Preamble

We are proud to be Texans and Republicans!  Republicans now hold all statewide elected offices and are clearly the emerging majority Party in Texas.  We are the Party of ideas.  Our principles reflect the core values that resonate with in the hearts of Texans.  These values are anchored in the Godly heritage of our founders who recognized life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness as gifts of God and gave us a vision for the future.  These principles are tested and proven.  They will continue to make our State strong, prosperous and proud.  We welcome voters from all across the State who are realizing that the principles they have always embraced are reflected in our Republican Platform!

PRINCIPLES OF THE 2024

TEXAS REPUBLICIAN PLATFORM

• We respect the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, the Bill of Rights and our founders’ intent to restrict the power of the federal government over the States and the people.
• We believe that the least government is the best government, that the proper function of government is to do for the people those things that cannot be achieved individually, and that the most effective government is government closest to the people.
• We believe that human life is sacred because each person was created in the image of God; that life begins at the moment of conception and ends at the point of natural death; and that all innocent human life must be protected.
• We believe that good government is based on the individual and that each person’s ability, dignity, freedom and responsibility must be honored and recognized.  We believe that while equal opportunity is a right and privilege, equal outcome is not.  We insist that no one’s rights are negotiable and that individual freedom demands personal responsibility.  We believe that taxes and government spending are out of control, and therefore we support fundamental, immediate tax reform that is simple, fair and visible.
• We believe that traditional marriage is a legal and moral commitment between a man and a woman.  We recognize that the family is the foundational unit of a healthy society and consists of those related by blood, marriage, or adoption. The family is responsible for it’s own welfare, education, moral training, conduct and property.
• We believe that a well educated population is fundamental to the continued success of our Republic and that parents have the right to direct their children’s education and to have the choice among public, private and religious schools. Competition improves education.
• We believe that the future of our country depends upon a strong and vibrant private sector unencumbered by excessive government regulation.
• We believe that a strong American ensures a free America. While we recognize that American is an active participant in the global community, we must vigilantly protect the sovereignty of the United States.  Freedom is never free, and we honor all those who have served our nation to protect our liberty.
• Because all Americans have the right to be safe in their homes, on their streets, and in their communities, we believe in tough law enforcement with stiff penalties, no loopholes and judges who respect the rights of law abiding Americans.
• We believe that personal and public integrity is the cornerstone of a stable and lasting society and it is the key to preserving the freedoms for which our founders pledged their “Lives, Fortunes, and sacred Honor.”

Preserving American Freedom

Limiting the Expanse of Government Power

State Sovereignty/States Rights – The Party supports state sovereignty under the Tenth Amendment which reserves to the states or the people all powers not specifically delegated in the Constitution to the federal government and opposes the institution of mandates that are beyond the scope of the federal authority.

Limited Federal Powers – The Party urges the re–affirmation of states’ rights guaranteed by the Tenth Amendment to the United States Constitution.  We further support the abolition of federal agencies involved in activities not originally intended to be delegated to the federal government under a strict interpretation of the Constitution.

Constitutional Citations on Legislation  –  The Party urges that all bills presented in Congress include citations to the constitutional provision that authorizes Congress to act on the matter under consideration, the cost to implement and the impact on the family.

Equality Under the Law  –  The Party believes all federal laws shall apply equally to members of Congress as well as all other residents of the United States.  Exemptions of members of Congress from current laws shall be repealed.

Conduct of Public Officials –  The Party believes the president of the United States and all members of the Executive, Legislative and Judicial branches of the federal and state governments shall be held to the same standards of conduct as other law-abiding citizens.  We call for the investigation and, if appropriate, prosecution of any and all members of the Clinton administration that have committed crimes, up to and including possible treason against the United States of America, without respect to the office served.

Federal Judiciary Reform – The Party calls on the House of Representatives and the Senate to exercise their  authority to impeach and remove federal judges who abuse their constitutional authority.

Judicial Restraint – The Party supports the principle of judicial restraint, which requires that judges interpret and apply rather than make the law. We encourage the support of judges who strictly interpret the law based on the law’s original intent.

Judicial Activism –  The Party stands strongly against activist judges, who use their power to usurp the clear will of the people. We publicly rebuke judges Chief Justice Murphy and John Anderson, who ruled that the 100 year-old Texas sodomy law is unconstitutional, and ask that all members of the Republican Party of Texas oppose their re-election, and activist judges like them, and support non-activist judges as their opponents.

Law Enforcement – According to Article 1, Section 8 of the United States Constitution, federal law enforcement powers have criminal jurisdiction limited to the high seas, federal installations, and counterfeiting operations. The Party believes that most crime is local and that the states, according to the Tenth Amendment, reserve law enforcement authority. Implementing this policy would effectively eliminate the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, which we would applaud. Many citizens have become concerned about the expansion of federal law enforcement authority and the use of military personnel and equipment against its citizens. The civil rights of American citizens must be respected.

Preserving National Security –  The Party strongly urges the implementation of more stringent requirements for the issuance of National security clearances to individuals.  Furthermore, in light of recent security fiascos, we urge our legislators to fully investigate and prosecute, where appropriate, any breeches in national security.

Property Forfeiture –  The Party supports legislation which will strengthen the present restrictions on the use of civil forfeiture laws and the enactment of laws which provide for the assessment of penalties and fines for the reimbursement of injured parties for attorney fees and cots accrued if the property is returned.

District of Columbia – The Party strongly opposes all efforts to make the District of Columbia the fifty–first state in the United States of America.

Census – The Party opposes any attempt by the United States Census Bureau to obtain any information beyond the number of people residing in the dwelling at the time of the census and in accordance with Article I, section 2 of the United State Constitution.  We strongly support counting each citizen and urge elected officials to resist taking a census by any other method.

Elimination of Executive Orders – The Party demands the elimination of presidential authority to issue executive orders, presidential decision directives and other administrative mandates that do not have congressional approval. Further, we demand a repeal of all previous executive orders and administrative mandates.

Preservation of Republican Form of Government – The Party reaffirms our support for the provisions for a Republican (Representative) form of government as set forth in the Texas Constitution and Texas Bill of Rights [Art. I, Sec. 2; Art. I, Sec 29; Art II, Sec. 1; and Art. XVII, Sec. 2(g)] and we oppose any attempt to introduce direct democracy (I & R) into our state constitution thereby bypassing the legislative process and the checks and balances between the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government. We hereby reaffirm the principles espoused in the United States Declaration of Independence and United States Constitution.

Constitutional Convention (NO CON–CON) – The Party opposes a Constitutional Convention or “Conference of the States” to rewrite the United States Constitution. Furthermore we urge the Texas Legislature to immediately rescind the State’s 1977 vote sent to the United States Congress calling for a Constitutional Convention. We also call upon other states to rescind their votes for a Constitutional Convention.

Personal Confidentiality – The Bill of Rights of the United States Constitution guarantees the right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects against unreasonable searches and seizures and that this right shall not be violated. The Party directs that legislation be introduced in both the United States Congress and the state of Texas to repeal existing statutory requirements and end the ever increasing, incessant, recurring, and calculated gathering, accumulation, and dissemination of finger prints, Social Security numbers, financial, and personal information of law abiding citizens by business and governments for use of which are contrary to and destructive of our individual and collective freedom.  Such legislation shall provide remedy and redress to any individual denied service for refusing to provide the above-mentioned information.

Medical Record Confidentiality – The Party opposes any and all unauthorized access, accumulation and distribution of an individual’s private medical records by a government agency or any agent working on behalf of a government agency.

Repeal of Federal War Powers Act –A perpetual state of national emergency allows unrestricted growth of government. The Party charges the president to cancel the state of national emergency and charges Congress to repeal the War Powers Act and to declare an end to the previously declared states of emergency.

