2012
REPUBLICAN PARTY
OF TEXAS
Report of
Platform Committee
1
2012 STATE REPUBLICAN PARTY PLATFORM
PLATFORM COMMITTEE 1
PREAMBLE 1
PRINCIPLES 1
PRESERVING AMERICAN FREEDOM 2
LIMITING THE EXPANSE OF GOVERNMENT POWER 2
Limited Federal Powers 2
Unelected, Appointed Bureaucrats (Czars) 2
Constitutional Citations on Legislation 2
If It’s Good Enough For Us it’s Good Enough for Them 2
Law Enforcement 2
Border Security 2
Preserving National Security 2
Patriot Act 2
Emergency War Powers and Martial Law Declarations 2
Elimination of Executive Orders 2
Inter-jurisdictional Agreements 2
Washington D.C. 2
Census 2
Preservation of Republican Form of Government 3
Germane Contents Requirement 3
Legislative Accountability Requirement 3
Constitutional Convention 3
Affirmative Action 3
Reparations 3
Government Takings and Restrictions 3
Water Districts 3
Transportation Corridors 3
Protection from Extreme Environmentalists 4
Homestead Protection 4
Livestock and Pet Locations 4
Banning the Use of Red Light Cameras 4
Driver Licenses 4
Free Speech for the Clergy 4
Government Regulation of Religious Institutions 4
Restore Constitutional Integrity in the Legislative Process 4
The Rights of a Sovereign People 4
Fairness Doctrine 4
Empowering Local Entities Concerning Religious Meetings 4
Real ID Act 4
Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) 4
Government Intrusion into the Internet 4
REFORMING THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM 4
Direct Election of State Judges 4
Visiting Judges 4
Jury Reform 5
Qualified Juror Service 5
Administrative Justice 5
Judicial Restraint 5
Remedies to Activist Judiciary 5
Judicial Nominees 5
Information Disclosure on Judicial Candidates 5
Statutory Authority for Regulation 5
RESTORING INTEGRITY TO OUR ELECTIONS 5
Unions 5
Campaign Contributions 5
Candidate Eligibility 5
Voter Registration 5
Electoral College 5
Voting Rights 5
Voter Rights Act 5
Felon Voting 5
Protecting Active Military Personnel’s Right to Vote 6
Fair Election Procedures 6
Texas House Leadership Town Hall 6
Texas House Leadership Caucus 6
Residency Requirements 6
Campaign Finance Reform 6
Enforcing the Platform 6
Contributions to Conservative Candidates 6
Conflicts of Interest 6
Lobbying Limitation 6
AWOL Legislators 6
Governor’s Veto 6
House Speaker Pledge Cards 6
Term Limits 6
Filibuster 6
Rosebush-Blocker Rule 7
Consolidated Elections 7
Rights Versus Products 7
HONORING THE SYMBOLS OF OUR AMERICAN HERITAGE 7
Religious Symbols 7
Pledge of Allegiance 7
American English 7
Flag Desecration 7
Flag Code 7
Symbols of American Heritage 7
Confederate Widows Plaque 7
STRENGTHENING FAMILIES, PROTECTING LIFE AND PROMOTING HEALTH 7
CELEBRATING TRADITIONAL MARRIAGE 7
Family and Defense of Marriage 7
Judicial Activism in Marriage 7
Enforcement of the Defense of Marriage Act 7
Marriage and Divorce 8
Family Values 8
Supporting Motherhood 8
Human Trafficking 8
Homosexuality 8
Pornography 8
PROTECTING INNOCENT HUMAN LIFE 8
Party Candidates and the Platform on Protecting Innocent Human Life 8
Partial Birth Abortion 8
Right to Life 8
Harassing Pregnancy Centers 8
Parental Consent 9
Protection of Women’s Health 9
Alternatives to Abortion 9
RU 486 9
Morning After Pill 9
Gestational Contracts 9
