TexasCHLforum.com

paperchunker wrote:

Richard_B wrote:

paperchunker wrote:This was the last chance for Perry and Dewhurst in my book. It is time to really get behind Greg Abbott for Governor and Jerry Patterson for Lt. Governor in 2014.

You may be surprised to learn that Speaker Straus (R-San Antonio) is "A" rated by NRA-ILA. Rep. Joe Pickett (D-El Paso), Chairman of the Homeland Security and Public Safety Committee is likewise "A" rated.

How would you have rated these individuals based upon their actions in the last three regular sessions?

Soon, I think, it will be time to evaluate the methods and results of ILA's evaluation of candidates.

You may wish to make your own assessment of the matter.

I would rate them all an "F", however I am not in their districts. I do strongly encourage my rep to vote against Strauss but as long he has all the Democrats and a handfull of RINO's he will stay as Speaker.

A change in Texas House rules to elect the Speaker solely by the majority party, like the US House does, is sorely needed.

Dear TSRA Members, Family and Friends:

If you recently received an out-of-state alert or read a blog attacking the Texas Speaker of the House, thank you for noticing the inaccuracies, bad information and for not calling the Speaker's office or a member of the Legislature.

Earlier this month a letter was sent from this same out-of-Texas source attacking HB 972 by Rep. Fletcher and SB 182 by Sen. Birdwell. These two bills, hammered-out over two previous legislative sessions, would allow adult students, faculty and staff with a concealed handgun license to have this important personal safety option as they go about their daily activities on a college campus.

The letter was followed by an email alert which blames the impending loss of these bills and other pro-gun bills on Speaker of the House Joe Straus.

Nothing in the alert was correct.

All Legislation in Texas is alive and well. Gun bills are in very good shape, thanks to an ongoing and open relationship with leadership in both chambers of the Texas Legislature.

You might recall during last session, after 8 long years, TSRA was able to pass SB 321, the Employee Protection Act. We also passed SB 766 to protect safe shooting ranges from frivolous lawsuits. These two important bills passed with help from Speaker of the House Joe Straus and Lt. Governor David Dewhurst in the Senate.

As in past Legislative Sessions, House and Senate Committees begin hearing testimony on bills as filing ends. The close for bill filing is tomorrow. The process will now begin to push forward.

This is not the time for misinformation or inaccuracies from a source having no presence in Texas, no "boots on the ground".

While TSRA strongly supports and encourages diversity of opinion, the attack on the Texas Speaker was unfounded, incorrect and an embarrassing distraction at best.

TexasGal wrote:I received this email from the TSRA today so they are reporting the same thing as the NRA. Time to make some more calls, emails, etc. It really tics me that the special session can get this passed where the regular session keeps it stymied and yet the Governor isn't putting it on:

Campus Carry Will NOT Be On Special Session
While transportation, pro-life and juvenile justice issues have been added to the call for the current special session, we have been informed that important Second Amendment issues such as campus carry will not be included. Although the Governor has the authority to add subjects to the call, he does so with input from the Lieutenant Governor and the Speaker of the House.

Register your dissatisfaction...

gringo pistolero wrote:

TexasGal wrote:I received this email from the TSRA today so they are reporting the same thing as the NRA. Time to make some more calls, emails, etc. It really tics me that the special session can get this passed where the regular session keeps it stymied and yet the Governor isn't putting it on:

Campus Carry Will NOT Be On Special Session
While transportation, pro-life and juvenile justice issues have been added to the call for the current special session, we have been informed that important Second Amendment issues such as campus carry will not be included. Although the Governor has the authority to add subjects to the call, he does so with input from the Lieutenant Governor and the Speaker of the House.

Register your dissatisfaction...

Look at the bright side. Now we know where Perry really stands on CHL issues.

TexasGal wrote:I do believe Perry has been, and is, supportive of the right to carry but I would like to know why he did not put campus carry in the Special Session. Considering how long we have been fighting for it, I would think he would have thrown a life preserver out for it in the form it had finally taken this session.

Tic Tac wrote:A fair weather friend. That sums it up nicely.

JKTex wrote:

Tic Tac wrote:A fair weather friend. That sums it up nicely.

No, it really doesn't. All these comments seem to be coming from frustration about a few of the bigger/more controversial bills and ignoring all the bills that have passed. The Governor has a machine to work within. If he could simply add and pass them I'm quite sure he would.

I know someone that is close to him but not from a political position and as "just a guy/friend/Dad" you' might be surprised how much he is on "our" side.

I'm hoping after this session though, Charles can share more insight that might help us understand the political wrangling and roadblocks. It's frustrating even if you understand there are reasons you won't understand or ever even know existed.

Richard_B wrote:While it is true that the Governor can not pass legislation by himself, he can, in point of actual fact, "simply add" legislation to the call to the legislature for the special session. That is precisely what he has failed to do.

It is true that he has signed a number of bills which have "made it to his desk", but he has failed to go out of his way to be helpful by adding items to the call when doing so would have the effect of overcoming procedural hurdles to all the bill to be voted upon. The requirement in the Senate for a 2/3rds vote for any bill to get to the floor during the regular session is archaic. There is also the matter of House Speaker Straus which should require no further explanation.

Cheers

superchief wrote:I am sure that Gov Perry is in favor of open carry and all the other issues we see as critical to our cause. Don't forget that he only has a limited amount of political capital, and just like us he has to pick his fights carefully. Politics is all about trading, and while he shares our beliefs, he can't be a single issue governor. He has other stuff he wants to get done and he has to use his legislative support carefully. That may sound like a cop out answer, but we are very well off on gun laws compared to other states, and we need solutions on a lot of other problems that need his attention.

I think if we ever could get the 1 million NRA members in Texas, then that would carry a lot of influence and focus our friends on keeping us happy.