MOMS

Jon E. Rosenthal

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 Moms for America's position as this bill helps protect individual liberties as well as automotive freedom. While some may argue this bill undermines "local control", our founding fathers only recognized three entities within the U.S. Constitution - federal government, state government, and the individual. It is not the role for any level of government to unduly infringe the rights of individuals, therefore making preemption measures, such as this bill, necessary.

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

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 Moms for America's position as this amendment worsens educational outcomes for all students by blocking competition and a market in education, which encourages schools to provide the best education so they can attract parents to enroll their child and receive the associated funding.

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

This bill allows counties and municipalities which have established a "reinvestment zone" (i.e. tax increment financing) the ability to also utilize the funds to subsidize "legacy homeowners". As a result, individuals who have owned their property for at least 7 years and experienced a significant increase in their property taxes (due to a rise in their home value) would be eligible to have a portion of their property taxes subsidized. Oppose is Moms for America's position as government central planning schemes such as tax increment financing should not be deployed in the first place. This measure merely worsens the cronyism by further distorting the tax code and providing advantages to select homeowners. Government should instead ensure property taxation is conducted in a broadly applied manner without carveouts and as low of rates as possible for all property owners.

Worsening Tax Cronyism by Providing Subsidies for Certain "Legacy Homeowners" in Government-Created Reinvestment Zones.

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 Moms for America's position as this amendment worsens educational outcomes for all students by blocking competition and a market in education, which encourages schools to provide the best education so they can attract parents to enroll their child and receive the associated funding.

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

The Harrison and Leo-Wilson amendment #1 to a public school funding bill. This amendment provides that a school district is only eligible to receive the basic allotment funding if more than 50% of the district's maintenance and operations expenditures the previous school year were spent on salaries and benefits for full-time teachers. Support is Moms for America's position as this amendment is designed to ensure school districts are using taxpayer funds to provide the best education possible for students, rather than wasting funds on administrative and other unnecessary expenses.

Protecting Taxpayers and Promoting Student Success by Ensuring School Funding is Directed to Teachers Instead of Wasteful Administration.

This bill reforms the state's asset forfeiture laws, under which the government may seize property deemed to be contraband. Under the bill, property may not be seized if it is not otherwise illegal to possess and the aggregate value is less than $2,500. Additionally, the bill increases the evidence standard the state must meet to show that property is subject to seizure from "a preponderance of the evidence" to "clear and convincing evidence." Support is Moms for America's position as this bill strengthens property rights and civil liberties by helping combat abuse of the asset forfeiture system (i.e. "policing for profit"). Individuals who may have been wrongfully accused are forced to undergo a lengthy and expensive legal process to recover their property.

Strengthening Property Rights and Civil Liberties through Protections Against Abuse of Asset Forfeiture.

This bill allows courts to remove district attorneys for misconduct if they refuse to prosecute certain types of crime. The bill is largely in response to cases of "reform-minded" prosecutors that have refused to prosecute crime or uphold the state's abortion laws. Support is Moms for America's position as ensuring public safety and protecting property rights serve as essential components of government. Unfortunately, this bill is necessary to combat many of the so-called criminal justice "reforms" which have led to skyrocketing crime rates and are being advanced in state legislatures by George Soros and other radical-left billionaires through their funding of advocacy organizations on both sides of the political aisle.

Strengthening Public Safety by Allowing Courts to Remove Rogue DAs which Refuse to Prosecute Crime.

This bill provides rideshare companies (such as Uber and Lyft) with legal immunity from any harm or injury caused by a driver, provided the company has followed all applicable laws, unless a person can show gross negligence by "clear and convincing evidence." Support is Moms for America's position as protecting business operators from frivolous litigation due to factors outside of their control is critical to ensuring their operation and maintaining low consumer costs.

Reducing Frivolous Litigation by Providing Liability Protections to Rideshare Companies.

