Orientation

draws over 300 TEA Party organizers to Austin 

AUSTIN – The TEA Party Caucus

has been very active since coming together just a few weeks ago. The

caucus, third largest in the legislature with 57 members, held an orientation

for TEA Party groups from all across Texas. Over 300 TEA Party organizers,

representing hundreds of thousands of voters, came to Austin to participate

in a nearly four hour overview covering the legislative process, an

outline of the budget, healthcare, redistricting, and a question and

answer session with members of the caucus. “The idea was to have a

first ever citizens’ orientation similar to what newly elected legislators

receive before session," explained caucus vice-chair Rep. Phil

King. 

"From the beginning, one

of the goals of our caucus was to help citizens become more empowered

by learning the legislative process," stated caucus founder Senator

Dan Patrick. "The more knowledge the people have about how government

works, the better government will be."  

"Saturday's orientation

was a great opportunity for those of us around the state to learn more

about the legislative process from our elected officials,” stated

Leslie Haight, TEA Party Caucus Advisory Committee. “The information

regarding the budgeting challenges we face this session was especially

eye-opening.” Dean Wright, TEA Party organizer agreed, "This

enlightening presentation provided valuable insight to the legislative

process that can be used by the grassroots attendees to impact legislation

much more effectively." 

In addition to the orientation,

over the past month the caucus has met with many TEA Party organizers

from around the state. The purpose was to listen to what they believe

are the major issues they want the legislature to address this session.

Topping the list was balancing the budget without raising taxes. "Those

who think the TEA Parties from across the State are going to go away

are sadly mistaken.  The citizens of Texas have had enough. They

will hold us accountable for our votes and actions and they will be

a major driving force in 2012 and beyond," stated Flynn. 

Last week the caucus met to

discuss the issues presented to them by the TEA Party groups. The caucus

has set an agenda for the session that reflects their support for the

issues supported by the TEA Party. With one exception, the agenda does

not support specific legislation, but broad principles. With many bills

filed on the same issues supported by the TEA Party, the caucus decided

it was too soon to get behind specific legislation. "The committees

need to hear testimony and members need to study and discuss the various

bills that have been filed," said caucus board member Rep. Allen

Fletcher. "While the list of issues the caucus will support focuses

on the major ones presented to us, they are by no means the only issues

presented to us," clarified caucus board member Rep. Dan Flynn.

 

Texas Legislative TEA Party

Caucus Statement of Principle

It is the purpose and intent

of the members of the Texas Legislative TEA Party Caucus to promote

and secure:

•     a balanced budget without

increased taxation;

•     a secure Texas border and

an end to illegal immigration;

•     the reassertion of the

10th Amendment and repeal of all federal laws in contradiction thereof;

•     election integrity, including

passage of voter identification legislation;

•     advancement of Texans'

2nd Amendment rights. 

"These issues were the

top five issues presented to us," remarked caucus vice-chair Rep.

Beverly Woolley. The one specific bill the caucus did agree to support

was House Joint Resolution 50, by Rep Creighton, and the companion legislation,

Senate Joint Resolution 14, by Senator Patrick. These bills affirm the

sovereign rights of Texas under the 10th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

Rep. Creighton passed this measure with almost unanimous support in

the House in 2009. So far, all 19 Republicans have co-authored SJT 14

in the Senate. 

The Senate has already passed

a photo voter I.D. bill. The House is expected to take up the legislation

in the very near future. "We are off to a quick start on the issues

brought to us by the TEA Party," noted Senator Patrick. "But,

we are just beginning."