Fetal Pain 9
Unborn Victims of Violence Legislation 9
Abortion Clinics 9
Abortion Requirements for Hospitals 9
Conscience Clause 9
Fetal Tissue Harvesting 9
Stem Cell Research 10
Human Cloning 10
Patient Protection 10
PROTECTING OUR CHILDREN 10
Parental Rights and Responsibilities 10
UN Treaty on the Rights of the Child 10
Jurisdictional Disputes 10
Child Abuse Prevention 10
Adoption 10
Foster Care 10
ASSISTING FAMILIES TO SELF SUFFICIENCY 10
Welfare Reform 10
Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) Accountability 11
Social Security 11
Gambling 11
Caring for Our Mentally Disabled Citizens 11
EMPOWERING FAMILIES TO DIRECT THEIR HEALTH CARE 11
Health Care 11
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (“Obamacare”) 11
Health Care Choice 11
Medical Records and Informed Consent 11
Health Care and Nutritional Supplements 11
Unprocessed Foods 11
Food Choice 11
Immunizations 11
EDUCATING OUR CHILDREN 11
American Identity Patriotism and Loyalty 12
Basic Standards 12
Bilingual Education 12
Career and Technology Education (Vocational Education) 12
Classroom Discipline 12
Classroom Expenditures for Staff 12
College Tuition 12
Controversial Theories 12
Early Childhood Development 12
Knowledge-Based Education 12
Educational Entitlement 12
Funding of Education 12
Higher Education 12
Juvenile Daytime Curfew 12
Local Control for Education 12
No Taxpayer Paid Lobbyists 12
Parental Rights in Education 13
Sex Education 13
Parental School Choice 13
Permanent School Fund 13
Political Community Organizing in Texas Schools 13
Private Education 13
Religious Freedom in Public Schools 13
School Surveys and Testing 13
State Board of Education (SBOE) 13
Textbook Review 13
Supporting Military Families in Education 13
Traditional Principles in Education 13
School Health Care 13
U.S. Department of Education 14
Zero Tolerance 14
Transparency 14
Foreign Culture Charter Schools in Texas 14
PROMOTING INDIVIDUAL FREEDOM AND PERSONAL SAFETY 14
Right to Keep and Bear Arms 14
CHL Laws Applied to Texas Truckers 14
Indefinite Detention 14
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) 14
State Militia 14
Militia Versus Paid Army 14
Freedom of Access Act 14
Judeo-Christian Nation 14
Safeguarding Our Religious Liberties 14
Religious Liberties Abroad 15
Health and Human Services Mandates 15
Electronic Privacy 15
Personal Confidentiality 15
Equality of All Citizens 15
GMO Labeling 15
Boy Scouts of America 15
Smart Meters 15
Internet Access 15
PROTECTING CITIZENS FROM CRIME 15
Prison Reform 15
Sentencing Reform 15
Crime Shouldn’t Pay 15
Capital Punishment 15
Juvenile Justice 15
Child Abuse 15
Unborn Victims of Violence 16
Sexual Assault 16
Addictive Behaviors 16
Property Search and Seizure Without Due Process 16
STRENGTHENING THE ECONOMY 16
GOVERNMENT SPENDING 16
Fiscal Responsibility 16
Governmental Accountability 16
Unfunded Mandates 16
Downsizing the Federal Government 16
Budget and Appropriations 16
Truth in Taxing 16
Zero Based Budgeting 17
Waste and Fraud in Government Contracts 17
Congressional Pay and Benefits 17
Repeal of Fee Award Act 17
Bailouts and Subsidies 17
Sunset Laws 17
Government Lobbying 17
Improper Government Funding 17
Funding Special Interest Organizations 17
Frugal Government 17
