Press Release: Perry Files Several Bills Encouraging Good Government

PERRY FILES SEVERAL BILLS ENCOURAGING GOOD GOVERNMENT

LUBBOCK, TX – Today, Senator Charles Perry filed multiple bills to encourage good government through entitlement reform and tax-code cleanup.

“Every dollar spent by the government, federal, state and local, at the end of the day comes from the taxpayers,” said Senator Charles Perry. “It is my hope that this legislation will reduce frivolous spending and encourage personal responsibility.”

Below is a brief synopsis of each bill:

SB 722: This bill prohibits an individual from receiving unemployment benefits if they fail or refuse to take a drug test from a potential employer during the interview process.

SB 723: Currently, adults excepting TANF cash assistance benefits must meet certain requirements including working at least 30 hours a week or participating for at least twenty hours a week in the TANF employment and training program. This however, does not apply to non-recipient parents. SB 723 closes this loophole and encourages personal responsibility by making the law uniform for both adult recipients and non-recipient parents in regards.

SB 724: This bill cleans up a pre-existing sales tax exemption for school buses and other motor vehicles used by public schools or government agencies to clarify language and ensure the comptroller’s office recognizes the exemption.

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Press Release: Perry Files Legislation to Ensure Election Integrity

PERRY FILES LEGISLATION TO ENSURE ELECTION INTEGRITY

LUBBOCK, TX – Today, Senator Charles Perry filed two bills with the aim of ensuring election integrity in the State of Texas.

“My first Session, I was proud to co-sponsor and help pass the Voter ID bill,” said Senator Charles Perry. “Election integrity is important, we cannot have individuals cast multiple ballots or allow non-citizens to remain on our voter rolls.”

The first bill, SB 795 would implement an interstate crosscheck program to ensure individuals voting in Texas are not registered to vote in multiple states. This is a bipartisan program that comes with no fiscal note to the state, complies with the Voting Rights Act and was even recommended by the Presidential Commission on Election Administration.

According to news reports, Illinois, a state with 7.5 million registered voters, turned up 211,000 potential duplicates when they implemented an interstate crosscheck program in their state. This large duplication rate leaves the door wide open for election fraud.  

The second bill, SB 796 will improve our ability to investigate voter fraud by removing restrictions in place for using noncitizen lists compiled in the jury selection process. Current law prevents the publically available noncitizens list from being used in most situations to identify if non-citizens voted in an election.

“When people question the integrity of the election process, they are less likely to vote,” said Perry. “According to a recent Washington Post poll, 81% of Americans believe that election fraud is a real problem.”

“The act of voting is one of the most precious rights we as citizens can exercise. To protect the integrity of the process, we must ensure the principle of one person, one vote is upheld,” continued Perry. “Implementing both of these bills will go a long way towards restoring voter confidence and ensuring our elections are fair and reliable.”

Press Release: Perry Files Several Bills to Benefit District

PERRY FILES SEVERAL BILLS TO BENEFIT DISTRICT

LUBBOCK, TX – Senator Charles Perry filed several pieces of legislation at the request of constituents and stakeholders in his legislative district. This series of bills varies in focus and addresses a range of issues important to Senate District 28.

“At town hall forums and community events across the 51 counties I represent, I have heard numerous concerns from constituents and local elected officials,” said Senator Charles Perry. “I look forward to addressing some of these concerns through the legislation I am filing today.”

Below is a brief synopsis of the bills recently filed by Perry:

SB 473: This bill will clear up ambiguity between federal and state law regarding certain weapons that are registered in the National Firearm Registration and Transfer Record. This should ensure that people that have gone through the process to legally possess these weapons are not hassled with conflicting laws.

SB 503: This bill would allow for better opportunities to invest in communities that have or could be affected by Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission (BRAC) with loans or grants given out by the Texas Military Preparedness Commission. This will give communities in Texas better access to available funds that can be invested in infrastructure or job training programs.

SB 504: This bill puts the 132nd Judicial District under the Professional Prosecutors Law which will allow the Scurry and Borden County District Attorney more resources to prosecute cases full time.

SB 505: Meteorological Evaluation Towers (METs) are thin, portable towers made from galvanized tubing and secured with guy wires used to measure wind speed and direction to identify locations for future wind turbines. SB 505 improves safety for crop duster and other low altitude pilots by requiring METs to be painted and marked in accordance with FAA and NTSB guidelines. This would apply immediately to METs erected in the future and current METs starting in September 2016.

