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Temporary Platform Committee Report

6/4/2014
PREAMBLE
We STILL hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with
certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the ursuit of !a""iness# Throughout the world "eo"le
dare to dream of freedom and o""ortunity# The Re"ublican arty of Te$as unequivocally defends that dream# We strive to
"reserve the freedom given to us by %od, im"lemented by our &ounding &athers, and embodied in the Constitution# We
recogni'e that the traditional family is the strength of our nation# It is our solemn duty to "rotect life and develo"
res"onsible citi'ens# We understand that our economic success de"ends u"on free mar(et "rinci"les# If we fail to maintain
our sovereignty, we ris( losing the freedom to live these ideals#
PRINCIPLES
We, the )*+) Re"ublican arty of Te$as, believe in this "latform and e$"ect our elected leaders to u"hold these truths
through ac(nowledgement and action# We believe in,
1. Strict adherence to the original intent of the -eclaration of Inde"endence and .#S# and Te$as Constitutions#
2. The sanctity of human life, created in the image of %od, which should be "rotected from fertili'ation to natural
death#
3. reserving /merican and Te$as Sovereignty and &reedom#
4. Limiting government "ower to those items enumerated in the .#S# and Te$as Constitutions#
5. ersonal /ccountability and Res"onsibility#
6. Self-sufficient families, founded on the traditional marriage of a natural man and a natural woman#
7. !aving an educated "o"ulation, with "arents having the freedom of choice for the education of their children#
8. /mericans having the right to be safe in their homes, on their streets, and in their communities, and the
unalienable right to defend themselves#
9. / free enter"rise society unencumbered by government interference or subsidies#
10.!onoring all of those that serve and "rotect our freedom#
11. 0The laws of nature and nature1s %od2 as our &ounding &athers believed#
Preseri!" Ameri#a! $ree%om
Section To"ic 3SL% Resolution
LIMITIN& T'E
E(PANSE )$
&)*ERNMEN
T P)+ER
+-+ Limited &ederal
owers
3 We strongly su""ort state sovereignty reserved under the Tenth
/mendment and o""ose mandates beyond the sco"e of federal
authority, as defined in the .#S# Constitution# We further su""ort
abolition of federal agencies involved in activities not originally
delegated to the federal government under a strict inter"retation
of the .#S# Constitution#
+-) Reaffirm Te$as
Sovereignty as
Reserved .nder
the +*th
/mendment, .#S#
Constitution
3SL We strongly urge the Te$as Legislature ignore, o""ose, refuse,
and nullify any federal mandated legislation which infringes
u"on the states+*th /mendment Right# /ll federal enforcement
activities in Te$as must be conducted under the aus"ices of the
county Sheriff with 4urisdiction in that county#
+-5 6""osition to
Socialism
% Socialism breeds mediocrity# /merica is e$ce"tional# Therefore,
the Re"ublican arty of Te$as o""oses socialism, in all of its
forms#
+-7 &ull Re"eal of the
+8th /mendment
of the .#S#
Constitution
3 Return the a""ointment of .#S# Senators by the State
Legislatures#
+-9 .nelected,
/""ointed
:ureaucrats and
/gencies
3 We decry the a""ointment of unelected bureaucrats, and we urge
Congress to use their constitutional authority to defund and
abolish these "ositions and return authority to duly elected
officials, accountable to the electorate# In the interim we hold
Congress res"onsible for agency decisions# ;$ecutive decisions
by agencies must be reviewed and a""roved by Congress ta(ing
effect#
+-< Constitutional
Citations on
Legislation
3S We urge that all bills "resented in the .#S# and Te$as Congress
include citations to the authori'ing constitutional "rovision, cost
to im"lement, and im"act on the family#
+-8 Line Item =eto S /mend the Te$as Constitution to enhance and strengthen the
%overnor1s line-item reduction veto authority over the state
budget#
+-> /gency Sunset
Review rocess
S ;$"and the Sunset commission to be a ma4ority citi'en-led
commission on government reform ?a""ointed by %overnor, Lt#
%overnor, and S"ea(er of the !ouse@#
+-A .nfunded
Bandates
S /mend the Te$as Constitution and statute to restrict the "ower
of the Legislature to im"ose unfunded mandates on local
governments#
+-+* If It1s %ood
;nough &or .s
It1s %ood ;nough
for Them
3SL The %overnment shall not, by rule or law, e$em"t any of its
members from the "rovisions of such rule or law#
+-++ Law ;nforcement 3SL We su""ort limitation of criminal 4urisdiction of federal
law-enforcement agencies into state and local 4urisdictions and
encourage them to enforce the laws under federal 4urisdiction#
The states have the right to "rotect their citi'ens if the federal
government fails to enforce its a""licable laws#
+-+) :order Security 3SL The .#S# :order must be secured immediatelyC It is the
fundamental res"onsibility of our federal government to do so#
3arcotics, arms and human traffic(ing have a devastating effect
on our nation# :y using every available resource to achieve
+**D border security and control, it will enhance the "rotection
of all /mericans, es"ecially border residents# The State of Te$as
has the right to "rotect its citi'ens, businesses and ranches if the
&ederal %overnment fails to enforce its a""licable laws#
+-+5 reserving
3ational Security
3 We believe terrorism is a ma4or threat to international "eace and
to our own safety# We urge our national leadershi" to,
E rotect and defend our Constitutional rights and swiftly
wage successful war on terrorists
E ;liminate aid and cease commerce with any nation
threatening us or aiding terrorists or hostile nations
E ublicly su""ort other nations fighting terrorists
E Reasonably use "rofiling to "rotect us
E rosecute national security breaches
E Revise laws or e$ecutive orders that erode our essential
liberties
+-+7 Re"eal atriot
/ct
3 We urge the re"eal of the .S/ atriot /ctF and s"ying on law
abiding /mericans must sto" immediately# We su""ort court
order warrants on an individual basis in cases directly involving
national security#
+-+9 /bolish 3-// 3 The Re"ublican arty abhors any "olicies of indefinite detention
of .S citi'ens without due "rocess# We urge our government to
terminate any "ractice of detention without due "rocess,
including, but not limited to, any enforcement of federal law by
the military within the State of Te$as, under sections +*)+ and
+*)) of the 3ational -efense /uthori'ation /ct ?3-//@#
+-+< Re"eal the Lacey
/ct
3 -ue to abuse such as suffered by the %ibson %uitar Com"any,
we condemn the over criminali'ation nature of the Lacey /ct#
+-+8 Re"eal ortions
of the )*+7 &arm
:ill
3SL The Re"ublican arty of Te$as is as(ed to su""ort a re"eal of all
"ortions of the &arm :ill legislation that can result in de"riving
landowner of the use of their "ro"erty and Constitutional rights
such as -ue rocess, including 0swam"buster2 "rovisions#
+-+> ;mergency War
owers and
Bartial Law
-eclarations
3 We strongly urge Congress to re"eal the War owers /ct and
end our declared state of emergency# /ny -eclaration of Bartial
law should be a""roved by Congress#
+-+A ;limination of
;$ecutive 6rders
3 We re4ect the unconstitutional use of ;$ecutive 6rders and other
mandates lac(ing congressional a""roval#
+-)* Inter-4urisdictiona
l /greements
3S We o""ose inter-4urisdictional agreements with any state that
"revent the %overnor from controlling the military, "olice, other
emergency management "ersonnel, andGor State of Te$as
resources# We call for re"eal of any e$isting agreements#
+-)+ Census 3 We o""ose the Census :ureau1s obtaining data beyond the
number of "eo"le residing in a dwelling, and we o""ose
statistical sam"ling ad4ustments# We su""ort the actual counting
of "eo"le and o""ose any ty"e of estimation or mani"ulation of
Census data# 6nly .#S# citi'ens should be counted for the
"ur"ose of ad4usting legislative districts#
+-)) reservation of
Re"ublican &orm
of %overnment
3SL We su""ort our re"ublican form of government in Te$as as set
forth in the Te$as :ill of Rights and o""ose Initiative and
Referendum# We also urge the Te$as Legislature and the .#S#
Congress to enact legislation "rohibiting any 4udicial 4urisdiction
from allowing any substitute or "arallel system of Law,
s"ecifically foreign Law ?including Sharia Law@, which is not in
accordance with the .#S# or Te$as Constitutions#
+-)5 %ermane
Contents
Requirement
3S /ll content of any bill must be germane to the title of the act and
bills shall be less than 5* "ages#
+-)7 Legislative
/ccountability
Requirement
3S /ll bills "assed in the .# S# or Te$as !ouse of Re"resentatives
or their res"ective Senates should require a recorded and
"reserved vote, and no bill voted on may be changed after the
vote# We su""ort rules requiring that all votes on bills cast in the
Te$as !ouse and Senate be made freely available to the
electorate#
+-)9 Recall ;lections SL Te$as should 4oin the other +A states that have the right to recall
their elected officials#
+-)< Constitutional
Convention
S We strongly o""ose any constitutional convention to rewrite the
.nited States Constitution# We encourage the Legislature to
rescind its +A88 call for such a convention# We call u"on other
states to rescind their votes for such a convention#
+-)8 /rticle 9
Convention
S .nder no circumstances shall the :ill of Rights, the first +*
Constitutional /mendments, be changed in any manner# We urge
the Te$as State Legislators to ta(e the lead in calling for an
/rticle = /mending Convention of States for the s"ecific
"ur"ose of reigning in the "ower of the federal government# /ny
"ro"osed amendments must be ratified by H of the states to ta(e
effect#
+-)> /ffirmative
/ction
% Inasmuch as the Civil Rights Bovement argued against using
race as a factor in /merican life, affirmative action reintroduces
race as a divisive force in /merican life# The Re"ublican arty
of Te$as believes in equal o""ortunity for all citi'ens without
regard to race or gender# /ffirmative action casts doubt on
minority achievement ma(ing such achievement as seemingly
unearned# We believe that true minority advancement will come
from a demand for "ersonal res"onsibility, accountability and
com"etitive e$cellence#
+-)A Re"arations 3 We o""ose any form of re"aration#
+-5* %overnment
Ta(ings and
Restrictions
3SL We reaffirm our belief in the constitutional conce"t of the right
to own "ro"erty without governmental interference, and that
"ro"erty ownershi" and free mar(et enter"rise forms the
foundation of our collective wealth# 36 government entity
should abridge or deny these rights# To that end we urge
legislative changes to address the "rotection of these bedroc(
rights# /reas of concern from our grass root constituency are,
E /nne$ationF all affected "arties of a "ro"osed
anne$ation should be allowed a vote on said "ro"osal
and must "ass with a )G51s vote#
E ;minent -omain and "ro"erty forfeitureF the ta(ing
of "ro"erty under eminent domain or "ro"erty
forfeiture should s"ecifically e$clude sei'ing "rivate
"ro"erty for "ublic or "rivate economic develo"ment
or for increased ta$ revenues# /dditionally, we
su""ort fair mar(et value com"ensation to the
"ro"erty owners for all damages from all sources as a
direct result of any ta(ing# %overnment should return
to the basic form of "ro"erty rights and reado"t 0&ee
Sim"le /bsolute2 which gives all "ro"erty owners
the ma$imum e$tent "ossible in the land under the
law#
E 3atural resources and conservation easementsF
groundwater andGor mineral rights are a vested
ownershi"# Conservation easements, involving
watersheds, green areas and nationali'ation of lands
should be resisted in the strongest manner a""licable#
E We su""ort the rights of each and every "ro"erty
owner to fight in their local 4udicial venue against
any ta(ing of their "rivate "ro"erty#
E We o""ose the International ro"erty Baintenance
