmas Carol" may remember Scrooges famous muttering on the need for these callous institutions.
While some laws are obsolete others are very much alive and affect our everyday lives. For example one law could send a person to jail for 100 days if they sell a secondhand watch without a paper invoice. I dont think this is a fair reason to send people to prison.
Then there are laws that regulate the types of occupations people may pursue. In fact we have reached a point where nearly one-third of the Texas workforce is regulated by state law. These regulations require state agencies bureaucrats and paperwork all at taxpayers eventual expense.
Other laws create programs that expand the role of government. As an example the State of Texas is in the business of subsidizing the film industry marketing wines and promoting the arts to name a few activities. More laws dictate the types of tests that our school children must take labeling that must be applied to certain products and who can work on certain types of jobs.
Taken together all of these laws affect citizens ability to carry on with their everyday lives.
The current budget crisis brings the debate over the role of government into sharp focus. As Chairman of the House Committee on Government Efficiency and Reform I believe that this session presents the perfect opportunity to begin the discussion on what the term limited government" really means. While some programs may be cut through the budgeting process now is the time to critically evaluate the laws that created those regulations and programs in the first place. To be blunt: at some point the role of government must be curbed to allow the decisions of businesses families and common sense to prevail. Texans should be allowed to carry on with their lives in the absence of government interference.
Of course I believe that some of the laws that we create are good and necessary. I also believe that future legislatures have a right and an obligation to revisit the laws that have been passed. Should they find that these laws and programs no longer work or have outlived their usefulness I would expect and appreciate that they exercise prudence and have them repealed.
Representative Callegari has represented Katy and the west Harris County area in the Texas House of Representatives since his election in year 2000. He was appointed by House Speaker Joe Straus to serve as Chairman of the House Committee on Government Efficiency and Reform.