Education Spending 17
Faith-Based Charities 17
Law Basis for Regulations 17
Transparency in Government Litigation 17
Governmental Transparency 17
TAX BURDEN 17
Federal Tax Reform 17
Permanent Tax Cuts 17
Capital Gains Tax 17
Gambling as a Source of Public Funding 17
State Tax Reform 17
Texas Budget Compact 18
Business Tax 18
Property Appraisal 18
Exemption of Inventories from Property Taxes 18
Internet Taxation 18
Foreign Taxation 18
Law of the Sea 18
Transportation Fuel Taxes 18
Tolls on Existing Roads 18
Funding Via Bond Elections 18
ENERGY 18
Energy Strategy 18
Alternative Energy Sources 18
Government Restrictions 19
Cap and Trade 19
U.S. Department of Energy 19
Incandescent Light Bulbs 19
Keystone XL Pipeline 19
Deep Water Drilling 19
Land Drilling 19
Ethanol 19
Natural Gas- Alternative Fuel 19
BUSINESS AND THE ECONOMY 19
American Jobs 19
Frivolous Lawsuits 19
Right-to-Work 19
Small Business 19
Exotic Livestock 19
Workers’ Compensation 19
Minimum Wage 19
Prevailing Wage Law 20
Incentives for Retention of Domestic Operations 20
Free Market for Utilities and Insurance 20
Federal Reserve System 20
Sound Money 20
Rural and Volunteer Fire Departments 20
Sarbanes Oxley 20
Dodd Frank 20
Community Reinvestment Act 20
DEFENDING SOVEREIGNTY AT HOME AND ABROAD 20
SOVEREIGNTY 20
Texas Sovereignty 20
National Sovereignty 20
United Nations 20
United Nations Agenda 21 20
Homeland Security 20
National Defense 20
MILITARY AND SPACE EXPLORATION 20
Support of our U.S. Armed Forces 20
Returning Veterans 21
Traditional Military Culture 21
NASA 21
IMMIGRATION 21
The Texas Solution 21
FOREIGN POLICY 21
Foreign Policy 22
Declaration of War 22
Foreign Aid 22
Free Trade 22
International Organizations 22
Israel 22
Mexico 22
Taiwan 22
1
2012 STATE REPUBLICAN PARTY PLATFORM
PLATFORM COMMITTEE
Chairman Tom Mechler / Bradley Bailey- SD 11 / Thomas Bratcher- SD 22Hank Hering- SD 1 / Renee Stoltenberg- SD 12 / Stephen Broden- SD 23
Pamela Derr- SD 2 / Bonnie Lugo- SD 13 / Lila Ward- SD 24
Jonathan Covey- SD 3 / T.J. Scott- SD 14 / Beverly Nuckols- SD 25
Warren Allen Martin- SD 4 / Richard Franklin Dillon- SD 15 / Herbert Jamieson- SD 26
Debbie Pipes- SD 5 / Liz Case- SD 16 / Anuar Maycot- SD 27
Mary Jones- SD 6 / Roman Klein- SD 17 / Lance Cansino- SD 28
Mark Ramsey- SD 7 / William Proctor- SD 18 / Mack Casner- SD 29
Susan Fletcher- SD 8 / Arturo Martinez De Vara- SD 19 / Deon Starnes- SD 30
Jube Dankworth- SD 9 / Angie Flores-Granado- SD 20 / Nelson Spear- SD 31
Georgia Stapleton- SD 10 / Randy Blair- SD 21
PREAMBLE
We STILL hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. The embodiment of the conservative dream in America is Texas. Throughout the world people dare to dream of freedom and opportunity. The Republican Party of Texas unequivocally defends that dream. We strive to preserve the freedom given to us by God, implemented by our Founding Fathers, and embodied in the Constitution. We recognize that the traditional family is the strength of our nation. It is our solemn duty to protect life and develop responsible citizens. We understand that our economic success depends upon free market principles. If we fail to maintain our sovereignty, we risk losing the freedom to live these ideals.