Code as a =iolation of the 7th /mendment Right to
rivacy and Invasion of ersonal ro"erty#
/ll "rivate "ro"erty owners involved in these matters should be
notified of their rights under law with regard to condemnation,
anne$ation or easement and the condemner should be required to
show the "ublic need and necessity by "etitioning a court of
4urisdiction# Ta(ing of "ro"erty should result in immediate
com"ensation of fair mar(et value to the owner# These issues
should always be administered by organi'ations and elected
officials accountable to voters#
+-5+ .nited 3ations
/genda )+
3SL The Re"ublican arty of Te$as should e$"ose all .nited 3ations
/genda )+ treaty "olicies and its su""orting organi'ations,
agreements and contracts# We o""ose im"lementation of the .3
/genda )+ rogram which was ado"ted at the ;arth Summit
Conference in +AA) "ur"orting to "romote a com"rehensive
"rogram of sustainable develo"ment "ro4ects, nationally,
regionally and locally# We o""ose the influence, "romotion and
im"lementation of nongovernmental organi'ations, metro"olitan
andGor regional "lanning organi'ations, Councils of
%overnment, and International Council for Local ;nvironmental
initiatives and the use of /merican ?Te$as@ citi'en1s ta$es to
"romote these "rograms#
+-5) Confiscation
without
Com"ensation
3SL Ta(ing a "ro"ertyIreal or oil or gas or other minerals J without
4ust com"ensation by oil and gas o"erators, and sanctioned by
the Railroad Commission, is unconstitutional and against the
"rinci"les of the Re"ublican arty of Te$as, In "articular, 0Rule
582 e$ce"tion ta(ings by the Railroad commission for industry
should not be "ermitted without the granting of a no-cost, full
wor(ing interest in mineral rights to owners of the "ro"erty
confiscated thereby#
+-55 Water -istricts 3SL We strongly a""laud the decision made by the Te$as Su"reme
Court re4ecting regulation, regulatory ta(ing, metering, and
restricting "roduction of individuals1 underground water# We
advocate fair mar(et value com"ensation for the ta(ing of an
individual1s "rivate water su""ly# We urge the restriction of
Water -istricts to their original "ur"ose of su""lying clean
drin(ing water andGor the "ur"ose of re"orting regarding
underground water# We as( the legislature to allow citi'ens who
are im"acted by said water, irrigation, fresh water su""ly
districts the ability to vote on the selection of the board or
committee members of these districts and allow the voters the
ability of recall of these elected officials of an irrigation district,
fresh water su""ly district, munici"al utility district, or any other
s"ecial "ur"ose district#
+-57 rotect
%roundwater
ro"erty Rights
&rom Water
Bar(eters
3SL We demand the state of Te$as "rotect the groundwater rights of
the "ro"erty owners from water mar(eters and with an
develo"ersGsubdivisions in the state of Te$as#
+-59 Trans"ortation
Corridors
3SL We o""ose the construction of trans"ortation "ro4ects which
surrender control or ownershi" to foreign interest# We o""ose
the use of eminent domain for construction of a 0Trans-Te$as
Corridor2 or similar "ro4ect which would create a federal
corridor through Te$as#
+-5< rotection from
;$treme
;nvironmentalist
s
3SL
%
We strongly o""ose all efforts of the e$treme environmental
grou"s that stymie legitimate business interests and "rivate
"ro"erty use# We believe the ;nvironmental rotection /gency
should be abolished#
+-58 Climate Change 3SL
%
While we all strive to be good stewards of the earth, 0climate
change2 is a "olitical agenda which attem"ts to control every
as"ect of our lives# We urge government at all levels to ignore
any "lea for money to fund global climate change or 0climate
4ustice2 initiatives#
+-5> !omestead
rotection
SL We su""ort continuance of Te$as1 homestead "rotection#
+-5A Livestoc( and et
Location
3SL We o""ose a mandatory animal identification system#
+-7* :anning the .se
of Red Light
Cameras
SL We o""ose the manner in which alleged vehicle violations are
documented and fines levied against individuals without "roof of
their having been the driver of the offending vehicle and we call
for the ban on Red Light Cameras in the State of Te$as
+-7+ -rivers Licenses S We "ro"ose that every Te$as driver license shall indicate
whether the driver is a .#S# citi'en# 3o such license shall be
issued to anyone not legally in the country#
+-7) &ree S"eech for
the Clergy
3%L We urge amendment of the Internal Revenue Code to allow a
religious organi'ation to address issues without fear of losing its
ta$-e$em"t status# We call for re"eal of requirements that
religious organi'ations send the government any "ersonal
information about their contributors#
+-75 %overnment
Regulation on
Religious
Institutions
3SL The state should have no "ower over licensing or training of
clergy# The State should withdraw all im"osed regulations#
+-77 Restore
Constitutional
Integrity in the
Legislative
rocess
3 We call u"on the .#S# Congress to "ass legislation to restore
Constitutional integrity in the legislative "rocess# We strongly
recommend Single Issue Legislation that "rohibits the current
"ractice of inserting into otherwise unrelated legitimate
legislation funding for or federal regulations for s"ecial interest
issues into virtually every "iece of legislation#
+-79 The Rights of a
Sovereign eo"le
S The Re"ublican arty of Te$as su""orts the historic conce"t,
established by our nations1 founders, of limited civil government
4urisdiction under the natural laws of %od, and re"udiates the
humanistic doctrine that the state is sovereign over the affairs of
men, the family and the church#
+-7< -efending
/merican
Citi'ens
3 We call for Congress to act as resident 6bama has dismissed
the IRS targeting of s"ecific "olitical grou"s and individuals,
which calls into question the resident1s and the -e"artment of
Kustice1s commitment to citi'ens Constitutional rightsF and We
call for Congress to act on the :engha'i cover u" and the failure
to "rotect /merican Citi'ens including .#S# military "ersonnel
by the 6bama /dministrationF and We call for Congressional
investigates into other federal agencies#
+-78 reserving
rivate ;nter"rise
3SL We believe that the "roducts of gardens, farms, ranches, cottage
industries and manufacturing which are not trans"orted across
State lines should not be federally or any other government
regulated more than the minimum necessary to "revent disease,
fraud, in4ury to others, or other infringement of citi'ens1
unalienable rights#
+-7> &airness -octrine 3 We o""ose any attem"t by Congress or any federal agency to
im"lement any "olicy com"arable to the 0fairness doctrine2 as
terminated in +A>8#
+-7A ;m"owering
Local ;ntities
Concerning
Religious
Beetings
SL We su""ort the right of local entities to determine their own
"olicies regarding religious clubs and meetings on all "ro"erties
owned by the same without interference#
+-9* Real I- /ct 3 /s the Real I- /ct effectively creates an unconstitutional and
"rivacy-inhibiting national I- card, we hereby call for its
immediate re"eal
+-9+ ;m"loyment
3on--iscriminati
on /ct ?;3-/@
and Laws -
3SL We o""ose government regulations which would coerce
religious business owners and em"loyees to violate their own
beliefs and "rinci"les by affirming what they consider to be
sinful and se$ually immoral behavior#
+-9) %overnment
Intrusion into the
3SL We su""ort the .#S# maintaining continued control of the
internet# We also demand that no /merican government at any
Internet or
Communications
level should have any (ind of L(ill-switchL ca"ability, either by
e$ecutive order or by statute# We o""ose the government1s
ability to shut down websites either directly or through
intimidation without a warrant or 4udicial hearing#
+-95 &ree to :ecome a
Lawyer
S We su""ort legislation which will change the rules for the Te$as
:oard of Law ;$aminers ?which is the 4udicial agency that
administers the "rocess that ensures a""licants see(ing to be
licensed to "ractice law in Te$as meet the qualifications set by
the Su"reme Court of Te$as@ to allow any "erson to sit for the
Te$as State :ar ;$am regardless of where they received their
law education as long as they meet the criminal and ethical
bac(ground requirements#
RE$)RMIN&
T'E ,-.ICIAL
S/STEM
+-97 -irect ;lection of
State Kudges
S We su""ort our right to select our 4udges by direct vote#
+-99 =isiting Kudges SL We su""ort legislation "rohibiting 4udges defeated by the
electorate from serving as visiting 4udges, or acting as 4udges in
any ca"acity, until such time they are reinstated by the electorate
through a subsequent election#
+-9< Kury Reform 3SL We su""ort the right to "rivacy and security of "ros"ective
4urors during 4ury selection# Courts must show relevance of
questions as(ed of 4urors and "erform a balancing test between
the "ros"ective 4uror1s right to "rivacy and lawyers1 need to
(now# ;ither "arty in a criminal trial should have a right to
inform 4urors of their right to determine facts and render a
verdict#
+-98 Recording
Kudicial
roceedings
SL We su""ort legislation im"lementing the use of digital recording
devices in Te$as courts#
+-9> Mualified Kuror
Service
3SL Kury service should be limited to registered voters#
+-9A /dministrative
Kustice
3S Citi'ens have a right to full "artici"ation in administrative law
"rocesses#
+-<* &ully-Informed
Kury
3SL We su""ort the right to inform the 4urors of their common law
"ower to 4udge law as well as the evidence and to vote on the
verdict according to their conscience#
+-<+ Kudicial Restraint 3SL We urge Congress to ado"t the Constitutional Restoration /ct
and su""ort the "rinci"le of 4udicial restraint, which requires
4udges to inter"ret and a""ly rather than ma(e the law# We
su""ort 4udges who strictly inter"ret the law based on its original
intent# We o""ose 4udges who assume for themselves legislative
"owers#
+-<) Remedies to
/ctivist Kudiciary
3SL We call Congress and the resident to use their constitutional
"owers to restrain activist 4udges# We urge Congress to ado"t the
Kudicial Conduct /ct of )**9 and remove 4udges who abuse
their authority# &urther, we urge Congress to withhold Su"reme
Court 4urisdiction in cases involving abortion, religious freedom,
and the :ill of Rights#
+-<5 /merican Law
for /merican
Courts ?/L/C@
3SL 3o foreign law or international edict shall "reem"t the .#S#
Constitution or the Te$as Constitution, or be used as the basis
for any decision e$ce"t required by contract between the
individual "arties#
+-<7 Kudicial
3ominees
3 We urge Re"ublican Senate leadershi" to ensure that a record
vote is ta(en on every 4udicial nominee#
+-<9 Information
-isclosure on
Kudicial
Candidates
SL The Te$as State Re"ublican arty should foster a 4udicial
archive site on the internet with "ersonal history, qualifications,
and "ast rulings made by all 4udicial candidates#
+-<< Statutory
/uthority for
Regulation
3SL -efendants charged with violating a governmental regulation
should have the right to see the enabling law#
+-<8 Strengthen Tort
Reform
S We strongly su""ort continuation of common sense tort reform
that "uts 4ustice bac( into our civil 4ustice system# We su""ort
abolishing 4oint and several liabilities that forces "eo"le to "ay
for damages they did not cause# We o""ose the abusive use of
class action lawsuits# We o""ose lawsuits against manufacturers
and dealers whose "roducts or "ro"erty have been misused# We
strongly su""ort meaningful legislation to bring fairness and
common sense to the growing crisis of asbestos and related
litigation# We su""ort legislation that allows an individual
e$"osed to asbestos, to "ursue a legal claim only if and when
that "erson meets ob4ective medical criteria, demonstrating
im"airment caused by that e$"osure, without statute of
limitation#
REST)RIN&
INTE&RIT/ T)
)-R
ELECTI)NS
+-<> .nions 3SL We su""ort legislation requiring labor unions to obtain consent
