FOUNDERSPAC

R.D. Guerra

This bill provides additional state subsidies ($25 million) to builders and purchasers of housing under the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program. The LIHTC program subsidizes the acquisition, new construction, and rehabilitation of affordable rental housing for low- and moderate-income tenants. Oppose is the position of the Texas GOP Platform under Opposition to Market-Distorting Tax and Fiscal Subsidies Section 95: "Bailouts and Subsidies". "We encourage government to divest its ownership of all businesses that should be run in the private sector. We oppose all bailouts of and subsidies to domestic and foreign government entities, states, and for all businesses, public and private."

Expanding Cronyism and Diluting the Tax Base Through Additional Subsidies under the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) Program.

This bill prohibits local governments from enacting any ordinances which require a firearm owner to obtain liability insurance for "damages resulting from negligent or willful acts involving the use of the firearm." Support is the position of the Texas GOP Platform under Citizen Rights Section 32: "The Right to Keep and Bear Arms". "State and Federal Legislatures shall: Nullify any gun laws that violate the 2nd Amendment or rights of due process."

Protecting Second Amendment Rights by Preventing Localities from Imposing Liability Insurance Mandates on Firearm Owners.

This bill allows most businesses subject to state licensing requirements to sue localities to prevent the enforcement of local regulations that are more stringent than state regulations or that can be shown to "result in an adverse economic impact." Support is the position of the Texas GOP Platform under Markets and Regulation Section 38: "Municipal Preemption". We encourage the Legislature to preempt local government efforts to interfere with the State’s sovereignty over business, employees, and property rights. This includes but is not limited to burdensome regulations on short-term rentals, bags, sick leave, trees, and employee criminal screening."

Protecting Against Overreaching Local Regulations by Allowing Businesses to Sue to Block Enforcement.

The Tinderholt amendment #1 to a bill prohibiting public colleges and universities from establishing a diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) office. The amendment eliminates language in the bill which forces public institutions to make efforts to reassign employees whose positions will be eliminated due to the bill's prohibition on DEI offices. The amendment also eliminates the requirement that the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board conduct an annual study on the impact of the bill on students, broken down by categories such as race, gender identity, and sexual orientation. Support is the position of the Texas GOP Platform under School and Property Taxation Section 93: "Administrative Bloat is Not Tranformative". "We call on Texas school administrators to deliver more education for our dollars, instead of nonstop lobbying for more dollars for education. At a minimum, 65% of revenue should be spent in the classroom. We oppose the underhanded strategy of making cuts to visible frontline teaching positions instead of administrators and overhead."

Fighting Back Against Efforts Designed to Weaken the DEI Bill by Forcing Taxpayers to Fund DEI Studies, Retaining DEI Employees, and Delaying Implementation of the Bill.

This bill prohibits any state agency from assisting in the enforcement of any federal law or regulation on oil and gas operations unless such action is aligned with state regulation. Support is the position of the Texas GOP Platform under Energy and Environment Section 56: "Midland Not Moscow". "We fully support and encourage greater energy production in the Permian Basin and throughout Texas, as well as the necessary policies and infrastructure investment in roads, pipelines, and ports. This will support Texas workers and help America’s energy security, instead of increasing our reliance on foreign governments that do not benefit America or our allies."

Protecting the Oil and Gas Industry from Overreaching Federal Climate Change and Environmental Regulations.

The Raney amendment #2 to the education omnibus bill. This amendment removes the school choice provision from the bill which provides voucher-like educational savings accounts (ESAs). Each qualifying student would receive an ESA with $10,500 towards private or parochial school tuition. Oppose is the position of the Texas GOP Platform under Parents' Rights Section 101: "School Choice". "Texas families shall be empowered to choose from public, private, charter, or homeschool options for their children’s education, and the funding shall follow the student without strings attached. We also support tax credits and exemptions for education and choice within the public school system."

Blocking School Choice by Removing the Provision Creating Educational Savings Accounts from the Education Bill.

This bill creates the "Prekindergarten Community-Based Child-Care Partnership Grant Program" to provide grants to school districts for pre-K and childcare services delivered through community providers. Oppose is the position of the Texas GOP Platform under Opposition to Market-Distorting Tax and Fiscal Subsidies Section 95: "Bailouts and Subsidies". "We encourage government to divest its ownership of all businesses that should be run in the private sector. We oppose all bailouts of and subsidies to domestic and foreign government entities, states, and for all businesses, public and private."

