AUSTIN, Tex. — At the State Capitol here, a legal concealed gun is the equivalent of an E-ZPass.

To enter the sand-colored building, most people — schoolchildren on field trips, out-of-state tourists — must wait in line to pass through a security area outfitted with metal detectors and scanners. But those with state licenses to carry concealed firearms can enter in a matter of seconds. They simply hand their permit to a state trooper, who verifies its authenticity. No metal detector needed.

Just as Texas has long embraced its guns, so has the Capitol. Legislators have walked the terrazzo hallways, attended committee hearings, met with constituents in their offices and voted on the floors of their respective chambers while armed with licensed high-powered pistols tucked beneath their suits or slipped into their boots or purses.

Despite the widespread acceptance of concealed weapons, many lawmakers do not speak so freely about their weaponry. Discretion is a key element of the Capitol’s gun culture: One reason those with licenses were given a separate security lane was to avoid having them take out their guns before passing through the metal detectors.

But of the 181 members of the State House and Senate, dozens have concealed-carry permits and routinely have their weapons with them in the building, current and former lawmakers said. Jerry Patterson, the state land commissioner and a former senator who wrote the concealed handgun law, put the number at around 35 legislators. Others said Mr. Patterson’s estimate was too high, and others, including Alice Tripp, legislative director of the Texas State Rifle Association, the state affiliate of the National Rifle Association, said it was too low.

“I’d say half the House and half the Senate,” she said. “There’s a couple who, I used to say, their desks would qualify as a gun show.”

At recent hearings of the House Committee on County Affairs, Representative Jonathan Stickland sat listening to testimony while wearing a .40-caliber semiautomatic pistol.

“This is probably one of the most well-armed buildings in the state,” said Mr. Stickland, a freshman Republican from Bedford, near Fort Worth. “When you grow up around guns and you feel comfortable with what they can do, and you know how to use them and you respect them, there’s really nothing to fear.”

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For those of you who don’t remember who all in the HEB area I am excitedly supporting please cast your vote for the following candidates — some you won’t be able to support due to the city you live in.

Allan Solmon – HEB ISD
Sal Caruso – Bedford City Council
Sherri Olson – Bedford City Council
Darl Easton – Euless City Council
Bruce German – Euless City Council
Warren Wilson – Euless City Council

It’s a honor to serve the residents of District 92 and it’s imperative that all in government work to reduce spending and put money back into the pockets of taxpayers.

God Bless,

Jonathan Stickland

First, there are several amendments which would cut the budget across-the-board in order to fund the State Water Implementation Fund for Texas. If water projects are truly a priority, we should reduce spending on other projects and fund them within our budget. I believe raiding the Rainy Day Fund is bad for Texas, not only because long-term water projects are not an appropriate use of funds which are saved for emergency situations, but because moving water projects outside of the normal budget process means that we can spend an extra $2 billion on projects which are less important and less deserving.

Second, a group of conservative colleagues and I have proposed 37 amendments to the bill that would zero-out a number of unnecessary government programs and transfer the savings to the Teacher Retirement System. The healthcare component of the pension system for teachers is severely underfunded. We owe it to our teachers to keep our promise to them and have a fiscally sound retirement system that meets our obligations.

I personally have filed amendments to zero-out the following programs and transfer their appropriated funds to pay down our obligations to the Teacher Retirement System:

• The Texas Clean School Bus Program
• The Texas Natural Gas Vehicle Grant Program
• The Clean Transportation Triangle Program
• The Alternative Fueling Facilities Program
• The Pollution Prevention Recycling Program
• The Texas Research Incentive Program
• The Border Facility Loan Repayment Program
• And to reduce the Texas Parks and Wildlife Land Acquisition account to 2012 levels.

Please pray for us as we fight for fiscal responsibility in Texas government!

God Bless,

Jonathan Stickland

First and most importantly, House Bill 5 reduces the number of standardized end-of-course exams and lessens the emphasis on standardized testing. It is my belief that standardized testing has gotten out-of-control. What started as a program designed to ensure that students weren’t left behind has resulted in a one-size-fits-all dumbed-down approach that forces teachers to teach to the test and wastes students’ time.

Second, the bill changes how schools are graded on their performance. The bill does away with the old system of rankings (Exemplary, Recommended, Acceptable, and Unacceptable) and institutes a simple A, B, C, D, and F ranking for schools on an overall basis and in individual categories of student achievement and fiscal management. I believe this system will better inform parents and taxpayers about the quality of the schools in their neighborhoods.

Third, House Bill 5 will allow more flexibility in graduation plans so students can puruse a graduation track that fits their life plans. As I was on the campaign trail and as I have continued to speak with constituents since being sworn in as State Representative, I have heard parents complain about how schools overemphasize college and put college forward as the only path to success. As an entrepreneur who built my business through hard work, I agree whole-hearedly. We must allow students the flexibility to study topics in which they are interested. The new graduation plans contained in House Bill 5 will give students and parents more control over their education, particularly by allowing for more career and technology oriented courses. These are long-needed changes that I am confident will help shape many young Texans’ lives for the better.