of the union member before that member1s dues can be used for
"olitical "ur"oses# We strongly o""ose card chec(
+-<A Cam"aign
Contributions
3SL We su""ort full disclosure of the amounts and sources of any
cam"aign contributions to "olitical candidates, whether
contributed by individuals, "olitical action committees, or other
entities#
+-8* Candidate
;ligibility
S / candidate running for office should be required to reside
within the geogra"hical boundaries of the office sought# The
Secretary of State shall be required to certify that State and
&ederal Candidates "laced on :allots "roffered in Te$as meets
the Statutory Requirements for the 6ffice sought# &or &ederal
6ffices, all Candidates must submit written authori'ation for the
Secretary of State to obtain a certified co"y of the candidates1
birth certificate from the original issuing authority and be
sub4ect to both a criminal bac(ground chec( and 0;-=erify2
chec(, so as to "rove they are constitutionally eligible, in order
to have their name "laced on the %;3;R/L election ballot#
+-8+ =oter SL We su""ort restoring integrity to the voter registration rolls and
Registration reducing voter fraud# We su""ort re"eal of all Botor =oter lawsF
re-registering voters every four yearsF requiring "hoto I- of all
registrantsF "roof of residency and citi'enshi", along with voter
registration a""licationF retention of the 5*-day registration
deadlineF and requiring that a list of certified deaths be "rovided
to the election administrator in order that the names of deceased
voters be removed from the list of registered voters#
+-8) Selection of
rimary
Candidates
% The SR;C should study the .tah model for selecting "rimary
candidates#
+-85 ;lectoral College 3 We strongly su""ort the ;lectoral College
+-87 =oting Rights 3SL We su""ort equal suffrage for all .#S# Citi'ens of voting age
who are not felons# We o""ose any identification of citi'ens by
race, origin, or creed and o""ose use of any such identification
for "ur"oses of creating voting districts#
+-89 =oter Rights /ct 3 We urge that the =oter Rights /ct of +A<9 codified and u"dated
in +A85 be re"ealed and not reauthori'ed#
+-8< &elon =oting 3SL We affirm the Constitutional authority of state legislatures to
regulate voting, including disenfranchisement of convicted
felons#
+-88 rotecting /ctive
Bilitary
ersonnel1s Right
to =ote
3SL We urge the Te$as Secretary of State and the .#S# /ttorney
%eneral to ensure that voting rights of our /rmed &orces will
neither be denied nor obstructed and all absentee votes shall be
counted#
+-8> &air ;lection
rocedures
3SL We su""ort modifications and strengthening of election laws to
ensure ballot integrity and fair elections# We strongly urge the
Te$as attorney general to litigate the "reviously "assed voter I-
legislation# We su""ort increased scrutiny and security in
balloting by mailF "rohibition of internet voting and any
electronic voting lac(ing a verifiable "a"er trailF "rohibition of
mobile votingF "rosecution for election fraud with 4ail sentencesF
re"eal of the unconstitutional 0!el" /merica =ote /ct2F and
assurance that each "olling "lace has a distinctly mar(ed and if
"ossible se"arate location for Re"ublican and -emocratic
"rimary voting#
+-8A ;lection of the
S"ea(er of the
!ouse
S /mendment to the Te$as Constitution to ma(e the Te$as
S"ea(er of the !ouse a state wide elected "osition#
+->* Te$as !ouse
Leadershi"
Caucus
S /s long as Te$as !ouse members choose the S"ea(er of the
!ouse, we call for the Re"ublican members of the Te$as !ouse
of Re"resentatives to convene in caucus after each 3ovember
general election to determine by secret ballot their candidate for
S"ea(er of the !ouse, and that rules be instituted to ensure the
integrity and security of the secret ballot so that members may
vote without ris( of retribution by the "revailing "arty# We also
call for the Re"ublican members of the Te$as !ouse to vote as a
unified body for their selected s"ea(er candidate when the
Legislature convenes in regular session and a vote for s"ea(er is
called on the !ouse &loor#
+->+ Residency
Requirements
S We su""ort legislation that determines residence in accordance
with common-law rules, as recogni'ed by the courts, e$ce"t as
otherwise "rovided by the Te$as ;lection Code and to be
enforced by the Secretary of State#
+->) Cam"aign
&inance Reform
3 We urge immediate re"eal of the BcCain-&eingold /ct#
+->5 ;nforcing the
latform
% ;very Re"ublican is res"onsible for im"lementing this "latform#
arty candidates should indicate their "ositions on "latform
"lan(s before their acce"tance on the tic(et and such
information should be available on the arty website#
+->7 Censuring a
Re"ublican
6ffice !older for
Cause
% The delegates to the state convention of the Re"ublican arty of
Te$as ado"t a rule allowing the delegates of state convention, or
the State re"ublican ;$ecutive Committee, to vote ado"t a
resolution censuring a Re"ublican officeholder for cause,
including but not limited to consistent actions ta(en in
o""osition to "rinci"les of the Re"ublican arty of Te$as defined
in the "reamble of the "arty "latform as describe in rule 75 /#
+->9 Contributions to
Conservative
Candidates
% We strongly o""ose the Re"ublican arty of Te$as, Re"ublican
3ational Committee, the 3ational Re"ublican Senatorial
Cam"aign Committee, Re"ublican candidates and elected
officials, "olitical action committees, and "olitically active
non-"rofit organi'ations from being financially su""orted by any
individual or organi'ation that have "ersonal or financial ties,
directly or indirectly, to organi'ations who do not su""ort the
"rinci"les of the Re"ublican arty of Te$as latform#
+->< Conflicts of
Interest
SL We su""ort legislation "rohibiting influencing or voting of any
elected official or a""ointee where a conflict of interest e$ists#
3o such official should re"resent "aying clients before a state
agency#
+->8 Lobbying
Limitation
S We su""ort legislation to "rohibit former officials and
government em"loyees from lobbying for a foreign government
andGor any business for five years after leaving "ublic service#
We su""ort legislation to "revent lobbying by any organi'ation
receiving federal grants e$ce"t that relating to its ta$ status#
+->> /W6L
Legislators
S We urge the Te$as !ouse and Senate to com"el attendance of
absent members and "enali'e those who attem"t to brea( the
quorum by not being in attendance#
+->A %overnor1s =eto S We urge a Constitutional amendment "ermitting the Legislature
to return for a three-day session in res"onse to the governor1s
veto#
+-A* !ouse S"ea(er
ledge Cards
S We call on the Te$as Legislature to cease the use of "ledge cards
in all future !ouse S"ea(er races
+-A+ Term Limits 3SL We urge Congress, the Te$as Legislature, and the Re"ublican
arty to institute Term Limits#
+-A) &ilibuster 3 We su""ort return to the traditional &ilibuster in the .#S# Senate#
+-A5 Rosebush-:loc(e
r Rule
S We strongly o""ose the Rosebush-:loc(er rule in the Te$as
Senate#
+-A7 Consolidated
;lections
3SL /ll "ublic elections should be consolidated to rimary and
%eneral election days and locations#
+-A9 Rights versus
roducts
% We o""ose calling welfare and other income and "roduct
redistribution schemes 0rights2 or 0entitlements2# We (now that
fundamental human rights are inherent to individuals and are
granted by %od and are "rotected by the -eclaration of
Inde"endence and .#S# Constitution# They are not "roducts of
others labor# .nalienable rights, such as life, liberty, "ursuit of
ha""iness, "ro"erty rights, free s"eech, religious freedom,
self-defense, etc# do not im"ose on others rights whereas income
and "roduct redistribution invariably do so#
')N)RIN&
T'E S/MB)LS
)$ )-R
AMERICAN
'ERITA&E
+-A< Religious
Symbols
3SL We o""ose any governmental action to restrict, "rohibit, or
remove "ublic dis"lay of the Ten Commandments or other
religious symbols#
+-A8 ledge of
/llegiance
3 We su""ort ado"tion of the ledge rotection /ct# We also urge
that the 3ational Botto 0In %od We Trust2 and 3ational /nthem
be "rotected from legislative and 4udicial attac(#
+-A> /merican ;nglish 3SL We su""ort ado"tion of /merican ;nglish as the official
language of Te$as and of the .nited States#
+-AA &lag -esecration 3 /ny form of desecration of the /merican &lag is an act of
disregard for our nation and its "eo"le and "enalties should be
established for such#
+-+** Symbols of
/merican
!eritage
3SL We call u"on governmental entities to "rotect all symbols of our
/merican heritage from being altered in any way
+-+*+ Confederate
Widow1s laque
S We call for restoration of "laques honoring the Confederate
Widow1s ension &und contribution that were illegally removed
from the Te$as Su"reme Court building#
Stre!"t0e!i!" $amilies1 Prote#ti!" Life a!% Promoti!" 'ealt0
Section To"ic 3SL% Resolution
CELEBRATIN&
TRA.ITI)NAL
MARRIA&E
)-+ &amily and
-efense of
Barriage
SL We su""ort the definition of marriage as a %od-ordained, legal
and moral commitment only between a natural man and a natural
woman#
E We su""ort withholding 4urisdiction from the &ederal
Courts in cases involving family law, es"ecially any changes in
the definition of marriage#
E We shall not recogni'e or grant to any unmarried "erson
the legal rights or status of a s"ouse#
E We o""ose the recognition of and granting of benefits to
"eo"le who re"resent themselves as domestic "artners without
being legally married#
E We urge the Legislature to rescind no-fault divorce laws
and su""ort Covenant Barriage#
)-) Kudicial
/ctivism in
Barriage
3SL We o""ose the assault on marriage by 4udicial activists#
)-5 ;nforcement of
the -efense of
Barriage /ct
3S We su""ort the enforcement of the State and &ederal -efense of
Barriage /ct and o""ose benefits for "artnershi"s outside of
marriage "rovided by "olitical subdivisions#
)-7 rotection for
Religious
Institutions
3SL We believe religious institutions have the freedom to recogni'e
and "erform only those marriages that are consistent with their
doctrine#
)-9 &amily =alues 3SL We su""ort the affirmation of traditional Kudeo-Christian family
values and o""ose the continued assault on those values# We
strongly su""ort a women1s right to choose to devote her life to
her family and children# We recogni'e her sacrifice in the face of
the assault on the family# /dditionally, we recogni'e the
challenges of single "arents and a""laud their efforts in creating a
stable and moral home#
)-< !uman
Traffic(ing
3SL The Re"ublican arty of Te$as adamantly o""oses any form of
human traffic(ing#
)-8 !omose$uality 3SL !omose$uality must not be "resented as an acce"table alternative
lifestyle, in "ublic "olicy, nor should family be redefined to
include homose$ual cou"les# We believe there should be no
granting of s"ecial legal entitlements or creation of s"ecial status
for homose$ual behavior, regardless of state of origin#
/dditionally, we o""ose any criminal or civil "enalties against
those who o""ose homose$uality out of faith, conviction, or
belief in traditional values# We recogni'e the legitimacy and value
of counseling which offers re"arative thera"y and treatment to
"atients who are see(ing esca"e from the homose$ual lifestyle#
3o laws or e$ecutive orders shall be im"osed to limit or restrict
access to this ty"e of thera"y#
)-> ornogra"hy 3SL We encourage the enforcement of laws regarding all forms of
"ornogra"hy, because "ornogra"hy is detrimental to society and
demeaning to women and children#
PR)TECTIN&
INN)CENT
'-MAN LI$E
)-A Than( Nou S We a""laud the Te$as legislature for "assing strong women1s
health and "ro-life legislation#
)-+* Right to Life 3SL /ll innocent human life must be res"ected and safeguarded from
conce"tion to natural deathF therefore, the unborn, the aged, and
the "hysically or mentally challenged have a fundamental
individual right to life, which cannot be infringed#
)-++ Roe v# Wade 3 We are resolute in our support of the reversal of Roe
v. Wade.
