State of Texas Archives: on Government Reform

Don Huffines: Texans rightfully don't have faith in our elections

Texans rightfully don't have faith in our elections. As governor I will.
• Purge voter rolls of illegal aliens, dead people, and other ineligible individuals
• Require citizenship be verified before voters are added to the rolls
• Investigate and aggressively prosecute voter fraud
• Unlike our current governor, I will never sign an executive order that violates election laws. Only lawful citizens should vote and cheaters must face harsh punishment. Texans deserve elections they can trust.

Chad Prather: Texas should govern itself, not 2.5 million bureaucrats

"The goal is to make Texas great and keep it great," said Prather. Prather said that he was running because, "Greg Abbott has never been opposed by anybody on the right."

"I'm not convinced the guy is really, truly a conservative. I think he's bought out by big business," said Prather.

Greg Abbott: Election integrity essential to our democracy

Greg Abbott: No "heavy hand of regulation" attracts business to Texas

In addition to the pandemic demonstrating the feasibility of more widespread remote work, Abbott said there are other characteristics attracting companies to Texas. "Cost of business means a lot. No income tax means a lot, but also the freedom to operate without the heavy hand of regulation means a lot," he said.

John Cornyn: Supports Citizens United

John Cornyn: No. Supports Citizens United, allowing corporations to contribute unlimited amounts to PACs. Supreme Court "has acted to protect First Amendment rights of free speech."

MJ Hegar: Yes. Supports campaign finance and ethics reforms to "ensure Washington is accountable to voters and no one else."

John Cornyn: COVID: Against mail-in voting

John Cornyn: No. Said if voters "can go to the grocery store they can go to the poll. "Anybody who wants to vote has an opportunity to vote."

MJ Hegar: Yes. "No Texan should have to choose between exercising their constitutional right to vote or putting public health in danger."

MJ Hegar: Day one: work on campaign finance, ethics reforms

MJ Hegar: Refuses corporate PAC money, endorsed by End Citizens United

MJ Hegar: Overturn gerrymandering, fight voter suppression

Sema Hernandez: Create uniform requirements for voting

Cristina Tzintzun Ramirez: No corporate PAC money, but other PACs ok

Royce West: Government contracts raise issues of conflicts of interest

Beto O`Rourke: End secret spending flooding American elections

Ted Cruz (R): No. Opposes DISCLOSE Act, as it raises "grave constitutional concern for speech protected by the First Amendment." Supports Citizens United as aid to 1st Amendment free speech protections.

Beto O'Rourke (D): Yes. Co-sponsored DISCLOSE Act to "shine light on the unlimited, secret spending flooding American elections," including foreign influence. Supreme Court should end Citizens United.

Beto O`Rourke: Empower communities by ending gerrymandering

Ted Cruz (R): No. Political gerrymandering is legitimate, though not racial gerrymandering.

Beto O'Rourke (D): Yes. "Empower communities by making sure voters can pick their representatives, not the other way."

Lupe Valdez: Fight against discriminatory voter identification laws

Ted Cruz: Disclosing campaign spending violates free speech

Ted Cruz (R): No. Opposes DISCLOSE Act, as it raises "grave constitutional concern for speech protected by the First Amendment." Supports Citizens United as aid to 1st Amendment free speech protections.

Beto O'Rourke (D): Yes. Co-sponsored DISCLOSE Act to "shine light on the unlimited, secret spending flooding American elections," including foreign influence. Supreme Court should end Citizens United.

Ted Cruz: Political gerrymandering is legitimate, unless racial

Ted Cruz (R): No. Political gerrymandering is legitimate, though not racial gerrymandering.

Beto O'Rourke (D): Yes. "Empower communities by making sure voters can pick their representatives, not the other way."

Beto O`Rourke: Committed to personal term limit for serving in Congress

BO: When [my wife] Amy and I were first talking about running for Congress in 2011-2012, we decided that we would do term limits, and not serve more than four years. In part it was, "I just don't want you to be an ass; I haven't met somebody in this line of work who doesn't become one, that doesn't think that they are so important only they can do it." She's my answer to that. And our kids too. They bring you back down to earth. They could care less about Ted Cruz or what we are doing in the campaign right now. It's hard to do this with little kids, but it also continuously grounds you and reminds you who you are doing it for. Whatever you can do to make sure you never take yourself or your situation too seriously, that's the key. And for me it's Amy and the kids who help me with that.