Growing Government Dependency and Wealth Redistribution through the Creation of a New "Free" Pre-K and Childcare Program Delivered through Community Providers.

This bill increases the penalty for tampering with a retail gas pump to steal fuel by making it a felony of the third degree. The bill is largely in response to organized criminal groups which have figured out how to disrupt fuel dispenser pulsers and as a result gain unlimited access to fuel. Support is the position of the Texas GOP Platform under Courts, Prosecution, Restitution Section 183: "Court Accountability". "We believe district attorneys have a duty to seek justice for victims of all forms of crime and oppose policies that systematically decline to prosecute crimes."

Strengthening Law and Order by Increasing Penalties for Tampering with a Gas Pump to Steal Fuel.

This bill expands coverage under Medicaid (government-provided healthcare) to now include behavioral health intensive outpatient and partial hospitalization services. The expansion is estimated to cost an additional $12.3 million over the next five years. Oppose is the position of the Texas GOP Platform under Government-funded Health Programs Section 146: "Welfare Reform". "We support the abolition of all federal welfare programs, as they are not an appropriate role of the federal government. Until such time, welfare reform should encourage partnerships with faith-based institutions, community, and business organizations to assist individuals in need. We oppose any further expansion of Medicaid."

Increasing Government Dependency by Expanding the Medicaid Welfare Program to Now Cover Behavioral Health Intensive Outpatient and Partial Hospitalization Services.

This bill requires homeowner's, renter's, and condominium owner's insurance policies that include replacement cost coverage to pay 80% of the repair or replacement cost of a claim upfront, minus the deductible. Once documentation is provided showing that the repair or replacement is complete, and any deductible has been paid, the remaining balance is to be paid. Oppose is the position of the Texas GOP Platform under Markets and Regulation Section 41: "Reduce Business Regulations". "We believe that .. businesses should be minimally regulated at all levels". 

Growing Government Regulation of Property Insurance Through a New Mandate Requiring Payment of 80% of Replacement Value Up Front.

This bill prohibits local governments across the state from imposing any ordinances which directly regulate greenhouse gas emissions, with the state given exclusive regulatory authority. As a result, the bill would preempt local regulations that restrict greenhouse gas emissions. Support is the position of the Texas GOP Platform under Energy and Environment Section 57: "Environment". "We oppose environmentalism that obstructs legitimate business interests and private property use, including the regulatory taking of property by governmental agencies. We support the defunding of “climate justice” initiatives, the abolition of the Environmental Protection Agency, and repeal of the Endangered Species Act."

Protecting Against Local Government Overreach by Ensuring Only the State Can Regulate Greenhouse Gas Emissions.

The Herrero amendment #45 to the appropriations bill. This amendment prohibits any funds in the bill from being used for school choice programs, including school vouchers, education savings accounts, tax credit scholarships, or grants that allow students to attend private schools. Oppose is the position of the Texas GOP Platform under Parents' Rights Section 101: "School Choice". "Texas families shall be empowered to choose from public, private, charter, or homeschool options for their children’s education, and the funding shall follow the student without strings attached. We also support tax credits and exemptions for education and choice within the public school system."

Blocking School Choice by Prohibiting Any Appropriations within the Budget for School Choice Programs.

The Bryant amendment #3 to a bill relating to teacher retirement benefits. This amendment increases the cost-of-living-adjustment (COLA) by an additional 4%. For example, a retired teacher who would receive a 6% COLA under the bill, would now receive a 10% COLA. Oppose is the position of the Texas GOP Platform under Spending Restraint Section 78: "Government Pensions". "The Texas Legislature shall enact new rules to begin to transition government pensions for public sector employees from a defined benefit pension to a defined contribution retirement plan similar to a 403(b)."

Worsening Texas' Unfunded Pension Crisis by Providing Even Greater Unpromised Payouts to Beneficiaries.