)-+) 3atural Life 3SL We revere the sanctity of human life and therefore o""ose
genocide, euthanasia, and assisted suicide#
)-+5 &unding
/bortion
3SL We su""ort the elimination of "ublic funding or the use of "ublic
facilities to advocate, "erform, or su""ort elective abortions#
)-+7 &etal ain 3SL We strongly encourage consideration of fetal "ain in any future
legislation
)-+9 /bortion
Legislation
3SL .ntil our final goal of total constitutional rights for the unborn
child is achieved, we su""ort laws that restrict and regulate
abortion including, but not limited to,
+# "arental and informed consentF
)# "rohibition of abortion for gender selectionF
5# "rohibition of abortion due to the results of genetic diagnosis
7# licensing, liability, and mal"ractice insurance for abortionists
and abortion facilitiesF
9# "rohibition of financial (ic(bac(s for abortion referralsF
<# "rohibition of "artial birth late-term abortions
8# the "rohibition of the manufacturing and sale of abortifacients
?e#g# morning after "ill@F
># new causes of action for so called 0wrongful birth2 or
0wrongful life2F
A# enactment of any other laws which will advance the right to
life for unborn childrenF
+*# health insurance coverage for abortion services and
abortifacients under Te$as law should be considered su""lemental
coverage and billed to the beneficiaryF and
++# re"eal of 4udicial by"ass#
)-+< Candidate
Su""ort
SL The Re"ublican arty of Te$as should "rovide financial su""ort
only to those candidates who su""ort the right to life "lan(s#
)-+8 /lternatives to
/bortion
SL We urge the Re"ublican arty of Te$as and the Te$as legislature
to assist in educating the "ublic regarding alternatives to abortion
es"ecially ado"tion#
)-+> !uman
;mbryos
3S We su""ort the ado"tion of human embryos and the banning of
human embryo traffic(ing#
)-+A Conscience
Clause
3S /ll "ersons and all legal entities have the right of conscience and
should be "rotected under Te$as law if they conscientiously
ob4ect to "artici"ate in "ractices that conflict with their moral or
religious beliefs#
)-)* &etal Tissue 3S We su""ort legislation "rohibiting e$"erimentation or commercial
!arvesting and
Stem Cell
Research
use of human fetal tissue, which requires or is de"endent u"on the
destruction of human life# We encourage adult stem cell research
using cells from umbilical cords, from adults, and from any other
means that does not (ill human embryos#
)-)+ !uman
Cloning
3S We see( a ban on human cloning#
)-)) atient
rotection
S We su""ort "atients1 rights, es"ecially near the end of life, and
call for reform of e$isting legislation so that,
+# Te$as law should "rovide that medical "ersonnel may not
deny care, change advanced directives, or originate directives for
any "atient without the "ermission of the "atient or the "atient1s
designate#
)# 3o 0-o 3ot Resuscitate2 order may be ordered for a
"atient without hisGher own or family1s (nowledge and consentF
5# !ydration and nutrition may not be withheld as life ends#
We also su""ort the "assage of legislation to amend the /dvance
-irective /ct by requiring hos"itals intending or threatening to
withdraw life-sustaining treatment against the "atient1s wishes or
their advance directive to continue all treatment and care for such
"atients "ending transfer to another facilityF
7# &amilies are "rovided more notice of any review
committee meetings to determine the future treatment of
hos"itali'ed individualsF
9# Bedical "ersonnel may assist in transferring "atients to
other "ersonnel or another facility in order that their conscience
not be violated#
)-)5 regnancy
Centers
3S We urge the legislature to "rotect "regnancy centers from
harassing ordinances and regulations#
PR)TECTIN&
)-R C'IL.REN
)-)7 arental Rights
and
Res"onsibilitie
s
3SL We believe that "arental rights, authority, and res"onsibilities are
inherent and "rotected by the .nited States Constitution# Local,
state, or federal laws, regulations, or "olicies shall not be enacted
that limit "arental rights in the rearing of both biological and
ado"ted children# arents have the right and res"onsibility to
direct and guide their children1s moral education#
)-)9 .3 Treaty on
the Rights of
the Child
3 We unequivocally o""ose the .nited States Senate1s ratification
of the .nited 3ations Convention on the Rights of the Child#
)-)< Kurisdictional
-is"utes
3S arents andGor grand"arents should not be denied court ordered
visitation because of 4urisdictional dis"utes between states#
)-)8 Child /buse
revention
SL We believe that no individual convicted of child abuse or
molestation should have the right to custody or ado"tion of a
minor child# /n abused child should be given the o"tion of
declining visitation with hisGher abuser# If court ordered,
visitation with minor children by such "ersons should be
su"ervised#
)-)> /do"tion 3SL We su""ort reducing the time, bureaucracy, and cost of ado"tion#
We o""ose mandates that deny mothers a choice in selecting a
traditional home for their children# We o""ose mandatory o"en
ado"tion# We o""ose any government agency to force faith-based
ado"tion or foster care organi'ations to "lace children with
same-se$ cou"les#
)-)A &oster Care 3SL We su""ort eliminating bureaucratic "rohibitions on cor"oral
disci"line and home schooling in foster homes#
ASSISTIN&
$AMILIES T)
SEL$
S-$$ICIENC/
)-5* Welfare
Reform
3S Welfare should offer a hand u" to transition families and
individuals through hard times# Welfare reform should encourage
"artnershi"s with faith based institutions, community, and
business organi'ations to assist individuals in need# The current
system encourages de"endency on government and robs
individuals and generations of healthy motivation and
self-res"ect# It should be limited in sco"e# We encourage welfare
reform in the following areas,
+# -enying benefits to individuals who cannot "rove
citi'enshi"F
)# Welfare reforms should require reci"ients to wor(, learn,
and trainF
5# Reforms should require reci"ients to remain
substance-abuse free in e$change for tem"orary benefits not
e$ceeding two yearsF
7# Reci"ients should be required to submit to random drug
testing in order to receive benefitsF
9# Welfare cards should be confined to food and vital
essentials, and be issued with a "hoto of the a""roved userF and
<# risoners should be removed from welfare rolls#
)-5+ -e"artment of
&amily and
rotective
Services
?-&S@
/ccountability
3SL We su""ort the a""ointment of local elected officials to review
charges of abuse of discretion by the -e"artment of &amily and
rotective Services ?-&S@ with res"ect to intervention into the
family unit# Removal of a child from a home shall be "ursuant to
a court order or in res"onse to an immediate threat#
)-5) Social Security 3 We su""ort an immediate and orderly transition to a system of
"rivate "ensions based on the conce"t of individual retirement
accounts, and gradually "hasing out the Social Security ta$# We
insist that Social Security benefits be nonJta$able# To "rotect the
Social Security System, its funds should not be co-mingled or
s"ent with general revenues or invested in "rivate or "ublic
cor"orate stoc(#
)-55 Bedicaid
Reform
3S We su""ort Bedicaid bloc( grants to the states and returning
Bedicaid to its original "ur"ose - to be a tem"orary assistance to
our able-bodied citi'ens who, due to unfortunate circumstances,
find themselves in need#
)-57 %ambling SL We o""ose the e$"ansion of legali'ed gambling and encourage
the re"eal of the Te$as State Lottery# We o""ose dedicating any
government revenue from gambling to create or e$"and any
government "rogram#
)-59 Caring for our
mentally
disabled
citi'ens
SL We urge the Legislature to continue funding and o"erating all
state-su""orted living centers for the mentally disabled, increase
training standards of state-su""orted living center em"loyees, and
ensure efficient funding and quality of service#
EMP)+ERIN&
$AMILIES T)
.IRECT T'EIR
'EALT' CARE
)-5< !ealth Care 3SL !ealth care decisions should be between a "atient and health care
"rofessionalGs and should be "rotected from government
intrusion# /bortion is not healthcare#
)-58 arental
Consent
3SL arental consent is required for all medical care, counseling, etc#,
for all minors#
)-5> The atient
rotection and
/ffordable
Care /ct
?06bamacare2@
3 We demand the immediate re"eal of the atient rotection and
/ffordable Care /ct, which we believe to be unconstitutional#
)-5A !ealth Care
Choice
3S We urge the "assage of health care reform which results in more
affordable healthcare through a mar(et-based, com"etitive, and
trans"arent health care system, including tort reform, interstate
com"etition, genuine accountability and oversight#
)-7* Bedical
Records and
Informed
Consent
3SL We o""ose any state or federal medical record com"uter database
or registry ?with e$ce"tion to diseases that are a "ublic health
threat, i#e#, !I= andGor Tuberculosis@, which stores "ersonal
identifiable records on citi'ens without their written consent#
)-7+ Conscience
Clause
3SL
%
We su""ort conscientious ob4ection in the medical community#
We believe that doctors, nurses, "harmacists, any em"loyees of
hos"itals and insurance com"anies, health care organi'ations,
medical and scientific research students, and any em"loyee
should be "rotected by Te$as law if they conscientiously ob4ect to
"artici"ate in "ractices that conflict with their moral or religious
beliefs# This includes, but is not limited to, abortion, the
"rescri"tion for and dis"ensing of drugs with abortifacient
"otential, human cloning, embryonic stem cell research, eugenic
screenings, euthanasia, assisted suicide, and the withdrawal of
nutrition and hydration# We call on the Te$as Legislature to "ass
legislation to strengthen and clarify the current conscience clause
in the 6ccu"ational Code to include the above-mentioned "ersons
and "ractices# We further encourage legislation that requires
hos"itals and clinics to inform all health care "ersonnel of their
right to refuse to become involved in abortion or euthanasia and
their "rotection from "rosecution and retaliation under Te$as law#
)-7) !ealth Care 3SL We o""ose any efforts to mandate that vitamins and other natural
and 3utritional
Su""lements
% su""lements be on a "rescri"tionJonly basis, and we o""ose any
efforts to remove vitamins and other nutritional su""lements from
"ublic sale# We su""ort the rights of all adults to their choice of
nutritional "roducts and alternative health care choices#
)-75 &ood Choice 3SL
%
We su""ort the right of individuals to ma(e their own dietary
decisions# We o""ose any laws regarding the "roduction,
distribution, or consum"tion of food# %overnment should not
restrict non-genetically engineered seeds#
)-77 Immuni'ations 3SL
%
/ll adult citi'ens should have the legal right to conscientiously
choose which vaccines are administered to themselves, or their
minor children, without "enalty for refusing a vaccine# We o""ose
any effort by any authority to mandate such vaccines or any
medical database that would contain "ersonal records of citi'ens
without their consent#
E%2#ati!" o2r C0il%re!
Section To"ic 3SL% Resolution
5-+ /merican
Identity,
atriotism
and Loyalty
S We favor strengthening our common /merican identity and loyalty, which
includes the contribution and assimilation of different racial and ethnic grou"s#
Students should "ledge allegiance to the .S and Te$as flags daily to instill
"atriotism# Students have the right to dis"lay "atriotic items on school "ro"erty#
5-) :asic
Standards
3SL We favor im"roving the quality of education for all students, including those
with s"ecial needs# We su""ort a return to the traditional basics of reading,
writing, arithmetic, and citi'enshi" with sufficient disci"line to ensure learning
and quality educational assessment#
5-5 :ilingual
;ducation
% We encourage non-;nglish s"ea(ing students to transition to ;nglish within
three years#
5-7 Career and
Technology
;ducation
SL We su""ort career and technology education in "ublic schools#
5-9 College
Tuition
S We recommend three levels of college tuition, In-state requiring "roof of Te$as
legal citi'enshi", out-of-state requiring "roof of .S citi'enshi", and nonresident
legal alien# 3on-.S citi'ens should not be eligible for state or federal grants#
5-< Controversia
l Theories
S We su""ort ob4ective teaching and equal treatment of all sides of scientific
theories# We believe theories such as life origins and environmental change
should be taught as challengeable scientific theories sub4ect to change as new
data is "roduced# Teachers and students should be able to discuss the strengths
and wea(nesses of these theories o"enly and without fear of retribution or
discrimination of any (ind#
5-8 T;OS
Com"liance
SL We encourage the Te$as Legislature to develo" a review and com"liance
"rocess to ensure that Te$as1 local school districts1 curriculum com"lies with
the T;OS standards# We also believe local school district funding be granted
only u"on successful com"liance#
5-> ;arly
Childhood
-evelo"ment
3SL We believe that "arents are best suited to train their children in their early
develo"ment, and o""ose mandatory "re-school and Oindergarten#
5-A ;qual /ccess
to State
%rants
S We believe that all Te$as students, whether graduating from "ublic, "rivate or
home schools, should have equal access to all state su""orted grants,
scholarshi"s and loans, based u"on measurable academic criteria such as an
S/T score#
5-+* &oreign
Culture
Charter
Schools in
Te$as
S We o""ose "ublic funding of charter schools which receive money from foreign
entities# We demand that these Charter Schools have accountability and
trans"arency to local "arents, ta$"ayers, the State of Te$as, as do current "ublic
schools, including .#S# citi'enshi" of "ublic school trustees#
5-++ ;ducational
;ntitlement
3 We encourage legislation that "rohibits enrollment in free "ublic schools of
non-citi'ens unlawfully "resent in the .nited States#
5-+) &unding of
;ducation
S ;ducation s"ending should "rioriti'e classroom instruction and minimi'e
administrative overhead
5-+5 !igher
;ducation
S We o""ose the use of quotas, diversity, and the ten "ercent rule# We su""ort
Te$as college admissions based solely on merit#
5-+7 !igher S We call on the .niversity :oards of Regents to reduce administrative e$"enses#
;ducation
:udgets
5-+9 Kuvenile
-aytime
Curfew
L We strongly o""ose Kuvenile -aytime Curfews# /dditionally, we o""ose any
official entity from detaining, questioning andGor disci"lining our children
without the consent of a child1s "arent#
5-+< Onowledge
:ased
;ducation
S We o""ose the teaching of values clarification, mastery learning and similar
"rograms that are sim"ly a relabeling of 6utcome-:ased ;ducation ?6:;@
which focus on behavior modification and have the "ur"ose of challenging the
student1s fi$ed beliefs and undermining "arental authority# Rather, we
encourage the teaching of critical thin(ing s(ills, including logic, rhetoric and
analytical sciences starting at an early age#
5-+8 Local
Control for
;ducation
L We su""ort school choice and believe that quality education is best achieved by
encouraging "arental involvement, "rotecting "arental rights, and ma$imi'ing
local inde"endent school district control# -istrict su"erintendents and their
em"loyees should be made solely accountable to their locally elected boards#
We su""ort sensible consolidation of local school districts# We encourage local
IS-s to consider carefully the advantages and disadvantages of acce"ting
federal education money#
5-+> 3ational
Core
Curriculum
SL We o""ose use of a national or international core curricula in the State of Te$as
?i#e# Common Core, CSC6;, .3 Inclusion, etc#@ We also o""ose the
modification of college entrance e$ams to reflect any national core
"hiloso"hies# &urthermore, any inde"endent school district that violates state
law banning the use of a national core curriculum shall lose all state funding
until said curriculum is removed and no longer being utili'ed in the classroom#
5-+A 3o Ta$"ayer
aid
Lobbyists
S We su""ort the "rohibition of any "aid "ublic school em"loyee or contractor to