Andrew White: Fight to end the non-competitive gerrymandering system

Jodey Arrington: Limit the time a politician can stay in Washington

John Kasich: My judicial appointments are solid conservatives

Marco Rubio: The Constitution is not a living and breathing document

RUBIO: The next president of the United States has to fill this vacancy of Justice Scalia -- in the history of the republic, there has never been anyone better than him at standing for the principle that the Constitution is not a living and breathing document -- it is supposed to be applied as originally meant. And the next president of the United States has to be someone that you can trust and believe in to appoint someone just as good as Scalia -- plus there may be at least two other vacancies. I have a doubt about whether Donald Trump, if he becomes president, will replace Justice Scalia with someone just like Justice Scalia.

Ted Cruz: Need principled constitutionalist on high court

Greg Abbott: Voter fraud is real; voter ID is nondiscriminatory

Voter ID laws do not prevent legal votes. Instead, they ensure legal votes are not discounted by illegal ones. Every state that has implemented Voter ID laws has seen an increase in minority voter participation and there's no reason not to expect the same in Texas.

The Department of Justice was attempting to stop implementation of voter ID laws including the Texas law. Abbott filed an amicus brief with the US Supreme Court, arguing that Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act undermines sovereignty. On June 25, 2013, the US Supreme Court [agreed], and Abbott announced that Texas would implement its duly passed Voter ID law.

Emily Sanchez: Opposes stricter enforcement of voting rights

A: Oppose.

John Cornyn: Create anti-Tea Party PACs to counter Super PACs

There are also Super PACs being formed to aid specific mainstream Republican candidates, to be sure the money backs their campaigns. It's a move to avoid funneling it through large conservative organizations where its impact might be diluted--like Karl Rove's Crossroads network, or Americans for Prosperity, linked to the politically active Koch brothers. Cornyn has challengers--but so far none considered worrisome.

Paul Sadler: It's crazy to think Democrats want dependency

"That's the craziest thing I've ever heard in my life," Sadler responded. "You are really accusing the president of the United States of using a government program to manipulate people to not get a job, to be dependent on government for services. That's just crazy, Ted. It's crazy."

Cruz replied, "I'm impressed that we're a few minutes into it and you've already called me three times crazy on observing that the president has expanded government dependency."

Several times during the debate, a visibly angry Sadler accused Cruz of lying. At times he laughed derisively while Cruz responded to a question.

Ted Cruz: Dems want to get as many Americans as possible dependent

"That's the craziest thing I've ever heard in my life," Sadler responded. "You are really accusing the president of the United States of using a government program to manipulate people to not get a job, to be dependent on government for services. That's just crazy, Ted. It's crazy."

Cruz replied, "I'm impressed that we're a few minutes into it and you've already called me three times crazy on observing that the president has expanded government dependency."

Several times during the debate, a visibly angry Sadler accused Cruz of lying. At times he laughed derisively while Cruz responded to a question.

Charlie Hardy: 2012 House race: Won't accept any campaign contributions

Rick Perry: Require voters to present photo ID at polling places

SB 14 requires a voter to show as a valid form of photo ID, either a driver's license, US military ID card, US citizenship certificate that contains a photograph, US passport, or Texas concealed handgun license. The bill creates a free election identification certificate, with a photograph, for registered voters who need a photo ID.

The bill also increases the penalty for voting illegally to a second degree felony, and increases attempted illegal voting to a state jail felony. Voters who fail to show a photo ID at the polling place may cast a provisional ballot.

George W. Bush: 1990s: $750,000 punitive damage cap in Texas tort reform

One night early in the session, I got a phone call from Bullock. "Why are you blocking tort reform? " Bullock fired off a couple of f-bombs and hung up.

The main difference of opinion was on the size of the cap on punitive damages I wanted a $500,000 cap; Bullock wanted $1,000,000. If we could get agreement on this legislation, the other five tort bills that were part of the reform package would move quickly. An adviser suggested a compromise: How about a bill with a $750,000 threshold? No question that would improve the system.

We called Bullock. This call was shorter. "Governor Bush," Bullock started in his formal way, "You're going to be one helluva governor. Good night."

David Alameel: Money is not free speech; corporations are not people

• Money is not free speech and should be further restricted in politics.
• Corporations are not people and should have no direct involvement in politics and elections.
• "One dollar, one vote" is no longer acceptable even if we have to pass a constitutional amendment.