This bill, the Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair (CROWN) Act, makes a person's hair texture or hairstyle a protected characteristic if is commonly associated with a particular race. CROWN applies to public schools and institutions of higher education, employment, and housing. Oppose is the position of the Texas GOP Platform under Courts, Prosecution, Restitution Section 184: "Frivolous Lawsuits". "We support further reform to discourage frivolous lawsuits. We oppose the abusive use of class action lawsuits and any law that allows government agencies to collect lawyer fees from the plaintiff when they win but not have to pay the plaintiff fees when they lose."

Increasing Frivolous Litigation and Legal Liabilities by Making "Hair Texture and Style" a Protected Characteristic in Employment and Housing.

This bill would allow a limited number of casinos to operate in the state. The bill imposes a 15% tax on gross casino gaming revenue and 10% on gross sports wagering revenue, with 80% of the casino gaming tax revenue allocated to support education. Oppose is the position of the Texas GOP Platform under Spending Restraint Section 79: "Gambling". "We oppose any expansion of gambling, including legalized casino gambling. We oppose and call for a veto of any budget that relies on expansion of legalized gambling as a method of finance."

Strengthening Individual Liberties and Growing the Tax Base by Allowing Casinos to Operate in the State.

This bill requires public information that is stored in a searchable or sortable electronic spreadsheet or database to be made available upon public request and provided in a format which is easily searchable or sortable. Additionally, public requests for this information may not be denied on the basis that the request would require searching, sorting, or filtering electronic information. Finally, the bill requires government contracts for electronic public information to use reasonable efforts to ensure that public access to the information is not restricted or more difficult to access than other government records. Support is the position of the Texas GOP Platform under Government Operations Section 230: "Government Authority". "We believe any government authority that has the ability to levy a tax or fee or to appraise property on the people should be accountable to those who pay the taxes via the electoral process, from the local level to the federal level."

Strengthening Government Transparency and Accountability by Requiring Government Data Be Provided in an Easily Searchable Database to the Public.

This bill establishes a specialized "Business Court" to hear cases involving certain business transaction and governance matters, with the judges appointed by the Governor. Judges are required to have at least 10 years of experience practicing complex civil business litigation or business transaction law, or as a judge of a court with civil jurisdiction. Support is the position of the Texas GOP Platform under Courts, Prosecution, Restitution Section 184: "Frivolous Lawsuits". "We support further reform to discourage frivolous lawsuits. We oppose the abusive use of class action lawsuits and any law that allows government agencies to collect lawyer fees from the plaintiff when they win but not have to pay the plaintiff fees when they lose."

Improving the State's Business Climate by Creating a Specialized Business Court to Hear Cases and Expedite Legal Proceedings.

This bill serves as the enabling legislation for constitutional amendment HJR 3. Through this bill and the constitutional amendment, a $3.4 billion research endowment is created for Texas State University, Texas Tech University, the University of Houston and the University of North Texas. The funds for the bill will come from the state's Economic Stabilization Fund, commonly referred to as the "rainy day" fund. Oppose is the position of the Texas GOP Platform under Spending Restraint Section 86: "Higher Education Spending Control". "We support freezing public spending on State higher education until waste and administrative costs are reduced." "We oppose the use of the Economic Stabilization Fund (Rainy Day Fund) to expand government. Use of the Economic Stabilization Fund shall be limited to its intended purposes of preventing tax increases during economic downturns and responding to unforeseen disasters."  

Raiding the State's Rainy Day Fund to Channel over $3.4 Billion in Additional Funding to Woke Universities.

This resolution would amend the state Constitution to enshrine the right to utilize multiple currencies, if the involved parties agree, in private transactions. This includes cash, coin, silver and gold bullion, digital currency, and privately issued scrip. The resolution prohibits the state and local governments from prohibiting or restricting holding such currencies. Support is the position of the Texas GOP Platform under Transparency and Oversight Section 99: "Right to Use Cash and Cash Substitutes". " We support adding the following protection to the Texas Bill of Rights: The right of the people to own, hold, and use a mutually agreed upon medium of exchange, including cash, coin, bullion, digital currency, or scrip, when trading and contracting for goods and services shall not be infringed. No government shall prohibit or encumber the ownership or holding of any form or amount of money or other currency."

Ensuring the Free Competition of Currency and U.S. Monetary System Protection by Enshrining Right to Utilize Multiple Currencies.

