1,155
A "conservative" legislature puts almost 1,200 new laws on the books, proving there is no "conservatism" in the Texas legislature.
One-thousand, one-hundred, fifty-five.
That’s the number of bills signed into law by Gov. Greg Abbott so far in the 89th Texas Legislature, bills sent to him by a so-called “conservative” Republican legislature.
That doesn’t include any bills that may come out of the upcoming special session.
Also, let’s not forget the 28 bills Abbott vetoed.
That’s 1,183 total pieces of legislation that “conservatives” wanted to put on the books as law.
How in the world could someone, with a straight face, call themselves a “conservative” while pushing for almost 1,200 new laws to be yoked to the back of Texans?
“Party of small government” be damned.
This tidal wave of new bureaucracy and legal restrictions comes from the same people who claim those who disagree with them are “RINOs.”
The irony isn’t lost on me. It shouldn’t be lost on you, either.
The truth is that this legislature, and the Republicans in it, is not conservative. Not even remotely. In fact, the term “conservative” has become a buzz word, a dog whistle to get your attention and steer you into supporting politicians without considering the legislation they put forth.
If you ask, you’ll be told that all of these bills were necessary: parents need more choice, public schools need more religion, the state needs more “DOGE” (whatever that means), etc., etc., etc.
Do we, really?
Do we really need private school financial aid for rich kids? Wouldn’t it be better to target failing schools and offer those students a way to enroll in a better district?
Do we really need the Ten Commandments posted in every classroom? I would prefer parents educate their children about faith, not a school.
Do we really need politicians using a new government bureaucracy as a campaign ad, bragging about how much “government bureaucracy” they cut? Couldn’t they just not create the bureaucracy in the first place?
When this legislative session began, we were promised property tax relief and help addressing our growing state-wide water issues.
We got neither. No real fixes, at least.
Instead, we got almost 1,200 new laws - the majority of which we probably could have lived without.
When is enough, enough? When will Texans show their disdain for this nonsense at the ballot box? When will voters stop being persuaded by the flood of political ads funded by deep-pocketed billionaires who care only about their own interests?
When will we demand that our “conservative” representatives actually legislate…conservatively?
“For individual liberty to be championed, government must be reduced. We believe, as our founders did, that legitimate government operates only by the consent of the governed, and is more efficient and less corrupt when it is limited in its size and scope. When applied as written, our incomparable Constitution provides important safeguards against government encroachment, a vital separation of powers, and a necessary system of checks and balances. Federalism, decentralized authority, and the elimination of unnecessary regulations and bureaucracy help ensure that government serves the people, and not the other way around.
The best protection against government largesse is an engaged and informed electorate.”
Rep. Mike Johnson, Speaker of the United States House of Representatives