2023 TX Legislative Scorecard
The following scorecard lists several key votes in the Texas Legislature in 2023 and ranks state representatives and senators based on their fidelity to (U.S.) constitutional and limited-government principles.
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SJR52 extends the deadline for the automatic rescission of certain applications made by the Texas Legislature to the United States Congress to call a national constitutional convention under Article V of the United States Constitution for proposing any amendment to that constitution.
The Texas State Senate passed SJR52 on March 21, 2023 by a vote of 19 to 12. We have assigned pluses to the nays because a so-called “Convention of the States” would not be of “limited” purpose. The vague and contradictory text contained in this joint resolution dangerously permits what Article V of the U.S. Constitution describes as a “Convention for proposing Amendments” or second constitutional convention. Notably, Article V of the U.S. Constitution was designed to correct structural deficiencies in the federal government, not the behavior of its elected officials. SJR52 should be opposed in favor of less risky, more precise, and immediate solutions that would restore power back to the states and to the people, such as clear-cut proposals in Congress to repeal bad amendments or state nullification of specific unauthorized federal laws.
SB990 eliminates of the countywide polling place program.
The Texas State Senate passed SB990 on April 20, 2023 by a vote of 17 to 12. We have assigned pluses to the ayes because allowing Texans to vote in centralized polling places under the countywide polling place program undermines the precinct. Countywide polling places increase the risk of fraud, compromising even more votes.
HB1243 would increase the criminal penalty for illegal voting from a Class A misdemeanor to either a state jail felony for attempted illegal voting or second-degree felony for illegal voting.
The Texas State Senate passed HB1243 on May 24, 2023 by a vote of 19 to 11. We have assigned pluses to the ayes because increasing the penalty for voter fraud is a step in protecting election integrity. States should do all they can to protect the ballot box.
SB17 bans diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives at colleges and public institutions of higher education.
The Texas State Senate passed SB17 on April 19, 2023 by a vote of 19 to 12. We have assigned pluses to the ayes because the goal of DEI is to pit Americans against each other. Reverse racism is still racism. Instead of pushing for equality, which is what the Constitution stands for, DEI programs in school push for equity, which is rooted in communism and is part of the Marxist agenda.
HB1058 enacts an insurance premium tax credit for certain housing developments. The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) would grant credits to eligible developments according to department-set criteria. The credits for a development must not surpass the total federal tax credit received by the development's owner over ten years. The annual credit limit is $25 million, including unallocated prior-year credits and any recaptured or returned credits.
The Texas State Senate passed HB1058 on May 22, 2023 by a vote of 25 to 6. We have assigned pluses to the nays because this is government interfering in the free market, and this government subsidized housing benefits only a specific part of the population. This is also another step towards socialism as subsidized housing is a misuse of taxpayer dollars.
HB4363 establishes the Future Texas Teachers Scholarship Program for certain students at public institutions of higher education.
The Texas State Senate passed HB4263 on May 21, 2023 by a vote of 25 to 6. We have assigned pluses to the nays because taxpayers should not be on the hook for funding an individual’s education or providing scholarships. Government should not interfere in personal matters such as education, and allocating funds based on certain criteria infringes upon personal freedom and violates the 14th Amendment.
