Moms For America Action

James Frank

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 is designed to curb illegal immigration by allowing the Governor to establish an interstate compact for border security with any interested states for the purpose of sharing intelligence and resources to build a physical wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. Support is Moms for America's position as the promotion of an open-border immigration system places an immense strain on U.S. infrastructure and taxpayer resources, ranging from welfare to the education system, while also creating serious national security and human trafficking issues. Lawmakers should focus on growing the U.S. economy through reforms to the immigration system that both increase the number of skilled individuals who may enter and work in our country and reduce human trafficking across our borders.

Strengthening National Security by Creating an Interstate Compact for Border Security to Help Combat Illegal Immigration and Human Trafficking.

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 establishes the Texas Technology and Innovation Program to provide matching or supplemental funds to businesses that already receive federal funds through the federal small business innovation research and small business technology transfer programs. Oppose is Moms for America's position as the free market - not central planning by government bureaucrats - is best equipped to drive economic growth. The state must pursue every available avenue to reign in its out-of-control spending, which, when coupled with the over $185 trillion federal liabilities, represents the greatest existential threat facing this country.

Worsening Cronyism by Forcing Taxpayers to Provide Additional Subsidies to Companies Already Receiving Federal Grants through the Texas Technology and Innovation Trust Fund.

This bill requires the Department of Agriculture to hire an additional government employee to establish the Texas food system security and resiliency planning council. The bill also requires the establishment of a state food system security plan for purposes such as to "provide for the orderly development and management of food system security" and recommend legislation "needed or desirable to facilitate the resilience and availability of food." Oppose is Moms for America's position as this bill further grows government bureaucracy and spending and will likely lead to additional government intervention in future years. The federal government already spends billions on stockpiling food and planning for natural disasters. Additionally, the free market and private sector is far more effective in solving all other non-emergency related supply-chain issues as opposed to central planning by government bureaucrats.

Growing Government Bureaucracy by Establishing the Texas Food System Security and Resiliency Planning Council.

This bill raises the maximum allowable interest rate which lenders may charge on consumer loans, by now allowing the federal funds rate to be included in the calculation. While existing law currently caps consumer loan interest rates between 18% and 30%, the addition of the federal funds rate could allow lenders to charge another 5% to 6% depending on the rate of inflation. Support is Moms for America's position as the free-market - not government price controls - is the best mechanism to ensure the lowest borrowing rates and greatest available credit options for all borrowers. This slight regulatory relief will help expand borrowing and lending opportunities, especially during periods of high inflation.

Expanding Borrowing and Lending Opportunities by Raising the Maximum Allowable Interest Rate on Consumer Loans by Including the Federal Funds Rate in the Calculation.

This bill, the Property Tax Relief Act, contains a couple key provisions designed to limit increases in property taxes. Most notably, the bill lowers the appraisal cap from 10% to 5% and would expand the cap to also include business property owners, such as restaurants and apartment complexes, rather than just residential. Support is Moms for America's position as this bill helps protect homeowners and businesses from even greater levels of taxation. While this bill serves as a step in the right direction, lawmakers should advance additional reforms to provide broad-based property tax relief, which will help spur economic growth.

Protecting Homeowners and Businesses from Spiking Property Taxes by Limiting Annual Property Assessment Increases.

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".

This bill reduces regulatory barriers to now allow health insurance companies to incentivize their enrollees to utilize select healthcare providers based on quality and cost. This includes offering enrollees lower deductibles, co-payments or coinsurance. Support is Moms for America's position this bill reduces regulatory burdens to drive greater market forces within the healthcare industry. The state's current draconian regulations within the healthcare industry prevent insurers from offering additional options and limit the ability for enrollees to select the plans that best fit their specific needs.

Lowering Healthcare Costs by Allowing Insurers to Offer Incentives which Steer their Enrollees towards Providers based on Quality and Cost.

This bill extends the Texas Economic Development and Tourism Office for an additional 12 years, until September 2035. This office is focused on "marketing and promoting the state of Texas." Oppose is Moms for America's position as promoting tourism is not a core nor necessary function of government. The free-market and private industry - not central planning by government bureaucrats - is many times more effective in attracting visitors to the state and growing the economy.

Fueling Tens of Millions in Wasteful Spending by Extending the Unnecessary Texas Economic Development and Tourism Office for Another 12 Years.

