Individual or Party Priorities?
As the bill filing deadline — a crucial milestone in the legislative process — has passed, it’s worth noting that Representatives Morgan Meyer and Angie Chen Button have failed to author even a single GOP priority bill. This is significant, considering their claims to be staunch conservative Republicans.
In stark contrast, Senator Bob Hall introduced an impressive 31 GOP priority bills, and Senator Tan Parker introduced three. While Senators Hall and Parker are actively championing the GOP’s legislative agenda, Representatives Meyer and Button seem to be focused on their own individual priorities.
Take, for example, some of the bills authored by Rep. Meyer. HB2457, for instance, designates a portion of U.S. Highway 287 in Wilbarger County as the Molly Mullens Memorial Highway—certainly a meaningful gesture, but not a pressing GOP priority. Similarly, HB2621 calls for the recording and archiving live video feeds by the Texas Department of Transportation. These may be important measures, but they are not aligned with the key GOP priorities that Texans are eager to see addressed.
Meanwhile, Rep. Button has authored HB3258, which proposes penalties for failing to file a property rendition statement or report with the local appraisal district. She’s also introduced HB3303, which seeks an exemption from sales and use taxes for exotic animals. While these bills may serve certain interests, they are far removed from the critical GOP priorities that the state desperately needs.
As Senators Hall and Parker continue to push forward with legislation that reflects the values and priorities of the GOP, you have to ask: Who is truly working to represent you and the Party’s core values in Austin right now? The answer is clear, and it’s not Representatives Meyer and Button.
Call Reps. Meyer and Button and urge them to co-sponsor and support the Legislative Priorities bills that have already been filed:
Button: Capitol Phone: (512) 463-0486; District Phone: (972) 234-8980
Meyer: Capitol Phone: (512) 463-0367; District Phone: (214) 239-1257
Please send inquiries about the Dallas GOP Legislative Priority Committee to Liz Biesel and Beth Biesel.
View all Legislative Priority posts here.