Parker County Blog

Thank you Senator Craig Estes for standing on the side of “Liberty and Justice for All”.

Thank you also for reminding us that freedom is not free, and that anything worth having is worth fighting for!

Thank you for speaking out in support of the 2^nd Amendment.

And thank you for boldly speaking as a Texan; not as a politician  in your Resolution Defending Texas Gun Rights .  You spoke of our right to keep and bear arms to, among other things, “protect one’s self from the tyranny of government”.

Senator Estes, you have earned our trust and our loyalty.  May God continue to guide you – and may you continue to seek his favor.

Austin — State Senator Craig Estes (R-Wichita Falls) filed SB 10 for the First Called Special Session of the 81st Texas Legislature, which provides key reforms to the state’s current eminent domain laws.

SB 10 is the same bill as Senate Bill 18 passed unanimously by the Texas State Senate, but was not voted on by the Texas House before the Regular Session of the 81 Texas Legislature concluded on June 1.

“Senate Bill 10 strengthens the rights of property owners against the use of eminent domain by government or other condemning authorities,” said Estes. “I am asking the Governor to add eminent domain reform to the call of this Special Session so that we can complete what we started in providing meaningful eminent domain reform.”

Senate Bill 10 provides several key revisions to current law including limiting eminent domain takings for a public use only, requiring a bona fide offer before condemnation, requiring fair compensation for loss of direct access to remaining property, and ending the practice of government land speculation.

One of the key provisions involves compensating land owners for loss of access to the remainder of the property. Under Senate Bill 10, a property owner would be entitled to be compensated for any loss of market value at the time of taking due to a material impairment of direct access.

Other key provisions include authorizing property owners to construct roads over oil and gas pipeline easements with certain restrictions, and requires all entities with eminent domain authority to register with the state comptroller by December 31, 2010 or risk losing their condemnation authority.

“I agree with the Governor that the Special Session should be as short as possible, and I believe this issue has enough support in both the Senate and House to meet with quick passage,” said Estes.

Senator Estes is Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Rural Affairs, and represents Senate District 30 covering Archer, Baylor, Clay, Collin (part), Cooke, Denton (part), Grayson, Jack, Montague, Parker, Palo Pinto, Shackelford, Stephens, Throckmorton, Wichita, Wilbarger, Wise, and Young counties.

Austin — State Senator Craig Estes (R-Wichita Falls) filed Senate Concurrent Resolution 54 to express opposition to federal legislation infringing on the individual right to keep and bear arms.

“The right to keep and bear arms is fundamental to the founding of our republic and a cornerstone to our personal freedoms,” said Estes.

“I filed this resolution, in coordination with Governor Perry, to express in no uncertain terms our State’s opposition to proposed federal legislation that would do irreparable harm to our Second Amendment rights guaranteed by the United States Constitution,” added Estes.

The resolution reasserts our “right to keep and bear arms to protect oneself, one’s family, and one’s possessions from either the lawlessness of other persons or the tyranny of the government.”

Senate Concurrent Resolution 54 specifically opposes the Blair Holt’s Firearm Licensing and Record Sale Act of 2009 filed in the United States Congress, which would require all firearm owners to apply for and carry a federally issued license in order to keep any firearm in their homes.

“I urge our members of Congress representing Texas to do all they can to stop the Blair Holt’s Firearm Licensing and Record Sale Act of 2009 from being passed into law and to help stand firm for our rights,” said Estes.

Senator Estes is Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Rural Affairs, and represents Senate District 30 covering Archer, Baylor, Clay, Collin (part), Cooke, Denton (part), Grayson, Jack, Montague, Parker, Palo Pinto, Shackelford, Stephens, Throckmorton, Wichita, Wilbarger, Wise, and Young counties.