lobby the legislature or the S:6;, unless on an un"aid basis and in an
unofficial ca"acity# 3o registered lobbyist should be allowed to run for S:6;#
5-)* arental
Rights in
;ducation
SL We believe the right of "arents to raise and educate their children is
fundamental# arents have the right to withdraw their child from any
s"eciali'ed "rogram# We urge the Legislature to enact "enalties for violation of
"arental rights#
5-)+ ermanent
School &und
S We believe that because the ermanent School &und is not "aid by ta$"ayers,
the "rinci"le balance should be safeguarded and not viewed as a source of
additional funding for our state budget#
5-)) olitical
Community
6rgani'ing
in Te$as
Schools
L We believe neither Te$as "ublic schools should be used nor their students
should be instructed by grou"s such as S;I. or other community organi'ers as
instruments to "romote "olitical agenda during the instructional school day#
5-)5 rivate
;ducation
S We believe that "arents and legal guardians may choose to educate their
children in "rivate schools to include, but not limited to, home schools and
"arochial schools without government interference, through definition,
regulation, accreditation, licensing, or testing#
5-)7 Religious
&reedom in
ublic
Schools
SL We urge school administrators and officials to inform Te$as school students and
district "ersonnel s"ecifically of their &irst /mendment rights to "ray and
engage in religious s"eech, individually or in grou"s, on school "ro"erty
without government interference# We urge the Legislature to end censorshi" of
discussion of religion in our founding documents and encourage discussing
those documents, including the :ible as their basis# Students and district
"ersonnel have the right to dis"lay Christian items on school "ro"erty#
5-)9 School SL We encourage the %overnor and the Te$as Legislature to enact child-centered
Choice school funding o"tions which fund the student, not schools or districts, to allow
ma$imum freedom of choice in "ublic, "rivate, or "arochial education for all
children# &urthermore, we su""ort a state constitutional amendment "rohibiting
state or federal regulations im"osed on "rivate schools, including home schools
?as established by Lee"er vs# /rlington IS-@#
5-)< School
!ealth Care
SL We urge legislators to "rohibit re"roductive health care services, including
counseling, referrals, and distribution of condoms and contrace"tion through
"ublic schools# We su""ort the "arents1 right to choose, without "enalty, which
medications are administered to their minor children# We o""ose medical
clinics on school "ro"erty e$ce"t higher education and health care for students
without "arental consent#
5-)8 School
Surveys and
Testing
SL ublic schools should be required to obtain written "arental consent for student
"artici"ation in any test or questionnaire that surveys beliefs, feelings, or
o"inions# arental rights, including viewing course materials "rior to giving
consent, should not be infringed#
5-)> Se$
;ducation
S We recogni'e "arental res"onsibility and authority regarding se$ education# We
believe that "arents must be given an o""ortunity to review the material "rior to
giving their consent# We o""ose any se$ education other than the biology of
re"roduction and abstinence until marriage# We should "rohibit entities and
their affiliates that have a conflict of interest with our beliefs from conducting
se$uality education in "ublic schools and from conducting teacher training#
The social as"ects of se$uality should be left to the family#
5-)A State :oard
of ;ducation
?S:6;@
S We believe that the S:6; should continue to be an elected body consisting of
fifteen members# Their res"onsibilities must include,
E /""ointing the Commissioner of ;ducation
E Baintaining constitutional authority over the ermanent School &und
E Baintaining sole authority over all curricula content and the state ado"tion of
all educational materials# This "rocess must include "ublic hearings#
The S:6; should be minimally staffed out of general revenue#
5-5* Su""orting
Bilitary
&amilies in
;ducation
S ;$isting truancy laws conflict with troo" de"loyments# We believe that truancy
laws should be amended to allow 9 day absence "rior to de"loyments and RPR#
We su""ort the waiver of out-of-state tuition for any de"endent of military
"ersonnel stationed in Te$as#
5-5+ Tenure S We su""ort frequent "ostQ tenure review in order to maintain the quality of the
teaching staff#
5-5) Te$tboo(
/""roval
SL The Te$as ;ducation Code ?T;C@ must be amended to em"ower the S:6; to
require each IS- that ado"ts non-state a""roved instructional materials to
conform to the state a""roval "rocess to "rotect citi'ens1 right to "etition,
correct factual errors, "revent corru"tion and fulfill legislative intent in the
T;C# Local IS- boards must hold "ublic hearings on such materials# arents
should have access to review classroom materials u"on request#
5-55 Traditional
rinci"les in
;ducation
S We su""ort school sub4ects with em"hasis on the Kudeo-Christian "rinci"les
u"on which /merica was founded and which form the basis of /merica1s legal,
"olitical and economic systems# We su""ort curricula that are heavily weighted
on original founding documents, including the -eclaration of Inde"endence, the
.S Constitution, and &ounders1 writings#
5-57 Trans"arency SL We su""ort legislation requiring all school districts to "ost their e$"enditures
online or made readily available to the "ublic#
5-59 .#S# 3 Since education is not an enumerated "ower of the federal government, we
-e"artment
of ;ducation
believe the -e"artment of ;ducation ?-6;@ should be abolished and "rohibit
the transfer of any of its functions to any other federal agency#
5-5< Rero
Tolerance
L We encourage local IS-1s to use their best 4udgment in determining the
enforcement of 'ero-tolerance based "olicies, consider intent, s"ecify
violations, and "ost on IS- websites#
Promoti!" I!%ii%2al $ree%om a!% Perso!al Safety
Section To"ic 3SL% Resolution
7-+ Right to
Oee" and
:ear
/rms
% /merica1s founding fathers wrote the )
nd
amendment with clear intent J no level
of government shall regulate either the ownershi" or "ossession of firearms#
Therefore we strongly o""ose all laws that infringe on the right to bear arms#
We o""ose the monitoring of gun ownershi", the ta$ation and regulation of
guns, ammunition, and gun maga'ines# We collectively urge the legislature to
"ass 0constitutional carry2 legislation whereby law-abiding citi'ens that "ossess
firearms can legally e$ercise their %od-given right to carry that firearm as well#
.ntil such time we urge the state to re-introduce and "ass legislation easing
current restrictions on firearms such as o"en carry and cam"us carry# Stiff
"enalties shall be im"osed for frivolous litigation against legitimate firearm
manufacturers# /ll federal acts, laws, e$ecutive orders, and court orders which
restrict or infringe on the "eo"le1s right to (ee" and bear arms shall be invalid in
Te$as, not be recogni'ed by Te$as, shall be s"ecifically re4ected by Te$as, and
shall be considered null and void and of no effect in Te$as# We urge the Te$as
Legislature to enact legislation to "rotect law-abiding firearms owners from
having their right to bear arms infringed by federal agencies due to such minor
mental health diagnoses as non-severe TS ?"ost-traumatic stress@, see(ing
counseling for minor de"ression or other minor mental health diagnoses#
7-) &ederal
&irearms
License
/ct
3SL We believe that &ederal &irearms License ?&&L@ holders should be free from
harassment, and license revocations and denials against firearm dealers based on
violations consisting of largely inconsequential record-(ee"ing errors and
encourage the /T& to consider lesser gradation of sanctions for such errors#
&irearms and ammunition manufactured and sold in the state of Te$as are not
covered under the Commerce Clause and therefore are not sub4ect to &ederal
regulation#
7-5 C!L
Laws
/""lied
to Te$as
Truc(ers
SL We call for truc(ers wor(ing within the state of Te$as to en4oy the full benefits
of the Te$as Concealed !andgun License law irres"ective of unreasonable and
intrusive federal regulations#
7-7 Indefinite
-etention
% The Re"ublican arty abhors any "olicies of indefinite detention of .S citi'ens
without due "rocess# We urge Congress to terminate any "ractice of detention
without due "rocess#
7-9 &SLTrans
"ortation
Security
/dminist
ration
?TS/@
3SL We call for the disbanding of the TS/ and "lace air"ort security into the more
accountable and ca"able hands of the state and local law enforcement#
7-< State
Bilitia
SL We su""ort the establishment and maintenance of a volunteer Constitutional
State Bilitia with assistance from County Sheriffs#
7-8 Bilitia
vs# aid
/rmy
SL We recogni'e that the original meaning of the word 0militia2 in the Constitution
refers to an armed citi'enry, not the formal "aid "rofessional military#
7-> &reedom
of /ccess
/ct
3SL We urge re"eal of the &reedom of /ccess to Clinic ;ntrances Law# Those who
assault "eaceful "rotesters acting under the Constitution should be vigorously
"rosecuted# ic(eting and literature distribution do not fall under the RIC6 /ct#
7-A Kudeo-Ch
ristian
3ation
3SL /s /merica is a nation under %od founded on Kudeo-Christian "rinci"les, we
affirm the constitutional right of all individuals to worshi" in the religion of their
choice#
7-+* Religious
;$"ressio
n
3SL The Re"ublican arty of Te$as will "rotect the rights of commercial
establishments to refuse to "rovide any service or "roduct that would infringe
u"on their freedom of religious e$"ression as state in the &irst /mendment#
7-++ Safeguar
ding
Religious
Liberties
3SL We affirm that the "ublic ac(nowledgement of %od is undeniable in our history
and is vital to our freedom, "ros"erity and strength# We "ledge our influence
toward a return to the original intent of the &irst /mendment and toward
dis"elling the myth of se"aration of church and state# We urge the Legislature to
increase the ability of faith-based institutions and other organi'ations to assist
the needy and to reduce regulation of such organi'ations#
7-+) Religious
Liberties
/broad
3SL We urge Congress to sanction any foreign government that "ersecutes its citi'ens
for their religion#
7-+5 !ealth
and
!uman
Services
Bandate
3SL We strongly o""ose any federal or state requirement or other mandate to "rovide
abortions or contrace"tion and sterili'ation, since this would clearly violate
many individuals, businesses, churches, and non-"rofit "ersonnel1s faith and
beliefs# %overnment must obey the +st /mendment to the .#S# ConstitutionC
7-+7 ;lectroni
c rivacy
3SL We believe all law-abiding citi'ens should be free from government surveillance
of their electronic communications e$ce"t in cases directly involving national
security, by court order# ;$ce"t for non-citi'ens, we further o""ose any national
I- "rogram, including the Real I- /ct and the use of Radio &requency
Identification Chi"s ?R&I-@ on humans#
7-+9 ersonal
Confiden
tiality
3SL 3ecessary dissemination of "ersonal information among government entities
must be safeguarded with the threat of criminal "enalties#
7-+< ;quality
of /ll
Citi'ens
3SL We de"lore all discrimination# We also de"lore forced sensitivity training and
urge re"eal of any mandate requiring it# We urge immediate re"eal of the !ate
Crimes Law# .ntil the !ate Crimes Law is totally re"ealed, we urge the
Legislature to immediately remove the education curriculum mandate and the
se$ual orientation category in said Law#
7-+8 %B6
Labeling
3SL We su""ort labeling of all "roducts containing genetically modified organisms
?%B6s@, as well as cloned organisms, in a uniform and recogni'able fashion#
7-+> Smart
Beters
% We o""ose the mandated use of Smart Beters as well as the use of collected data
to reduce freedoms of .#S# citi'ens# 6ur o""osition is based u"on security,
"ro"erty damage, energy inefficiencies, "rivacy, and health issues#
7-+A Internet
/ccess
3SL We su""ort a free and o"en internet -- free from intrusion, censorshi", or control
by government or "rivate entities# -ue to the inherent benefit of anonymity, the
anonymity of users is not to be com"romised for any reason, unless consented
by the userF or by court order# We also o""ose any mandates by the government
to collect and retain records of our internet activity# We su""ort 3et 3eutrality#
We su""ort continued stewardshi" of -3S ?-omain 3ame System@ by .#S#
-e"artment of Commerce over IC/33 ?Internet Cor"oration for /ssigned
3ames and 3umbers@ in order to guarantee continued worldwide freedom of
s"eech on the internet#
PR)TEC
TIN&
CITI3EN
S $R)M
CRIME
7-)* rison
Reform
3SL We believe our "rison systems should em"hasi'e "rotection of society and
"unishment of offenders, ever mindful of their human rights# risoners should be
required to "erform meaningful wor(# risoners should not have access to
"rivate information of any citi'en# 3o e$traordinary medical care, including
organ trans"lants or body "art re"lacement, should be "erformed on "risoners at
ta$"ayer e$"ense#
7-)+ Sentencin
g Reform
SL We call for disclosure to 4uries of "rior convictions of the defendant and the
actual time li(ely to be served before "arole# We believe "unishment should be
assessed in "ro"ortion to the crime and should be a deterrent# We su""ort
im"risonment for life without "arole for habitual felons# Convicted criminals
should be required to ma(e restitution to their victims# risoners without a high
school di"loma must be required to attend %;- or vocational training# 3o
inmate with a history of drug abuse should be eligible for "arole before
com"leting treatment#
7-)) Crime
Shouldn1t
ay
3SL 3o convicted criminal should be allowed to "rofit from sale of rights to their
story for boo(s, movies, etc#, while incarcerated, on "arole, or on "robation#
7-)5 Ca"ital
unishme
nt
3S ro"erly a""lied ca"ital "unishment is legitimate, is an effective deterrent, and
should be swift and unencumbered#
7-)7 Kuvenile
Kustice
3SL Kuvenile 4ustice reforms should continue, including "rivate "rograms, 0boot
cam"s,2 and trying 4uveniles as adults when a""ro"riate# We condemn
incarcerating 4uveniles and adults in the same facility#
7-)9 Child
/buse
3SL We recogni'e the family as a sovereign authority over which the state has no
right to intervene, unless a "arent or legal guardian has committed criminal
abuse# Child abusers should be severely "rosecuted# We o""ose actions of social
agencies to classify traditional methods of disci"line, including cor"oral
"unishment, as child abuse# /s a condition of funding, "ublicly funded agencies
are to re"ort all instances of abuse#
7-)< .nborn
=ictims
of
=iolence
3SL We believe a "erson who in4ures or (ills an unborn child should be sub4ect to
criminal and civil litigation#
7-)8 Se$ual
/ssault
3SL /dults convicted of se$ual molestation of a minor should receive mandatory
"rison sentences without "robation or "arole u" to and including ca"ital
"unishment# We su""ort increasing the "enalty for failure to re"ort child se$ual
assault cases, and we urge vigorous "rosecution of such failure#
7-)> /ddictive
:ehavior
s
3SL We encourage state and federal governments to severely "rosecute illegal dealers
and manufacturers of addictive substances, including "ornogra"hy, andGor
"edo"hilia# We urge Congress to discourage im"ort of such substances into our
country# &aith based rehabilitation "rograms should be em"hasi'ed# We o""ose
legali'ation of illicit drugs# We su""ort an effective abstinence-based
educational "rogram for children# We o""ose any 0needle e$change2 "rogram#
We urge vigorous enforcement of our -.I laws#
7-)A ro"erty
Search
and
Sei'ure
without
-ue
rocess
3SL We need to reinstate the values embodied in the fourth amendment, that have
been rendered null and void by activist courts and government overreach# We
o""ose search and sei'ure of "rivate "ro"erty without due "rocess# 3either law
enforcement agencies nor their "arent organi'ations should be allowed to benefit
from such sei'ures#
Stre!"t0e!i!" t0e E#o!omy
Section To"ic 3SL% Resolution
&oer!me!t
Spe!%i!"