Randy Weber: No limits on campaign contributions nor campaign spending

A: No.

Q: Political Action Committee contributions?

A: No.

Q: Corporate?

A: No.

Q: Political Party

A: No.

Q: Should candidates for state office be encouraged to meet voluntary spending limits?

A: No.

Q: Do you support requiring full and timely disclosure of campaign finance information?

A: Yes.

Rick Noriega: Legislative escape tp Okla. protected Voting Rights Act

But Noriega said it had to be done to protect the Constitution and the Voting Rights Act. Republicans have repeatedly criticized the more than 50 Democrats who fled to Oklahoma in a move that brought the 2003 legislative session to a standstill. But Democratic strategists insist the issue was a positive one for Democratic lawmakers.

Scott Jameson: Increase limits on contributions to federal campaigns

Jameson supports the following principles regarding Campaign Finance
• Support increasing the amount individuals are permitted to contribute to federal campaigns.
• Support instant run-off voting (IRV).
• Support a federal shield law to protect reporter-source privilege.
• Jameson adds, “The voting system must be simplified and reformed. All of the provisions of the Help America Vote Act of 2002, including the voter education provisions, and the support of third parties must be enforced.”

Jon Roland: No constitutional authority to regulate campaign finances

Roland supports the following principles regarding Campaign Finance Reform:
• Increase the amount individuals are permitted to contribute to federal campaigns.
• Allow unregulated soft money campaign contributions to political parties or committees
• Remove all contribution limits on federal campaigns and parties.
• Roland adds, “No constitutional authority to regulate campaign donations, expenditures, or disclosure for non-incumbents (Houses may regulate their members’ activities).”

Barack Obama: Lobbyists & special interests have strangle-hold on agenda

The problem we have is that Washington has become a place where good ideas go to die. They go to die because the lobbyists and special interests have a strangle-hold on the agenda in Washington. They go to die in Washington because too many politicians are interested in scoring political points rather than bridging differences in order to get things done.

And so the central premise of this campaign is that we can bring this country together, that we can push against the special interests that have come to dominate the agenda in Washington, that we can be straight with the American people about how we’re going to solve these problems and enlist them in taking back their government.

Barack Obama: Consistently in favor of more disclosure around earmarks

Barack Obama: Created a publicly searchable database on earmarks spending

A: No, that’s not true. We’ve actually disclosed all our earmarks. We’ll be happy to provide you with that information, because I believe very strongly in transparency. One of the things that I did was to pass a bill with Tom Coburn, very conservative Republican but a sincere fiscal conservative. We got together and created what we call Google for Government. It’s a searchable database, where every single dollar of federal spending is posted on the Internet, so that ordinary voters can take a look. If they see a bridge to nowhere being built, they know where it’s going and who sponsored it. If they see a no-bid contract going to Halliburton, they can check that out, too. The idea is that we open up the process so that the American people can make judgments about whether or not government is doing what it’s supposed to be doing with its taxpayer money.

Barack Obama: Need a government that listens to the people again

Ron Paul: Signing statements erode constitutional balance

• First, these signing statements tend to move authority from the legislative branch to the executive, thus upsetting our delicate system of checks and balances.
• Next, these statements grant the President power not given by the Constitution, allowing him to usurp powers of the judicial branch.
• Finally, the idea of agencies refusing to enforce the law as enacted sets precedent for the type of run away administrative actions our constitution was expressly enacted in order to avoid.

Joaquin Castro: Limit campaign donations, plus full disclosure

A: Yes.

Q: Limiting PAC contributions?

A: Yes.

Q: Corporate?

A: Yes.

Q: Political Parties?

A: No.

Q: Do you support requiring full and timely disclosure of campaign finance information?

A: Yes.

George W. Bush: No lawsuits on good-faith acts

Bush’s 1999 legislative record included:
• Enacted Y2K Lawsuit Protections: First state to enact limited legal liability for companies that make good faith efforts to address Y2K problems.
• Passed a Good Samaritan Law: Protects from legal liability voluntary health providers who provide medical care through non-profit organizations.

Paul Sadler: Limit PAC and other contributions to legislative campaigns

A: Yes.

Q: PAC contributions?

A: Yes.

Q: Corporate contributions?

A: Yes.

Q: Do you support requiring full and timely disclosure of campaign finance information?

A: Yes.

Q: Do you support imposing spending limits on state level political campaigns?

A: Yes.

George W. Bush: Restore individual potential by focusing govt