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 Moms for America's position as disarming individuals through pointless "gun control" measures merely make law-abiding citizens targets to criminals who do not abide by the law. And while all law-abiding individuals should be permitted to exercise their Second Amendment rights and defend themselves in these locations, this bill serves as a step in the right direction in helping protect individuals who may be at elevated safety risks.

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

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 Moms for America's position as this bill helps protect against overreaching local regulations that most often restrict competition and drive-up business costs.

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

This bill authorizes Angelina County to impose a new hotel tax, with the revenue to be used to promote tourism, conventions, and hotels. Oppose is Moms for America's position as all state and local tax codes should be constructed in a broadly applied manner with as low of rates as possible for everyone. Additionally, it is not the proper role of government to fund tourism promotion and taxpayer funds should not be utilized to advance government-favored industries.

Increasing Taxation and the Growth of Government by Allowing Angelina County to Impose New Taxes on Hotels for Wasteful Tourism Promotion Initiatives.

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 Moms for America's position as this bill serves as a step in the right direction to reducing unnecessary employment barriers. Ultimately, the private sector, via certifications, rating systems, and the free market, is much better equipped to provide consumer protection while also ensuring competition and low consumer costs. Most government licensing entities are overly restrictive and are largely advocated by special interests seeking to restrict competition in the marketplace.

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

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 Moms for America's position as this bill will help improve the state's legal and business climate by making the legal process more efficient, reducing legal expenses for businesses, and also cut the caseload on other courts.

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

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 Moms for America's position as the free market - not central planning by politicians - is the best mechanism to determine the need and distribution of veterinarians across the state. Taxpayers in urban areas should not be forced to subsidize the amenities of individuals who choose to locate in rural or other portions of the state where veterinarians may not be as accessible.

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 creates a statewide framework for natural gas utility companies to offer energy conservation programs. These programs typically involve subsidies for purchasing higher energy efficiency appliances or for retrofitting a home or business to increase energy efficiency. The programs are paid for by raising natural gas utility rates on all customers through "rate recovery" which also provides utility companies a larger guaranteed profit. Additionally, the bill allows utility companies (which heavily lobbied for the bill) to receive additional profit for designing, marketing, administering, and delivering an energy conservation program. Oppose is Moms for America's position as this and many other energy efficiency schemes are largely designed to enrich select product manufacturers, service providers and utility companies at the expense of all other Texans. Such cronyism is especially harmful to low-income and elderly individuals on fixed incomes who can't afford rising utility costs.

Hiking Natural Gas Utility Costs for Texans to Enrich Utility Companies and Create New Energy Conservation Programs.

This bill expands the list of medical conditions for which a physician may prescribe low-THC cannabis (medical marijuana). Under the bill, physicians who would otherwise prescribe a patient an opioid could now prescribe cannabis. The bill also increases the maximum dosage that may be prescribed by replacing the 1% THC cap with a 10-milligram cap. Texas' medical marijuana program is currently among the strictest in the nation. Support is Moms for America's position as this bill strengthens medical freedom by ensuring physicians - not politicians - are able to determine and provide the most effective treatment for their patients. The bill also helps combat the addiction crisis currently plaguing our nation.

Strengthening Medical Freedom and Reducing Addiction by Permitting Physicians to Prescribe Low-THC Cannabis in Cases where Opioids would Otherwise be Prescribed.

This bill creates the "Lone Star Workforce of the Future Fund" which provides grants to select public junior colleges, technical institutes, and nonprofits for workforce training programs. The bill allows the grants to be utilized for a wide range of purposes including staff salaries and curriculum development, with entities eligible to receive a grant of up to $15,000 per participant. Oppose is Moms for America's position as the free market - not central planning by government bureaucrats - is best equipped to determine the most in-demand career fields and direct resources to the most effective training entities. This measure merely enriches government-favored entities (some which may be ineffective) while further increasing out-of-control spending.

Fueling Runaway Spending and Enriching Government-Favored Educational Entities through the Creation of the "Lone Star Workforce Future Fund".