9-+ :udget and
/""ro"riations
3SL
%
We urge Congress and the Te$as State Legislator to become fiscally
res"onsible by immediately enacting the following items,
E /do"t a balanced budget by cutting s"ending without
increasing ta$ rates or adding new ta$es and ca""ing s"ending with a
"ercent of %- as calculated "rior to )**A#
E We su""ort the im"lementation of a &ederal :alanced :udget
amendment only if the above "rinci"als are adhered to#
E /do"t 'ero-based budgeting at all levels of government#
E /do"t Sunset Laws at all levels of government#
E /do"t a "olicy of requiring "ublic audits of each governmental
de"artment at least every 5 years#
9-) -ownsi'ing
the &ederal
%overnment
3SL
%
E We encourage the abolishment of any and all federal agencies
not based on an enumerated "ower granted by the .nited States
federal constitution#
E /ll non-military s"ending should be returned to at least
"re-)**> levels#
9-5 .nfunded
Bandates
3SL
%
We o""ose all unfunded mandates by the federal, state, and local
governments#
/mend the Te$as Constitution and statute to restrict the "ower
of the Legislature to im"ose unfunded mandates on local
governments#
9-7 Truth in Ta$ing 3SL
%
We urge that ta$es established for a "articular "ur"ose shall not be
used for any other "ur"ose#
ass a Constitutional /mendment "rohibiting the use of
statutorily-dedicated accounts for budget certification,
beginning in the )*)5-)7 biennium#
9-9 Congressional
ay and
:enefits
3SL
%
Congressional "ay raises should not e$ceed the rate of
inflation#
Congress shall "ass no law affecting average /mericans that
does not equally a""ly to themselves and all other &ederal
em"loyees#
We recommend that the Congressional retirement system be
abolished#
9-< :ailouts and
Subsidies
3SL
%
We encourage government to divest its ownershi" of all
business that should be run in the "rivate sector and allow the
free mar(et to "revail#
We o""ose all bailouts of domestic and foreign government
entities, States and all businesses, "ublic and "rivate#
9-8 %overnment
Lobbying
3SL
%
We o""ose "aying lobbyists with ta$ dollars#
9-> Im"ro"er 3SL We su""ort enforcement of current law "rohibiting "ublic assets being
%overnment
&unding
% used for "rivate grou"s without "ro"er vetting and authori'ation and
urge the Te$as Legislature to enact civil and criminal "enalties for
violation of the law which currently has no enforcement mechanism#
9-A &unding
S"ecial Interest
6rgani'ations
3SL
%
We o""ose any direct financial su""ort of s"ecial interest
organi'ations, such as /C6R3 and the /CL., by any level of
government#
9-+* ;ducation
S"ending
3SL
%
Since data is clear that additional money does not translate into
educational achievement, and higher education costs are out of
control, we su""ort reducing ta$"ayer funding to all levels of
education institutions#
9-++ %overnmental
Trans"arency
3SL
%
We su""ort statewide and local ta$ing entities com"iling and
"ublically "osting their current debt and future obligations on their
official websites#
Ta4 B2r%e!
9-+) Ta$ :urden 3SL We in the Re"ublican arty of Te$as believe in the "rinci"als of
constitutionally limited government based on federalist "rinci"als# To
this end we encourage our elected officials at all levels of government
to wor( to reverse the current trend of e$"anding government and the
growing ta$ and debt burdens this "laces on we the "eo"le# We believe
the most equitable system of ta$ation is one based on consum"tion
and wish to see reforms towards that end at all levels of government
further more we believe that the borrower truly is a slave to the lender
and so long as we continue to increase our ta$ and debt burdens we
will never be a truly free "eo"le# Towards these ends we su""ort the
following,
EReformation of the current systems of ta$ation at all levels of
governmentF &ederal, State and Local# ;$am"les of these reforms
include the following
The 0&air Ta$2 system
/ &lat Ta$
The +-)-5 ro"ortional Ta$
We su""ort the /bolishment of ro"erty Ta$es, but in the
interim advocate the ca""ing the annual increases to 5D and
limit future increases for 5 years after an ad4ustment
/bolishment estate ta$es or the 0-eath Ta$2 as it1s more
commonly (nown
/bolishment of Ca"ital %ains ta$es
/bolishment of &ranchise and :usiness Income Ta$es
/bolishment of the gift ta$#
-iscontinuation Revenue %enerating Licensing fee
;$em"tion of Inventories from ro"erty Ta$es
9-+5 State Income
Ta$ :an
3SL We su""ort maintaining the current ban on state income ta$es in
Te$as#
9-+7 Internet
Ta$ation
3SL We o""ose any Internet Ta$ation unless it is "art of a com"lete
reformation of our ta$ation systems, "referably in tandem with the
abolishment of direct ta$ation of citi'en1s incomes#
9-+9 %overnment
/uthority
3SL We believe any government authority that has the ability to level a ta$
on the "eo"le should be accountable to those who "ay the ta$es via the
electoral "rocess from the Local level to the &ederal# ossible
;$am"les of these boards are as follows,
9-+< Banagement 3SL We o""ose the creation of Banagement -istricts with the authority to
-istricts im"ose ta$es and bond debt#
9-+8 %ambling Ta$
Revenues
3SL We believe that gambling ta$ revues are unreliable as a source of
funding for any government activities and are damaging to those in
the lowest income quintiles#
9-+> Ta$ation by a
&oreign ;ntity
3SL We believe that any attem"t to allow the .nited 3ations or any other
foreign entity to levy ta$es on .#S# citi'ens or governments should be
re4ected#
9-+A Restrictions by
%overnment
/gencies
3SL We o""ose any restrictions by any government agency on individual
ta$"ayer contributions to churches, faith-based charities and other
non-"rofit organi'ations#
9-)* Truth in
:udgeting
3SL -edicated /ccounts and &unds Consolidation ?Truth-in-:udgeting@ -
ass a Constitutional /mendment "rohibiting the use of
statutorily-dedicated accounts for budget certification, beginning in
the )*)5-)7 biennium#
;$"ressly "rohibiting the use of statutorily-dedicated accounts
for budget certification in the Constitution would be the most
effective way to end the funds consolidation "rocess# This
would im"rove trans"arency of the state budget and would
ensure that statutorily-dedicated accounts are used only for
their intended "ur"ose#
State a!%
Lo#al .e5t
9-)+ Trans"arency
Requirements
SL Create clear and concise trans"arency requirements for the disclosure
of debt information to voters in state and local bond elections as they
are voting#
9-)) :ond ;lection
Trans"arency
SL To ensure that voters are adequately informed about any new debt that
they are being as(ed to a""rove, state and local bond election ballots
should be required to include the amount of debt currently
outstanding, current debt service "ayments, current "er ca"ita debt
obligations, the amount of new debt being "ro"osed, estimated debt
service for the new debt, and estimated "er ca"ita burden being
"ro"osed#
9-)5 &inancial
Statements
3SL
%
Require all local ta$ing entities to "ost their financial statements and
local government contracts online#
9-)7 =endor
Contracts
L Requiring each local ta$ing entity to "ost all vendor contracts over
certain values and financial statements online, or to submit them to the
state for inclusion in a website maintained by the Com"troller or the
Legislative :udget :oard, would ensure that both the state and its
"olitical subdivisions are sub4ect to the same trans"arency
requirements#
Co!stit2tio!a
l Spe!%i!"
Limit
9-)9 S"ending
Limitations
/mend the Te$as Constitution and state statute with a stricter
s"ending limitation based on "o"ulation growth and inflation, and
a""ly the new limit to all %R and %R-dedicated state s"ending#
9-)< Constitutional To "rovide meaningful "rotections for ta$"ayers, the flawed
S"ending Limit constitutional s"ending limit should be rewritten to limit growth of the
state budget to "o"ulation "lus inflation# .sing this measure, the state
will be able to continue to "rovide necessary services to the
"o"ulation as it grows#
9-)8 Two-Thirds
=ote
Require a two-thirds vote to override the constitutional s"ending limit#
E#o!omi#
Sta5ili6atio!