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 amends the existing state law which prohibits firearms on school grounds or buildings when a school-sponsored activity is taking place. Under this bill, the "gun free zone" only applies to the actual premises owned by a school (not off-campus locations). Support is Moms for America's position as "gun free zones" do not protect communities, rather they place individuals in defenseless positions against criminals who do not abide by the law. While the restriction should be eliminated entirely, this measure serves as a step in the right direction.

Strengthening Self-Defense and Second Amendment Rights by Limiting School "Gun-Free Zones" to Only School-Owned Property.

This bill prohibits localities from requiring property owners to pay a "tree mitigation fee" in order to remove an Ashe juniper tree on their property. The bill also ensures that localities can't impose any ban which prevents the removal of the tree. Support is Moms for America's position as this bill strengthens both property rights and individual liberties. 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.

Strengthening Property Rights by Allowing the Removal of Ashe Juniper Trees Without Property Owners being Forced to Pay into a Tree Fund.

This bill increases penalties on individuals who knowingly engage in vote fraud, such as voting more than once in an election or impersonates another person when submitting a ballot. Under the bill, the penalty is increased from a Class A misdemeanor to a Felony of the Second Degree, which can carry a 2 to 20 year prison sentence. Support is Moms for America's position as maintaining strong safeguards against voter fraud are critical aspects of ensuring free and fair elections, an essential component of democracy under our nation's constitutional republic.

Strengthening Election Integrity by Increasing the Penalty for Knowingly Engaging in Voting Fraud.

This bill allows localities to implement a property tax credit equal to at least 50% of the value of property used for childcare services. Only facilities in which at least 20% of the children receive subsidized childcare services are eligible. Additionally, if the property owner leases the property to a childcare facility, the rent charged must be reduced to reflect the tax credit received. Oppose is Moms for America's position as this bill further dilutes the tax bases resulting in higher property tax burdens on other property owners to make up for the lost revenue. Instead of attempting to socialize childcare costs, lawmakers should instead empower the free market to make childcare more affordable and accessible by reducing regulations and other anti-competitive measures.

Hiking Property Taxes through a New Tax Exemption Scheme which Socializes Childcare Facility Costs.

This bill contains a major provision which requires taxpayers to fund "expanded access to broadband services in economically distressed communities". The new spending will unlock additional funds under the federal "Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program" and is expected to provide significant new revenue to Comcast which lobbied for the bill. Oppose is Moms for America's position as the private sector and free market are best equipped to determine where broadband is most needed and which expansion projects are most economically viable. This measure forces taxpayers to enrich woke corporations such as Comcast for infrastructure which may soon be unnecessary due to significant advances in satellite technology from Comcast's competitors such as Elon Musk's Starlink.

Enriching Comcast and other Woke Corporations by Forcing Taxpayers to Provide "Broadband Equity" through a Government Central Planning Scheme.

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 prohibits localities from banning the construction or lease of an accessory dwelling unit (ADU), along with several other limitations. Localities must also approve or deny a permit to build an ADU within 60 days, and may only consider whether the proposal meets applicable codes and standards. Support is Moms for America's position as this bill strengthens both property rights and helps combat overreaching zoning and land use ordinances. 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.

Strengthening Property Rights by Prohibiting Localities from Banning or Regulating Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs).

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 prohibits state and local governments from imposing COVID-19 vaccine or mask mandates or from ordering private businesses or public or private schools to close for the purpose of stopping the spread of COVID-19. The bill does contain some exceptions for jails, hospitals, and other facilities where other rules conflict. Support is Moms for America's position as this measure helps protect individual liberties by ensuring it is individuals - not government - making the medical decision on whether or not to receive a vaccination against COVID-19. Additionally, the bill protects against overreaching government mandates related to masks and shutdowns.

Protecting Individual Liberties by Prohibiting Government-Imposed COVID-19 Vaccine or Mask Mandates.

This bill creates the "Texas Semiconductor Innovation Consortium," to, among other purposes, "develop a comprehensive strategic plan to ensure ongoing semiconductor innovation" and expand workforce training. The bill also creates the Texas Semiconductor Innovation Fund to provide grants to state government entities and semiconductor manufacturing and design companies in the state "to encourage economic development." Oppose is Moms for America's position as not only does this measure further grow the size of government and central planning, but also worsens corporate welfare and cronyism by providing competitive advantages to select industries and businesses at the expense of taxpayers. Additionally, this bill is on top of other federal spending programs for the industry, such as the CHIPS and Science Act which provided $52.7 billion for "semiconductor research, development, manufacturing, and workforce development."