This bill changes the way the "no-new-revenue tax rate" is calculated by referencing the Texas Education Code. This new calculation will result in a higher rate (ultimately higher taxes) by including other funding within the formula. Oppose is the position of the Texas GOP Platform under School Finance and Property Taxation Section 91: "Property Tax Relief". "We support these incremental steps toward the ultimate abolition of property tax: d. Close the loophole called the “Unused Increment Rate,” which allows taxing entities to bypass recently added limits to increases in property taxes.

Hiking Property Taxes by Gaming the Calculation of the "No-New Revenue" Property Tax Rate.

This bill, the Music Therapist Licensing Act, requires anyone who wishes to provide "music therapy services" in the state to become licensed, pay a fee, hold a bachelor's degree, and obtain a national certification. The license must be renewed every two years. Oppose is the position of the Texas GOP Platform under Markets and Regulation Section 39: "Licensing". "We call upon the Texas Legislature to review all Texas Department of Licenses and Regulations (TDLR), business/professional licensing programs, and associated licensing for the purpose of abolishing or removing as many as reasonably possible and repealing those laws, rules, and regulations."

Imposing a Draconian New Licensing Regime on "Music Therapists" which Increases Employment Barriers and Restricts Competition.

This bill authorizes a greater range of local taxing entities to provide tax freezes for seniors or individuals with disabilities. Previous law only provided school districts, counties, municipalities and junior college districts with the ability to provide a freeze, while this bill expands the authority to all local taxing units. Oppose is the position of the Texas GOP Platform under Opposition to Market-Distorting Tax and Fiscal Subsidies Section 94: "Property Tax Abatements". "We support repealing Tax Code Chapter 312 county and municipal property tax abatements, and we oppose reintroducing school property tax abatements, formerly known as Chapter 313."

Increasing Property Tax Burdens by Implementing a "Freeze" for Certain Older Individuals which Merely Shifts Burdens onto other Property Owners and Masks Underlying Spending Problems.

This bill expands the Rural Veterinarian Incentive Program, which provides taxpayer-funded loan repayment to veterinary students and recent graduates who agree to work in counties with populations below 150,000. Previously, eligibility was limited to counties with populations below 100,000. Oppose is the position of the Texas GOP Platform under Opposition to Market-Distorting Tax and Fiscal Subsidies Section 95: "Bailouts and Subsidies". "We encourage government to divest its ownership of all businesses that should be run in the private sector. We oppose all bailouts of and subsidies to domestic and foreign government entities, states, and for all businesses, public and private."

Growing Government Central Planning and Runaway Spending by Forcing Taxpayers to Pay Off the Student Loan Debt of Veterinarians in Additional Regions of the State.

This bill allows retired judges who have a handgun license to carry a firearm into restricted places, such as courthouses, schools, and polling locations. Support is the position of the Texas GOP Platform under Citizen Rights Section 32: "The Right to Keep and Bear Arms". "State and Federal Legislatures shall: Recognize the right of License to Carry holders to carry anywhere off-duty or retired law enforcement can carry."

Strengthening Self-Defense and Public Safety by Authorizing Retired Judges to Carry a Firearm into Courthouses and Other Restricted Places.

This vote convicts Attorney General Ken Paxton on Article 19 of the House impeachment inquiry. This article alleges Paxton engaged in private and public misconduct, described in the articles, that “indicate his unfitness for office.” This vote is also reflective of the other conviction votes cast by Senators against Paxton. Oppose is the position of the Texas GOP based on the October 5, 2023 resolution issued by the party. The resolution expressed gratitude to the Texas Senate “for rejecting the politically motivated impeachment of Attorney General Paxton by the Texas House of Representatives that failed to satisfy due process, to comply with applicable Texas law and the Texas and United States Constitutions, and to adhere to precedent”.