PRINCIPLES
We, the 2012 Republican Party of Texas, believe in this platform and expect our elected leaders to uphold these truths through acknowledgement and action. We believe in:
1. Strict adherence to the original intent of the Declaration of Independence and U.S. and Texas Constitutions.
2. The sanctity of human life, created in the image of God, which should be protected from fertilization to natural death.
3. Preserving American and Texas Sovereignty and Freedom.
4. Limiting government power to those items enumerated in the U.S. and Texas Constitutions.
5. Personal Accountability and Responsibility.
6. Self-sufficient families, founded on the traditional marriage of a natural man and a natural woman.
7. Having an educated population, with parents having the freedom of choice for the education of their children.
8. Americans having the right to be safe in their homes, on their streets, and in their communities, and the unalienable right to defend themselves.
9. A free enterprise society unencumbered by government interference or subsidies.
10. Honoring all of those that serve and protect our freedom.
11. “The laws of nature and nature’s God” as our Founding Fathers believed.
PRESERVING AMERICAN FREEDOM
LIMITING THE EXPANSE OF GOVERNMENT POWER
Limited Federal Powers –We strongly support state sovereignty reserved under the Tenth Amendment and oppose mandates beyond the scope of federal authority, as defined in the U.S. Constitution. We further support abolition of federal agencies involved in activities not originally delegated to the federal government under a strict interpretation of the U.S. Constitution.
Unelected, Appointed Bureaucrats (Czars) - We decry the appointment of unelected bureaucrats, and we urge Congress to use their constitutional authority to defund and abolish these positions and return authority to duly elected officials, accountable to the electorate.
Constitutional Citations on Legislation - We urge that all bills presented in the U.S. and Texas Congress include citations to the authorizing constitutional provision, cost to implement, and impact on the family.
If It’s Good Enough For Us It’s Good Enough for Them - The Government shall not, by rule or law, exempt any of its members from the provisions of such rule or law.
Law Enforcement - We support limitation of criminal jurisdiction of federal law-enforcement agencies into state and local jurisdictions and encourage them to enforce the laws under federal jurisdiction. The states have the right to protect their citizens if the federal government fails to enforce its applicable laws.
Border Security – The U.S. Border must be secured immediately! It is the fundamental responsibility of our federal government to do so. Narcotics, arms and human trafficking have a devastating effect on our nation. By using every available resource to achieve 100% border security and control, it will enhance the protection of all Americans, especially border residents. The State of Texas has the right to protect its citizens, businesses and ranches if the Federal Government fails to enforce its applicable laws.
Preserving National Security - We believe terrorism is a major threat to international peace and to our own safety. We urge our national leadership to:
· Protect and defend our Constitutional rights and swiftly wage successful war on terrorists
· Eliminate aid and cease commerce with any nation threatening us or aiding terrorists or hostile nations
· Publicly support other nations fighting terrorists
· Reasonably use profiling to protect us
· Prosecute national security breaches
· Revise laws or executive orders that erode our essential liberties
Patriot Act - We urge review and revision of those portions of the USA Patriot Act, and related executive and military orders and directives that erode constitutional rights and essential liberties of citizens.
Emergency War Powers and Martial Law Declarations - We strongly urge Congress to repeal the War Powers Act and end our declared state of emergency. Any Declaration of Martial law should be approved by Congress.
Elimination of Executive Orders - We reject the unconstitutional use of Executive Orders and other mandates lacking congressional approval.
Inter-jurisdictional Agreements - We oppose inter-jurisdictional agreements with any state that prevent the Governor from controlling the military, police, other emergency management personnel, and/or State of Texas resources. We call for repeal of any existing agreements.
Washington D.C. - We strongly oppose making the District of Columbia a state or adding Congressional members.
Census - We oppose the Census Bureau’s obtaining data beyond the number of people residing in a dwelling, and we oppose statistical sampling adjustments. We support the actual counting of people and oppose any type of estimation or manipulation of Census data. Only U.S. citizens should be counted for the purpose of adjusting legislative districts.