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 football stadium. Conservative Principle: This increases taxes and violates free enterprise by giving a monopoly special privilege.

This bill authorizes tax-funded hospitals to provide undocumented aliens free or discounted non-emergency health care if it chooses at local expense. Conservative Principle: This increases taxes and the size of government and discourages individual responsibility.

This amendment would have 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 prices lower.

This bill allows victims of identity theft to place a freeze on their credit reports and provides for confidentiality of social security numbers. Conservative Principle: The primary role of government is to protect its citizens from harm by others.

This amendment would have required lenders to provide borrowers "a statement regarding the value of housing counseling before taking out a home equity loan." Conservative Principle: Individuals should be selfresponsible instead of government coercing private businesses to protect people.

This bill would have added "life without parole" in addition to the death penalty as a punishment for a capital offense. Conservative Principle: This would have weakened the primary role of government to protect its citizens from harm by others.

This amendment would have prevented Chamber of Commerce members from participating in any political, issue-oriented, public education, or other campaigns. Conservative Principle: This would have violated a citizen's First Amendment right of free speech.

This amendment would have required a physician's legal history be made easily available to the public and include felonies beyond the current 10-year limitation. Conservative Principle: The primary role of government is to protect its citizens from harm by others.

This bill replaces the election of judges with appointments by the Governor, approved by the Senate, followed by non-partisan retention elections. Conservative Principle: This takes power from the electorate and concentrates it into fewer hands.

This bill allows income from the permanent school fund, which is dedicated to children's education, to instead provide a group health program for active and retired public school employees. Conservative Principle: Government funds dedicated to future generations should not be raided to benefit special interest groups.

On June 1, 2005, this amendment would have terminated the moment of silence at the beginning of each school day that follows the pledges to the Texas and U.S. flags. Conservative Principle: Government should encourage patriotism and traditional Judeo/Christian moral values.

This amendment would have provided each school employee an additional $1000 for health coverage, in addition to salary. Conservative Principle: State government should not dictate details of how local governments deal with their employees, especially if it increases expenses or taxes.

This amendment says teachers dismissed from a "low performing campus" would not be guaranteed a nonteaching position in the district. Conservative Principle: All employers and especially government should be able to hold their employees accountable.

This bill requires directors of school marching bands to be certified in first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Conservative Principle: State government should not dictate details of how local governments deal with their employees, especially if it increases expenses or taxes.

This bill would have allowed electronic pull-tab bingo to be run by the Texas Lottery Commission. Conservative Principle: State sponsored gambling is a form of hidden taxation and also undermines traditional Judeo/Christian values.

This bill provides penalties for the death of an unborn child if caused by a criminal act. Conservative Principle: The primary role of government is to protect its citizens from harm by others.

This bill requires the Supreme Court to adopt rules for collecting statistical information about judicial proceedings allowing minors receiving an abortion to bypass parental notice. Conservative Principle: This reinforces parental rights over and responsibility for their children.

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

This bill legalizes hiring a woman, for an unlimited fee, to have a child for a married couple, thereby making children a commodity. Conservative Principle: This weakens the family structure and does not support traditional Judeo/Christian moral values.