Posted August 11th, 2011 by Julie
Congressman Dr. Michael Burgess attended our NE Tarrant Tea Party meeting on Monday, August 8, to talk to us about Obamacare and the recent debt ceiling vote.
Click here for his presentation.
Click here for the Q&A session.
Posted August 5th, 2011 by Konni
By The Honorable Arlene Wohlgemuth, Executive Director and Director, Center for Health Care Policy
I place economy among the first and most important virtues, and public debt as the greatest of dangers to be feared…. To preserve our independence, we must not let our rulers load us with perpetual debt…. We must make our choice between economy and liberty or profusion and servitude…. If we run into such debts, we must be taxed in our meat and drink, in our necessities and our comforts, in our labors and in our amusements…. If we can prevent the Government from wasting the labors of the people, under the pretense of caring for them, they will be happy.
—Thomas Jefferson
Profusion means lavish spending; extravagance. Such has been the case with our Congress for decades and especially in the last two-and-a-half years. The dire situation in which we find ourselves as a nation was the focus of remarks by Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, when he called the national debt the single biggest threat to national security.
Unfortunately, the impact of Congress’ profligacy is not confined to the federal government. Just as congressional programs and spending have created the biggest threat to the nation, the federally designed Medicaid program presents our state with its single biggest threat. Medicaid is the health care program for the poor that is jointly funded by the federal and state governments, but almost all the rules are set by Congress. Because it is an entitlement program, enrollment cannot be restricted and little can be done under the inflexible rules to make common-sense changes to control the costs.
Research projecting the cost of Medicaid to our state over the next 30 years is alarming. Under current law, Medicaid will consume 46.6 percent of Texas’ total budget in 2014-15. The next Legislature will have to come up with an additional $16.7 billion in general revenue above what was appropriated in the 2012-13 budget. That is for one program—not all of health and human services—and no allowance for growth in education or any other part of the state’s budget.
As Congress grapples with its own budget problems, governors of both parties are pleading not to cause more problems with states’ budgets by making cuts in Medicaid. Unlike the federal government, 49 states, including Texas, are required to balance their budget. No “kicking the can down the road” for the state; no printing more money to cover the cost. Increasing taxes and cutting other programs are the only options, with education the most likely to see big cuts.
There is a better way to cover the needs of the poor and enough money in the system to do so. With less money than was spent on Medicaid in 2008-09, all Texans up to 175 percent of poverty level could be covered with a subsidy for private insurance based on a sliding scale with adequate money for guaranteeing long-term care such as nursing home, home health, and program administration. To do so would require Congress to return health care policy back to the state.
Congress’ debt problem is a problem of governance, especially where entitlements are concerned. The federal government can ill afford its unfunded liability for entitlement programs, and the state cannot afford its share of federally designed Medicaid.
Jefferson was right; our liberty is at stake. It is time for Congress and this administration to relinquish control and let Texans decide what’s best for Texas.
Posted July 13th, 2011 by Konni
TRAVELING PRIMER SERIES: Recapping the 82nd Legislative Session – Austin, TX
Foundation Offices
July 27th, 2011
The Texas Public Policy Foundation
invites you to a policy briefing
Recapping the 82nd Legislative Session
The 82nd legislative session has dominated the news over the last five months. Do you know the whole story behind the budget shortfall and the “Rainy Day Fund?” What does the budget mean for state agencies, higher education institutions, and programs like Medicaid? What can industries and small businesses expect in terms of new regulations and laws? Join senior experts from the Texas Public Policy Foundation as we recap the 82nd legislative session.
featuring reports from:
The Honorable Arlene Wohlgemuth
Texas Public Policy Foundation Executive Director and Director of the Center for Health Care Policy
The Honorable Talmadge Heflin
Director of the Center for Fiscal Policy
Kathleen Hartnett White
Senior Fellow and Director of the Armstrong Center for Energy and the Environment
Mario Loyola
Director, Center for Tenth Amendment Studies
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
11:30 am – 1:00 pm (complimentary lunch)
Texas Public Policy Foundation Offices
900 Congress Ave., Ste 400
Austin, Texas 78701
Click here to register!
Posted June 2nd, 2011 by Konni
The below message was sent out via email to members on 5/31/11. Please see the update at the end of this message and start calling!
Patriots,
On Sunday evening, Wendy Davis (D-Fort Worth) filibustered Senate Bill 1811 (school finance bill), which would have provided the needed financing for balancing the state’s budget. This filibuster killed that bill and the session ended without a balanced budget. As required by the state constitution, Governor Perry has called a special session to address this fiscal issue. Lt. Gov. Dewhurst told reporters Monday that the Senate won’t put a “blocker bill” in place during the special session, erasing the normal requirement that two-thirds of the Senate agree to something before it can be debated. That should make bills easier to pass, should Perry agree to add them to the call. And this is where WE come in! There are several bills that need to be added to “the call” and only Perry can designate what goes on that. Please contact Governor Perry’s office and ask that these bills get added to the special session agenda:
Posted May 26th, 2011 by Julie
NE Tarrant Tea Party meeting
Everything You Need To Know About Obamacare!