Monetary System – The Party calls for the United States monetary system to be returned to the gold standard. Since the Federal Reserve System is a private corporation, has no reserves, and is not subject to taxation or audit, we call on Congress to abolish this institution and reassume its authority, enumerated by Article I, Section 8 of the United States Constitution, for the coinage of money.

Federal Reserve Audit – The Party supports a congressional audit of the Federal Reserve Board.  The Federal Reserve Board minutes of meetings should be made public.

Annexation – The Party supports legislation that will guarantee residents of the proposed areas to be annexed, as well as residents of the municipalities proposing annexation, the right to a binding referendum to approve or disapprove annexation.

Property Rights – The Party opposes continued federal land acquisition and control. We reaffirm belief in the fundamental constitutional concept of a person’s right to own property without federal interference. We oppose any increase in federal land use control. We oppose any international treaty or land control measure that abridges or overrides the sovereignty of the United States. The Endangered Species Act must be re–written to make it land–owner and wildlife friendly by eliminating penalties and by emphasizing incentives and cooperative efforts that begin at the local and state levels. We also demand that the federal government adhere to the Fourth Amendment by immediately halting the seizure of private property without due process.

Environment, Property Ownership and Natural Resources – Preamble – The Party affirms ownership of property is the cornerstone of individual freedom and it understands government ownership of land to be the cornerstone of socialism. We reaffirm the belief in the fundamental constitutional concept of an individual’s right to own and use property without governmental interference. Further:

·         We believe that the right to own and use property is the source of the nation’s wealth, jobs, and individual economic security. We affirm that property rights and the free enterprise system form the foundation of our nation’s collective wealth.  In turn, it is our collective wealth that supports a strong environmental ethic.  Economic security is the foundation for secure, healthy families and the future of our children.

·         We believe in maintaining American sovereignty over our natural resources.

·         We believe in building our tax base through local conservation of our natural resources.

·         We believe the environment is best served by individuals working in their own best interest.

·         We believe in local stewardship of our natural resources for our children’s future freedom and use.

·         We believe that the taking of property should follow with immediate compensation to the property owner.

·         We believe that the taking of property includes the loss of proportionate value of property, loss of use, loss of access, and loss of marketability. We believe in sound science and not politically correct science.

·          We believe that groundwater is an absolute vested ownership right of the landowner.  As the capture of and the competition for groundwater increases, we support voter-approved county ground water districts to address inequitable issues.

·         We believe that the state should neither make nor enforce any law that may abridge the privileges or immunities of the citizens of Texas with respect to minerals, water, or property rights without due process of law.

Reforming the Judicial System

Direct Election of State Judges – The Party supports our right to select our judges by a direct vote of the people.

Visiting Judges – The Party supports state legislation prohibiting judges defeated by the electorate from serving as visiting judges, or acting as judges in any capacity, until such time they are reinstated by the electorate through a subsequent election.

Judicial Conduct – The Party affirms that judges should not express bias or prejudice in the discharge of their duties. However, judges must retain their constitutional right to speak out about issues. We oppose the enforcement of and call for the repeal of section 5(1) of the Judicial Code of Conduct that has been interpreted as calling for judges to refrain from exercising their freedom of speech, freedom of association, or freedom of religion.

Jury Reform – The Party supports legislation protecting the right to privacy and security of prospective jurors during the jury selection process. The courts must show the relevance of questions asked of jurors and perform a balancing test between the prospective juror’s right to privacy and the relevance of the lawyer’s need to know. We support legislation enabling an accused party in a criminal trial to inform the jurors of their right to determine both the law and the facts and to render a verdict according to conscience.

Administrative Justice – The Party supports the right of citizens to full and open participation in the state’s administrative law processes. We oppose any amendments to the Administrative Procedures and Texas Register Act or any other laws, regulations and rules that unreasonably limit ordinary citizen input.

Qualified Juror Service – The Party urges the limitation of jury service to those who are registered voters. Further, any party to a lawsuit may strike for cause any prospective juror who has been convicted of a criminal offense higher than a misdemeanor.

Appellate Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court – Congress should be urged to exercise its authority under Article III, Sections 1 and 2 of the United States Constitution, and should withhold appellate jurisdiction of the Supreme Court in such cases involving abortion, religious freedom, and all rights guaranteed under the Bill of Rights.

Restoring Integrity to Our Elections

Union Dues – The party supports legislation requiring labor unions to obtain the consent of the individual union member before the member’s dues can be used for political purposes.

Voter Registration – The Party supports needed legislation to restore integrity to the voter registration  rolls and to reduce voter fraud.  Furthermore, we support the repeal of all Motor Voter laws and urge re-registering voters every four years and requiring first time registrants to produce photo identification, proof of residency, and citizenship along with voter registration application.

Judicial Financing Reform – The Party supports the establishment of consistent guidelines for contributions to campaigns of state judges in order to limit ability to unfairly influence the judicial process.

Internet Voting – The Party opposes internet voting.

Informed Electorate – The Party supports legislation that will eliminate single party (straight ticket) voting.

Filing Date for Primary Election – The Party urges the Texas legislators to change the Election Code date of the filing for the March primary from January 2 to the second Monday in January.

Fair Election Procedures – The Party supports ongoing modifications and strengthening of election laws to assure ballot integrity and fair and impartial elections at all levels of government.  We commend the Texas Legislature for the positive election law changes it made during the 1999 Legislative session.

Campaign Finance Reform – The Party opposes any so–called “campaign finance reform” that restricts free speech, the right to publicize the voting records or positions of public officials or the amount of individual or Political Action Committee contributions. We support full disclosure of the amounts and sources of these funds.

Support of Platform – Any person filing as a Republican candidate for a public or Party office shall be provided a current copy of the Party platform at the time of filing. The candidate shall be asked to read and initial each page of the platform and sign a statement affirming he/she has read the entire platform.  The individual accepting the signed statement shall review the initialed platform and maintain a list of those who have complied with this request.  This will become effective in the 2024 election.  We strongly encourage Republican candidates, officeholders, and Party officials to support the Republican Party Platform and fellow Republican candidates and officeholders.  We direct the Executive Campaign Committee to strongly consider candidates’ support of the Party platform when granting financial or other support.

Redistricting – The Party urges the 2024 Legislature to enact fair and reasonable redistricting bills that duly recognize existing neighborhood, and county boundaries along with communities of interest.

Conflicts of Interest –  The Party promotes the passing and/or strengthening of local, state and federal legislation prohibiting the influencing or voting of any publicly elected official or appointee in any matter for which a conflict of interest exists respecting a personal benefit or benefit to a member of that official’s or appointee’s family.

Congressional Pay Raises – The Party supports the elimination of the “independent pay raise” committee and recommends that all pay raises must be passed like all other bills, that the Party supports the separation of congressional pay raises from the pay raises of all other government officials in order that they be voted on as separate bills.

Lobbying Limitation – The Party supports legislation to prohibit former legislators, government employees and officials from acting as lobbyists for a foreign government and/or any business for a period of five years immediately after leaving public service; we support legislation to prevent lobbying by any organization receiving federal grants except that relating to its tax status (such as Planned Parenthood).

Honoring the Symbols of Our Union

American English – The Party supports the immediate adoption of American English as the official language of Texas and of the United States of America; while encouraging fluency in additional languages by all citizens.

Flag Desecration – The Party views any form of desecration of the American flag as an outward act of disregard for our nation and its people and advocates penalties for such acts.

