2003 TCR - Summary of Selected House Votes

This bill creates an election on taxes. Unless voters defeat it, Dallas County will increase taxes on hotel occupancy and auto rental in order to fund a new pro football stadium. Conservative Principle: This increases taxes and violates free enterprise by giving a monopoly special privilege.

This amendment would have increased funding to school districts already slated to receive more money through a different bill that abolishes Robin Hood. Conservative Principle: This would have increased the overall tax burden.

This amendment would have funded the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) to 200% of the federal level of poverty ($36,200 for family of four). Conservative Principle: This would have increased taxes and the size of government and discouraged parental responsibility for their children.

This amendment prohibited casualty insurance companies from using credit scoring to determine if potential customers appear to have the good character to pay their premiums and take care of their property. Conservative Principle: Free Enterprise allows freedom to choose reliable customers as it keeps their prices lower.

This bill would have established a program to verify that drivers have car insurance so other drivers are protected from uninsured motorists. Conservative Principle: The primary role of government is to protect its citizens from harm by others.

This amendment requires that a state officer who is an attorney shall report making or receiving any referral for legal services and the amount of any fee accepted. Conservative Principle: Integrity is a traditional Judeo/Christian value.

This initial step to unionization would have allowed for an association representing peace officers to "meet and confer" to discuss and adopt a written agreement, but would not allow a strike. Conservative Principle: Public employees, especially police, should give first allegiance to the public instead of to a union which might seek special privilege through monopoly or coercion.

This amendment would have shifted funding from the arts to Mental Health Mental Retardation. Conservative Principle: Government efficiency demands funding the higher priority.

This amendment would have mandated education for nutrition to elementary school student health programs. Conservative Principle: State government should not dictate details of how local governments deal with their employees, especially if it increases expenses or taxes. This conservative vote would protect parental rights over and responsibility for their children.

This could lessen the teacher shortage by certifying those with bachelor's degrees to teach school. Conservative Principle: Competition increases quality and lessens the chance teachers' unions will seek special privilege through monopoly or coercion.

Bill would have allowed for virtual charter schools administered by public universities. Conservative Principle: Competition increases quality and lessens the influence of teachers' unions to seek special privilege through monopoly or coercion.

This bill requires a woman seeking an abortion to give informed consent about the medical dangers and to wait 24-hours. The amendment would have deleted the 24-hour wait requirement. Conservative Principle: The primary role of government is to protect its citizens from harm by others.

Bill requires for profit abortion providers to obtain informed consent from a woman seeking abortion. Amendment #9 would have imposed regulation of non-profit crisis pregnancy centers (CPCs), which provide free services. Conservative Principle: Increasing government regulation is inappropriate, especially when it weakens the family's importance as the foundation of the nation.

This amendment would have expanded gambling to include satellite bingo gaming. Conservative Principle: State sponsored gambling is a form of hidden taxation and also undermines tradtional Judeo/Christian values.

This bill allows Texas to profit from special theme license plate purchases. This Amendment would have replaced "CHOOSE LIFE" with "CHOOSE LIFE OR CHOOSE CHOICE." Conservative Principle: The conservative vote would strengthen the family's importance as the foundation of the nation and reinforces traditional Judeo/Christian values.