$2!%
9-)> ermissible
.ses of &und
/mend the Te$as Constitution to narrow the "ermissible uses of the
;S& to cover revenue shortfalls in the current biennium, debt
retirement, one-time infrastructure "ro4ects, and e$"enses related to a
state of disaster as declared by the governor
9-)A Rainy -ay
&und
When voters endorsed the creation of the ;S& in +A>>, they a""roved
a constitutional amendment 0establishing an economic stabili'ation
fund in the state treasury to be used to offset unforeseen shortfalls in
revenue#2 This amendment would assure that the ;S& is a""ro"riately
limited in its use and serves as a true 0Rainy -ay &und2 for Te$as#
9-5* /gency Sunset
Review
rocess
;$"and the Sunset Commission to be a ma4ority citi'en-led
commission on government reform ?a""ointed by %overnor, Lt#
%overnor, and S"ea(er of the !ouse@#
Increased involvement by business and community leaders in
the Sunset Commission "rocess would "rovide increased
accountability to Te$as ta$"ayers, and bring fresh "ro"osals to
the "rocess#
9-5+ Sunset
Commission
Bission &ocus
Statutorily refocus the mission of the Sunset Commission on the
abolition, consolidation, and cost reduction of state agencies#
9-5) Sunset
Commission
ur"ose
Statement
In +A8<, when the Sunset Commission was first "ro"osed, the -allas
Times !erald s"eculated that the Sunset "rocess would 0tear the hide
off the bureaucracy, cut into its guts and see if surgery is
indicated###and then, if necessary, restructure governmental agencies
and "rograms -- or, if the bodily organs are beyond use, let them die#2
That clearly has not occurred# / statutory mission or "ur"ose
statement should be added to Cha"ter 5)9 of the %overnment Code
narrowing and refocusing the wor( of the Sunset Commission#
9-55 State !iring
-ecisions
Re"eal the Sunset /ct "rovision "rotecting state bureaucracy# If the
Sunset "rocess determines that an agency is no longer needed, the
state should not continue to em"loy someone sim"ly because they
once wor(ed for a state agency that is now defunct#
State hiring decisions should be based on merit and on the
need for a "articular em"loyee at a "articular agency#
9-57 ublic rivate
artnershi"s
3SL We o""ose the construction of trans"ortation "ro4ects which surrender
control or ownershi" to foreign interests, such as "ublic "rivate
"artnershi"s ?or 5s@# We o""ose the use of eminent domain for
"rivate gain for toll "ro4ects, as well as the construction of a
0Trans-Te$as Corridor2 or similar "ro4ect which would create a
federal corridor through Te$as#
9-59 Trans"ortation 3SL We call for all trans"ortation and fuel ta$es collected to be used for
and &uel Ta$es road construction, im"rovement and maintenance only# We resolve
that ta$ revenue derived from gasoline ta$es and all other ta$esGfees
on our vehicles ?including vehicle sales ta$@ should only be used for
highway construction, and not be diverted to any other use, including
mass transit, rail, and bicycle "aths#
9-5< 6il and %as
roducing
Counties
3SL Counties with oil and gas "roduction should receive a "ortion of the
"roduction ta$es the state collects so that the road system can be
maintained for the dual "ur"ose of accommodating the needs of the
industry and "roviding adequate "ublic safety#
9-58 Toll Roads 3SL We believe that Tolls should come off the road when the debt is retired
and if the debt is ever restructured or refinancedF the "ay-off date
needs to remain the same or receive voter a""roval in order to e$tend
the toll ta$ longer# Baintenance should then revert to T$-ot#
9-5> Toll Road
funding
3SL We o""ose the use of ta$"ayer money to subsidi'e, guarantee,
"ro"-u", or bail out any toll "ro4ects whether "ublic or "rivate, and we
call u"on both state and federal lawma(ers to adequately fund our
highways without hidden ta$es, tolls, or raiding emergency funds#
9-5A -iversion of
ro"erty Ta$es
3SL E We o""ose the diversion of "ro"erty ta$es to build, subsidi'e,
andGor guarantee the loans of toll "ro4ects, which is "rimarily being
done through Trans"ortation Reinvestment Rones# The State needs to
"ro"erly fund the Te$as State !ighway System to "revent the use of
L6C/L "ro"erty ta$es being diverted to ST/T; roads#
9-7* Com"rehensiv
e Te$as ;nergy
lan
3S We urge develo"ment of a com"rehensive Te$as energy "lan that
ensures develo"ment of domestic energy sources and reduce or
eventually eliminate our need for foreign energy and ensure e$"ort of
com"ressed natural gas and distillates with elimination of onerous
environmental regulations# &urther, we recommend that the "lan
include develo"ment of coal energy resources, com"letion of the
Oeystone i"eline ro4ect and invites to other states to "artici"ate#
9-7+ Removal of
%overnment
:arriers
3S %overnment Restrictions J We su""ort immediate removal of
government barriers to free mar(et solutions to "roduction and
distribution of energy including restrictions on,
;$"ort of L3% and C3% worldwide
-rilling and "roduction o"erations on "ublic and "rivate lands
and waters
Boderni'ation of e$isting and construction of new refineries
;lectric "ower generation and distribution
o &ederal gas mileage standards ?C/&S standards@ and
fuel blends
9-7) Land -rilling 3S We su""ort land drilling and "roduction o"erations including
hydraulic fracturing#
9-75 Ca" and Trade 3S We o""ose the im"lementation of any Ca" and Trade ?a(a 0Ca" and
Ta$2@ system through legislation or regulation#
9-77 .#S#
-e"artment of
;nergy
3S We su""ort the elimination of the -e"artment of ;nergy#
9-79 Oeystone TL
i"eline
3S We su""ort the immediate a""roval and construction of the Oeystone
TL and other "i"elines that will reduce our reliance on im"orted oil
and natural gas from unstable or unfriendly countries#
9-7< ;thanol 3S We Su""ort the re"eal of legislation mandating ethanol as a fuel
additive andGor "rimary fuel#
9-78 3atural %as
;$"orts
3S We insist on e$"edited design, construction and im"lementation of
facilities required to e$"ort L3%, C3% and natural gas worldwide, to
include e$"orts to Be$icoGCanada even if destined for re-e$"ort to
non-&ree Trade countries and elimination of federal government
onerous restriction and interference#
9-7> /lternative
&uel
3S We urge the use of natural gas as an alternative trans"ortation fuel and
as com"limentary fuel to gasoline and diesel#
We su""ort the manufacture of vehicles that utili'e natural gas
as an alternative fuel andGor a com"limentary fuel
We su""ort and encourage the conversion of e$isting "rivate
fleets to natural gas as a dual use fuel
o We su""ort the use of natural gas in electric "ower
generation and other industrial uses
9-7A /lternative
;nergy
Sources
3S We encourage economically viable use of wind, coal-fired "lants,
solar, and nuclear "ower, and bio-sources without government
subsidies#
9-9* Incandescent
Light :ulbs
3S We su""ort the freedom to continue to use and manufacture
incandescent light bulbs#
9-9+ ;lectrical %rid 3S We encourage the Te$as Legislature to ta(e ste"s to ensure our
electrical grid is (e"t inde"endent, safe, and secure from attac(#
9-9) :usiness and
the ;conomy
&SL We believe that a favorable business climate and strong economy
emerges when government is limited by low ta$ation and
deregulation# The /merican "rivate sector "owers our economy and is
the true creator of 4obs# When %overnment through legislation,
e$ecutive action, statute or agency overreaches, we believe it is then
our duty to "rotect the /merican free mar(et, "rivate sector actors and
our economy# :ecause we believe that com"etition in the free mar(et
is vital to a strong economy and business climate, we stand for the
equal re"resentation of all sectors and economic actors in government
action including small business owners, farmers, ranchers and the
ta$"ayer# The establishment of a trans"arent and accountable
monetary system is "aramount in the "ursuit of a strong economy#
9-95 Small :usiness &SL We urge the federal and state legislatures to mitigate the im"act of
regulations on small businesses and to ensure that such businesses are
adequately re"resented in the regulatory "rocess# We su""ort the
removal of any unreasonable legal or economic barriers to
home-based wor(#
9-97 Right to Wor( &SL We o""ose the ;m"loyee &ree Choice /ct ?Card Chec(@ and any
action that eliminates the secret ballot# ;very wor(er should have
freedom to wor( in their "referred 4ob without being forced to 4oin or
"ay dues to any organi'ation# 6ur Right-to-Wor( Law has "rovided
this freedom and a good climate for industrial e$"ansion, higher
em"loyment, and a stable management-labor relationshi" and should
be retained# We also encourage the ado"tion of a 3ational
Right-to-Wor( /ct#
9-99 Binimum
Wage Re"eal
&SL We believe the Binimum Wage Law should be re"ealed
9-9< revailing
Wage law
&SL We urge the Congress to re"eal the revailing Wage Law and the
-avis :acon /ct#
9-98 Incentives for
Retention of
&SL We su""ort a favorable business climate of low ta$es and deregulation
to encourage ca"ital investment to ensure retention and creation of
-omestic
6"erations
4obs in /merica#
9-9> Wor(ers
Com"ensation
&SL We urge the Legislature to resist ma(ing Wor(ers1 Com"ensation
mandatory for all Te$as em"loyers#
9-9A ;$otic
Livestoc(
We encourage the freedom of farmers, ranchers and "roducers to be
able to raise and "romote all livestoc(, wildlife and other "rotected
s"ecies for conservation, consum"tion and economic develo"ment#
9-<* Rural and
=olunteer &ire
-e"artments
We urge Congress to overturn the rules of the .# S# -e"artment of
Labor restricting volunteerism by "aid firefighters and emergency
medical technician "ersonnel and "rotections similar to those "rovided
to national guardsmen for service during declared emergencies#
9-<+ Water
Shortages
We encourage the Te$as Legislature and the Te$as Water
-evelo"ment board to use state-of-the-art desalination, waste water
treatment, and other technologies to address the critical water
shortages facing the state of Te$as by ta""ing both the am"le waters
of the %ulf of Be$ico and the unta""ed reserves of brac(ish wells to
ensure future generations have the water resources they need#
9-<) Bineral
Leasing and
-evelo"ment
We believe more :ureau of Land Banagement resources should be
o"en to mineral leasing and develo"ment be "ermitted#
9-<5 !em"
Cultivation
We su""ort legislation allowing for industrial hem" cultivation in
Te$as u"on such delineation of industrial hem" by Congress#
9-<7 Raw mil( and
dairy "roducts
We su""ort legislation confirming local dairy farmerUs rights to
"roduce and sell natural mil( and dairy "roducts within the State of
Te$as#
9-<9 &ederal
Reserve
System
We believe Congress should re"eal the &ederal Reserve /ct of +A+5
there by abolishing the &ederal Reserve :an(ing System# In the
interim, we call for a com"lete audit of the &ederal Reserve System
and its :oard of %overnors followed by an immediate re"ort to the
/merican "eo"le#
9-<< &ederal
Reserve
System1s -ual
Bandate
We call for the removal of the 0full em"loyment2 "art of the &ederal
Reserve System1s current dual mandate#
9-<8 Sound Boney 6ur &ounding &athers warned us of the dangers of allowing central
ban(ers to control our currency because inflation equals ta$ation
without re"resentation# We su""ort the return to the time-tested
"recious metal standard for the .#S# dollar#
9-<> Sarbanes
6$ley
Legislation
We su""ort the re"eal of Sarbanes 6$ley legislation#
9-<A Re"eal -odd
&ran(
We su""ort the immediate re"eal of -odd &ran( legislation#
9-8* Community
Reinvestment
/ct
We su""ort the re"eal of the Community Reinvestment /ct#
9-8+ &ree Bar(et
for .tilities
We encourage free mar(et solutions for "roviding utilities whenever
"ossible# We su""ort that all "ro"erty insurance rates should be set
and Insurance through free-mar(et forces alone# We su""ort efforts to shrin( the
Te$as Windstorm Insurance /ssociation to reduce the liabilities it
im"oses on state ta$"ayers#
9-8) Law :asis for
Regulations
We urge that all regulations written should be sent to the originating
committee of the su""orting legislation for a""roval before being
im"lemented#
9-85 %lobal
Warming
We believe we are to be good stewards of our "lanet and thus manage
the resources it "rovides# We believe that the changes in climate that
we have observed are sim"ly "art of the ongoing natural "lanetary
cycleF we re4ect the use of this natural "rocess to "romote more
government regulation of the "rivate economy# &urthermore we re4ect
the idea of 0climate 4ustice2 and the accom"anying redistribution of
wealth that comes with acce"ting it#
9-87 &rivolous
Lawsuits
We su""ort further reform to discourage frivolous lawsuits# We
o""ose the abusive use of class action lawsuits#
9-89 Trans"arency
in %overnment
Litigation
We demand that all state agencies, munici"alities, and "ublic entities
"ay greater attention to thwart frivolous lawsuits by trial lawyers# We
urge our elected officials to "ay greater attention to out-of-control
legal e$"enses to ensure being a good steward of the ta$"ayers1
money#
-7S7 Soerei"!ty1 Lea%ers0ip a!% $orei"! Poli#y
Section To"ic 3SL% Resolution
Soerei"!ty
<-+ Te$as
Sovereignty
3S We reaffirm Te$as1 state sovereignty, as reserved under the +*th
/mendment# Te$as retains its sovereignty, freedoms, inde"endence,
"ower, 4urisdiction and rights which are not delegated to the federal
government by the .nited States Constitution#
<-) 3ational
Sovereignty
3 The .nited States is a sovereign nation inde"endent of all foreign
entities with "ower held solely by the "eo"le# Therefore, we insist that
the resident and Congress defend our national sovereignty in
accordance with their oaths of office# The .nited States government
must remain free of all e$ternal control and influence#
<-5 .nited
3ations
3 We su""ort the withdrawal of the .nited States from the .nited 3ations
and the removal of .#3# headquarters from .nited States soil#
<-7 .nited
3ations
/genda )+
3SL We o""ose im"lementation of the .3 /genda )+ treaty "olicies and its
su""orting organi'ations, agreements and contracts which were ado"ted
at the ;arth Summit Conference in +AA)# We o""ose the influence,
"romotion and im"lementation of all international nongovernmental
organi'ations1 "rograms and "olicies and the use of ta$es to "romote
these "rograms#
<-9 !omeland
Security
3 We su""ort the strengthening of our nation1s homeland security while
"rotecting the constitutional rights of all .nited States citi'ens and
lawful resident aliens#
<-< -ecommission
!omeland
Security
3 We su""ort decommissioning the -e"artment of !omeland Security and
reorgani'ing into "reviously e$isting structures# The communication
barriers between security agencies should be reconciled#
<-8 3ational
-efense
3 We su""ort a strong national defense that "rotects .nited States
interests, freedoms and sovereignty at home and abroad#
<-> Citi'enshi" 3 We call on the Te$as Legislature to "ass a constitutional amendment that
defines citi'enshi" as those born to a citi'en of the .nited States or
through naturali'ation#
<-A Te$as State
%uard
S We recommend that the Te$as State %uard Reserve Bilitia be activated
on a quarterly basis, for "ur"oses of organi'ation and training# These
musters should be of a voluntary nature, and be held for a minimum of
two days each#
<-+* .nited States
orts
3SL We urge the &ederal %overnment to su""ort and "artici"ate in the
ongoing efforts to review the emergency military de"loyment
requirements and "eacetime security needs of .nited States "orts and
that this review should be coordinated with all relevant federal, state and
local law enforcement and security-related agencies, including "ublic
"ort authorities# We ob4ect to foreign governments, states or com"anies
owning or managing .nited States "orts#
<-++ Te$as &iscal
Sovereignty
S We urge the State Legislature to conduct a study and enact legislation to
determine total federal recei"ts by de"artments and establish "lans for
o"erating with 9D or greater reduction "er year in &ederal &unds and
develo" contingency "lans to "rovide core services#
Military a!%
Spa#e
E4ploratio!
