#TXLEGE: Schaefer makes OBVIOUS point; Demonic Hordes throw a tantrum

"If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you."
John 15:18

Following Saturday's shooting in Odessa, Matt Schaefer made a couple of comments on Twitter that should not be controversial.

Spiritual point:

Godless, depraved hearts. That IS the root of the problem. Every person needs a heart transformed by faith in God through Jesus. May God be near to those suffering in Odessa and Midland, and everywhere that evil has struck a blow. #txlege

— Matt Schaefer (@RepMattSchaefer) September 1, 2019

Public policy point:

I am NOT going to use the evil acts of a handful of people to diminish the God-given rights of my fellow Texans. Period. None of these so-called gun-control solutions will work to stop a person with evil intent. 2/6

— Matt Schaefer (@RepMattSchaefer) September 1, 2019

I say NO to “red flag” pre-crime laws. NO to universal background checks. NO to bans on AR-15s, or high capacity magazines. NO to mandatory gun buybacks. 3/6

— Matt Schaefer (@RepMattSchaefer) September 1, 2019

In other words: Evil acts are the result of sin.   Jesus' resurrection is the antidote to sin.  And gun control doesn't work and wouldn't have prevented a single one of the so-called "mass shootings."

And?!?

Honestly, however, believers should expect that reaction.

You cannot expect the world to understand the things of God.  You just can't.  While that's not the central point of the new testament, it's one of the 3 or 4 most important subpoints.

Bottom Line: Good on Matt Schaefer for earning himself some treasure in heaven.

#TXLEGE: Capriglione's Protectionist Roofing Scheme FAILS SPECTACULARLY

"Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil,
But counselors of peace have joy."
Proverbs 12:20

[Note: You can view the full discussion of HB 2101 here.  The relevant section begins at the 3 hour, 12 minute mark.  It runs for about half an hour.]

For a bill deadline day, yesterday was fairly anticlimactic.  The Texas house passed a modestly useful constitutional amendment prohibiting a state income tax.  Otherwise, the day went how we expected.

Except, however, for one bill that failed,

HB 2101, by Giovanni Capriglione, would require mandatory registration and fees for all roofing contractors in the state.  We're actually on the mailing list for the lobbyists who were pushing this bill.  That's the only we're familiar with it.

As luck would have it, we were in the house gallery as the bill was discussed last night.

We chronicled it, real time, on Facebook:



And Twitter:

#TXLEGE: Republican (Capriglione) lays out bill creating $250 mandatory registration for all roofing contractors; Democrat (Romero) asking about "unintended consequences" for "overwhelming majority of responsible business owners...." pic.twitter.com/tIzKXA0FEc

— cahnman (@cahnman) May 10, 2019

For such a wretched bill, opposition was refreshingly bipartisan.

Democrats like Ramon Romero and Abel Herrero talked about how Capriglione's bill was unfair to responsible businesses.  Steve Toth discussed how costs exploded in his industry (swimming pool services) following a similar bill by the legislature.  Matt Schaefer spoke movingly about how such regulations would have made his own economic rise impossible.

The bill failed 33 to 99.

Bottom Line: To see such a wretched elected official pushing such a wretched bill suffer this level of public humiliation was quite fun....

#TXLEGE: Consensus and Dissention on University Tuition

"Wealth gained by dishonesty will be diminished,
But he who gathers by labor will increase."
Proverbs 13:11

[Note: The hearing can be viewed here; our testimony is 90ish minutes in.]

We testified this morning in favor of HB 132 (Gonzalez): "Relating to a limitation on the amount of tuition charged by public institutions of higher education"; this is the tuition freeze bill we discussed in January.

Gonzalez did a really good job laying out her bill.  She explained how public university tuition has exploded across Texas.  This is personally relevant to Gonzalez seeing how, apparently, she's just completed her Phd.  What we really loved, however, Gonzalez pointed out that shuffling off tuition to the Board of Regents' was a way for the legislature to duck responsibility.

Amen.

Gonzalez made most of the points we wanted to make.  During our testimony we added that, while most of the problems in higher ed. policy are federal, that was no reason for the state of Texas to make things worse.  We've thought that how Texas public universities set tuition rates was a particularly bad system for at least five years.

That was where things got interesting.  Following our testimony, Chairman Turner felt compelled to explain that, while he was very sympathetic to the complaint, tuition reform needed to be accompanied by more state spending.  We're familiar with the argument.  As we explained to Chairman Turner, we're sympathetic to the argument, but we need tuition restraints with teeth up-front.  We were about to make a further point about cost controls when...

...John Smithee spoke up.  As the only member of the committee who was in the legislature when the current system passed, Smithee called it "a vote I wish I could have back."  Smithee then made the same points about expensive buildings and excessive bureaucracy this author would have made.

Bottom Line: The breakdown of support/opposition to this bill was very intersting....