Promoting Individual Freedom
and Personal Safety  

Preserving Our Constitutional Rights

Right to Keep and Bear Arms – The Party calls upon the Texas Legislature and the United States Congress to repeal any and all laws that infringe upon the right of individual citizens to keep and bear arms as guaranteed by the 2^nd Amendment to the Unites States Constitution; and to reject the establishment of any mechanism to process, license, record, register or monitor the ownership of guns. We believe it is the responsibility of all gun owners to safely store and operate their firearms.

Freedom of Access Act – The Party supports repeal of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances law. We reaffirm our belief in our constitutional right to peaceful protest, and we insist that assaults on peaceful protesters be prosecuted vigorously.

Religion – The Party acknowledges that the church is a God–ordained institution with a sphere of authority separate from that of civil government; thus, churches, synagogues and other places of worship, including home Bible study groups, should not be regulated, controlled, or taxed by any level of civil government, including the Social Security Administration. We reclaim freedom of religious expression in public on government property, and freedom from governmental interference. We request the Governor to release space to reinstate a chapel in the Texas Capitol.

Free Exercise of Religion – The Party believes all Americans have the right to practice their religious faith free of persecution, intimidation, and violence. We call on Congress to sanction any country that is guilty of persecuting its citizens because of their religious beliefs.  Our Party pledges to do everything within its power to restore the original intent of the First Amendment of the Unites States and the concept of the separation of Church and State and dispel the myth of the separation of Church and State.

Faith Based Opportunities – The Party encourages the Texas Legislature to identify and develop ways to increase the ability of faith-based institutions and community and business organizations to assist individuals and families in need.

Electronic Privacy – The Party believes that all citizens have the right to be free from government surveillance of their electronic communications, including a government mandate for trap door encryption standards. The Party also opposes any government effort to create or implement a national ID utilizing a universal identifier.

Equality of All Citizens – Believing all men are created equal, the Party reasserts itself as the party of Lincoln and deplores all forms of preferences and discrimination based upon religion, race, color, national origin, gender, age or physically disabling condition.  We also deplore forced sensitivity training.  Any legitimate profiling must adhere to the preceding principles.

Protecting Citizens from Crime

Support of Texas Law Enforcement Officers – We urge the state of Texas to take appropriate measures to insure that full-time TCLEOSE licensed peace officers who endanger their lives for our safety should never earn so low a salary that they qualify for food stamps.

Prison Reform – The Party believes that the priority of our prison systems should be the protection of society and the punishment of offenders, ever mindful of their rights as human beings.  The state should assist those offenders who evidence a desire for reform and prisoners should be required to perform meaningful work.  We oppose Texas prisoners having access to private or confidential information of any citizen of the State of Texas.  We support alternative methods of prison administration.  We also support legislation prohibiting prisoners from initiating frivolous lawsuits.  We place a high priority on Texas Department of Criminal Justice prison guards and employees and calls upon the Texas Legislature to raise the TDCJ prison guard and employee pay to the national average.

Sentencing Reform – The Party calls upon the parole system to administer punishment according to the intentions of the judges and juries who determine the sentences.  We also call for disclosure to juries of their rights and powers as jurors as well as prior convictions of the defendant.  We also support the principle that judges and juries should be able to set the minimum amount of time to be served in a sentence and that such minimum time should not be altered by parole procedures.  We support the principle that those who commit crimes should pay restitution to their victims.

Capital Punishment – The Party believes that capital punishment, when properly applied, is a legitimate form of punishment and an effective deterrent for the most severe and heinous crimes.  When applied, capital punishment should be swift and unencumbered.

Juvenile Justice – The Party encourages the continuation of juvenile justice reforms, including private sector programs, “boot” camps and trying juveniles as adults when appropriate.

Child Abuse – The Party recognizes that the family is a sovereign sphere of authority over which the state has no right to intervene unless a parent or legal guardian has committed criminal abuse. Child abusers should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law; however, we oppose actions of social agencies to classify traditional methods of discipline as child abuse.  We support requiring private agencies receiving public funds, as a condition of receiving those funds, to comply with state laws requiring the reporting of instances of suspected statutory rape.  A person who, while committing an illegal act, injures or kills an unborn child should be subject to criminal charges and/or civil litigation regardless of whether the child dies in the womb or is born alive.

Sexual Assault – The Party believes that aggravated sexual assault (forcible rape) is a heinous crime and should be punished with a sentence of life without parole.

Dangerous Drugs – The Party recognizes that illegal drug use is dangerous and crosses all sectors of society. We encourage the state and federal governments to prosecute illegal drug dealers and manufacturers to the fullest extent of the law and we call on Congress to use all means possible to discourage the foreign manufacture and export of such drugs into our country.  Because of their higher proven rate of success, faith-based drug rehabilitation programs should be utilized in place of incarceration whenever possible. We oppose the movement toward the legalization of illicit drugs. We support a strong abstinence–based drug educational program for children. We oppose the availability of entitlement benefits based on illegal drug or alcohol use.

Property Seizure Without Due Process – The Party opposes the confiscation or seizure of private property without the benefit of due process. Furthermore, in order to discourage institutional greed and a false sense of fiscal independence from the citizenry, neither law enforcement agencies nor their parent organizations should be allowed to reap any financial benefit from such seizures.

DUI – The Party calls upon all law enforcement officials to vigorously enforce our DUI laws.

Strengthening Families and 
Promoting a Freer Society

Celebrating Traditional Marriage

Family – The Party supports the traditional definition of marriage as a God–ordained, legal and moral commitment only between a man and a woman, which is the foundational unit of a healthy society. We urge the repeal of laws that place an unfair tax burden on families.  We call upon congress to remove the marriage penalty in the tax code, whereby a married couple receives a smaller standard deduction than their unmarried counterparts living together.  The primary family unit consists of those related by blood, heterosexual marriage, or adoption.  The family is responsible for its own welfare, education, moral training, conduct, and property.

Marriage and Divorce – The Party believes in the sanctity of marriage and that the integrity of this institution should be defended, protected, strengthened, and nurtured at all levels of government. No fault divorce laws have caused untold hardships on American families, by reducing their standard of living, and by harming the emotional and physical well–being of children. It has contributed to an increase in government assistance of all kinds. We call upon the Texas Legislature to rescind no–fault divorce laws. We also oppose the recognition of and granting of benefits to people who represent themselves as domestic partners without being legally married. We urge the immediate passage by the Texas Legislature the “Defense of Marriage Act”, which would deny recognition by Texas of homosexual “unions” legitimized by other states or nations.

Homosexuality- The Party believes that the practice of sodomy tears at the fabric of society, contributes to the breakdown of the family unit, and leads to the spread of dangerous, communicable diseases. Homosexual behavior is contrary to the fundamental, unchanging truths that have been ordained by God, recognized by our country’s founders, and shared by the majority of Texans.  Homosexuality must not be presented as an acceptable “alternative” lifestyle in our public education and policy, nor should “family” be redefined to include homosexual “couples.”  We are opposed to any granting of special legal entitlements, recognition, or privileges including, but not limited to, marriage between persons of the same sex, custody of children by homosexuals, homosexual partner insurance or retirement benefits.  We oppose any criminal or civil penalties against those who oppose homosexuality out of faith, conviction, or belief in traditional values.

Texas Sodomy Statutes- The party opposes the decriminalization of sodomy.

Pornography – The Party believes, as do the vast majority of Texans, that pornography is repulsive, addictive and contributes to deviant criminal behavior. It exploits men, women, and children and degrades society as a whole. We call upon our governmental bodies to enforce existing laws regarding all forms of pornography in our music, film, telephone, computer, video, cable, internet, and print industries. We must have more stringent legislation to prohibit access to pornography and sexually–oriented businesses.

Protecting Innocent Human Life

Party Candidates and Partial Birth Abortion – We urge the Republican Party of Texas to support, financially or with in–kind contributions, only those candidates or nominees of this party who support measures to end and criminalize  “partial birth abortions.” We urge the members of the State Republican Executive Committee to make such changes to the by–laws of that committee to make this action binding on the Republican Party of Texas.

