By Denise McNamara
Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN Texas Media types Democrats & some Republicans are playing the religion card in the Speakers race. This election has nothing to do with
religion; it has everything to do with policy. And with leadership. Speaker Straus did have a Republican majority last session. Yes it was a slim majority but he had one nevertheless. That is a fact.
Despite that major legislation such as Voter ID was killed under his watch. That is a fact. Democrats chaired too many committees. Another fact.
Each session the Members should choose from within the GOP Caucus the most capable and qualified candidate for Speaker. That candidate this time around is Ken Paxton. His resume professionalism and competence as well as his courage make him the best choice.
Joe Straus had the backing of only 11 Republicans last session (notwithstanding the tradition of unanimous election of the obvious winner); he was not the GOPs candidate. He should not be their choice this time.
Ken Paxtons Bio
State Of Texas House of Representatives
Biography of Ken Paxton (District 70)
Ken Paxton was born December 23 1962 in Minot North Dakota. He graduated from Baylor University in Waco Texas earning a B.A. in Psychology in 1985 and a M.B.A. in 1986. After business school Rep. Paxton accepted a position with Arthur Andersen as a management consultant. He then attended the University of Virginia School of Law where he earned a J.D. degree in 1991. After law school Representative Paxton joined the firm of Strasburger & Price L.L.P before joining J.C. Penney Company Inc. as in-house legal counsel.
Mr. Paxton is currently a named partner in the law firm of Pittenger Paxton Nuspl & Crumley where he is specializing in estate planning probate real estate corporate transactions and advising businesses on various legal matters. Additionally he owns and operates a title company in McKinney that closes both residential and commercial real estate transactions. He also speaks on various estate planning business and real estate topics.
Ken Paxton is currently serving as the State Representative for District 70 which consists of Allen Celina Frisco McKinney Plano and Prosper. He received more general election votes than any other state representative in 2004 and 2008 and has made the power rankings list by on-line guide Capitol Insider. Additionally he has been named Texas Taxpayer Hero by Texans for Fiscal Responsibility and has been named to the Texas Association of REALTORS Legislative Hall of Fame for his uncompromising commitment to championing the rights of homeowners. Rep. Paxton serves as member of the House Land and Resource Management Committee and a member of the powerful House Ways and Means committee which reviews any proposed revenue and tax changes. Recently Mr. Paxton was appointed to the Select Committee on Fiscal Stability charged with examining the long-term health of the Texas budget.
Representative Paxton currently serves on the Centennial Medical Center Board in Frisco and the Board Prestonwood Pregnancy and Family Care Center. He is a member of the McKinney Rotary Club and the Allen Frisco Plano and McKinney Chambers of Commerce. Mr. Paxton is Honorary Chair for the Prosper Open Foundation a member of the Board of Directors for the Tax Increment Financing Reinvestment Zone for the City of Allen and a member of the Advisory Boards for the Frisco Association for the Arts. In 2010 Mr. Paxton joined the founding board for the Collin County Student Aviation Initiative that will train high school students for job readiness in the field of aviation. In 2005 he was named one of the 21 Leaders of the 21st Century by Inside Collin County Business. Recently he was named a FIVE STAR Wealth Manager for 2010 by Texas Monthly.
Ken Paxton lives in McKinney Texas with his wife Angela and their four children; Tucker (17) Abby (15) Madison (13) and Katie (11). Along with his family Representative Paxton is an active charter member of
Stonebriar Community Church in Frisco where he has participated in various leadership roles.
Vice Chair General Investigating • Financial Institutions • Vice Chair Ways and Means
Paxtons Legislative Record
Summary:
Rep. Ken Paxton was first elected in 2002 and has spent his career in the legislature focused on passing conservative legislation on a wide range of issues. His particular interest and focus has been tax reform and taxpayer protections. Over the course of his legislative career he has authored legislation to accomplish the following:
- Limit state government growth and spending;
- Reduce property taxes on Texas families;
- End state spending for individuals who have entered our country illegally;
- Implement more obstacles for lawmakers who want to raise taxes;
- Dramatically cut business taxes in order to help create jobs for more Texans; and
- Improve government transparency so taxpayers know how their tax dollars are spent.
Rep. Paxton has been involved in passing legislation dealing with lawsuit reform informed consent for abortions lowered taxes provided property tax relief expanded transparency in state agencies and reformed eminent domain law.
Denise McNamara is the former Republican National Committeewoman for Texas (2000-2008). She is a small business owner & mother of four who resides in Dallas Texas.