Impeaching Attorney General Ken Paxton

This bill creates both the "Texas Space Commission" and the Aerospace Research and Space Economy Consortium to promote innovation in the space, aeronautics, and aviation industry. The new entities are expected to require the hiring of at least 10 additional state employees at an estimated cost of $3.4 million over the next two years. Oppose is the position of the Texas GOP Platform under Spending Restraint Section 76: "State Fiscal Restraint". " We urge the Legislature to amend the Texas Constitution and State statute with a stricter spending limitation based on US Census population growth plus inflation, as measured by the Consumer Price Index, and apply the new limit to Texas’s total government budget. We call on the Texas State Legislature to freeze State spending until wasteful programs have been eliminated, a sustainable size of government has been restored, and substantive property tax relief has been provided to Texas citizens. Any budget surplus shall be applied to property tax relief."

Growing Government Bureaucracy and Wasteful Spending through the Creation of the Texas Space Commission and the Aerospace Research and Space Economy Consortium.

This bill amends the licensing requirements for Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) technicians by establishing an alternative pathway to become licensed. The bill recognizes completion of a career and technology education program at a public school or institution of higher education as satisfying the certification training program requirements for licensure. The bill also provides for a waiver of any renewal fee and reduction in the number of required continuing education hours for technicians who provide instruction in a career and technology education program. Support is the position of the Texas GOP Platform under Markets and Regulation Section 39: "Licensing". "We call upon the Texas Legislature to review all Texas Department of Licenses and Regulations (TDLR), business/professional licensing programs, and associated licensing for the purpose of abolishing or removing as many as reasonably possible and repealing those laws, rules, and regulations."

Reducing Employment Barriers and Expanding Competition Through an Alternative Licensing Pathway for HVAC Technicians.

This bill prohibits local governments from enacting any ordinances which bans or restricts the sale or use of an engine based on the type of fuel used. Additionally, the bill prevents localities from banning any energy source infrastructure (such as gas stations). Support is the position of the Texas GOP Platform under Transportation Section 63: "Freedom to Travel". "We oppose the Biden Infrastructure and Green Energy Plan that threatens our freedom to travel, imposes a federal mileage tax, as well as Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) or other social justice policies on Texas taxpayers and drivers. We oppose anti-car measures that punish those who choose to travel alone in their own personal vehicle, and oppose any measure to impose “road diet” mandates designed to shrink auto capacity and/or intentionally clog vehicle lanes to force deference to pedestrian, bike, and mass transit options (whose users do not pay gas tax)."

Protecting Consumer Choice by Preventing Localities from Imposing any Ordinance which Restricts or Bans Gas-Powered Engines or a Source of Energy.

This bill provides that businesses with revenue up to $2.47 million are not required to pay any franchise tax (previously $1 million). Additionally, those businesses are no longer required to file a tax information report. Support is the position of the Texas GOP Platform under Spending Restraint Section 82: "Repeal Taxes". "We support abolishing the following: Business franchise taxes."

Expanding Economic Growth by Increasing the Franchisee Tax Exemption from $1 Million to $2.47 Million.

This bill authorizes El Paso County to issue bonds (debt) to be repaid by higher sales or property taxes in order to finance the construction of recreational facilities, if approved by voters. Oppose is the position of the Texas GOP Platform under School Finance and Property Taxation Section 92: "Bonds Create Bondage". "We urge the Texas Legislature to amend the Texas Election Code to require bond issues be approved by a 2/3 majority of those voting and only if 20% of all registered voters in the district cast ballots. Taxpayer standing must be established to allow taxpayers to hold government entities accountable.  

Authorizing El Paso County to Indebt Taxpayers to Construct Recreational Facilities.

This bill extends the duration of postpartum coverage provided under Medicaid from 60 days to 1 year. Support is the position of the Texas GOP Platform under Life-Affirming Health Care Concepts Section 165: "Alternatives to Abortion". "We urge the Republican Party of Texas to support programs that provide assistance to pregnant women by: Ensuring women have medical insurance coverage up to one year postpartum, making it safer for pregnant women to give birth in Texas."

Increasing Government Dependency and Ballooning Medicaid Welfare Spending by an Additional $381 Million by Hiking Postpartum Benefits from 60 Days to 12 Months.

This bill generally raises the bar to prosecute organized retail theft by now requiring a person to steal at least $100 of merchandise and be found to have "intent for the redistribution of that merchandise into the supply chain" to be guilty. Oppose is the position of the Texas GOP Platform under Courts, Prosecution, Restitution Section 183: "Court Accountability". "We believe district attorneys have a duty to seek justice for victims of all forms of crime and oppose policies that systematically decline to prosecute crimes."