Criminalization of Partial Birth Abortion – The Party encourages passage of a federal ban on partial birth abortion.  We urge our federal legislators to make the passages of this bill a top legislative priority in every session.

Right To Life – All innocent human life must be respected and safeguarded from conception to natural death; therefore, the unborn child has a fundamental individual right to life which cannot be infringed.  The Party affirms its support for a human life amendment to the Constitution and we endorse making clear that the Fourteenth Amendment’s protection applies to unborn children. We oppose the use of public revenues and/or facilities for abortion or abortion–related services. We support the elimination of public funding for organizations that advocate or support abortion. We urge the reversal of Roe v. Wade. We affirm our support for the appointment and election of judges at all levels of the judiciary who respect traditional family values and the sanctity of innocent human life. We are opposed to genocide, euthanasia, and assisted suicide. We oppose legislation allowing the withholding of nutrition and hydration to the terminally ill or handicapped.

Until our final goal of total Constitutional rights for the unborn child is achieved we urge the Texas Legislature to enact laws that restrict and regulate abortion including:

            a) parental and informed consent;

            b) prohibition of abortion for sex selection;

            c) licensing, liability, and malpractice insurance for abortionists and abortion facilities;

            d) prohibition of financial kickbacks for abortion referrals;

            e) prohibition of partial birth and late term abortions; and

            f) enactment of any other laws which will advance the right to life for unborn children.

Parental Notification – The Party calls for the electoral defeat of all judges who through raw judicial activism seek to nullify the Parental Notification law by wantonly granting bypasses to minor girls seeking abortions, and thereby thwart the will of the Texas Legislature and people.

Protection of Women’s Health – Because of the personal and social pain caused by abortions, the Party calls for the protection of both women and their unborn children from pressure for unwanted abortions.  We call for laws requiring abortion providers, prior to an abortion, to provide women full knowledge of the health, surgical and psychological risks to abortion, development of the unborn child, and abortion alternatives.

Alternatives to Abortion – The Party commends those who provide alternatives to abortion by meeting the needs of pregnant women and providing adoption services.

Fetal Tissue Harvesting – The Party supports legislation prohibiting experimentation with human fetal tissue and prohibiting the use of human fetal tissue or organs for experimentation or commercial sale. Until such time that fetal tissue harvesting is illegal any product containing fetal tissue shall be so labeled.

Human Cloning – Each human life is designed by God and has purpose. The Party opposes any and all work or experiments involved in human cloning. Furthermore, criminal penalties should be created and experimenters prosecuted who perform such work, and no government funding should be provided for any human cloning.

Caring for Our Young

Parental Rights and Responsibilities – The Party believes that parental rights and responsibilities are inherent and protected by the United States Constitution. Local, state, or federal laws, regulations or policies shall not be enacted that limit such rights in the rearing of children, in parental authority to discipline, in the education (public and private) of children, in the parental right to observe their children’s public school classes, and in medical or surgical treatment including, but not limited to, contraception and abortion without parental knowledge, consent, and access to their children’s medical records. We unequivocally oppose United States Senate ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which would transfer jurisdiction over parental rights and responsibilities to international bureaucracies.

Support of Parental Authority – The Party supports parental authority and the teaching of moral values in the home. We oppose school–based clinics, whether or not they dispense condoms and contraceptives and that refer, aid, or advise minors to have abortions.

Child Care – The Party opposes any government regulations that will adversely affect the availability, affordability, or the right of parents to choose child care.

Child Support and Visitation – The Party supports improvement and equity between responsible parents in child support, custody, and visitation, as well as the strengthening of laws designed to protect children from abuse. No parent/grandparent should be denied court ordered visitation because of jurisdictional disputes between states. We also believe that non–payment of court–mandated child support payments should be criminalized; that no homosexual or any individual convicted of child abuse or molestation should have the right to custody or adoption of a minor child, and that visitation with minor children by such persons should be limited to supervised periods.

Adoption – The Party supports reducing the time, bureaucratic interference with and cost of adoption in Texas. We support private adoption agencies recruiting and training prospective adoptive parents and placing for adoption all children in the foster care system of Texas who are legally free for adoption. We support adult adoptees’ access to their original Texas birth certificates and court records, and that birth parents be provided a mechanism, after their child’s majority, to communicate current medical information, as well as any desire not to be contacted. We oppose the adoption of children by homosexuals.

Educating our Children

Local Control – The Party supports the concept of choice in education and believes that quality education is best achieved by encouragement of parental involvement and maximizing local control of public schools. We call upon our next governor, Rick Perry to fulfill in 2024, Gov. George W. Bush’s 1994 pledge to abolish the regulatory authority of the Texas Education Agency and to transfer its responsibilities to the elected State Board of Education (SBOE). We believe district superintendents and their employees should be made solely accountable to their locally elected boards and we support amending the Education Code to permit recall of a school board member by a majority vote at an election required to be held when 10 percent of the registered voters of a school district have petitioned for such election. 

State Board of Education – The Party believes that the SBOE should remain as an elected board. The areas of decision-making authority that were removed from the elected SBOE, but have remained at the state level, should be restored by the Texas Legislature to the elected SBOE.  These powers include the authority of the SBOE to hire and terminate the Commissioner of Education, to oversee the Texas Education Agency, and to appoint state textbook review panels.  We urge that the SBOE retain constitutional authority for the governance and oversight of the Permanent School Fund. 

Textbooks – The Party recognizes that some Texas public school textbooks may contain not only factual and grammatical errors, but may also present content that is blatantly offensive or does not accurately portray our state and national heritage. We refute the former Texas Attorney General’s decision that Texas’ elected State Board of Education may not enact general textbook content standards telling publishers what they shall and shall not include in public school textbooks used in Texas. We urge the State Board of Education to seek from the current Attorney General a second opinion on its power to do this under current law and, if he rules against the Board, we urge the legislature to amend the Texas Education Code to give the Board this power. We call upon the State Board of Education to continue public hearings as a component of the textbook review process. 

School Choice – The Party encourages the Governor and the Texas Legislature to enact legislation which establishes child–centered school funding options to bring about the maximum freedom of choice in public, private, parochial, or home education. We hold that such a system shall not be used as an excuse for any unit of government to extend its authority over private or home schools beyond that which currently exists in the state of Texas. We especially encourage state leaders to enact school choice legislation to benefit children who have been found by either federal or state anti–discrimination officials to have suffered discrimination based on race, gender, religion or disabling condition. We support a state constitutional amendment that prohibits state or federal regulations imposed on private schools.

Funding of Education – The Party urges the Texas Legislature to propose a constitutional amendment to protect local control of school districts by requiring all school tax revenues collected within a school district to be used within that school district. We oppose legislative educational mandates without available state funding.

 U. S. Department of Education – The Party recognizes: 1) The many burdensome regulations imposed on local schools by the federal government; 2) The failure of humanistic, value–free instruction, which denies the existence of right or wrong and even that of the Creator in developing responsible citizens; 3) The current re–writing of American History in which the principles upon which this country was founded are not taught and American heroes are portrayed in a negative light; 4) The federal emphasis on global political interdependence and the goal of becoming “Citizens of the World;” and 5) Federal projects of social restructuring, such as Goals 2024, which involve real interference with parental and local control. We call for the abolition of the U. S. Department of Education and the prohibition of the transfer of any of its functions to any other federal agency. 