Guest Speaker: Congressman Dr. Burgess
and
an Interview with US Senate Candidate Andrew Castenuela
August 8, 2011, 6:30-8:00pm
Keller Roundhouse: 107 W Vine St, Keller TX 76248
Join us to hear all about the status of Obamacare and the fight to end it… all from a very unique perspective. Dr. Burgess is a medical doctor AND a Congressman. He serves on the House Energy & Commerce Committee, and in fact he is Vice Chairman of the Subcommittee on Health. He’s recently written a book entitled A Doctor In The House. Read this interview of Dr. Burgess for more insight into who he is and what he has to offer us a speaker.
Posted January 26th, 2011 by Julie
A local group is fighting Obamacare. Sign up at www.TexansforHealthFreedom.org to stay informed and get updates on progress to pass legislation to save your health freedom.
Posted November 13th, 2010 by Julie
The followi ng is an excerpt from an email written by Angela Cox of the Johnson County Tea Party…
My fellow Texans and Americans, please take a moment to contact our elected officials below to thank them for their efforts and working hard for our great state of Texas! They must hear from us not only when we disapprove, but when we approve as well!
Rick Perry: Let States Secede From Social Security
November 5, 2010
To contact Governor Rick Perry;
TEXAS CONSIDERS MEDICAID WITHDRAWAL
Some Republican lawmakers — still reveling in Tuesday’s statewide election sweep — are proposing an unprecedented solution to the state’s estimated $25 billion budget shortfall: dropping out of the federal Medicaid program.
See full article here:
‘Arizona Style’ Immigration Law Proposed for Texas
conservative lawmaker files bill in first hour of filing period for 2011 session
By Jim Forsyth
Monday, November 8, 2010
Less than an hour after the period began for filing bills for consideration in the 2011 Legislative session, State Rep. Debbie Riddle (R-Tomball), a leader of the newly muscular conservatives in the Legislature, filed an ‘Arizona style’ measure that would crack down on illegal immigration, 1200 WOAI news reports.
Riddle says her measure is a response to what she says is the escalating violence caused by Mexican and Latin American gangs in Texas .
“It is absolutely out of control with the gang related crime, which is going through the roof, so, yes, we are addressing this, and quite frankly, I am not worried about political correctness,” Riddle told 1200 WOAI news.
The measure would be similar to Arizona ‘s controversial SB 1070, in that it would require that local police work with federal immigration officials in determining the legal status of a person who is in their custody.
“If that individual is already being detained, because of another crime, then that officer can inquire as to one’s immigration status,” Riddle said.
The Arizona law has been placed on hold pending a court challenge. Riddle says her measure would help it withstand similar legal challenges.
Riddle’smeasure would also deny all state funds to any community which declares itself a ‘sanctuary city’ and refuses to aggressively enforce immigration laws.
See full article here:
Please email Rep. Debbie Riddle (R-Tomball) and voice your support this bill.
Her email address:
Cornyn Pushes Balanced Budget Amendment
Senator Proposes Conference Resolution to Help Restore Fiscal Discipline
WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) today led a group of Senate Republicans including Senators Jim Demint (R-SC), Mike Enzi (R-WY), Jeff Sessions (R-AL), David Vitter (R-LA), Orrin Hatch (R-UT), John Ensign (R-NV), and John Thune (R-SD), and Senators-elect Rand Paul (R-KY), Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), Pat Toomey (R-PA), and Mike Lee (R-UT), in sending a letter to Senate Republican Conference Chairman Lamar Alexander notifying him that they intend to propose a resolution at the Republican Conference meeting on November 16th, 2010, which states that a Balanced Budget Amendment to the United States Constitution is necessary to restore fiscal discipline. The full text of the letter is below:
November 12, 2011
The Honorable Lamar Alexander
Republican Conference, Chairman
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Lamar:
We are writing to notify you that we intend to propose the following Resolution at the Republican Conference meeting on November 16:
“It is Resolved by the United States Senate Republican Conference:
(1) That a Balanced Budget Amendment to the United States Constitution is necessary to restore fiscal discipline to our Republic;
(2) That a Balanced Budget Amendment should require the President to submit to Congress a proposed budget prior to each fiscal year in which total federal spending does not exceed total federal revenue;
(3) That a Balanced Budget Amendment should include a requirement that a supermajority of both houses of Congress be necessary to increase taxes;
(4) That a Balanced Budget Amendment should include a limitation on total federal spending.”
Thank you for protecting our rights on this important matter.
Sincerely,
John Cornyn, United States Senator
Jim DeMint, United States Senator
Mike Enzi, United States Senator
Jeff Sessions, United States Senator
David Vitter, United States Senator
Orrin Hatch, United States Senator
John Ensign, United States Senator
John Thune, United States Senator
Rand Paul, United States Senator-elect
Kelly Ayotte, United States Senator-elect
Pat Toomey, United States Senator-elect
Mike Lee, United States Senator-elect
To contact Senator John Cornyn to voice your support of this Resolution:
