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In 1994, the Republican Party outlined a clear document called the “Contract with America.” The contract embraced the Republican vision for the country and the next Congress.  Republican congressional candidates around the country campaigned on a pledge to pass the contract. The platform paved the way for a national Republican landslide. The clear and concise vision resulted in Republican victories around the country, including Harris County. That landslide was later termed the “Republican Revolution.” Fourteen years later, it is time to dust off the principles behind the contract and enter into a new pact with the people of Texas.  It is time for a revival of the Republican Revolution. It is time for a “Contract with Texas.”

We need to identify clear goals and legislative priorities for the next legislative session, a pact Republicans agree to keep with the people who elected them. This “Contract with Texas” should include the following items:

1. Eliminating the “Blocker Bill”: The “Blocker Bill” is a rule in the state Senate that allows the minority to thwart the will of the majority. Specifically, it requires a super-majority of 2/3 to move legislation to a vote on the Senate floor. Surprisingly, the 2/3 majority is calculated through a secret card/slip that is not available to the public. If the bill overcomes the 2/3 hurdle, it will make it to the floor and be subject to a simple majority vote to pass out of the Senate. The “Blocker Bill” has resulted in the death of many good pieces of conservative legislation, including, photo identification. This rule must go if our Republican majority expects to pass conservative legislation. The minority must not dictate the agenda. If we the Republican majority allow this to happen, we could be on a quick path to the minority.

2. Eliminating the Gross Margins or “Business Tax”: In 2007, The Harris County Republican Party passed a resolution opposing the business tax. Many Republican legislators in Harris County stood with us. Unfortunately, the legislation passed. We must continue our efforts to eliminate this tax. Remember, this tax is levied regardless of whether the entity makes a profit.

3. Appraisal Reform: In Harris County, Republican legislators have led this effort. The push for change began in Harris County when the KSEV radio station and the HCRP teamed up and took busses full of Republicans to Austin to testify regarding a reduction of the appraisal cap from 10% to 5% or lower. Sen. Dan Patrick and other Harris County legislators including Dwayne Bohac, Debbie Riddle and others have championed this reform and will continue to lead the way. Additionally, Gov. Perry is supportive of appraisal reform. We must get behind their efforts. Unfortunately, some Republicans from other parts of the state have not been as enthusiastic about our efforts. This must change.

4. Informed Consent Legislation “Sonogram Bill”: Last session, Sen. Dan Patrick and Rep. Frank Corte filed legislation designed assure women are better informed regarding the decision to have an abortion. The legislation required doctors performing abortions to give the patient an ultrasound of the child and provide an explanation regarding the child’s current state of development prior to performing the abortion. The legislation included a provision that stated that the patient is not required to view the ultrasound against her will or in the case of medical emergencies. The legislation ensured that women electing to have the procedure are fully informed about the consequences of the procedure. I am not aware of any other medical procedure where the patient is denied relevant medical information. Unfortunately, this bill did not pass. We must make sure the legislation become law. Gov. Perry, Lieutenant Gov. Dewhurst and Speaker Craddick have worked to pass some good conservative legislation involving abortion, i.e., parental notification, parental consent, etc.. However, there is additional legislation that needs to be passed, including the informed consent legislation.

5. Reduce State Spending:  No further explanation necessary.

6. Photo Identification: One person one vote. We must protect the integrity of the voting booth. Photo identification is required to drive a car, get on an airplane, write a check, etc. There is absolutely no good reason not to have one when you go to vote. In 2007, the photo identification legislation passed the Texas House but died in the Texas Senate. Specifically, the eleven member Democratic minority used the “Blocker Bill” to thwart the will of the majority. Democrats argue that the bill would prevent the elderly from voting because they don’t have photo identification. What they don’t tell you is that the voter photo ID bill provided free photo identification to individuals who could not afford it and had a provision for alternative forms of identification, including copies of bank statements and utility bills. Hopefully, a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling affirming a voter identification law in Indiana will inspire our legislators to pass the voter photo identification law.

Though this list does not include every important piece of legislation that will be dealt with in 2009; it is a good start. Let’s get moving!