Private and Home Education – The Party believes that parents have the primary responsibility for educating their children, and the state should not have the power to force any parent or guardian to send their children to public school. We believe that parents or guardians may choose to educate their children either in a private school or at home without government interference of any type, be it through definition, regulation, accreditation, licensing or testing. Home education has been recognized as a legitimate educational alternative since the founding of Texas. The courts of Texas have upheld the rights of parents to teach their children at home (Leeper vs. Arlington) without regulation, and the Party calls on Texas legislators to oppose any restriction or regulation of this parental right.  We call on the Texas legislature to adopt legislation that will require enforcement of existing truancy laws without daytime curfews.  We also call on the Texas Legislature to adopt legislation requiring UIL to open participation to private schools and move back to the original mission of the UIL to pursue those activities for the betterment of all the students of Texas.

Sex Education – The Party recognizes parental responsibility and authority regarding sex education. We support the requirement that schools teaching sex education must teach directive abstinence until heterosexual marriage with an uninfected person as the only safe and healthy means of preventing sexually transmitted diseases, the spread of AIDS, and pregnancies in unwed students, and is also a way to build strong and lasting relationships. Sex education classes, if conducted, should be separated by sex and must teach that the use of condoms does not make sex safe. We support policies that mandate parents must be notified before any sex education course or program is implemented, and they must be given an opportunity to review the material and give their consent. 

Early Childhood Development – The Party opposes programs designed to bring about a comprehensive, taxpayer–funded, federally–controlled and regulated system of educational, psychological, and physical development for all children (such as Early Childhood Development and Parents as Teachers). We also oppose a centralized record keeping system of student information on a national level. 

Classroom Discipline – The Party recognizes that peace and order are prerequisites for an environment conducive to education for both the student and the teacher. We therefore recommend that local school boards and classroom teachers be given more authority to deal with disciplinary problems. Corporal punishment should be used when appropriate and we encourage the legislature to strengthen existing immunity laws, respecting corporal punishment. We urge the Texas Legislature, Governor, Commissioner of Education and State Board of Education to remind administrators and school boards that corporal punishment is effective and legal in Texas. 

Support for Classroom Teachers – The Party continues to support quality education by: 

a.       recognizing the need to maintain and attract competent professional teachers in the classrooms of Texas public schools so that every student will receives the best possible education;

b.       recognizing the need for teacher involvement in educational planning and program development for the betterment of education at the local level;

c.       recognizing the need to minimize administrative reports and excessive paperwork;

d.       supporting spending the majority of school education funds for teacher salaries and those needs which directly relate to education;

e.       supporting teacher incentives through monetary and recognition rewards established at the local level;

f.        empowering teachers and administrators to remove disruptive students from a classroom or campus for a first–time offense.

g.       funding teacher salary increases by reductions in administrative personnel; and

h.       including teacher in the state employee insurance program  

Traditional Values in Education – The Party opposes faculty in public institutions abusing their positions to manipulate students to reject traditional American religious, moral, political, and economic values. We support a character education curriculum and a program based upon biblical principles upon which our nation and state law system were founded.   

Multiculturalism – The Party supports the voluntary competitive study of all cultures that have created the heritage of the American culture. We oppose ideologically enforced political correctness in the institutions of American society that eliminate the free expression of ideas.  We oppose the ideology of multiculturalism that emphasizes differences between racial, ethnic and gender groups leading to a conflict of loyalties and a weakening of a common American identity.

Basic Standards – The Party believes the educational system should return to the basic standards which include a curriculum of reading (with an emphasis on phonics), spelling, writing, penmanship, literature (including at least one year historical surveys in high school of American literature and of British literature), mathematics, geography, history, (including a high school United States history course that includes all of United States history – currently only history since Reconstruction is covered) and studies that must include the Texas and U. S. Constitution and Declaration of Independence,  science, English, citizenship and federal, state and local government. To this end, we urge the Governor, the Texas Education Agency and the State Board of Education reconsider their previous hasty adoption of Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS), and incorporate the nationally acclaimed solid English Language Arts/Reading (ELA/R) academic standards of the Texas Alternative Document (TAD) into our state’s formal education standards. We support immediate revision of the ELA/R TEKS to make them grade-level specific at each grade level, as in the TAD.  Further we call upon the Governor and Texas Legislature to oppose the implementation of curriculums which center on subjective feelings and attitudes, such as Outcome–Based–Education (OBE) or programs that neglect students’ academic skills, such as School–to–Work and Goals 2024.  We deplore the inordinate amount of time being forced upon teachers for state-mandated standardized test preparation to the detriment of basic academic instruction. 

Social Promotion – The Party supports Governor Bush’s effort to end social promotion in Texas’ public schools. We believe the school children of Texas should master basic, minimum skills before advancing to the next grade level.

School–to–Work (“America’s Goals”)– The Party finds that while education is necessary to freedom, the School–to–Work program gives up on education in favor of training a docile workforce. While we are for a strong workforce and progressive business, and support vocational training where appropriate, we strongly oppose a system of education such as School–to–Work which:

a.       forces children to select a lifelong career pathway from the Workforce Development Board’s limited list as a condition of credit for graduation;

b.       replaces the traditional academics–based diploma with a vocation–based Certificate of Initial Mastery which will be required from all public, private and home schooled children for employment; and

c.       replaces the role of state and local governance in education with federal authority and un–elected entities.

Major components of the School–to–Work infrastructure have already been implemented by our Governor and Texas Legislature. We call upon our legislators to replace School–to–Work and related outcome or performance–based educational programs with knowledge-based educational programs and end-of-course testing that emphasize mastery of subject matter content.

School Surveys and Testing – The Party believes that public schools should be required to obtain written parental consent for student participation in any test or questionnaire that surveys beliefs or opinions in the areas of sexual activity, religion, political persuasion or other areas of morality. Public schools should be required to allow parental viewing of any test or materials to which their children are exposed. 

Bilingual Education – The Party believes the majority of bilingual education programs in Texas have not proven to be successful and should be replaced with the immersion method or a combination of the existing English as a Second Language (ESL) and immersion methods. 

Religion and Secular Humanism – The Party affirms President Lincoln’s quote: “It is the duty of nations, as well as of men, to own their dependence upon the overruling power of God and to recognize the sublime truth announced in the Holy Scriptures and proven by all history, that those nations only are blessed whose God is the Lord.”

Since Secular Humanism is recognized by the United States Supreme Court as a religion, and our government–funded schools are prohibited from teaching any religion, the Party believes that Secular Humanism and New Age Religion in any form should be subjected to the same state and federal laws as any other recognized religion. We support the return of Bibles and other religious books to the shelves of all public schools and libraries. 

Scientific Theories – The Party believes that scientific topics, such as the question of universe and life origins and environmental theories, should not be constrained to one opinion or viewpoint. We support the teaching equally of scientific strengths and weaknesses of all scientific theories--as Texas now requires (but has yet to enforce) in public school science course standards. We urge revising all environmental education standards to require this also.  We support individual teachers’ right to teach creation science in Texas public schools.

Pledge of Allegiance in Public Schools – The Party believes that students should be led in the Pledge of Allegiance, the Texas pledge and patriotic songs on a daily basis so as to ensure that the loyal and patriotic spirit of Texas and of America’s past is preserved and passed on to our children. 

Religious Freedom in Public Schools – Our Founding Fathers based the premise of this nation on God–given rights endowed by our Creator. The Party urges school administrators and officials to inform Texas school students specifically of their First Amendment rights to pray and engage in religious speech, individually or in groups, on school property without government interference. We support and strongly urge Congress to pass a Religious Freedom Amendment which provides: “Neither the United States nor any State shall prohibit student–sponsored prayer in public schools, nor compose any official student prayer or compel joining therein.”  We urge the Texas Legislature to pass legislation similar to the American Heritage Education Acts passed in Kentucky, Indiana, and other states, which end censorship of the discussion of the role of religion in our founding documents, and encourage reading and discussing those documents in our public schools.