--------

Political Note for Republicans: There were (at least) four Democrat bills dealing with tuition on today's docket.  Zero from Republicans.  If you want to know why you're getting killed with the under-40 crowd, that would be a good place to look....

#RPTCon18: How to ACTUALLY prevent school shootings

Ken Paxton Speaking

"Every one of the builders had his sword girded at his side as he built. And the one who sounded the trumpet was beside me.
Nehemiah 4:18

We attended this afternoon's RPT convention event with Gun Owners of America concerning the Second Amendment and the recent round of so-called "school shootings."

The Texas house Freedom Caucus opened the discussion with a legislative update on Constitutional Carry.  The short version is that a lot of politics happened last session.  Matt Schafer also pointed out that firearms regulations are embedded all over Texas' various codes, so successfully eliminating them is more complicated than it looks.  Schaefer also pointed out that firearms restrictions leave women in bad relationships vulnerable to the whims of their partners.

Attorney General Paxton made the most interesting remarks.  Paxton discussed how Israel does school safety better than any other country.  During the 1970's following various "Palestinian" attacks on innocent schoolchildren, Israel implemented measures to assure competent armed guards are stationed at every school.  Israel also allows armed teachers in classrooms.  Following the implementation of these measure, Israel hasn't seen an active shooter event in a school setting in over 40 years.

We've been meaning to point out that General Paxton is the only person talking sense about school security for a few weeks; we're glad to have this opportunity.

Ted Cruz was scheduled to speak, but got stuck in D.C.  His father spoke in the Senator's stead.  Rafael Cruz explained how his experience in Cuba illustrates how an armed citizenry is necessary.  Rafael Cruz also pointed out that Switzerland requires it's population to be armed and that it hasn't been invaded in centuries.

Chip Roy was the final speaker.  Roy discussed his recent experience at his children's school during the Austin bombings.  Roy pointed out how the Southwest Austin bombing happened near the school.  During the next several days, parents fanned out near campus to protect the students.  Roy discussed how this is the proper response to safety threats AND how gun regulations wouldn't have made a difference in this situation.  Roy also pointed out that the odds of a child being killed in school are 1 in 614 million.  [Disclosure: Chip Roy and this author have mutual friends whose children attend the school in question.]

Bottom Line:  Informative event.

#TXLEGE: Freedom Caucus takes lead to repeal Latest act of Licensing Larceny....

"Dishonest scales are an abomination to the Lord,
But a just weight is His delight."
Proverbs 11:1

A couple weeks ago, we discussed Texas' absurd 'enforcement mechanism' that permits the state to suspend occupation licenses for those who are behind on student loan payments.  This means people in debt can't work to pay off the debt.  Well, it looks like the Freedom Caucus is stepping up to address the issue:

State lawmakers, including some of the most conservative members of the Texas House, say changes should be made to a state statute that bars workers from renewing their professional licenses if they are in default on their student loans.

“Next session the Legislature needs to address this issue head on and ensure that Texans who can’t pay student loans aren’t further crippled by government actions,” the conservative House Freedom Caucus, chaired by state Rep. Matt Schaefer, R-Tyler, said in a statement Tuesday. “Students should be responsible for repaying their debts, but taking away one’s ability to earn money in a licensed profession only exacerbates the problem.”

State Rep. Briscoe Cain, R-Baytown, a member of the caucus, called the provision "harmful to our economy and the lives of Texans."

"If Texas is going to live up to its reputation as a business-friendly state, we must remove barriers like this and others that prevent Texans from working," he said.

....

The reaction follows a report published in The Texas Tribune that found thousands of nurses, teachers and other professional license-holders in the state are at risk of losing their license each year because they’re in default on their student loans.

Bottom Line: Honestly, Governor Abbott should call a special session to repeal this monstrosity.  And the bill to repeal it should pass 181-0.  That being said, it's good to see the Freedom Caucus take the lead on this issue.

#TXLEGE: How the LAWLESS Texas house operates (Part 2)....

"They only consult to cast him down from his high position;
They delight in lies;
They bless with their mouth,
But they curse inwardly. Selah"
Psalm 62:4

We finally found the third video we wanted to post yesterday:



Highlights:

• Murders row of Straus lieutenants signed Huberty's petition.

• Almost as many Democrats as Republicans signed the petition.

• Rinaldi: "The effect of the motion you're making is there's no more amendments and we're going to vote on the bill immediately, correct?!?"

• Huberty denies being aware there were pre-filed amendments.
• Note: He's lying.
• Note: Huberty does that a lot.

• Pre-filed amendments would have expanded the scope of the bill.
• Huberty refuses to pull the motion.

• Leach: "Does the chair have the authority to not recognize a motion to call the previous question?!?"
• Straus: "Yes."
• Translation: Straus could have overruled Huberty and allowed debate on the amendments.
• Straus refuses to answer questions about why he's making this ruling.

• Previous question motions have historically been used only after marathon floor debates.

