TEXAS GOP BLOG: Texas House Republican Caucus

The Texas House Republican Caucus has started their own BLOG to keep the grassroots informed. The BLOG is located http://www.txcaucus.blogspot.com/

The Texas House Republican Caucus represents Republican members of the Texas House of Representatives from across the wide expanse of the Lone Star State. Texas Republicans are committed to bringing common-sense conservative leadership and fiscal responsibility to the People of Texas. TEXAS GOP BLOG


Protecting the right to keep and bear arms

The right to keep and bear arms is a sacred right to Texans. Naturally, Texans were shocked when police in a neighboring state, Louisiana, confiscated the firearms of lawful citizens during an emergency, and never returned them.That’s why Representative Frank J. Corte, Jr. (R-San Antonio), filed and the House passed legislation banning local authorities from permanently confiscating citizens’ lawful firearms during an emergency.Natural disasters, such as Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, create unique circumstances, and police in extreme cases may need to resort to otherwise excessive measures, such as martial law. However, Corte argued, such measures should only be temporary and should be ended once the immediate danger has passed. When it has, citizens should be allowed to regain their weapons, provided there is no evidence they intend to use them for criminal purposes.“Constitutional rights should still be protected in times of disaster,” Corte said. “No temporary expediency of law enforcement justifies the permanent removal of a citizen’s constitutional rights to keep and bear arms.”
Posted by Texas House Republican Caucus at 2:21 PM 0 comments
Tuesday, April 10, 2007

Congratulations for a great Choice County Commissioners.

Greg Wilhelm was appointed unanimously to the vacancy of County Court at Law, #1 position. As a staunch conservative and faithful republican congratulations are in order for Greg Wilhelm.

Good Luck Judge Wilhelm!

WDL Editorial on County Bond Election

A matter of trust
Posted: Wednesday, April 11, 2007 11:42 AM CDT

Earlier this week the Ellis County Commissioners Court passed a resolution in support of creating a citizens oversight committee that would be in place during the construction of the new county facilities should the May 12 bond referendum be approved by voters.We hail the resolution as a positive step in creating a new level of trust between county government and the people it serves.In discussing the matter with voters during recent forums on the bond election, one concern continues to rise above all others. Overwhelmingly, the majority of citizens who have weighed in on the matter recognize the need for new county facilities that will primarily be used for our justice system. Overwhelming, the majority of citizens recognize the proposal that is being put before the voters is a fiscally sound, cost effective solution that will not only meet our immediate needs, but serve our county for the next 10-15 years. Overwhelming, those citizens agree the current facility crisis will not go away and that inaction will end up costing the taxpayers a lot more than the bond’s $53 million price tag.

The primary concern, however, comes down to a matter of trust. It is not easy to forget, nor forgive the mistakes of the Ellis County Justice Center. For many of the citizens we have talked with, the question comes down to this: “Can we be sure there will never be another ‘Pink Elephant?’”It’s a matter of trust.This is a different court. While a change in leadership doesn’t guarantee different results, this court has taken great strides in rebuilding both trust and confidence with the people they serve. Should the bond pass, many steps are already in place to ensure quality, efficient and cost-effective buildings are constructed to serve county citizens. For starters, the county now has a full-time engineer who will be working hand-in-hand with the contractor on a daily basis and reporting back to the commissioners court. Additionally, the city of Waxahachie will be allowed to conduct regular inspections — as it does for every new building project in the city — throughout the construction process.
The citizens oversight committee will be another step in helping rebuild that trust. Their eyes and ears will serve as another layer of insurance to prevent what happened in the past from occurring again. It’s time for Ellis County to move forward. The next step is for us, as voters, to approve the bond.