Higher Education – The Party reaffirms its support of local and regional institutions of higher learning (public, private and parochial). We recognize their commitment to the education of our students and their research leading to breakthroughs that benefit Texas directly and indirectly. We also recognize them as academic magnets that draw technologically–advanced industry to Texas.  We support a tax deduction for college or vocational education in addition to the standard deduction for dependents. We encourage the Texas Legislature to comply with the Texas Eminent Scholarship Fund, requiring the state to match the investment income earned on monies contributed.  We advocate a single standard for college admission for all students based on merit, and ability without regard to the school from which they graduated or class standing.

Adult Literacy – The Party believes that the best defense of a free society is an educated public and encourages all efforts in adult education and literacy. 

Empowering Families to Direct their Health Care

Health Care Choice – The Party believes that health care is not primarily a concern of the federal government. We desire adequate health care for all Texans. We believe that no Texan should be denied health care solely because of age, race, physical or mental disability. We affirm that health care choice is primarily a matter of personal liberty, and we oppose any government regulation which restricts a patient’s choice of health care provider or prevents a health care provider from serving both private and public sectors.  We urge the expansion of Medical Savings Accounts.

Health Care and Nutritional Supplements – The Party supports market–based, private sector initiatives to improve the portability, quality and affordability of health care. We support consumer choice of providers. We deplore any efforts to mandate that vitamins and other natural supplements be on a prescription–only basis, and we oppose any efforts to remove vitamins and other nutritional supplements from public sale. We support the rights of all Texas adults to have the unfettered choice to use nutritional and dietary supplement products.  We strongly favor legislation recognizing legitimate alternative health care choices.

AIDS / HIV – The Party recognizes that AIDS and HIV infection represent one of the greatest threats to human health in the history of mankind. We view with compassion all people infected with HIV. We call for appropriate research to find a cure for the disease and ask that the government give full disclosure of the causes. However, because AIDS represents such a severe threat to both the health and economic well–being of our citizens, we insist that the epidemic be de–politicized and that as a society, we take all appropriate steps to protect our citizens from this epidemic. All people, no matter what disease they may contract, are worthy of deep respect as humans. We should, however, love them enough to tell them the truth: Behavior has personal and social consequences. We call upon the United States Public Health Service and all states to declare HIV a “dangerous, infectious, communicable disease.” It should be legally reported in the same manner as any communicable disease. 

Americans with Disabilities Act – The Party supports amendment of the Americans with Disabilities Act to exclude from its definition those persons with infectious diseases, substance addiction, learning disabilities, and behavior disorders and thereby reducing abuse of the Act.

School Health Care – The Party calls upon Texas legislators to prohibit reproductive health care services or counseling in or through the public schools. We also oppose the use of any tax dollars for any program (i.e., Texas Commission on Children and Youth, Education for Self Responsibility, Education 2024, etc.) which teaches or legitimizes pre–marital sexual activity and birth control, abortion, and homosexuality, and which elevates the rights of students to make sexual and health care decisions to a level equal to their parents.  We support the parents’ right to choose which vaccines are administered to their minor children.

Assisting Families to Self Sufficiency

Welfare Reform – The Party believes that the State of Texas should continue to take steps to reduce the number of people on welfare and state welfare spending by enacting tough welfare reforms. We believe the current welfare system encourages dependency on government and robs individuals of their motivation and self–esteem. We support welfare reforms designed to break the cycle of dependency by requiring welfare recipients to work, learn, or train in exchange for their benefits. We believe that welfare benefits to the able–bodied should be limited to a period not to exceed two years. We call for welfare rolls to be checked against all prison population rolls nationwide and any prisoners should be removed from the welfare rolls while they are incarcerated. We support the elimination of increased benefits for welfare mothers who have additional children while on welfare. We urge the office of the Attorney General to continue its stepped up efforts to collect child support owed for children on welfare, and to consider privatization of child support collection in Texas.

TDPRS Accountability – The Party supports the appointment of local citizen review boards to review charges of abuse of discretion by the Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services with respect to intervention into the family unit.

Homeless and Poverty Stricken – It should be the responsibility of the local community to assure adequate and efficient care of those persons who, through no fault of their own or their family, cannot care for themselves. The Party encourages private groups to use their own creativity and initiative to explore private alternatives to government assistance. 

Social Security – The Party supports an orderly transition to a system of private pensions based on the concept of individual retirement accounts, and gradually phasing out the Social Security tax. We recommend making Social Security benefits non–taxable. To protect the Social Security system, its funds should not be co–mingled or spent with general revenues or invested in private or public corporate stock. To protect freedom and privacy, government and private institutions should not require Social Security numbers as ID. Application for Social Security numbers should not be required before the age of consent.

Government–Sponsored Gambling – The Party continues to oppose government–sponsored gambling as a means of financing state government. Government–sponsored gambling has had a devastating impact on many Texas families. Moreover, we oppose any further legalization, government facilitation, or financial guarantees relating to any type of gambling including casino, riverboat, slot machine, video keno, and other games of chance.

Strengthening The Economy Of
Texas And America

Tax Burden

Federal Tax Reform – The Party believes tax rates and total taxes are too high and the present tax reporting and collection system in onerous.  We support fundamental tax reform, including such measure as cutting individual tax rates, the elimination of the marriage penalty tax and the death (inheritance) tax, and elimination of capital gains and corporate income taxes.  We urge that the IRS be abolished and the Sixteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution be repealed.  A constitutional tax, collected and controlled by the States, must generate sufficient revenue for the legitimate tasks of the national government; however, tax reform will work best if accompanied concurrently with a meaningful spending reform, with a provision that a two-thirds majority of the United States House and United States Senate is required to raise taxes.

State Tax Reform – The Party strongly urges the forthcoming session of the legislature to pass no new taxes or any tax increase. We also support the repeal of the state franchise tax.

Hidden Taxes and Tax Visibility – The Party believes every tax at every level should be a separate and clearly visible billing to the taxpayer regardless of the tax type or calculation method.

Economic Prosperity Tort/Civil Justice Reform – The Party strongly supports continuation of comprehensive, common sense tort reform that puts justice back in our civil justice system.  It is time to take back our legal system to protect decent, honest Americans with real grievances.  We support abolishing “joint and several liability” that forces people to pay for damages they did not cause.  We support “loser pay” for frivolous lawsuits and oppose the contracting or funding by government with outside plaintiffs to sue legitimate businesses and class action lawsuits where a disproportionate amount of any class recovery is received by the lawyers.

Right–to–Work – The Party believes an individual should have the freedom to work in the job he or she desires without being forced to join or pay dues to any organization. The Texas Right–to–Work Law, while providing this freedom, also has provided a good climate for industrial expansion, higher employment, and a stable management–labor relationship. We oppose any national legislation that would restrict or limit the Right-to-work.

Small Business – The Party urges Texas legislators to find new ways to mitigate the impact of government regulations on small businesses and to insure that small businesses are adequately represented in the regulatory process.

Workers Compensation – The Party calls on our Texas legislators to resist any efforts to make Worker’s Compensation mandatory for all Texas employers.

Minimum Wage – The Party believes the minimum wage law should be repealed.

Comparable Worth – The Party believes in the concept of equal pay for equal work, but we oppose legislation enforcing “comparable worth” and request Texas legislators and the Governor to avoid the commissioning of a Job Evaluation Study, which would lead to the development of a wage–adjusting bureaucracy.

Home Industries – The Party supports the removal of unreasonable legal and economic barriers to home–based work enabling anyone who chooses to work out of the home.

Rural Fire Departments – The Party calls upon the Texas Commission on Fire Protection to recognize the need for and contributions of rural fire departments and to refrain from limiting their effectiveness by imposing unreasonable and unfounded mandates upon them.