• Briscoe Cain points out how Straus' ruling is a...creative...interpretation of house rules.

• Cain asks why the bill had been delayed 24 hours if getting it over to the Senate was the top priority.
• Note: This exchange happend before the Sine Die stunt.

• Schaefer: "When we objected to the bill being postponed yesterday, we had amendments ready to go that we wanted to put before the body."

• Stickland: "More games are being played in your Texas capitol."
• "There were three different amendments that sought to bring in more Texans."
• "Instead, there are members of this body who are moving to silence folks like myself who believe that people's property taxes are too high right now."
• Straus interrupts Stickland.
• "The substance of this motion is to silence our ability, as members, to bring forth amendments to make this bill stronger."
• None of Dennis Bonnen's constituents were included in the bill.
• Millions left out of the bill.

#TXLEGE: Schaefer attempts to end rural carve out in Annexation bill; House declines....

"So nation was destroyed by nation, and city by city, for God troubled them with every adversity. 7 But you, be strong and do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded!"
2 Chronicles 15:6-7

Well, he tried.

During today's house floor debate on the annexation bill, Matt Schaefer offered an amendment (Note: Amendment #2) that would have made the bill apply to all 254 counties.

It was shot down 58-78.

Here's the damage:

RV# 111 — Unofficial Totals: 58 Yeas, 78 Nays, 1 Present, not voting

Yeas - Anderson, C.; Anderson, R.; Bell; Biedermann; Bohac; Burkett; Burns; Cain; Canales; Cosper; Cyrier; Dean; Elkins; Faircloth; Fallon; Frank; Frullo; Gooden; Guerra; Hefner; Holland; Isaac; Kacal; Keough; King, P.; Klick; Krause; Kuempel; Landgraf; Lang; Lozano; Metcalf; Meyer; Miller; Muñoz; Murphy; Paddie; Phillips; Pickett; Price; Raney; Rinaldi; Roberts; Sanford; Schaefer; Schofield; Schubert; Shaheen; Stephenson; Stickland; Swanson; Thompson, E.; Tinderholt; Uresti; White; Wilson; Wray; Zedler

Nays - Allen; Alonzo; Alvarado; Anchia; Arévalo; Ashby; Bailes; Bernal; Blanco; Bonnen, D.; Bonnen, G.; Burrows; Button; Capriglione; Clardy; Coleman; Collier; Cook; Cortez; Craddick; Dale; Darby; Davis, S.; Davis, Y.; Deshotel; Farrar; Flynn; Geren; Gervin-Hawkins; Giddings; Goldman; Gonzales; González; Gutierrez; Hernandez; Herrero; Hinojosa; Howard; Huberty; Hunter; Israel; Johnson, E.; King, T.; Koop; Larson; Longoria; Martinez; Minjarez; Moody; Morrison; Murr; Nevárez; Oliveira; Oliverson; Ortega; Parker; Paul; Perez; Phelan; Reynolds; Rodriguez, E.; Rodriguez, J.; Romero; Rose; Sheffield; Shine; Simmons; Springer; Stucky; Thierry; Thompson, S.; Turner; VanDeaver; Villalba; Vo; Walle; Workman; Zerwas

Present, not voting - Mr. Speaker(C)

Absent, Excused - Johnson, J.; Lambert; Leach; Neave; Smithee; Wu

Absent - Dukes; Dutton; Guillen; King, K.; Laubenberg; Lucio; Raymond

Note that most of the rural R's (eg. Cecil Bell, Scott Copser, Lance Gooden, Chris Paddie and Four Price) voted for the Schaefer amendment.  That should tell you how this plays in the rural areas.  Unfortunately, it looks like a whole bunch of squish suburban R's took one for the team (lookin' at you Giovanni) took one for the team to kill the amendment.

Bottom Line: As a resident of Travis County, this bill helps us no matter what, but it sucks for the rural folks.

#TXLEGE: House leadership caves three times today....

"And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance;"
Romans 5:3

[Note: Today's floor session can be viewed here; Hunter's remarks are at the 43 minute mark.]

• Cave #1 - Hunter pulls the property tax gag rule.
  
  As we discussed yesterday, the Calendars committee had posted a rule for Saturday's floor debate on property tax reform that would have barred any amendments on the bill.  The freedom caucus and the grassroots justifiably went BONKERS.  This morning, Hunter pulled the rule.
  
  "As chair of calendars, there will be no motion for that calendar rule."
  
  They didn't have 76 votes; we've heard conflicting reports about why that was the case, but multiple sources have suggested that the Democrats recognized that for the minority party to assent to this precedent was a move that could come back to bite them in future sessions.

• Cave #2 - Tan Parker sets GOP caucus meeting.
  
  
  
  Even if certain (predictable) members are trying to weasel out of attending, there's week to make sure they show up.
  
  
  
  
• Cave #3 - DNR bill now moving.
  