This bill creates an additional alternative pathway for electricians to obtain an occupational license. Under the bill, an aspiring electrician may complete a career and technology education program as opposed to the 4,000 hours of training otherwise required. These programs can be offered by public or private schools and colleges and universities. Support is Moms for America's position as this bill serves as a step in the right direction to reducing unnecessary employment barriers. Ultimately, the private sector, via certifications, rating systems, and the free market, is much better equipped to provide consumer protection while also ensuring competition and low consumer costs. Most government licensing entities are overly restrictive and are largely advocated by special interests seeking to restrict competition in the marketplace.

Reducing Employment Barriers and Expanding Competition through an Alternative Licensing Pathway for Electricians.

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 Moms for America's position as ensuring public safety and protecting property rights serve as essential components of government. Unfortunately, this bill represents one of many so-called criminal justice "reforms" which have led to skyrocketing crime rates and are being advanced in state legislatures by George Soros and other radical-left billionaires through their funding of advocacy organizations on both sides of the political aisle.

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

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 Moms for America's position as any excessive monies within the state's rainy-day fund should be returned to taxpayers through tax cuts, not woke universities. While it is a necessary role for government to provide quality K-12 education - ideally through school choice - college and university-level education should be funded through user fees (i.e. tuition) by those who wish to pursue their selected career path. These enormous costs should not be imposed on individuals who elect to pursue activities other than higher education, such as those who start their own businesses or work in the trades.

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

This bill makes it a state crime to cross the Texas-Mexico border between ports of entry. The bill authorizes the Texas police to arrest illegal migrants and makes the crime a Class B misdemeanor carrying a punishment of up to 6 months in jail. Repeat offenders could face a second-degree felony. Support is Moms for America's position as ensuring public safety and national defense is arguably the most important role of government. Failure to secure our nation's border not only has catastrophic implications on the ability to maintain law and order, but also creates countless other issues ranging from welfare to the education system.

Restoring Law and Order by Authorizing Texas Police to Arrest Illegal Immigrants Crossing the Border from Mexico to Texas.

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 Moms for America's position as this measure protects the competitiveness of women's sports by ensuring females are not forced to compete against biological men. This requirement represents one of many restrictions (including height, weight, and age requirements) to ensure fair competition.

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

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 Moms for America's position as this bill provides broad tax and regulatory relief for small and medium size businesses by increasing the franchise tax exemption and eliminating the burdensome reporting requirement.

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

This bill makes it easier for movie production companies to receive a grant under the moving image industry incentive program by reducing the percentage of production crew, actors, and extras who must be Texas residents from 70% to 55%. Oppose is Moms for America's position as it is not the proper role of government to subsidize the film production costs of private companies - especially considering this measure enriches woke Hollywood production companies that are antagonistic to limited government principles. Lawmakers should eliminate this grant program entirely, much less expand the ability of movie production companies to receive taxpayer funds.

Worsening Cronyism by Making it Even Easier for Woke Hollywood Production Companies to become Enriched through Taxpayer Subsidies.

This bill establishes the Rural Pathway Excellence Partnership Program to "expand opportunities for underserved students to succeed in school and life while promoting economic development in rural areas." The bill provides up to $5 million in funding annually for rural school districts to partner on college and career pathway programs, with districts receiving outcome bonuses based on whether a student is considered economically disadvantaged. Oppose is Moms for America's position as taxpayers in urban areas should not be forced to subsidize educational programs for individuals who choose to locate in rural or other portions of the state.

Forcing Taxpayers to Pay up to $5 Million Annually for a New Rural College and Career Pathways Program.

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 Moms for America's position as this bill places even greater tax burdens on property owners and further grows government. Instead of gaming property tax calculations, lawmakers should work to make housing more affordable by lowering property taxes and cutting the out-of-control spending at all levels of government.