Competitive Railroads – The Party supports a strong, safe, and efficient rail system consistent with free market principles.

Government Spending

Fiscal Responsibility – The Party urges our state and federal legislators to exercise fiscal responsibility by reducing spending and cutting taxes. We endorse the appointment of a Texas Grace Commission—a panel of Texas citizens and business owners—to identify cost savings and reductions in state government.

Government Services – The Party supports maximizing privatization of most government services.  Public money or public powers should not be used to fund or implement any private projects such as high–speed rail or sports stadiums.

Balanced Budget – The Party supports full disclosure of all “on” and “off” budget spending. We demand that our federal legislators vote only for balanced budgets. Social Security should be taken off budget. In case of a budget surplus it should never be used to increase spending, but rather to pay off debt or be returned to the United States taxpayer.

Waste and Fraud in Government Contracts – The Party is opposed to waste and fraud in government contracts and recommends that the Attorney General of the United States investigate fraud and misuse of government funds in government contracts prosecuting those found to be responsible. We also believe that all government contracts should be awarded only on the merits of the bidders’ ability to produce the quality of the product or service performed at a reasonable cost. We also support the repeal of the Davis Bacon Act. We encourage the government to follow fair business practices.

Business Subsidies – The Party urges the cessation of subsidies. We support movement toward a free market economy, both domestically and internationally.

Downsizing the Federal Government – The Party supports the downsizing of the federal government in order to reestablish states’ rights guaranteed by the 10^th Amendment of the United States Constitution. We further support the abolition of federal agencies involved in activities not delegated to the federal government under the original intent of the Constitution including, but not limited to, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, the position of Surgeon General, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Departments of Energy, Housing and Urban Development, Health and Human Services, Education, Commerce and Labor. These authorities should be eliminated or, where needed, transferred to the state or local governments. We also call for the de-funding and abolition of the National Endowment for the Arts.

Sunset Laws – The Party supports a mandatory Sunset Law for the state of Texas that would automatically terminate all agencies or programs if they are not reenacted by the legislature every ten years.  We also support the establishment of a sunset policy for federal agencies patterned after the Texas Sunset Law.

Unfunded Mandates – The effect of mandating services without funding is a tax increase for local government. The Party opposes all unfunded mandates by the federal and state governments.

Domestic Energy Industry

Support of the Domestic Energy Industry – The foundation of our National Energy Strategy must be a competitive domestic oil and gas industry. Federal tax and regulatory policies are destroying the independent sector of this industry. Regulation and rule making must be done on a cooperative, rather than an adversarial basis, preserving jobs and the economy while promoting environmental preservation. The Party encourages the Congress to (1) aggressively support a greatly expanded use of domestic natural gas as a method to reduce United States dependence on foreign crude oil; (2) repeal all provisions of the alternative minimum tax that treat intangible drilling costs as a tax preference item; (3) stop the promulgation of unnecessary environmental legislation or regulation that causes domestic production to be economically not feasible; and (4) support the technological development of environmentally safe uses of coal for our national energy needs.

Alternative Energy Sources – The Party recognizes the value of alternative energy sources and supports continued private research and development of such sources, including space based solar power,  but we oppose the federal government using hazardous waste as an alternative energy source, such as the processing and or reprocessing of plutonium and uranium for making mixed oxide fuels in agricultural areas and above major water sources.

Restoring American Sovereignty
and Leadership

Worldwide Representative Government – The Party supports the worldwide movement away from Communism and toward representative government based on the premise that human rights come from God and governments are established to protect these rights.  We support emerging republics in developing governments deriving their just powers from their citizens, and support efforts to assist in leading the way in furthering the growth of the republican form of government throughout the world.  We support any means of private and humanitarian aid to such developing governments.  We oppose the export of federal aid to countries committing human rights abuses.

Foreign Policy  – The Party supports the spread of a representative form of government and a free market enterprise by supplying the expertise needed to developing nations.  We also support and encourage private and humanitarian aid to developing countries.  However, we oppose the unlimited export of our public monies.

National Defense – The Party continues to encourage and support: 1) funding for a strong national defense, which guarantees maintaining a military which stands ready to defend our nation 2) the immediate funding and development of the Strategic Defense Initiative, 3) the disengagement from countries in which we have no clear national defense interest, 4) the abandonment of the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty.

Support of Our Armed Forces – The Party salutes those who serve in all branches of our armed forces and encourages all Americans to support these men and women.  Our armed forces should be paid a sufficient wage to prevent them from ever being eligible for, or in need of, food stamp assistance.  In support of our armed forces, we encourage 1) that all United States forces remain under the command and control of only the Commander-in-Chief and American officers and commanders, 2) the disqualification from service of homosexuals, 3) the immediate discharge from service of HIV positive individuals, 4) the exclusion of women from combat roles, 5) the restoration of congressional authority to deploy troops, 6) members of our armed forces retain their freedom to refuse vaccines not certified as safe by the FDA & the Surgeon General, 7) restoration of full military honors for the burial of deceased veterans, 8) restoration of all veteran benefits including retirement pay and disability pay, without receipt of one precluding receipt of the other, as well as, appropriate medical and dental care, 9) separation of men and women in basic training as is the practice of the Marine Corps, 10) not requiring members of United States forces to wear any item of uniform other than that of the United States or being required to serve in any capacity under an officer of the United Nations or other foreign state.

United Nations – The Party believes it is in the best interest of the citizens of the United States that we immediately rescind our membership in, as well as all financial and military contributions to, the United Nations.  We support House Resolution 1146, “The American Sovereignty Preservation Act” which would remove the United States entirely from the control of the U.N.  We demand that Congress ratify no ambiguous treaties that compromise the United States Constitution, immediately recall our military forces from U.N. initiated engagements, direct or indirect U.N. control, and restore them to their traditional mission of defending the liberty and freedom of the people of the United States of America.  We support an amendment to the united States Constitution stating “a treaty that conflicts with any provisions of the Constitution shall not be of any force or effect”.  We condemn any attempt by the federal government or the U.N. to directly or indirectly tax United States citizens for U.N. support.  We urge Congress to resist U.N. control of any United States land or natural resources.  We adamantly oppose the use of Presidential Executive Orders to implement U.N. Treaties thereby circumventing our elected congress.  We urge Senators Gramm and Hutchison to unalterably oppose any agreement or Treaty that seeks to establish an International Criminal Court, make the United States a participatory party to such a court, recognize the jurisdiction of such a court within the United States or upon any native-born or naturalized citizen of the United States.  We oppose payment of any debt allegedly owed to the U.N, and we demand credit for peace keeping forces provided on behalf of the U.N.  We oppose a U.N. resolution that would force the United States to adopt gun control measures by Treaty.  We deplore the placement of the U.N. flag and emblem on public property or in government facilities.

International Monetary Fund – The Party urges Congress to stop funding the IMF because the IMF props up foreign tyrants and gives American taxpayers’ money to international bankers.

International Trade – The Party favors fair and reciprocal trade in the international market place for our agricultural products, oil and gas, any other raw materials and manufactured goods. We urge the use of import quotas of foreign products like those used by former President Ronald Reagan to protect the Harley–Davidson motorcycle, steel and machine tools and computer chip industries from “dumping” by foreign powers. Likewise, we urge sanctions against the European Union and other nations that disrupt free trade by subsidizing agricultural exports or other goods to the United States. We support business opportunity and oppose President Clinton’s advocacy of intrusive government–industry partnerships based on Japanese and European models. We urge the repeal of NAFTA and GATT and withdrawal from membership in the WTO.  We believe that we should call for the immediate withdrawal of the United States from any agreements that compromise national sovereignty, independence, self-sufficiency and national security.