<-+) Su""ort of our 3 The men and women who wear our countryUs uniform, whether on active
/rmed &orces duty or in the Reserves or 3ational %uard, are the most im"ortant assets
in our military arsenal# They and their families must have the "ay,
health care, housing, education and overall su""ort they need# In4ured
military "ersonnel deserve the best medical, mental health and
rehabilitative care our country has to offer# We must always remember
those who have given the ultimate sacrificeF their families must be
assured meaningful financial assistance# It is the solemn duty we owe
and honor we give to those who bravely don the uniform of freedom#
We su""ort our government in continuing to see( and act u"on all
information concerning our military "ersonnel and other citi'ens listed
as Bissing in /ction or risoners of War#
<-+5 -efense
S"ending
3 We strongly o""ose any cut in the defense budgets and troo" levels at
this time#
<-+7 /rming the
Bilitary on
Bilitary :ases
3 In light of the recent terrorist attac(s at &ort !ood, we call for base
commanders to "rovide sufficient armament of military "ersonnel on
military bases to "rovide for their self-defense#
<-+9 3ational
-efense
/uthori'ation
/ct
3S We call on the state /ttorney %eneral to challenge in court all "rovisions
of federal laws or ;$ecutive 6rders which authori'e unconstitutional
detention of citi'ens by federal law enforcement without due "rocess or
any enforcement of federal law by the military within the State of Te$as,
including sections +*)+ and +*)) of the 3ational -efense /uthori'ation
/ct#
<-+< Strategic
-efense
Initiative
3 We urge the .nited States Congress to continue funding the Strategic
-efense Initiative for missile defense# We further call for renewed
efforts and funding for nuclear shield develo"ment and for the
immediate im"lementation of such a shield for us, oland, C'ech
Re"ublic and other allies#
<-+8 Bilitary Rules
of
;ngagement
3 Bilitary Rules of ;ngagement, as defined by the resident or Congress,
should not "reclude the safety nor deny the immediacy of tactical
decision ma(ing of the military "ersonnel in the field# Bilitary "ersonnel
shall not be criminally or civilly liable for reasonable actions ta(en in
the field#
<-+> Returning
=eterans
3SL We su""ort the accommodation and reintegration of our troo"s once
their military commitment has e$"ired# Returning veterans must have
access to educational benefits, 4ob training and a wide variety of
em"loyment o"tions#
<-+A =eteran1s
/dministratio
n
3 We are outraged by the mistreatment given to our military veterans# The
=eteran1s /dministration must become more res"onsive and more
efficient by eliminating its bac(log and reducing wait times for
treatment# We su""ort the "rivati'ation of veteran1s healthcare#
<-)* 3/S/ 3 We strongly encourage the federal government and 3/S/ to wor( with
/merican citi'ens and /merican businesses to research and develo" a
new vehicle to continue human s"ace flight and maintain /merica1s
leadershi" in s"ace e$"loration#
$orei"!
Poli#y
<-)+ &oreign olicy 3 We su""ort the s"read of re"resentative forms of government, free
mar(et enter"rise, "rivate humanitarian aid to develo"ing countries,
continued favorable treatment of "roven allies, censure of adversarial
entities that see( destruction of other countries and strong "olicies on
confronting terrorists# We o""ose .nited States aid to any foreign entity
that consistently votes against our interests or is o"enly hostile to our
nation#
<-)) -eclaration of
War
3 / lawful 0-eclaration of War2 is necessary for the .nited States to enter
into armed conflict and we urge Congress to reclaim its Constitutional
res"onsibility as im"lemented under the War owers /ct# /ny breech of
this "ower by the resident is an im"eachable offence#
<-)5 &oreign /id 3 We o""ose foreign aid e$ce"t in cases of national defense or
catastro"hic disasters, with Congressional a""roval#
<-)7 &ree Trade 3 We su""ort free trade as a necessary com"onent of /merican ca"italism
and of the .nited StatesU influence in the world#
<-)9 International
6rgani'ations
3% We su""ort .nited States withdrawal from the International Bonetary
&und, the World Trade 6rgani'ation and the World :an(#
<-)< Israel 3 We believe that the .nited States and Israel share a s"ecial
long-standing relationshi" based on shared values, a mutual commitment
to a re"ublican form of government, and a strategic alliance that benefits
both nations# 6ur foreign "olicy with Israel should reflect the right of
sovereign nations to govern themselves and have self-determination# In
our di"lomatic dealings with Israel, we encourage the continuation of
"eace tal(s between Israel and the alestinians, but o""ose "ressuring
Israel to com"romise their sovereignty or security# 6ur "olicy is
ins"ired by %od1s biblical "romise to bless those who bless Israel and
curse those who curse Israel and we further invite other nations and
organi'ations to en4oy the benefits of that "romise#
<-)8 Be$ico 3 We su""ort .nited States "olicies which hel" Be$ico strengthen its
re"ublican institutions# We su""ort aggressive military and law
enforcement coo"eration to address corru"tion, the drug cartels, and
human traffic(ing# We su""ort Be$ico1s efforts to "rivati'e their
nationali'ed industries in order to strengthen their economy#
<-)> Taiwan 3 We su""ort full di"lomatic recognition of Taiwan as an inde"endent and
sovereign nation# We urge Congress to wor( with the Taiwanese
government to "reserve and enhance the human rights of all "eo"le#
<-)A Investigate
:engha'i
3 We call u"on the .nited States !ouse of Re"resentatives to a""oint a
select committee and a s"ecial "rosecutor in order to sub"oena
testimony to fully investigate all as"ects of the :engha'i debacle,
including, but not limited to, the reason /mbassador Stevens was in
:engha'iF the denied assistance before and during the attac(, the
accounts of "ersonnel who "artici"ated in the defense of the ;mbassy
/nne$, and the a""arent attem"t by the White !ouse to deceive the
/merican "ublic with a concocted story about a s"ontaneous reaction to
a NouTube video# We call for bringing those res"onsible to 4ustice#
<-5* Congressional
/"ology
3 The Re"ublican arty of Te$as endorses and su""orts the ro"osed
Congressional /"ology to the Chinese /mericans for governmental
actions that denied equal rights to and adversely harmed the Chinese in
/merica#
Immi"ratio
!
<-5+ 3ation of
Immigrants
3SL
%
/merica is "roudly a nation of immigrants# Throughout our history, our
nation has attracted "roductive, industrious and gifted "eo"le to /merica
because she is e$ce"tional, and those immigrants and their descendants
hel"ed ma(e /merica the world1s unrivaled economic and military
su"er"ower# It remains im"erative to create fair and consistent
"rocedures that will again enable freedom-loving, hard-wor(ing and
law-abiding immigrants to 4oin us, by "roviding them an efficient,
"ractical method of legal entry, so they can lawfully ta(e "ositions
where their labor is needed, without e$"loitation or harassment#
6ur national interests are "oorly served by our bro(en, embattled, and
outdated immigration system, and "atchwor( attem"ts to mend its
deficiencies will not "re"are us to continue to meet the challenges of an
increasingly com"le$ global economy that demands the legal movement
of "eo"le to fill 4obs at all s(ill levels# /n efficient, "ro-family and
mar(et-based system will "rovide a more wor(able solution that is
com"assionate, equitable and res"ects the rule of law#
:ut by failing to create a rational and effective system that encourages
and facilitates legal immigration to the benefit of the nation, Congress
has forced states to deal with the consequences of a bro(en immigration
system, including human, se$ and drug traffic(ing, the direct criminal
activities of cartels and gangs# This situation must end so /merica can,
once again, en4oy the fruits of a vibrant and beneficial system of legal
immigration#
<-5) The Te$as
Solution for
Immigration
3SL
%
+# Secure 6ur :orders &irst J
E We demand the &ederal %overnment immediately secure the
borders and bring safety and security for all /mericans#
E We demand Congress develo" and fund a 3ational :order
Security lan based u"on the recommendations of lawma(ers in Te$as
and other border states#
E :ecause the federal government has failed to act, we call on the
Te$as legislature to develo"ment and fund a border and "ort of entry
security "lan utili'ing state and local law enforcement#
)# We o""ose /mnesty
5# We o""ose Bass -e"ortation
7# Boderni'e the Immigration Laws -
E We su""ort the im"rovement of our +A5< Social Security card to
use contem"orary anti-counterfeit technology#
E We su""ort re"lacement of the current em"loyment visa system
with an efficient, cost effective system that res"onds to labor shortages#
E We su""ort the reallocation of immigration slots balanced to
meet labor shortages and family re-unification#
E We su""ort ending country of origin quotas#
E We su""ort ending the annual green card lottery#
9# In order to deal with the current undocumented "o"ulation, we
urge Congress to enact a visa "rogram that does not "rovide amnesty,
does not cause mass de"ortation and does not "rovide a "athway to
citi'enshi" but does not "reclude e$isting "athways#
E /n eligibility criterion should consider criminal history,
com"letion of "enalties and fines for immigration violations and
"ayment of current and bac( ta$es#
E artici"ants must be res"onsible for their own and families
"rivate health insurance#
E artici"ants must waive any and all rights to a""ly for financial
assistance from "ublic entitlement "rograms#
E artici"ants must show a "roficiency in the ;nglish Language#
E We urge Congress and the state legislature to strengthen
enforcement and "enalties on em"loyers that do not com"ly with labor
and em"loyment laws to ensure an equitable labor mar(et# There will be
no "enalties to those em"loyers that com"ly with effective em"loyment
verification systems#
Resol2tio! i! S2pport of Prioriti6i!" Co!stit2tio!al Carry Le"islatio!
We call u"on the >7th Te$as Legislature to "ro"ose to the "eo"le of Te$as a Constitutional /mendment to stri(e
0F but the Legislature shall have "ower, by law, to regulate the wearing of arms, with a view to "revent crime2
from /rticle I, Section )5 of the Te$as Constitution#
&urther, we direct the State arty Chair and the State Re"ublican ;$ecutive Committee to consider ado"tion of
such an /mendment and other legislation necessary to remove restrictions on Te$ansU right to own and bear
arms a legislative "riority for the Re"ublican arty of Te$as for the )*+9 legislative session and to utili'e
reasonable arty resources necessary to "romote and su""ort their "assage#

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