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Texas Public Policy, Cutter González, 08/10/2018

It’s 2018, and the days of warm, evening sun setting on scenic Texas plains are gone for some rural areas like Comanche County. Folks accustomed to unencumbered views will have to look elsewhere. Now, those views are pierced by the sharp teeth of a wind turbine. Summer breezes have transformed into the cyclical swooshing—and occasionally loud creaking—of nearby machinery.

Yet the summer heat remains, reminding us that Texas is facing a tight energy supply—with less reliable energy sources. Three coal plants shut down this year, pulling reserves below the desired target level to meet the energy demands of scorching August afternoons. Many things led to the closures, but the profitability of coal plants in the face of billions of dollars of subsidies for renewable energy—particularly wind—is certainly among the most powerful.

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Contact: Pete Winckler

512.463.0130

Estes & Colleagues Set to Review Free Speech, Taxes & Regulatory Barriers

Committees will examine Free Speech on College Campuses, tax transparency; identify red tape stymying business

Austin, January 31 – The Senate State Affair Committee which includes Senator Craig Estes meets today at Texas State University to hear invited and public testimony to determine whether there are any restrictions on Freedom of Speech rights that Texas students face in expressing their views on campus along with freedoms of the press, religion, and assembly. “We must protect First Amendment rights and enhance the free speech environment on campus including conservative speakers even if some disagree,” said Estes.

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Jerry Patterson
http://www.votepatterson.com 

Fellow Texan,
When it comes to the Alamo, the focus must be 1836.

When asked, “Why not restore the Alamo to its 1836 appearance?”, George Skarmeas, Chief Planner of the General Land Office, always responded, “The events of 1836 were just 1 small chapter in 10,000 years of history.” How absurd.
The Alamo exists today solely because of what happened in 1836. Absent the siege, the iconic symbol of not just Texas liberty but also liberty everywhere would not exist.

We don’t need and shouldn’t seek advice or approval from any entity outside of Texas.

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Fort Worth Star-Telegram, by Anna M. Tinsley, January 17, 2018 

ARLINGTON – Gov. Greg Abbott has a plan to give Texans long-sought property tax relief.

The key, said Abbott, who is seeking a second term in office, is putting a 2.5 percent revenue growth cap on property tax dollars collected by local taxing entities – cities, school districts and counties – unless voters approve a larger amount.

click here for more –

Texas Tribune, by Liz Crampton, June 11, 2015 – _{Editor’s note: This story has been updated with comment from state Rep. Celia Israel.}

Gov. Greg Abbott signs SB #2065 into law on June 11, 2015 joined by Attorney General Ken Paxton, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and authors of the bill Sen. Craig Estes R-Wichita Falls and Rep. Scott Sanford R-McKinney Marjorie Kamys Cotera

(Although this article is not new, it is important to remember the impact conservative Senator Craig Estes, who authored this bill, is having on the Great State of Texas!)

Gov. Greg Abbott, who signed a bill Thursday that allows clergy members to refuse to conduct marriages that violate their beliefs, said that “pastors now have the freedom to exercise their First Amendment rights.”

The signing ceremony for the so-called Pastor Protection Act, which goes into effect Sept. 1, was held outside the Governor’s Mansion. Abbott was surrounded by about two dozen clergy members at a news conference discussing the law. Others attending the signing ceremony included Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, Attorney General Ken Paxton and Sen. Craig Estes, R-Wichita Falls, who authored the bill.

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From Times Record News, Columnist|Craig Estes

File-AP Photo/Austin American-Statesman, Rodolfo Gonzalez State Sen. Craig Estes, R-Wichita Falls, raises one finger to vote yes for his Open Carry Bill during the final vote held at the state Capitol Tuesday in Austin. The Texas Senate has given its final approval to licensed open carry of handguns in the state, sending the measure to the House. Open carry has been resisted by law enforcement groups, but sailed through the Senate on a 20-10 vote.

Partisan spin doesn’t usually surprise me — after almost fifteen years in politics, I’ve come to expect it from both sides in response to both triumphs and tragedies. But I was honestly surprised when, after the worst terrorist attack on our soil since September 11, the Left’s response was to blame the National Rifle Association, the Republican Party, and an imaginary class of scary-looking firearms.

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State Rep. Pat Fallon, R-Frisco, confirmed he is challenging state Sen. Craig Estes, R-Wichita Falls in next year’s Republican primaries.

The Texas Tribune, by Patrick Svitek Sept. 5, 2017 Updated: 15 hours ago