Foreign Military Bases on American Soil – The Party deplores the existence of a foreign military base on American soil. For the first time in our country’s history, we have turned over our territory to the sovereignty of another nation. We oppose relinquishing United States supremacy to any foreign power on United States soil. 

One World Government Organizations – A one world government is in direct opposition to the basic principles of the United States of American eroding our sovereignty and our goals for leadership in world affairs.

Immigration – The Party believes that one responsibility of government is to secure our nation’s borders.  We support: 1) returning immigration quotas to traditional levels in practice prior to 1965 of 300,000 per year or less, including asylees and refugees, 2) expeditious hearing on deporting non-violent illegal aliens held in prisons or jails, 3) reclaiming control of international borders, 4) screening immigrants for communicable diseases, including HIV, 5) the amendment of the Immigration and Naturalization Act of 1952 to grant birthright citizenship only to the newborn of citizens of the United States of America or permanent legal residents, and Congressional oversight of federal agencies to follow-up over-stayed visas, 6) Encourage the assimilation of immigration in to the American culture, 7) Congress providing for an end to the practice of “chain migration”, and 8) we oppose any further “amnesties” for illegal aliens.

We oppose: 1) federally-imposed requirements on the state regarding the care of illegal aliens including the extension to illegal aliens the benefits of public education, non-emergency medical care, and welfare including Social Security and SSI payments, 2) a national tracking system for control of immigration (or any other purpose), and 3) participation in any election by illegal aliens. 

Border  Protection – The Party believes that Congress should adequately staff and fund the United States Border Patrol to protect our borders and our Border Patrol personnel.

MIA’s and POW’s – The Party urges the President and Congress to continue all measures necessary to seek and act upon all information concerning our Missing in Action and Prisoners of War. We oppose the extension of normal trade relations with Vietnam or any nation before they support a full and complete accounting for all missing American service personnel. 

Panama Canal – The Party urges Congress to support HJR 77, the Panama and America Security Act, which declare the Carter-Torrijos Treaty null and void.  We support re-establishing United States control over the Canal in order to retain our military bases in Panama, to preserve our right to transit through the Canal, and to prevent the establishment of Chinese missile bases in Panama.

Taiwan – The Party recognizes Taiwan as a long time ally of the United States and as an independent and sovereign nation. In order to support its self–defense, we call upon Congress to support the “Taiwan Security Enhancement Act.”

China – The Party strongly recommends the removal of Communist China’s “Most Favored Nation” status, now called “permanent Normal Trade relations,” until such time when: 1) there is a formal peace treaty between North and South Korea; 2) there is significant improvement in their government policies on human rights; 3) there is freedom of religion; 4) it ceases its aggressive behavior toward its neighbors;  5) it ceases transferring nuclear, biological, and chemical technology to Iran, Pakistan, and North Korea, etc., and 6) it ceases to occupy a position along the Panama Canal in any fashion.  We further urge the imposition of trade sanctions against communist China for interfering in United States political campaigns. 

Cuba – The Party supports strengthening the Cuban embargo. We urge Congress to continue to defend human rights for Cubans and to not prop up Dictator Fidel Castro.

Middle East – The Party believes that the United States and Israel share a special long–standing relationship based on shared values, a mutual commitment to our republican form of government, and a strategic alliance that benefits both nations. Our foreign policy in the Middle East should reflect the special nature of this relationship through continued military and economic assistance to Israel and recognition that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel and should remain an undivided city accessible to people of all faiths. We commend the Republican Congress’ resolution to move the United States embassy from Tel Aviv to Israel’s capital, Jerusalem. We commend Israel’s privatization of state–owned companies and budget cuts in order to achieve its goal of economic independence. We encourage the Republican Congress’ continuing support for peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians. We oppose pressuring Israel to make concessions it believes would jeopardize its security. We support continued sanctions against Iran as long as they continue in their terrorist activities and are on the State Department’s terrorist list.

Civil Defense – America had a strong, grassroots–based civilian defense system with county level volunteers and local leadership from the World War I era until the establishment of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Now local civil defense coordinators have been replaced with federally–controlled emergency management coordinators. The priority has changed from “defending” the citizens in an emergency to “managing” the citizens. The Party supports the restoration of our civil defense system. A non–partisan effort should be made to organize communication and emergency response training for citizens to assist in times of emergency, and the local county government should appoint a civilian defense coordinator. Elected county officials should be in charge of decisions affecting the local community.

Federalization of Police – The Party applauds the efforts of peace officers who maintain public order with minimal use of force. We oppose the federalization and militarization of local police forces, for example wearing black uniforms and/or army boots and fatigues.

NASA – The Party supports continued appropriate funding for NASA, the Texas Aerospace Commission and the continuation of the International Space Station, as long as the funding does not cause competition with a private sector company, with the long-term goal of inexpensive and reliable access to space for commercial development and human settlement.

American Patent Rights – The Party supports protecting our inventors and supports maintaining our current patent laws.

Minority Report Concerning the Plank Entitled  “Federal Tax Reform”

We support a motion to strike the plank entitled “Federal Tax Reform” in the Permanent Committee Platform as adopted, and substitute the 1998 RPT Platform plank entitled “Federal Tax Reform”, as follows:

“Federal Tax Reform – The Party urges that the IRS be abolished and the Sixteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution be repealed.  We further urge that the personal income tax, inheritance (death) tax, gift tax, capitol gains, corporate income tax and payroll taxes be eliminated.  We recommend the implementation of a national retail sales tax, with the provision that a two-thirds majority of the U.S. House and U.S. Senate is required to raise the rate.  Such reforms will encourage investment and economic growth.  Lastly, such a sales tax plan must ensure no one in America pays taxes of any kind on the necessities of like, ensuring opportunity and quality of life for low and fixed income Americans.”

SD2 Mark Rice

SD11 Kathy Haigler

SD17 Jo Howard

SD7 K. Allan Davis

SD13 James J. Graham

SD12 Michele Quinones

SD1 Neal Frey

SD10 Skip Leake

Minority Report Concerning the Plank Entitled “School Choice”

Vouchers seem like the answer to our educational problems in America.  But after further study, it becomes apparent that government funds will certainly bring with them government regulations.  We oppose vouchers because we oppose the regulations they inevitably entail, such as those which were included in Texas Senate Bill 10 which passed out of the Senate Committee during the Texas Legislative Session.  One of these regulations is random selection, which means you pick a name by lottery.  The private schools lose the ability to screen their applicants.  There was also a mandatory inclusion of at-risk students.  The private schools would not be able to keep out students with a history of criminal activities, pregnancy, drugs, homosexual activity, behavior problems, or failing grades.

Senate Bill 10 also requires TAAS testing.  This is an offensive test that parents cannot view prior to testing.  It is based on the (TEKS) Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills.  These are vague, politically correct workforce-centered standards that do not include a mastery of the basic skills.

There were some costly requirements in Senate Bill 10 such as mandatory bi-lingual education, mandatory special education, state certification of all teachers, and very likely a tax hike too cover the cost of the two education systems.

There were also very invasive open records requirements.  The school must open students’ records for review concerning test scores, discipline records, attendance roles, socio-economic data of parents, and the financial records of the school.

In conclusion, because vouchers will bring regulation into private schools, and Senate Bill 10 is an example of these regulations, we bring more than 20% of the Platform Committee, sign this minority report.  The vote was 22 for and 10 against the plank entitled “School Choice”

SD9 Shirley Spellerberg

SD5 Alan Gardenhire

SD1 Neal Frey

SD 2 Mark Rice

SD31 P.J. Lemons

SD30 George Clay, IV

SD12 Michele Quinones

SD23 Clint Sterry

SD18 Lynn Wilson