  Confession: We thought this was dead, buuut....
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• After TMA tried to weasel out of the deal, Abbott's staff got involved.
• Bill passed Byron's Cook's committee this afternoon.
• Floor debate could come as early as Saturday.
• Note: We're guessing sunday; there's no way they put this on the same calendar as the property tax reform bill.

Bottom Line: Deadlines are a wonderful thing.

#TXLEGE: Early #SpecialSession Battle Lines Drawn

"A whip for the horse,
A bridle for the donkey,
And a rod for the fool’s back."
Proverbs 26:3

We attended this morning's trib event with Carol Alvarado, Drew Darby, and Matt Schaefer; the TL,DR version is that Alvarado was crankier than usual, Darby doubled down on support for Straus (while explicitly coming out against property tax reform), and Shaefer thrived in the face of a withering assault from Alvarado and the audience.




Highlights:

• Schaefer: Call items = "conservative home run."

• Alvarado calls Schaefer "obsessed" with protecting life.
• Note: Guilty as charged.

• Darby: Straus "not a hands on speaker."
• Note: Bullshit.
• "If we [the house members] don't want a bill to move, it's not going to move."

• Alvarado endorses Straus' "school finance is the only way to lower property taxes" nonsense.
• More Accurate Headline: Democrat echoes Straus' position on property taxes.

• Alvarado calls the rule of law "anti-freedom."

• Darby compares Abbott holding legislators accountable to parents threatening children during Christmas.
• "I object."

• Alvarado: "I'm going to be holding hearings on substantive issues" in Urban affairs.
• Note: Duly noted re: historical zoning.

• Alvarado: Revenue caps in Houston haven't worked.
• Note: LOL

• Darby: "The House's position on these issues hasn't changed."
• "I am not going to change my position."

• Schaefer: "There was a slowness to the work of the House" during the regular session.

• Alvarado calls teacher pay increase "unfair to local school districts."
• Endorses raiding Rainy Day fund as alternative.

• Darby throws privacy act under the bus.

• Alvarado keeps door open on busting quorum.

• Darby, in response to question from this author: "I'm opposed to any lowering of the rollback rate" on property taxes.
• Note: We worded our question to Darby about property taxes very specifically see if he would pivot to discussing his property tax bills as an alternative to changing the rollback formula.  He did not.  Thus, it seems unlikely that Darby any intention of pursuing those bills and merely filed them as election season CYA.

-----

Representative Drew Darby: (512) 463-0331

#TXLEGE: House Leadership (predictably) dragging feet on pro-Life bills....

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you;
Before you were born I sanctified you;
I ordained you a prophet to the nations.”
Jeremiah 1:5

Texas Right to Life held a press conference this morning; we didn't attend, but they posted the video:



The Statesman has more:

“Unfortunately, session after session, the Texas House of Representatives has not prioritized pro-life bills,” he said “We’ve prioritized the budget, CPS, education, an Uber bill — all things that are important, but none of which are as important as saving the lives of preborn babies.”

Rep. Matt Krause, R-Fort Worth, noted that the House had only nine voting days left to pass House bills, and legislation placed on the final days’ calendars rarely comes up for a vote, particularly if legislators begin delaying tactics to kill late-calendar bills they oppose.

“That’s why you sense the urgency in what we’re doing today,” Krause said.

Schaefer said he and others will ask Gov. Greg Abbott to call a special session if abortion-related regulations are not passed by session’s end on May 29.

While the Senate has passed a number of abortion regulations, “no legislation touching abortion has made its way through the Texas House of Representatives yet,” said Emily Cook, political director for Texas Right to Life. 

....

In particular, she said, Right to Life’s top priority — dubbed the “dismemberment abortion” ban, which would place limits on second-trimester “dilation and evacuation” abortions — has been given unsatisfactory treatment in the House, where a Senate-passed bill has not yet been referred to a committee to begin action. Another measure, which would ban abortion coverage in private insurance plans as well as plans offered to state employees and participants in the Affordable Care Act, has a House committee hearing Wednesday and must be voted out by Friday to meet House deadlines.

From Texas Right to Life:

While many bills are marketed as “Pro-Life,” only substantive Pro-Life bills will save lives. With merely 27 days remaining in the 85th Legislative Session, the Texas House has not passed any Pro-Life bills. The Texas Senate has passed multiple Pro-Life bills including Senate Bill 415, the Dismemberment Abortion Ban, and Senate Bill 20, Pro-Life Health Insurance Reform.

If life-saving bills are not passed in the final days of the legislative session, more than 100,000 lives will be lost to abortion before the Texas Legislature meets again. Only two of Texas Right to Life’s priority bills have been heard in House committees (House Bill 2063 and House Bill 1113). All House bills must be voted out of committee by Monday, May 8, and passed on the House floor by Thursday, May 11. As we have seen in previous sessions, leaving important Pro-Life legislation to the final days and hours allows anti-Life Democrats to chub, ensuring the clock runs out on life-saving reforms.

