- DOGE Bill Headed to Governor’s Desk
- Harrison’s Antics Condemned by GOP Lawmakers
- Texas House Passes “Trey’s Law” to Protect Sexual Abuse Victims
DOGE Bill Headed to Governor’s Desk
Senate Bill 14, known as the Texas DOGE bill, received final passage in the Texas House earlier this week. The bill passed the Texas Senate last month and is now heading to Governor Abbott’s desk to be signed into law.
This legislation, the companion bill to House Bill 10, seeks to improve the regulatory framework in Texas by establishing the Texas Regulatory Efficiency Office within the Governor’s office to aid state agencies in identifying and eliminating unnecessary regulations. Senate Bill 14 also clarifies that courts are not required to give deference to state agencies when interpreting laws or state agency rules.
Senate Bill 14 and House Bill 10 received widespread support from groups that have been engaged in regulatory reform efforts nationwide, such as Americans for Prosperity and the legislative advocacy arm of the Cicero Institute. The Coalition for Regulatory Efficiency and Reform, whose membership includes numerous business and conservative policy organizations across Texas, was also a leading proponent of the bills.
Another regulatory reform bill, House Bill 12, also passed the House and is now headed to the State Senate for consideration.
Upon the passage of the regulatory reform bills in the Texas House, Speaker Dustin Burrows said, “Government efficiency is a driving theme of the session, and these bills will serve as powerful tools to eliminate burdensome regulations across state government and promote growth and innovation for businesses. I’m proud of the leadership shown by Rep. Capriglione, Rep. Bell, and the entire DOGE committee on tackling these issues and to have led the House in passing these priorities today. Texans deserve a government that works as hard as they do—this legislation meets that objective and will keep Texas the nation’s bellwether for economic opportunity and freedom.”
The Texas House approved Senate Bill 14 on a vote of 97-51, with State Representative Brian Harrison as the lone Republican who joined 50 Democrats in opposition to the bill. House Bill 12 received a 147-0 vote on final passage in the House.
Senate Bill 14 is also a top priority for Lt. Governor Dan Patrick.
“I prioritized SB 14 because President Trump’s creation of the “Department of Government Efficiency” inspired me to find ways Texas can save taxpayers and businesses money by cutting burdensome regulations. The Texas Miracle will continue long into the 21st century because our common sense, conservative approach to regulation will keep Texans prosperous and our economy strong,” said Patrick after the bill passed the Texas Senate last month.
Harrison’s Antics Condemned by GOP Lawmakers
State Representative Brian Harrison attempted to remove Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows from his leadership of the Texas House on Wednesday. Harrison’s move failed spectacularly on a vote of 141-2, with 5 Representatives recorded as present but not voting. State Representative David Lowe was the lone lawmaker to vote with Harrison to remove Burrows.
Harrison’s conduct drew widespread condemnation from fellow Republican lawmakers, with the most biting criticism coming from legislators who have been critical of Burrows.
Here are a few of the comments made by Harrison’s Republican colleagues:
“My vote to table HR 823 is about standing with my colleagues to serve the people of Texas, not indulging in the political stunts some members use to position themselves for higher office. My priority is addressing the pressing needs of my constituents in my district, particularly on the budget, school choice, and property tax relief. I will not be bullied into taking sides or let anything derail me from the legislative work we were elected to do.”- State Representatives Katrina Pierson, Daniel Alders, Shelley Luther, and Joanne Shofner.
“Brian is on his own course. He doesn’t want to work with a team.”- State Representative Steve Toth
“I am disappointed that Representative Harrison did not take the time to personally consult with his conservative colleagues before taking this action, as collaboration is essential for our collective success. Unfortunately, Harrison’s move to focus on internal conflicts over legislative progress shows a misaligned focus away from the people of Texas.”- State Representative Keresa Richardson
“Representative Harrison stood for himself.”- State Representative Tony Tinderholt
It is widely speculated that Harrison has ambitions for higher office and is using political stunts and incendiary comments about fellow Republicans on social media and in his ubiquitous media appearances to distract from aspects of his background that many Republican primary voters may find objectionable.
The Texas Voice has previously reported that the Department of Health and Human Services formed an “Office of Equal Employment Opportunity, Diversity, and Inclusion” during Harrison’s tenure as the agency’s Chief of Staff. In a January 2021 op-ed for FoxNews.com, Harrison described Dr. Anthony Fauci as “someone I worked with closely” and characterized COVID-19 vaccines as “safe and effective.”
Harrison waged an unsuccessful campaign for Congress in the 2021 special election to fill the vacancy caused by the passing of Congressman Ron Wright. During that campaign, Harrison earned the support of some of the more moderate figures in national Republican politics. Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and his wife were two of the largest donors to Harrison’s Congressional campaign.
Texas House Passes “Trey’s Law” to Protect Sexual Abuse Victims
By a vote of 147-0, the Texas House gave final passage of House Bill 748- also known as “Trey’s Law”- on Wednesday. The legislation protects the rights of sexual abuse victims to speak publicly about their experiences by prohibiting nondisclosure language in settlement agreements.
The bill is named after Trey Carlock, who was sexually abused at a Christian camp. Carlock was forced into silence about his abuse under the terms of a settlement agreement reached with Kanakuk Ministries. Tragically, Carlock died by suicide in 2019. According to the website for Trey’s Law, “Trey told a therapist, “They will always control me, and I’ll never be free” before he died by suicide.”
“No more NDAs to silence victims of child sexual abuse. No more protecting predators. Today, we stand with survivors. Today, we choose justice, truth, and courage,” said State Representative Jeff Leach, the author of House Bill 748.
Trey’s Law is pending in the Texas Senate, where State Senators Kelly Hancock and Angela Paxton have filed similar bills.
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