Preserving and Protecting the Hill Country
My office has spent more time on this issue than any other. I have a dedicated policy analyst with a lifetime of experience in environmental protection and water. We have worked to understand the unique issues that face the Hill Country, including scarcity of water, and aggregate quarries and cement production facilities.
I have filed legislation to address the lack of oversight for the aggregate production operations and increase protections on the surrounding property owners. These bills include:
- HB 2590 which provides increased communication, taxpayer protections, and better development practices for new Municipal Utility Districts (MUDS) in the Hill Country.
- HB 2871 which would have moved oversight of APO permitting from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to the Texas Railroad Commission.
- HB 3798 to bring cooperation and accountability to the TCEQ permitting process by strengthening the APO permitting process, ensuring public health & safety, and protecting property rights from the effects of rock quarries.
I have been endorsed by various environmental groups (Preserve Our Hill Country Environment, Stop 3009 Vulcan Quarry, and Friends of Dry Comal Creek) over my 2020 democrat opponent, because of the work I have already done and the continued efforts by my office going forward.
Alamo and the Cenotaph
Since being elected to office, protecting and preserving the heroic sacrifice of the defenders of the Alamo has been my highest priority. I fought for the Alamo Cenotaph to remain where it is and filed HB 1836 to take control of the fate of the Cenotaph.
Thankfully, the Texas Historical Commission denied the permit for the Cenotaph to be moved off the Alamo Plaza in September 2020. But there is still more to be done, and I am filing legislation to again protect the Cenotaph and address the mismanagement and poor vision of the Alamo Master Plan.
Education
Other than family and church, a child’s education is the most important influence on their lives and is critical to the future of Texas. Covid-19 has certainly exposed the weaknesses and strengths of our public education system. Choice in education has become even more necessary to help those students that are not performing well and to strengthen those that are thriving in the public schools. I support charter schools that complement ISD’s and improve the public education system.
Federal and State mandates, such as the one-size-fits-all approach, are hurting our students and tying the hands of our teachers and administrators. We need to promote more local control of our schools and focus resources towards our teachers and students. That is why I filed HB 3759 in the 85th Legislative Session that would have made all unfunded mandates on our schools optional.
It is important to bring more equity and fairness to public school finance. We must focus on solutions that keep more local dollars in the district that they originate from, while also sharing with districts that have less taxable value. That is why I have filed HB 729 in the 86th Legislative Session to help schools unfairly affected by Robin Hood to get their fair share of funding per student.
Gun Rights
I have always been an unwavering supporter of the 2nd Amendment, and will continue as such. As a FFL dealer in firearms, I sell a full line of handguns, rifles, and ammunition. I believe it is our right to protect ourselves and our families from harm. I will continue to support any and all legislation that protects, promotes and restores our Second Amendment rights.
This is why I Joint-Authored HB 357 during the 86th Legislative Session to give Texas Constitutional Carry and I have committed to filing Constitutional Carry in the 87th Legislative Session.
I also Co-Authored HB 302 which provides protections for gun owners who live in apartment complexes and condos by prohibiting landlords from restricting gun possession by tenants.
Other Pro-2nd Amendment legislation I supported includes HB 1177 which allows gun owners to carry during disaster evacuations, and HB 121 which provides a defense for licensed gun owners for mistakenly entering a “no guns allowed” establishment.
The more responsible gun owners that we have across Texas, the more it will help protect all of us.
Protecting Life
There is nothing more important than the sanctity of innocent life. It is a gift from our Creator and must be protected.
I am endorsed by Texas Right to Life, Texans for Life, and Pro-Life Texans (a Human Coalition PAC) for my pro-life voting record.
I will always unapologetically stand to protect human life, which is why I signed on as a coauthor to HB 896 filed by Rep. Tinderholt in the 86th Legislative Session to prohibit abortion and protect the rights of an unborn child.
I co-authored the Born Alive Act, HB 16, which says doctors who fail to provide the appropriate medical treatment to babies born alive after a failed abortion would be charged with a third-degree felony.
I also oppose the use of any tax dollars being used to fund Planned Parenthood. We must redirect those tax dollars to expand funding for actual women’s health providers that do not perform abortions.
I Co-Sponsored SB 22, the “No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act”, which prohibits state and local tax dollars from funding or benefitting the abortion industry.