As John Seago, Legislative Director for Texas Right to Life, explained, “The concern over fetal tissue donation and research or the legislation that imposes burial and cremation regulations on abortion clinics fundamentally miss the mark. These policies merely debate what to do with the body of the child after he or she dies. The Pro-Life movement in Texas must prioritize legislation that will stop the injustice of elective abortion from occurring in the first place.”

Texas Right to Life joins other conservative groups in calling attention to the neglect of priority legislation by representatives who call themselves “Pro-Life.” The greatest priority this session is passing the Dismemberment Abortion Ban, which would outlaw the inhumane practice of killing a preborn child in the womb by tearing her limb from limb while her heart is still beating. Senate Bill 415 passed on March 20 winning bipartisan support with Democrat Senators Lucio and Zaffirini voting for the bill.

In addition to passage in the Senate, Texas Right to Life’s priority legislation has far-reaching support. The Dismemberment Abortion Ban received support from 95% of the voting delegates at the Republican Party of Texas convention (more than 8,000 activists voted for the policy), making the proposal the most popular Pro-Life policy plank in the 2016 Republican Party Platform. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton indicated support for the life-saving legislation in joining the amicus brief defending the constitutionality of Alabama’s Dismemberment Abortion Ban. Furthermore, the House version of the Dismemberment Abortion Ban, House Bill 844 by Representative Stephanie Klick, has 67 coauthors.

Texas Right to Life General Counsel Emily Cook stated, “Texas used to be within the top five of Pro-Life states in the nation; we are now ranked 17th. With 95 Republicans in the Texas House of Representatives, passing conservative legislation should not be this difficult.”

Read the full statesman report here; read the full Right to Life Press release here.

Bottom Line: We expect them to pass something they can call 'pro-life' on the campaign trail, but it's an open question whether what they pass will have any teeth.

House Freedom Caucus outlines 85th #TXLEGE Priorities....

"As iron sharpens iron,
So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend."
Proverbs 27:17

The House Freedom Caucus held their first press conference this afternoon:



Highlights:

•  Matt Schaefer
• First principles and the grassroots.
• Coordinating with grassroots.

• Jeff Leach
• 89 days left in session.
• Author's Note: Move we adjourn sine die.
• Life #1 issue -- Support ANY bill that defends preborn babies.

• Matt Krause
• Religious liberty isn't just a Sunday thing.
• Parental rights a guiding principle.
• Defending anonymous political speech.
• Ethics reform.
• Reduce occupational licensing.

• Jonathan Stickland
• Unapologetically supporting constitutional carry.
• No state funding for unconstitutional anti-#2A federal laws.
• Elimination of gun-free zones.

• Matt Rinaldi
• Budget Reform
• Constitutional spending limits
• Eliminate corporate welfare.
• Property tax reform
• Elminate Margins tax
• Parental educational choice.

• Matt Shaheen
• Coordinated and unified with grassroots.
• Already had two conference calls w/ grassroots.

• JoAnn Fleming
• Texas should be leading on Freedom and Liberty.
• Author's Note: LOL

• Q&A:
• Grassroots will be "force multiplier" when bills are in calendars.
• Municipal debt subcategory of transparency component.

Bottom Line: Our expectations are low, but this doesn't hurt.

#TXLEGE House Announces formation of Freedom Caucus!!!

"As iron sharpens iron,
So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend."
Proverbs 27:17

This can't hurt:

FREEDOM CAUCUS FORMED IN THE TEXAS HOUSE TO EMPOWER GRASSROOTS TEXANS

The Texas Freedom Caucus was launched today in the Texas House of Representatives. The Texas Freedom Caucus’ mission is to amplify the voice of liberty-minded grassroots Texans who want bold action to protect life, strengthen families, defend the bill of rights, restrain government and revitalize personal and economic freedoms in Texas.

The Texas Freedom Caucus (TFC) will be focused on first principles that are the hallmark of liberty-minded Texans. The policies supported by the TFC will be developed thru collaboration with grassroots leaders to identify priorities that are often dismissed in Austin.

“Go five blocks in any direction from the Texas Capitol, and you will see what interests are hard wired into the Austin establishment,” Caucus Chairman Rep. Matt Schaefer (Tyler) said. “The mission of the Texas Freedom Caucus will be to hard wire liberty-minded grassroots into policy making in Austin.”

The TFC will engage grassroots Texans on matters before session, during session, and long after session when policies are implemented at the agency level. The caucus is committed to restoring first principles – the right to life, liberty and property that are at the core of the freedom of America and the exceptionalism of Texas. The caucus will outline a set of legislative priorities after it holds a series of discussions with grassroots representatives from all across Texas. Thereafter, the TFC will support or oppose legislation in accordance with those principles.