Worsening Cronyism and Government Central Planning by Creating the Texas Semiconductor Innovation Consortium to Enrich Certain Companies.

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 requires cities to provide written notification of any proposed zoning change which could cause a non-conforming use for a property owner or business. If the owner is required to close or cease operations, they would be entitled to compensation, such as the loss in market value of the property. The bill is, in part, in response to a case where a shingle factory operating for 80 years was forced to shut down without any compensation. Support is Moms for America's position as many of the zoning and land use ordinances enacted across the state are overreaching and oftentimes designed to benefit select property owners or restrict competition. Similar to cases of eminent domain, any business forced to shut down for public good reasons should be provided with just compensation.

Strengthening Property Rights by Protecting Businesses from Local Zoning Changes.

This bill allows public higher education institutions (state colleges and universities) to adopt policies which allow for the termination of tenured faculty for reasons such as "professional incompetence" or "conduct involving moral turpitude". Support is Moms for America's position as all individuals holding positions funded by taxpayers should be held accountable and perform their duties to the standards set by the state. This bill serves as a step in the right direction at restoring some accountability at the state's institutions of higher education, which have largely turned into stages promoting radical social and political agendas.

Ensuring Colleges and Universities can Remove Poor-Performing Professors by Restricting the Use of Tenure.

This bill permits the Arlington Independent School District to allow the sale and consumption of alcohol at the Center for Visual and Performing Arts facility. Support is Moms for America's position as this bill expands consumer choice and individual liberties while also generating additional sales tax revenue for taxpayers.

Expanding Individual Liberties and Tax Revenue by Allowing the Sale and Consumption of Alcohol at a Fine Arts Performing Venue in Arlington.

This bill allows any vehicle that is primarily powered by electric to exceed the roadway gross weight limitations by 2,000 lbs. The bill largely benefits electric-powered trucks and buses. Under existing law, natural gas-powered vehicles are able to exceed the roadway weight limit, which this bill also updates to 2,000 lbs. Oppose is Moms for America's position as this bill provides special benefits to government-favored vehicle propulsion systems, while ultimately hiking costs onto taxpayers - primarily gas-powered vehicle owners - through higher roadway maintenance costs. The vast majority of roadway deterioration is caused by heavy vehicles, with the primary source of roadway funding coming from the gas tax.

Promoting Electric Vehicles and Hiking Roadway Maintenance Costs through a 2,000 lbs. Weight Exemption for all Electric-Powered Vehicles.

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 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 "Texas Grocery Access Investment Fund" "to construct, rehabilitate, or expand grocery stores in underserved low-income and moderate-income areas." The bill requires at least 25% of funds be in the form of grants or forgivable loans, and recipients may use funds to acquire property, construct grocery stores, and for other purposes. Oppose is Moms for America's position as the free market - not central planning by government bureaucrats - is the best mechanism to determine the need and distribution of grocery stores across the state. Additionally, taxpayers in one part of the state should not be forced to subsidize amenities such as grocery stores for individuals in other regions of the state.

Growing Government Central Planning and Runaway Spending by Forcing Taxpayers to Subsidize Grocery Stores in "Food Deserts".

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.

This bill, the Property Tax Relief Act, contains several provisions related to property taxes. Most notably, the bill increases the homestead property tax exemption from $40,000 to $100,000. Additionally, the bill enacts a "circuit breaker" provision on the appraised value of real property other than a residence homestead. As a result, the appraised market value of a property is limited to a 1-year increase of 20% plus any new improvements. Support is Moms for America's position as this bill provides broad property tax relief to homeowners. All state and local tax codes should be constructed in a broadly applied manner with as low of rates as possible for everyone.

Providing Property Tax Relief to Homeowners by Raising the Homestead Exemption to $100,000.

This bill eliminates the state's mandatory vehicle safety inspection effective January 1, 2025. As a result, car owners will no longer be forced to annually take their vehicle in for an inspection, however a $7.50 annual fee (the current inspection fee) will still be assessed on vehicle owners. Texas was one of only 13 states which required annual vehicle inspections. Support is Moms for America's position as this bill provides significant regulatory relief to motorists by no longer being burdened to take their vehicle in for inspection and sometimes sold to perform unnecessary repairs. This bill also helps drive "automotive freedom" by reducing a significant burden for owners of multiple collector vehicles and the likelihood of damage due to the inspection process.