In the most recent State Budget for the 2020–2021 Biennium, I supported:
- Amendment 52 by Krause which increases the Pro-Life Alternatives to Abortion program budget by $52 million over the 2020–21 biennium.
- Amendment 53 by Krause, Klick, Patterson, Stickland, and Oliverson to perfect and clarify the $52 million budget increase for the Pro-Life Alternatives to Abortion program.
- Amendment 287 by Swanson which prohibits state funding for hospitals that provide elective abortions.
Religious Freedom
Our country was founded on Christian principles which are clearly stated in our Constitution and in the writings of our founding fathers. As a Christian conservative, I will wholeheartedly and unapologetically defend those values and our freedom of religion.
Under the guise of “sexual orientation and gender identity,” a number of bills have been filed to create more government control and power over the freedom of expression of biblical beliefs, forcing people of faith to conform to personal and political agendas that contradict their religious beliefs.
I will continue to fight against any and all infringements on your religious freedoms. I Co-Authored the ‘Chick-fil‑A’ bill, SB 1978, that prohibits the government from taking adverse action against any individuals or businesses based on membership, support or donations to religious groups.
Securing Our Border
We have been fortunate to have a president who takes the security of our border seriously. But since the US Congress has continued to be a failure in passing immigration legislation, Texas still needs to take control of its own border.
This is why I filed HB 4306 in the 86th Legislative Session to address the crisis along the Texas — Mexico border which passed the House with bi-partisan support. This bill would have allowed for a pilot program to study what infrastructure and technology works best to protect our border from narcotics, human trafficking, and illegal entries, as well as expand brush clearing and watershed restoration.
It is past time to end the magnets that attract illegal immigrants to Texas, like in-state tuition. Currently in Texas, illegal immigrants qualify for in-state tuition based on how current residency requirements are written in Texas State Law. Magnet policies that benefit illegal immigrants hurt Texas citizens and we must remove these magnets and protect our border. That is why I filed HB 413 in the 86th Legislative Session to end in-state tuition for illegal aliens.
Taxes and Spending
I am committed to fiscal responsibility and reducing government spending and the tax burden on the people of Texas.
I was proud to Co-Author HJR 38 that says Texas would not have an income tax in the Texas Constitution.
The number one concern that I have heard across Texas is that property taxes are skyrocketing, and people are being forced out of their homes and businesses. Finding an alternative source of revenue to replace all or part of the property tax is difficult; however, new sources of revenue without controlling government spending will not be beneficial.
During the 86th Legislative Session, I supported SB 2 which capped the amount that a city can raise your property taxes, without voter approval, to 3.5%, down from the current 8%.
Real Property tax relief, not just reform, is necessary and must begin with a reduction in spending at all levels of government including state, local, and public education. I will also continue to support state spending cap legislation.
Term Limits
I am proud to have filed HJR 98, the only term limit legislation in the 86th session. Fifteen other states have term limits, and they have found it helped to reduce the size of government. If Term Limits were good enough for George Washington and other great leaders, then I think Texas will do just fine following the same principles. Term limits will be the catalyst to start substantive, long lasting change in how our government operates for the people and by the people.
Retired Teachers
In the 85th Legislative Session I was proud to have Co-Authored and voted for HB 3976, ensuring adequate funding to TRS-Care, and voted for an additional $212 million dollars to reduce TRS-Care premiums and deductibles in HB 21 during the special session.
I also filed an amendment to HB 22 which would have created an anonymous, statewide survey to cover teacher satisfaction, the effectiveness of programs available to public school students, and the allocation of school resources.
I voted for all bills and amendments related to the welfare of our retired teachers that were supported by TRTA including: HB 3976, SB 1663, and SB 1664; including the State Budget that provided supplemental state funding of $182.6M for TSR-Care.
During the most recent 86th Legislative Session, I was proud to Co-Author SB 12 giving a cost of living increase to our Texas Retired Teachers.
Veterans Affairs
Honoring our Veterans, Military, Law Enforcement and First Responders with the benefits and recognition they have earned and deserve must be a lasting commitment by the State of Texas.
Providing meaningful employment to our veterans when they return is the first step in ending the scourge of veteran’s suicide.
With two daughters in the Navy, a father in law who is a 100% disabled veteran and a father who is a retired Army Colonel, I have a strong commitment to our heroes.
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