“We don’t want our priorities to be determined from Austin down, but from the grassroots up. That includes taking things like the Texas Republican Party platform seriously,” said Schaefer. “There are thousands of people too busy working and raising their families to embed themselves in the legislative process. Their voices matter too, and we want to make sure they are heard, and their efforts are multiplied.”

The Texas Freedom Caucus will share many policy goals with other existing conservative organizations and caucuses, and it will buttress and complement rather than compete with those groups. The TFC will distinguish itself by providing a specific focal point for grassroots Texans interested in conservative policy-making in Austin.

The Vice Chair of the Caucus will be Rep. Bill Zedler (Arlington). The Policy Director will be Rep. Jeff Leach (Plano), the caucus Grassroots Liaison will be Rep. Matt Shaheen (Plano) and the Secretary-Treasurer will be Rep. Tony Tinderholt (Arlington). Other members include representatives Kyle Biedermann (New Braunfels), Briscoe Cain (Houston), Matt Krause (Fort Worth), Mike Lang (Granbury), Rep. Matt Rinaldi (Irving), Jonathan Stickland (Bedford) and Valoree Swanson (Spring).

James Bernsen will serve as Executive Director for the Texas Freedom Caucus.

Learn more about the group here.

Schaefer digs up MASSIVE Food Stamp Questions....

"Bread gained by deceit is sweet to a man,
But afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel."
Proverbs 20:17

Dadgum; from Matt Schaefer's most recent newsletter:

Widespread Food Stamp Fraud?

$106.8 Million Spent Out-of-State with LoneStar Cards

Almost $5.7 billion of your tax dollars will be spent this year to assist Texans through the food stamp program. But is all of that money being used as it was intended? There are over 3.7 million Texans receiving food stamp government assistance, and much of the need is legitimate. However, I believe that greater scrutiny is needed in this program. For the last six months my staff and I have been researching Texas' food stamp program and getting into the details on how your tax dollars are being spent. The research uncovered nearly $107 million in Texas food stamp spending outside of the Lone Star State – with over sixty percent spent in non-bordering states. This raises important questions of accountability and likely fraud in the multi-billion dollar program.

....

Schaefer Calls for More Agency Accountability, Legislation

What is the solution? This data is disturbing and shows a need for greater agency accountability in the program. I recently brought the information my office discovered to the leadership of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and the HHSC Office of Inspector General (OIG), which has promised to investigate the data thoroughly.

To address concerns of fraud, waste and abuse, HHSC is creating a Public Benefit Integrity Unit that will utilize computer analytics to better identify fraudulent applications before benefits are distributed. Verifying a recipient's identiy is critical to the integrity of this program because over 65 percent of those receiving state benefits (including food stamps) apply online. HHSC is also developing software to analyze IP address data to detect persons that are applying for benefits from a computer address that is out of state. These needed technological programs will provide better oversight to the program, but there is still work to be done on this issue.

My office will be monitoring this situation closely and will prepare legislation to address any problems it uncovers. Last legislative session I proposed a bill to add the recipient’s photo ID and name on the LoneStar cards to help deter fraud, but the bill faced opposition from special interest groups and never made it to the House floor for a vote. I will re-introduce the bill in the next legislative session.


TX Rep. Matt Schaefer's Proposed Redesign of the Texas LoneStar Card
Enlarge Image

Massachusetts Ahead of Texas on Food Stamp Reform
Massachusetts has been proactive in deterring fraud by placing the name and photo of the recipient on their cards, just like on a bank card. If Massachusetts can do it, Texas can too. The goal is not to make it harder to use the card, but to make it more secure.
We all recognize the need to assist the less fortunate with life's basic needs in times of hardship, but we have an obligation to do everything we can to root out fraud, waste, and abuse. It’s not just a question of dollars, it’s about protecting the integrity of the food stamp program for the millions of Texans who depend on it, and the millions more who pay the tax dollars that support it.

Read the whole thing here.

The Texas House's "Pro-Life" Kabuki Theater....

"And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them."
Ephesians 5:11

Yesterday, Texas Right to Life released their dishonorable mention list for the 84th Texas Legislature, it covers:

Unfortunately, there were also elected officials this past legislative session who have worked against Pro-Life reforms or have promoted dangerous legislation that Texas Right to Life opposed. Even though some of these individuals may have decent voting records when Pro-Life legislation finally had public votes, these elected officials did more harm to the cause than help this year. For these legislators, Texas Right to Life has also released the 84th Session Dishonorable Mentions List.

The full list:

1. Chairman Byron Cook

2. Representative Sarah Davis

3. Chairman Charlie Geren

4. Representative Patricia Harless

5. Chairman Jim Keffer

6. Representative Eddie Lucio III

7. Representative Elliott Naishtat

8. Representative Debbie Riddle

9. Representative JD Sheffield

10. Representative Jason Villalba

11. Chairman John Zerwas

In the coming weeks, TxRTL will discuss each of these selections in detail; for now, Jason Vaughn details some of those actions from this past legislative session:

The Houston Chronicle recently ran an article entitled “[Texas]Lawmakers say they’re nearly out of ideas for abortion restrictions.”