SB 506: This bill will help promote transparency with local government contracts (over $25,000) by requiring municipalities and counties to provide notices of the time and place set for the approval of the contract, the purpose and estimated cost of the contract, and the manner in which the cost of the contract will be paid (taxes, revenues or a combo of funds). The bill also allows for citizen recourse by allowing the matter to go before the voters if 5% of registered voters sign a petition.

SJR 17: This Constitutional Amendment expands the number of rural counties that have the ability to assist in the repair of private roads. In small counties there are rarely private contractors available, so private roads are often poorly maintained, creating public safety hazards for citizens and emergency services. For years, counties have relied on this provision to maintain these roads and make them safe and navigable. To utilize this provision, private landowners must not only consent, but they must pay for this service as well. (Filed during pre-filing)

“Our legislators are elected to go to Austin and represent the constituents within their districts,” said Perry. “Our office has an open door policy and I urge anyone with an issue they need addressed at to contact my office so that we may work to find a solution.”

If you have any questions or comments about this bill or any of Senator Perry’s legislative agenda, please feel free to contact our office.

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Press Release: Perry Continues the Fight Against Synthetic Drugs

PERRY CONTINUES FIGHT AGAINST SYNTHETIC DRUGS

LUBBOCK, TX – Today, Senator Charles Perry filed SB 461 to give law enforcement the ability to tackle the issue of synthetic drugs from the angle of mislabeling.

Senators Kevin Eltife (R – Tyler), Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa (D – McAllen) and Jose Rodriguez (D – El Paso) have joint authored this bi-partisan legislation to help solve this critical issue.

“It is unethical for a company to mislabel products in an effort to skirt the law and sell dangerous substances to our youth,” said Senator Charles Perry. “We banned these drugs across the state in 2011, it is time to close the loopholes and ban these substances once and for all.”

Due to the complex chemical combinations, these substances have been known to produce side effects including hallucination, severe agitation, elevated heart rate and/or blood pressure, chest pains, blackouts, tremors, seizures, cardiac infarction, and in some cases death.

Several communities, including Lubbock and Abilene, have found success prosecuting offenders on the merits of mislabeling. Perry’s latest bill attacks synthetic drugs from this angle.

“On the heels of another arrest made in Lubbock County utilizing labeling, our organization feels this will be of great assistance in removing this poison from Texas,” said Jeannine Kelley, leader of Warrior Against Synthetic Pot – Lubbock (WASP).

Previously, Senator Perry filed SB 199 which will add additional known chemicals to the Texas Controlled Substance Act and include a controlled substance analogue provision that will act as a ‘catch all’ for drugs with substantially similar chemical composition or intended to produce substantially similar effects.

“Between our two bills, it should be very difficult for dealers and manufactures to skirt the law in Texas,” continued Perry. “I look forward to working closely with my fellow legislators to pass this legislation in the coming months.”

If you have any questions or comments about this bill or any of Senator Perry’s legislative agenda, please feel free to contact our office.

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Press Release: Perry Files Bills to Decrease Regulations on Rural Texas

PERRY FILES BILLS TO DECREASE REGULATIONS ON RURAL TEXAS
Legislation Gives Local Communities More Flexibility with School Start Date and TCEQ Penalties

LUBBOCK, TX – Today, Senator Charles Perry filed two bills with the aim of decreasing burdensome regulations on rural communities.

Since 2007, Texas schools have been subject to a legislative mandate that delays the start of the school year until the last week in August. SB 395 grants local rural school districts the discretion to set their own start date as early as the second week of August.

“Many school districts wish to begin earlier than this for a variety of reason, predominantly so that finals are not delayed until after Christmas Break,” said Senator Charles Perry. “Many teachers and administrators argue that uneven semesters can force educators to condense their lessons and teach around a calendar, not what makes most sense for students.”

SB 394 requires the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to allow cities and counties that are first time offenders of a particular offense, the opportunity to apply their penalties towards fixing the problem for which they are cited.

“Environmental laws and rules change so rapidly, it is hard for small rural communities to keep up and correct issues,” said Perry. “Often times, communities are unaware a problem even exists until they are assessed a big fine from the TCEQ. If a community hasn’t committed the offense before, we should give them some leniency and let them fix the problem before we hit them with a hefty fine.”