Fueling Lawlessness and Business Closures by Making it Harder to Prosecute and Punish Cases of Organized Retail Theft.

This bill expands coverage under Medicaid (government-provided healthcare) by directing the Health and Human Services commissioner to adopt rules to cover home telemonitoring services under the state's Medicaid program. Previously, this was optional if the commissioner determined that such coverage would be "cost-effective and feasible." Oppose is the position of the Texas GOP Platform under Government-funded Health Programs Section 149: "Medicaid Reform". "We support Medicaid block grants to the states and returning Medicaid to its original purpose to be a temporary assistance program. We oppose any further expansion of Medicaid."

Growing Government Dependency by Expanding the Medicaid Welfare Program to Now Cover Home Telemonitoring Services.

This bill prohibits public institutions of higher education (colleges and universities) from funding or operating any Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Office. Furthermore, the bill bans institutions from conducting diversity trainings or asking prospective job applicants to provide diversity statements. Support is the position of the Texas GOP Platform under Higher Education Section 129: "Fund and Support Western Civilization Instruction, Defund Political Correctness". "Like Hillsdale College, we agree that state universities “should value the merit of each unique individual, rather than succumbing to the discriminatory trend of so-called social justice and multicultural diversity. We oppose using public funds for homosexuality, transgender, or diversity-equity-inclusion centers."

Protecting Taxpayer Funds from Being Utilized for Politicized "Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion" (DEI) Offices at Public College Campuses.

The Reynolds amendment #16 to a bill prohibiting children under 18 years of age from receiving sex-reassignment procedures or puberty blockers until they reach the age of consent. The amendment requires the Health and Human Services Commission to contract with local mental health authorities and local behavioral health authorities to provide and pay all costs for mental health services to children who were already receiving treatment or are diagnosed with severe gender dysphoria and prohibited from receiving these procedures. Oppose is the position of the Texas GOP Platform under Homosexuality and Gender Issues Section 156: "Gender Identity". "We oppose all efforts to validate transgender identity. For the purpose of attempting to affirm a person age 21 or under if their perception is inconsistent with their biological sex, no medical practitioner or provider may engage in the following practices: a. Intervene in any way to prevent natural progression of puberty.

Forcing Taxpayers to Provide Mental Health Services to Children Facing "Gender Dysphoria".

This bill creates the Texas Energy Efficiency Council within the Public Utilities Commission to, among other purposes, "provide a statewide collaborative approach to promoting energy efficiency" and "make recommendations for improving energy efficiency programs." Oppose is the position of the Texas GOP Platform under Government Operations Section 237: "Unelected Bureaucrats". "We oppose the appointment of unelected bureaucrats, and we support defunding and abolishing the departments or agencies: Energy".

Expanding Government and Paving the Way for Additional Energy Efficiency Mandates through the Creation of a Texas Energy Efficiency Council.

This bill, the Save Women's Sports Act, requires public colleges and universities to allow males and females to only compete on the team of their biological sex based on reproductive biology and genetic make-up. However, females are allowed to compete in a male sport if their school does not offer a female team in that sport. Support is the position of the Texas GOP Platform under Governance Section 125: "Gender Identity in Schools". " The official position of the Texas schools shall be that there are only two genders: biological male and biological female. We oppose transgender normalizing curriculum and pronoun use. We hold that biological men shall compete only against other biological men and biological women shall compete only against other biological women in athletics in the public school system of Texas and at the collegiate level."

Ensuring Fair Competition in Collegiate Athletics by Prohibiting Biological Males from Competing in Female Competitions.

This bill, the Texas Regulatory Consistency Act, prohibits local governments across the state from imposing additional regulations in various fields already regulated at the state level, such as agriculture, labor, and property. The bill also prohibits local governments from enacting any ordinance or rule that conflicts with state law. Support is the position of the Texas GOP Platform under Markets and Regulation Section 38: "Municipal Preemption". "We encourage the Legislature to preempt local government efforts to interfere with the State’s sovereignty over business, employees, and property rights. This includes but is not limited to burdensome regulations on short-term rentals, bags, sick leave, trees, and employee criminal screening."