While it was exciting to make much-needed changes to public education, we have so far fallen short in taking care of our teachers. So far we have not done enough to financially secure our obligations to the Teacher Retirement System. But I am hopeful that tomorrow a group of conservative colleagues and I will be successful in our efforts to protect teachers and cut wasteful government programs.

I voted for House Bill 4 but I did so with some reluctance. The reluctance was not with the form of the bill or its purpose. I agree that water projects are an important state priority and I agree that the revolving fund created by House Bill 4 will help us accomplish our goals.  My concern is with how SWIFT will be funded and how this funding relates to the budget proposed in House Bill 4.

Leadership in the House is currently planning to fund SWIFT through House Bill 11, a bill which would tap $2 Billion of our Rainy Day Fund. On the campaign trail I was very clear that I would oppose any raid on our Rainy Day Fund. With Washington recklessly spending and regulating, it is more important than ever for Texas to have reserves in order to pay off our obligations if there is another economic downturn. Furthermore, tapping into the Rainy Day Fund to fund SWIFT would require us to break our constitutional spending cap. We should instead prioritize our spending and find the funding for needed water projects within the confines of our constitutional spending cap and within the confines of general revenue.

There are five grassroots candidates that want an opportunity to talk to you and share their views on why they are running for public office. This event is also a campaign fundraiser and these candidates need your donations and support. Be a part in their campaigns by making a donation large or small.

You are cordially invited to attend a campaign fundraiser for:
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Allan Solmon, HEB ISD School Board, Place 3
www.AllanSolmon.com
2517 New Haven Court, Bedford, TX 76022

Salvatore Caruso, Bedford City Council, Place 5
www.SalCaruso.org
148 Ravenswood Ct., Bedford, TX 76022

Darl Easton, Euless City Council, Place 3
www.DarlEastonforEuless.com
1005 Fayette Dr., Euless, TX 76039

Warren Wilson, Euless City Council. Place 4
www.DrWarrenWilsonforEuless.com
506 Limestone Drive, Euless, TX 76039

Bruce German, Euless City Council, Place 1
www.brucegermanforeuless.com
411 Town Creek Drive, Euless, TX 76029

Host: Jonathan Stickland
Saturday, Evening 7:00 pm on April 6, 2013
Los Jimadores Restaurant
3314 Harwood Road
Bedford, Texas 76021

Hors d’oeuvres & non-alcoholic beverages being served with a cash bar. If you are unable to attend please mail donations directly to each candidate. A minimum donation of $25 is recommended for event attendees.

Senator Paul filibustered because the President refuses to answer one simple question: “Does the President have the authority to use drone strikes to kill American citizens?”

If our President reserves the right to cast aside the rights of individual citizens then our liberty is in a fragile state. Americans should never live in fear of being attacked by their own government. It is fitting that on May 6th, the 177th anniversary of the fall of the Alamo that truly principled men, when their backs are against the wall, are still willing to stand and fight. Senator Paul’s actions are reflective of the frustrations of the American people.

Which of these two common–style pocket knives is illegal in the City of San Antonio?

The answer is the one on top. It is illegal because it has a locking blade. Section 21–17 of the San Antonio Code of Ordinances states: “It shall be unlawful for any person to intentionally or knowingly carry on or about his person a knife with a blade less than five and one-half (5½) inches in length, which knife is equipped with a lock mechanism so that upon opening, it becomes a fixed blade knife.”

To address this problem and other municipal ordinances aimed at self–defense weapons, I filed House Bill 1299 which, if enacted, would preempt cities from regulating knives, personal defense sprays, and stun guns to a greater extent than the state regulates them. The bill would add a new section to a law preempting municipal regulation of gun ownership which has been on the books since being enacted by the 69th legislature in 1985.

We owe it to Texans to have clear laws regarding self–defense weaponry. Men and women have a God–given right to protect themselves. The rules on what types of weapons they can use to protect themselves and which kind are prohibited should be clear and easy to find.  No Texan should risk walking themselves into a criminal charge because they happened to cross a city boundary without consulting the city ordinances for any bizarre regulations.

A locking mechanism is a common feature on pocket knives and is designed to improve safety by protecting the user from accidental blade closure while cutting.

The San Antonio lock blade ordinance is just one example of overbearing municipal regulations that risk turning regular citizens—even ones who have consulted state laws to ensure they are in compliance—into criminals. The city of Corpus Christi bans three inch blades as well. We shouldn’t demand that every citizen check every municipal code to determine whether a five inch blade or some other legitimate tool or self–defense weapon which is legal under state law is illegal due to a municipal ordinance.

HB 202 – Protecting Military Families

Caption:

Relating to the absence of a student from school to visit with a parent or guardian who will be or has been deployed on military duty.