“In talking with educators and leaders of local government, both of these issues were top priorities in many of the counties I represent,” continued Perry. “Excessive regulations and penalties are stifling our small rural communities. Passing these bills should give our local communities much needed relief.” 

If you have any questions or comments about this bill or any of Senator Perry’s legislative agenda, please feel free to contact our office.

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PERRY TAPPED TO CHAIR COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, WATER, & RURAL AFFAIRS

PERRY TAPPED TO CHAIR COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, WATER, & RURAL AFFAIRS
Additionally named to Higher Education, Health & Human Services, and Criminal Justice

LUBBOCK, TX – Today, Lt. Governor Dan Patrick chose State Senator Charles Perry to Chair the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Water, and Rural Affairs. Additionally, Perry was named a member of the Committee on Higher Education, the Committee on Health and Human Services and the Committee on Criminal Justice.

“What a humbling honor to be appointed to a chairmanship my first session in the Texas Senate,” said Sen. Charles Perry. “My position on this committee will ensure a strong voice for the citizens in the 51 counties I represent in rural West Texas.”

“Throughout my time in the Texas Legislature, I have made securing our future water needs a top priority,” continued Perry. “I look forward to working with my fellow Senators to ensure Texas continues to address our water infrastructure so that our state’s future remains strong and our agricultural needs are met.”

A senator has not been granted a chairmanship their first session in the Senate since 1993. Earlier this week, Lt. Governor Patrick realigned and consolidated committees, reducing the number of total committees by 22%.

“I look forward to working with my fellow Senators on the Higher Education, Health and Human Services, and Criminal Justice Committees,” said Perry. “I am excited to continue working closely with Texas Tech Chancellor Robert Duncan in the area of higher education as I value his expertise and institutional knowledge in this area.”

“As Lt. Governor Patrick stated, ‘It is a new day in Texas’”, continued Perry. “I am very thankful that he trusted my leadership to play a fundamental role in formulating the policies that will shape the future of Texas. I have no doubt that under the strong leadership of Lt. Governor Patrick the Senate will lead the charge in passing conservative legislation that people of Texas overwhelmingly requested at the ballot box this last cycle.”

If you have any questions or comments about this bill or any of Senator Perry’s legislative agenda, please feel free to contact Travis McCormick at 512-463-0128 orTravis.McCormick@senate.state.tx.us.

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Press Release: Protecting Businesses from Intrusive HUD Mandates

PERRY FILES BILL TO PROTECT BUSINESS OWNERS FROM INTRUSIVE HUD MANDATES

LUBBOCK, TX – Today, Senator Charles Perry filed SB 267 to ensure businesses have the freedom to choose whether or not to accept Federal Housing Vouchers as a form of payment for rent.

Currently, 11 states and more than 30 jurisdictions have passed regulations requiring businesses to accept government housing vouchers as a form of payment for rent. These ordinances are passed under the guise of anti-discrimination but in reality force local businesses to accept one-sided lease contracts with numerous strings attached.

“Accepting federal housing vouchers was never intended to be mandatory,” said Senator Charles Perry. “Businesses should not be forced to partner with a governmental agency that significantly impacts its flexibility and day-to-day operations.”
Contracts drafted by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) can be terminated without penalty. HUD can withhold rent, inspect apartments, control rent increases and mandate utility allowances. Additionally, sequesters can result in decreased or delayed payments of rent.

“There is a push in Texas to implement these Obama-style policies in many of our cities,”
continued Perry. “The legislature needs to be proactive and protect Texas businesses before these ordinances become a significant problem for our growing state.”

If you have any questions or comments about this bill or any of Senator Perry’s legislative agenda, please feel free to contact Travis McCormick at 512-463-0128 orTravis.McCormick@senate.state.tx.us.

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Press Release: Perry Files Bill to Adjust Playoff System

PERRY FILES BILL TO ADJUST PLAYOFF SYSTEM

LUBBOCK, TX – Today, Senator Charles Perry filed SB 237 to limit the number of teams advancing to the playoffs from each University Interscholastic League (UIL) district to two teams.

“Current UIL rules allow 50%-74% of football teams to make the playoffs,” said Senator Charles Perry. “We have truly watered down competition to the point that 0-10 and 1-9 teams are able to make the playoffs in some districts.”

Earlier this year, a school in Houston made Texas history by becoming the first winless team to advance to the playoffs.

“This not only devalues the hard work of the first and second place teams in a district, but it costs our school districts thousands of dollars that could be spent in the classroom,” continued Perry. “The cost is especially high in rural areas. Some schools in my district are spending an upwards of $8,000 per playoff game.”

