State Republican execs: We're not done, yet!

Short of calling for a special Texas legislative session, the State Republican Executive Committee voted to send this letter to Gov. Greg Abbott at its meeting on Saturday.

The Tracker found this letter to be an excellent summation of the 2016 Legislative Priorities (a list approved by state GOP delegates in convention) and how much of it was approved by the 85th Legislature. The second portion of the letter requests Gov. Abbott place the the Legislative Priorities that were not passed on the "call" for any special session.

Dear Governor Abbott:

The Republican Party of Texas would like to thank you for signing the important pieces of legislation that enact our 2017 legislative priorities in their entirety, including: 

■ Prioritizing the allocation of funds to effectively secure the border through whatever means necessary, including but not limited to barriers, personnel, and technology over land, sea, and air, because the federal government refuses to secure the southern border of Texas. 

■ Calling for a limited Article V convention of states for the specific purpose of restricting the power of the federal government, including the implementation of term limits, and balanced budget amendment. Any proposed amendments must be ratified by ¾ of the states.

■ The denial and/or withdrawal of public funds for entities, public and/or private, not in compliance with immigration laws, including sanctuary cities or campuses.

As you consider a Special Session, we ask you to include the following five legislative priorities set by the delegates of the 2016 RPT State Convention and the SREC, that were not implemented during the regular term of the 85th Legislative Session

■ Passing constitutional carry while maintaining licensing as optional for reciprocity purposes. 

■ Abolishing abortion by enacting legislation to stop the murder of unborn children; and to ignore and refuse to enforce any and all federal statutes, regulations, executive orders, and court rulings, which would deprive an unborn child of the right to life. 

■ Replacing the property tax system with an alternative other than the income tax and require voter approval to increase the overall tax burden. 

■ Working to advocate for comprehensive school choice in a manner consistent with the RPT Platform.* *Party Plank #147

■ Protecting the citizens of Texas from unlawful encroachments on their First Amendment rights, including Constitutional religious liberty and freedom of speech*, and as specified in RPT Platform plank 153.  *as found in 85(R)’s SB 6 (commonly referred to as the Texas Privacy Act) and HB 1923 (commonly referred to as the First Amendment Defense Act)” 

Thank you for all you do to advance the cause of conservative principles in our great state. 

Sincerely yours,
The State Republican Executive Committee

UPDATE: RPT under James Dickey sets up the S.T.A.T team to help the grassroots tackle special session items that are supported by the platform. More info: https://www.texasgop.org/stat