In the article Rep. Byron Cook, Chair of the State Affairs Committee in the House, was quoted as saying “It’s becoming hard to do more things under what the Supreme Court has said is allowed,” after arguing lawmakers have done “monumental things in previous sessions.”

But have they really?

It is astonishing that Cook would say something like that after he personally caused the deaths of multiple pro-life bills last session. As chair of State Affairs he chose to have all pro-life bills come to his committee.

A total of two house bills made it out of that committee. A third Senate bill made it out, but was allowed to die due to Cook’s gutting of the Senate’s ethics bill (SB 19) which took up great amount of debate on the final day even though the Senate had guaranteed they would never get out of conference with his changes. Due to that bill, SB 575 was allowed to die. SB 575 would have made abortion coverage a supplemental insurance and kept Texans from paying for other’s abortions.

Just to get SB 575 out of committee after it had been held for several weeks Rep. Jonathan Stickland had to sign a paper agreeing to pull down other pro-life amendments and even then Cook’s committee gutted the Senate version. All this to no avail as the Calendar committee led by Rep. Todd Hunter placed it as the last major action item for the day and guaranteed it’s death.

Rep. Matt Schaefer twice asked Cook to postpone his doomed in committee “ethics” bill version and both times Cook refused to prioritize Life. Here are some other bills Cook refused to bring to a vote in his committee:

HB 1435 – This was the House version by Rep. John Smithee of SB 575 that Cook could have heard, but never did.

HB 1648 – This bill by Rep. Molly White in the House would have clarified the law that coerced abortion and pressuring a woman to get an elective abortion is a crime.

HB 113 – A bill by Rep. Allen Fletcher which would ban sex selective abortions.

HB 832 – From Rep. Matt Shaefer would have enhanced reporting abortion reporting requirements.

HB 1976 – This bill by Rep. Matt Schaefer would have banned abortions based fetal abnormality. Not only did Cook refuse to give this bill a vote, he wrote a letter encouraging House members supporting these abortions.

HB 2531 – This very strong bill by Rep. Matt Krause would have totally reformed the judicial bypass that abortion facilities use to get abortions for minors without parental consent. Krause was able to work much of this language into another bill.

HB 1901 – Another bill by Krause that would increase protection for the unborn when the mother is unconscious. While Byron Cook refused to even give this bill a hearing he did give a hearing to a bill that would weaken protection in these circumstances.

HJR 126 – This Constitutional Amendment by Rep. David Simpson would have nullified Roe v Wade and completely banned abortion in the state of Texas. It was not even given a hearing.

How can Cook say there is not much to do when he refused to even bring these bills to a vote? These are flat out lies.

 Read the Texas Right to Life article here, read Jason's article here.

How Byron Cook Killed pro-Life Legislation

"They sharpen their tongues like a serpent;
The poison of asps is under their lips."
Psalm 140:3

After slow walking the bill for weeks then deliberately watering it down, on Tuesday night Byron Cook chose to assault the first amendment rather than protect the unborn:



Highlights:

• Schaefer tries to get Cook to postpone the "ethics" bill until after voting on the campus carry and pro-life bills.

Texas Right to Life has A LOT more here.

Texas House votes to censor filming legislators

"Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips
And from a deceitful tongue."
Psalm 120:2

One of the most egregious provisions of Byron Cook's re-written "ethics" bill currently being debated on the Texas House floor would open citizen journalists to lawsuits if they film a legislator without the legislator's knowledge.  Representative Matt Schaefer offered an amendment to strip that provision from the bill.  During the debate, Cook and Representative Jessica Farrar whined about how it was just so dadgum mean to do ambush interviews of legislators without knowing who signs their paychecks.

Schaefer, David Simpson, and Jonathan Stickland, meanwhile, explained how filming legislators is a tool for citizen journalists to hold elected officials accountable; Pat Fallon explained that, even if the elected officials don't like it, ambush interviews come with the territory.

The amendment failed 66-74:

RV# 1539 — Unofficial Totals: 66 Yeas, 74 Nays, 3 Present, not voting

Yeas - Anderson, C.; Anderson, R.; Ashby; Bell; Bohac; Bonnen, G.; Burns; Burrows; Canales; Craddick; Crownover; Cyrier; Dale; Davis, S.; Fallon; Fletcher; Flynn; Frank; Goldman; Gonzales; Guillen; Gutierrez; Huberty; Hughes; Keough; King, P.; King, S.; Klick; Koop; Krause; Landgraf; Larson; Laubenberg; Leach; Lozano; Metcalf; Meyer; Miles; Murphy; Murr; Paddie; Parker; Paul; Phelan; Price; Rinaldi; Rodriguez, E.; Sanford; Schaefer; Schofield; Shaheen; Simmons; Simpson; Smithee; Spitzer; Springer; Stickland; Thompson, E.; Tinderholt; Turner, E.S.; VanDeaver; White, J.; White, M.; Wray; Zedler; Zerwas

