Lawmakers' Bills Target Perceived Federal Overreach
As Gov. Rick Perry, Attorney General Greg Abbott and other Texas officials continue to wrangle with the federal government over issues like environmental regulations and health care reform, state lawmakers could widen the conflict with bills in the 2013 legislative session that would push back against perceived federal overreach.
Two recently filed bills deal with homeland security. HB 149 addresses portions of the National Defense Authorization Act, and HB 80 takes on searches conducted by the Transportation Security Administration. Both bills challenge federal authority in Texas.
State Rep. Lyle Larson, R-San Antonio, who filed the NDAA measure, said other “pushback ...
Comments (18)
STOPTHE MAGNET
" Some Texas Democrats see the fight over health care reform and the recently filed bills around security as ideologically driven and not dealing with important issues facing Texans."
Like healthcare, medicaid, food stamps, college tuition,etc.. for illegal aliens
Donald Dickson via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Just secede and get it over with so the Legislature can focus on school finance.
Luisa Inez Newton via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Here is Texas in a continuing drought and these guys are worried about being frisked by the TSA? Additionally, Texas should be working WITH the EPA, not fighting against it. If there were any scientists in this collection of Lege fools, they'd be screaming about the reality of climate change, not sticking their heads in the sands & chest-thumping about the federal government
Mac Mcclure via Texas Tribune on Facebook
"The reality of climate change" Have you ever heard of photosynthesis?
Renee E. Babcock via Texas Tribune on Facebook
The pushback against the TSA is actually the right thing to do, because the TSA is violating our 4th amendment rights (and that makes this important). They need to be reigned in. But stop pushing back against the EPA, because the EPA actually does protect us all. I'm sick of the needs of business overriding the rights of us all to a healthy living environment.
Luisa Inez Newton via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Mac, have you calculated how many greenhouse gases have been emitted since the 19th century? Are you really so uninformed you don't know that climate change is underway as we speak? Or are you stuck in a 9th grade biology class on photosynthesis from the 1950s?
Joe Estep via Texas Tribune on Facebook
The only thing I disagree with is that it is only a misdeamnor should be a more serious charge. At least tar and feathers because hanging would probably upset the libs too much. Btw this has to be one of the worst pieces I have read in a while.. Bad stucture and organization but I guess that was necessary to get in the lib bias about Obama care
Matt Taylor
This article has been linked on thejavelina.com
TrueTexas
What, so now liberals are in favor of the Federal governments right to imprison any person without trial for an indefinite period of time on a "suspicion "!!!!
And they like to think of themselves as defenders of civil rights!!! What a joke.
This law is right out of a dictator's rulebook. Why not let whoever in in power imprison anyone with differing opinions. We'll just call it a suspicion that they may be thinking about terrorist activity.
This undermines the very basis of freedom and it is scary that only Texas is questioning this totalitarian move!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It is clear here who is in favor of civil liberties.
We may argue about what we think the EPA should do, but I can’t see how any freedom loving person can accept this new wrinkle in fighting terrorists!!! Remember terrorist is defined by those in power!
gypsy314 ne
I pray our leaders do not loose there back bone with the Feds. I think TSA and many federal branches do overreach with a liberal socialist traitor Obama and democrats that support Obama must go and a civil war can not come soon enough.
Chuck Bloom via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Idiotic statements and posturing by the biggest collective of fools and schmucks ever gathered in one location. Welcome to the Clown Limo in Austin; need a limo because a normal sized car won't hold all the stupidity climbing out.
Ted McKnight via Texas Tribune on Facebook
A safe nation is not free.
WUSRPH
This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding.
Nuf said.
Joe Estep via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Funny! only the libs hurl insults Says a lot.
Rudy Gonzales
Here's some information relevant to the "Fiscal Cliff" discussions that are not taking place. In a statement issued today, 250 Ph.D. economists and more than 50 social insurance experts with doctorates in related fields expressed their opposition to proposals aimed at reducing the Social Security cost-of-living adjustment by tying it to an index (the chained CPI-U) that does not reflect the spending patterns of beneficiaries. Texas' fringed trifecta( TEA, Evangelicals,Libertarian) have all wanted to take over the state and they have managed to make a laughing stock of Texas to the rest of the nation. Tops on that list is the "Streaking Texas Turkey" who flamed out over "Oopsville" and now staggering back for another run for Governor. Perry also backed and lost with Dewhurst's run for the Senate seat. These "States rights" activist failed to get the people's consent to opt out as part of the United States. Texas needs to oust the TEA-Republican fringe elements next election or soon there after.
Lisa Whitehead
If it weren't so sad it would be funny that our asshat governor seems almost proud of the fact that he's refusing to implement the Affordable Care Act for the state with the highest number of uninsured citizens AS WELL as doing away with the women's healthcare program. I truly hope Mr. Perry runs for President again, so anyone not convinced of what a moron he is can get a second look. God help Texas.
Jim Baxa
Thank you Texas lawmakers for pushing back against this intrusive federal govt.
WUSRPH
Someone should send these two a copy of the U.S. Constitution...with the Supremacy Clause underlined. They might also send them a copy of the new report to the Leg. on "infringements of state sovereignty" by Atty. Gen. Abbott. It was required by HB 1129 from the last session and instructed him to seek out federal laws, etc. that infringe the state's sovereignty"....Funny thing is that Abbott--a big, big fan of the 10th Amendment himself---could not find any.The report only mentions the 10th Amendment in passing and makes it very, very clear that proposals like these violate the Supremacy Clause are invalid. But then some people will never learn. They must live by the old slogan: My mind is already made up so do not bother me with the facts.