Costs often go beyond the football team to include the band, cheerleaders and other support organizations. Depending on the distance traveled costs can include travel, food and lodging.

56% of the 1,209 Texas high school football teams made it to the playoffs this last year. Under Perry’s bill, 384 teams would have still been playoff eligible or roughly 32%.

“I have fond memories of playing high school football. My coaches served as role models, teaching me valuable life lessons and instilling in me a desire to succeed,” Perry added. “It is my hope that this bill will help us celebrate triumph, give school districts more flexibility with their budgets and reduce the burden on families during the holiday season.”

Due to how playoff systems are structured, Perry’s bill would only affect traditional team sports such as football, baseball, volleyball and basketball.

If you have any questions or comments about this bill or any of Senator Perry’s legislative agenda, please feel free to contact us.

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Press Release: Prohibit Synthetic Drugs

PERRY FILES BILL TO PROHIBIT SYNTHETIC DRUGS

LUBBOCK, TX – Today, Senator Charles Perry filed SB 199 to prohibit the sale and use of synthetic drugs in the State of Texas.

In previous Sessions, the legislature has passed similar bans, but manufactures have repeatedly changed the chemical makeup of their drugs to skirt the law.

“In shops across the state, dangerous synthetic drugs are being sold to our youth, over the counter without repercussions,” said Senator Charles Perry. “These drugs are unregulated and more dangerous than the illegal counterparts they seek to imitate.”

Due to the complex chemical combinations, these substances have been known to produce side effects including hallucination, severe agitation, elevated heart rate and/or blood pressure, chest pains, blackouts, tremors, seizures, cardiac infarction, and in some cases death.

SB 199 will add additional known chemicals to the Texas Controlled Substance act and include a controlled substance analogue provision that will act as a ‘catch all’ for drugs with substantially similar chemical composition or intended to produce substantially similar effects.

“There are 53 merchants in Lubbock County alone that are known to have sold these substances,” continued Perry. “I look forward to working with local law enforcement to ensure this common sense legislation becomes law and these dangerous substances stay out off of our streets and out of our schools.”

If you have any questions or comments about this bill or any of Senator Perry’s legislative agenda, please feel free to contact us.

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Stop President Obama’s ‘Executive Amnesty’

Throughout my campaign for state senate, I promised to work on the issue of immigration by trying to find state solutions to our border security problems.

Earlier this month, I filed legislation to prohibit cities from acting as ‘sanctuary cities’ by prohibiting the enforcement of federal and state immigration laws. (You can read more on that here)

Yesterday, I had the privilege of discussing immigration policy on an international stage with the BBC Newshour. You can listen to that interview here or by clicking the image below.

SENATOR CHARLES PERRY STATEMENT ON ‘EXECUTIVE AMNESTY’

Tonight, law abiding citizens will be relegated to a 2nd class status with a mere stroke of the pen. President Obama is willing to violate the very fabric of our constitutional law in order to give legal status to citizens of other countries who have have willingly and deliberately violated the laws of this nation.

Voters should choose their leaders, leaders shouldn’t choose their voters.

Thousands of individuals and families have obeyed the law and waited lawfully for their citizenship applications to be processed and accepted. This move is not only unfair to those individuals, but it encourages people to enter in our country through the backdoor and not through legitimate means.

As our Governor Perry stated earlier today: “There already is a path to citizenship in this country…it doesn’t need to be changed.”

The effects will be immediate and irreversible. We spend roughly $6,500 on Medicaid and $1,500 on food stamps per individual in Texas each year (2011 numbers). Every child we add to our education system costs roughly $12,500 per year. Our funding for these programs and others are already stretched thin, infusing more people into the system will only exasperate the problem.

Even if the President denies these individuals eligibility to Medicaid and Welfare, we cannot inquire about immigration status in regards to public education or admittance in the emergency room.

As we increase the magnet through amnesty, there is no doubt in my mind we will see a huge surge as millions more illegally cross our border over the next few months.

It is imperative that the Congress and the Judiciary call this for what it is – an act of tyranny – it threatens the economic and social stability for the poorest of the poor and burdens the states with unsustainable costs, if not insurmountable.

I pray for our elected officials to stand up and fight for our rights as law abiding citizens as a nation. Our federal representatives need to draw a line in the sand and refuse to fund the items in this executive order.

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