Republicans Working Together
- Rachel Woods, President
Let's work together to fight for American business,
limited government, conservative values and
personal responsibility.

May 26th Meeting
- Krista Meek, Programs Chair
Please join us at our next meeting, May 26th, 11:30 am - 1 pm. This month's meeting will be held at La Fiesta Restaurant, 3815 Franklin Avenue in Waco. The cost for lunch is $10.11, payable in cash or by credit card. Please contact Barbara Kasmiroski with your reservations by noon on Friday, May 22nd. We hope to see you there!

The Texas Economy Today
- by Texas State Comptroller Susan Combs, Assoc. Member
Every day the national press discusses the economic uncertainty facing the nation. Though we face our own economic challenges, we are fortunate to live in Texas -- one of the few states not facing a state budget deficit. California, New York, and other states are struggling in their legislative sessions to balance their budgets.

Texas is better positioned to weather the storm, largely because we are much more diverse an economy than others, and also because we have not seen our state government spending balloon out of control. It is not an accident that Texas was responsible for over 70 percent of all new job creation across the entire country in 2008. The job climate is both welcoming and rational. We know however that we will lose some of those gains in 2009, but believe that the downturn will be significantly less severe than that experienced elsewhere.

While many families are having to tighten their belts, so must government, and one of the best ways to keep spending under control is through transparent budgeting. When I announced the Biennial Revenue Estimate in early January, I pointed out that we were going to see about 10 percent less revenue than the previous budget cycle, but we were very fortunate to have the Rainy Day Fund for emergencies.

It now seems that the federal stimulus dollars, between 15 and 16 billion is expected to be allocated to Texas, can be used in certain circumstances for one-time projects which will not obligate the state in years going forward. This however must be closely monitored. The bill is very lengthy, and our staff has put up on the web all the information we have about this package, and we will modify it as more information is received. You can find more information at http://www.window.state.tx.us/recovery/.

The most critical part of this is to avoid committing to ongoing expenditures funded by one-time sources of revenue. Otherwise, the legislature will face billions of dollars in new spending obligations without an ongoing revenue source to fund them. In this economic climate, it is wise to be cautious and prudent, and I know that the Republicans in the legislature will do just that.

For more information about the Texas economy and transparent budgeting, please visit my website at http://www.window.state.tx.us/.

HCR 50 Reaffirms States' Rights
- Kelly Yarbrough, Legislation Chair
On April 9th Texas Governor Rick Perry joined State Representative Brandon Creighton and sponsors of House Concurrent Resolution (HCR) 50 in support of states' rights under the 10th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

"I believe that our federal government has become oppressive in its size, its intrusion into the lives of our citizens, and its interference with the affairs of our state," Governor Perry said. "That is why I am here today to express my unwavering support for efforts all across our country to reaffirm the states' rights affirmed by the Tenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. I believe that returning to the letter and spirit of the U.S. Constitution and its essential 10th Amendment will free our state from undue regulations, and ultimately strengthen our Union."

HCR 50 also designates that all compulsory federal legislation that requires states to comply under threat of civil or criminal penalties, or that requires states to pass legislation or lose federal funding, be prohibited or repealed.

View the full text of the resolution.