Summary: 

HB 202 would give an excused absence from school to children of active duty military service members for a maximum of ten days before their parent’s deployment or return from deployment of six months or more.  This would provide valuable time for military families to cope with a difficult situation.  It also would protect schools by not penalizing them for allowing students to be absent in these situations.

HB 203 – Railroad Commission Name Change

Caption:

Relating to changing the name of the Railroad Commission of Texas to the Texas Oil and Gas Commission.

Summary: 

HB 203 would rename the Railroad Commission of Texas the Texas Oil and Gas Commission. The current name is antiquated and leaves voters uninformed on what  they are voting on.

HB 335 – Replacing Newspaper notices with online notices

Caption:

Relating to the posting of required notice on a political subdivision’s Internet website.

Summary:

Many leaders in HEB and Tarrant County have told me that current legal requirements requiring them to post notices in newspapers are expensive and antiquated.  HB 335 would allow cities, counties, school districts, and other political subdivisions to satisfy statutes requiring newspaper notices by posting the notices on an internet website.  This bill will increase transparency by giving citizens more access to legal notices and will save local governments millions of dollars.

HB 649 – Protecting Hobby Lobby and other religious businesses

Caption:

Relating to tax reimbursement for businesses that refuse to comply with certain federal health care coverage requirements based solely on the religious convictions of the owners of the businesses; authorizing tax refunds and credits.

Summary:

HB 649 helps protect businesses who hold a religious objection to the Obamacare Health and Human Services contraception mandate by refunding their state taxes, including their business margins tax and sales tax.  Hobby Lobby is facing up to $1.3 million per day in tax penalties if they refuse to comply with the mandate.  My bill attempts to offset those federal tax penalties and keep Hobby Lobby and other businesses in their situation afloat while they fight the federal government in court.  It is important that we stand up for the religious liberties of businesses here in Texas.  If we allow the federal government to succeed, Hobby Lobby and other businesses in their shoes will be run out of business by oppressive tax penalties.  By offering them a tax break we stand a chance of keeping their doors open and their employees off of the street.

HB1298 – Concealed Carry around Field Trips

Caption: Relating to the carrying of concealed handguns by certain license holders on certain locations associated with a public or private school or educational institution.

Summary: According to current CHL regulation it may be considered illegal to carry in a building where an activity is being sponsored by an educational institution. For example, if you are visiting the capitol building while carrying, and a school field trip is being conducted on the same premise, then you may be legally required to vacate the building. HB 1298 amends state stautes to allow license  holders to occupy the same premises as a school events without fear of breaking the law.

HB1299 – Municipal Knife Regulation Preemption

Caption: Relating to municipal regulation of electric stun guns, knives, and personal defense sprays.

Summary: Currently, in addition to state laws on knives, stun guns and personal defense sprays, cities are allowed to pass additional laws restricting these defensive weapons. This has led to some absurd laws, including a law in San Antonio banning locking blade knives. Our laws on defensive weapons should be clear and that means that Texans should only have to consult section 46 of the penal code to know what is and isn’t prohibited.  No Texan should be asked to consult every city ordinance before they cross a city boundary in order to avoid breaking the law.

HJR 45 – Private School Protection Amendment

Caption: 

Proposing a constitutional amendment protecting private schools from state and local regulation.

Summary:

HJR 45 is a proposed amendment to the Constitution of the state of Texas. It would protect private schools, including home schools, from government intervention and control by preventing the state legislature or any political subdivision of the state from regulating their educational programs. It is essential that parents continue to have an option for their kids that is completely free from government control.

HCR 32 – Resolution for Hobby Lobby calling for a religious liberties exemption to the HHS mandate

Caption: 

Urging Congress and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to cease imposing contraception mandates on private businesses.

Summary:

In addition to HB 649 I have authored a resolution to express Texas’s stance on the Health and Human Services contraception mandate. HCR 32 calls upon Congress to stop imposing contraceptive mandates on private organizations. Calling for the Federal government to provide a religious exemption in The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act also referred to as “Obamacare”. By providing an exemption, religiously based institutions, and privately operated entities could adhere to their respective religious principles without punishment from the Federal Government.

I am also joint-authoring the following bills along with some of my fellow Representatives:

HB 627 – by Krause – Exempting intrastate firearms from Federal regulation

Caption: relating to exempting the intrastate manufacture of a firearm, a firearm accessory, or ammunition from federal regulation.

Summary: HB 627 cites the 9th & 10th Amendments of the Federal Constitution in limiting federal jurisdiction over firearms that are manufactured, distributed and sold only within the borders of the State of Texas.

HB 912 – by Gooden – Prohibiting Unwarranted Drone Surveillance

Caption: Relating to images captured by unmanned vehicles and aircraft; providing penalties.

Summary: HB 912 would protect Texans’ privacy from unwarranted drone surveillance. The bill would prevent private individuals from invading the privacy of individuals and would prevent government from using images acquired without a warrant against a person in court.

Please share this list with your friends and family in District 92.