Nays - Allen; Alonzo; Alvarado; Anchia; Aycock; Bernal; Blanco; Bonnen, D.; Button; Clardy; Coleman; Collier; Cook; Darby; Davis, Y.; Deshotel; Dukes; Dutton; Elkins; Faircloth; Farias; Farrar; Frullo; Galindo; Geren; Giddings; González; Guerra; Harless; Hernandez; Herrero; Howard; Hunter; Isaac; Israel; Johnson; Kacal; King, K.; King, T.; Kuempel; Longoria; Lucio; Márquez; Martinez; Martinez Fischer; McClendon; Miller, D.; Miller, R.; Minjarez; Moody; Muñoz; Naishtat; Nevárez; Oliveira; Otto; Phillips; Pickett; Raney; Raymond; Reynolds; Riddle; Rodriguez, J.; Romero; Rose; Schubert; Sheffield; Smith; Thompson, S.; Turner, C.; Villalba; Vo; Walle; Workman; Wu

Present, not voting - Mr. Speaker; Sheets(C); Turner, S.

Absent - Burkett; Capriglione; Farney; Keffer; Morrison; Peña; Stephenson

Pro-Life Legislators: Persecuted

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you;
Before you were born I sanctified you;
I ordained you a prophet to the nations.”
Jeremiah 1:5

This week's update brings us big news:



Highlights:

• Reached an agreement with Drew Springer on HB 3074.
• Tan Parker helped with negotiations.

• Matt Schaefer amendment would have closed a loophole allowing abortions against disabled children.

• One allegedly pro-life representative quipped: "You're not a real man."

• If pro-life bills were making it through the regular process, it wouldn't be necessary to use amendments.

• J.D. Scheffield: Babies with disabilities must be "dealt with."

• Straus committee chairs who voted to allow the Abortion of children with disabilities:
• Jimmie Don Aycock: (512) 463-0684
• Sarah Davis: (512) 463-0389
• John Zerwas: (512) 463-0657

Identifying the #TXLEGE good guys

"When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice;
But when a wicked man rules, the people groan."
Proverbs 29:2

The funny thing is that Jonathan Sickland made a good point on social media:

Which, to be honest, reflects our personal views:

But thank goodness for the good guys!!!

Airing #Festivus Grievances: An open letter to Joe Straus

"He who is often rebuked, and hardens his neck,
Will suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy."
Proverbs 29:1

Dear Joe,

It's that time of year:



Here are my personal 2014 #Festivus grievances:

• You are an obstacle to prosperity who shares Barack Obama's economic philosophy.

• You spearheaded a 26% spending increase.

• You killed constitutional spending limitations.

• You have promoted political slush funds under the guise of  "infrastructure."

• You killed transparency measures for local debt.

• You have failed to move zero-based budgeting for state agencies.

• You have failed to repeal Texas' gross (pun intended) margins tax.

• You intend to hold border funding hostage to unrelated spending next year.

• You failed to support the border surge until a crisis made opposition politically untenable.

• You have attempted to impose Obamacare.

• You have been endorsed by pro-Obamacare liberal special interest groups.

• You have killed School Choice.

• You passed a legislative backdoor for Common Core.

• You failed to let the Texas Lottery expire when you had the chance.

• You abused your office to enable unqualified applicants to attend the University of Texas.

• When said abuse came to light, you attempted to impeach the whistle blower (and failed).

• You publicly stated you do not care if said whistle blower "swings from a tree."

• When said statements came to light, you attempted to call Governor Perry a liar (and failed).

• Your committee chairs are more liberal than Wendy Davis.

• Jason Villalba...need I say more?!?

• You support a highly regulated form of casino gambling in our state.

This list, while incomplete, speaks for itself.

Sincerely,

Adam Cahn

Austin, TX

December 23, 2014

Matt Schaefer defends National Guard deployment from Team Straus

"He who sows iniquity will reap sorrow,
And the rod of his anger will fail."
Proverbs 22:8

Besides the lame-duck Lt. Gov's antics, the other sleight of hand from today's Legislative Budget Board hearing concerned the border.  While Straus is bragging about increasing the DPS presence (eventually), he's neglects to mention they're simultaneously winding down the current National Guard deployment.  Rep. Matt Schaefer wasn't having it and explained why to the speaker's face:



Highlights:

• Taking guard deployment off the border just as it's coming online and having an impact.
• Author's Note: Have you noticed how this story has receded from the headlines the past few weeks?!? 

•  If you send 800 guardsmen home, they go back to their civilian lives.

• What if the number of migrants spikes in the spring, post Obama executive order?!?

• It's going to take law enforcement (ie. DPS) time to come online. 

• Utilize the guard until law enforcement is hired and trained.