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

This bill allows school districts and charter schools to employ a chaplain for purposes of providing "support, services, and programs" to students. The bill also allows volunteer chaplains and provides that chaplains are not required to be certified by the State Board for Educator Certification. Support is Moms for America's position as this measure strengthens the First Amendment rights of individuals with sincerely held religious beliefs across the public education system.

Protecting the Ability of School Districts and Charter Schools to Employ Chaplains.

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 Moms for America's position as this measure further grows government dependency. Instead of forcing taxpayers to pay for the childcare costs of other individuals, lawmakers should advance de-regulatory policies across the childcare industry to lower costs and expand competition. This free-market approach is the best way to make childcare more affordable.

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

This bill establishes a series of new regulations which prohibit all insurance companies operating in the state from establishing their own policies concerning Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG). The new mandate and price control apply to both the coverage decisions of insurers as well as their rate setting practices. Oppose is Moms for America's position as this government intrusion into the marketplace infringes the right of private insurance companies to set their own policies and coverage decisions. Instead of weaponizing government, lawmakers should instead work to reduce regulations and expand competition so the free marketplace can better reward and punish insurers based on the policies they enact.

Imposing Overreaching New Regulations on the Insurance Industry by Banning Private Companies from Setting their own Policies Surrounding ESG.

This bill amends existing law to make additional local entities eligible to receive sales and use tax revenue to subsidize hotels and convention centers. Specifically, the bill expands eligibility to non-profit corporations acting on behalf of a municipality. Oppose is Moms for America's position as all state and local tax codes should be constructed in a broadly applied manner with as low of rates as possible for everyone. This and other government central planning and tax cronyism schemes merely dilute the tax base which results in higher taxes on all other individuals and products to make up for the lost revenue.

Worsening Cronyism by Expanding Local Subsidies for Hotel and Convention Centers.

This resolution amends the state constitution to prohibit the legislature from imposing any tax based on the wealth or net worth of an individual or family. Support is Moms for America's position as a "wealth tax" represents one of the most destructive forms of taxation which discourages investment and would result in most high-net-worth individuals fleeing the state - devastating economic growth.

Protecting Economic Growth through a Constitutional Amendment Prohibiting Implementation of any "Wealth Tax".

The bill prevents localities from imposing additional regulations on farmers and ranchers engaging in agricultural operations. Under the bill, the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service is directed to develop a list of "generally accepted agricultural practices" that do not pose a threat to public health, which cities also may not prohibit or restrict. Support is Moms for America's position as this bill strengthens property rights by combatting overreaching local regulations. While some may argue this bill undermines "local control", our founding fathers only recognized three entities within the U.S. Constitution - federal government, state government, and the individual. It is not the role for any level of government to unduly infringe the rights of individuals, therefore making preemption measures, such as this bill, necessary.

Protecting Farmers from Government Overreach by Preventing Local Governments from Imposing Additional Regulations on the Agricultural Industry.

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 Moms for America's position as this bill further grows the regulatory state and government interference in the free market. While there is a role of government to protect individuals from fraudulent practices, this overreach significantly adds to the already overregulation of the insurance industry, limiting policy options and driving up costs for both businesses and consumers.

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

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 Moms for America's position as this bill serves as a new tool by plaintiffs' attorneys to subject business owners and housing providers to frivolous litigation. Such actions merely drive-up costs for consumers and can be particularly devastating for small businesses and landlords.

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

This bill assesses an additional $200 annual registration fee on electric vehicles. The bill is designed to offset reduced funding for the State Highway Fund, which is funded by gasoline taxes and used for the construction and maintenance of roads and bridges. A 2020 report found that the state loses about $200 in state and federal gas tax revenue for each gas-powered vehicle that is replaced by an electric vehicle. Support is Moms for America's position as "user fees" represent the best way to accurately impose the appropriate level of taxation when it comes to things such as infrastructure. This measure helps ensure that all motorists - regardless of their vehicle's propulsion system - are paying the costs of roadway maintenance and construction costs.