My efforts in Texas State Government are rooted in the belief that conservative principles are the key to creating an economic and social infrastructure which will allow Texas families to succeed and live happy, productive lives. Since 1993, I have been working to put into a position of leadership conservative men and women who I feel strongly share my core principles – a belief in state sovereignty, private property rights, a limited and accountable government, lower taxation, and protection of our individual liberty and freedom.

Texans are a proud, independent bunch, blessed with a creative and entrepreneurial spirit. Combined with the natural advantages of our great state, Texans have all the resources to lead the nation in job creation, R&D, manufacturing and so much more. Texans have responded by doing just that. But many at the state and Federal levels continue to push for more government regulation over our thriving economy. Larry will work hard to ensure government retains a limited role, fostering this environment where the natural, entrepreneurial spirit of Texans can grow and thrive.

Larry knows that education is not only the ticket to a successful future but — as Jefferson believed — the only true way to preserve our democracy. A great public education is a critical first step to a successful career in our modern economy. More and more, a college degree is also required. That’s why Larry is dedicated to providing a world-class education to our K-12 children, but also to finding ways to expand the opportunity for a college education to as many Texans as possible.

This idea, however, is not limited to Bachelor’s, Master’s and Ph.D degree programs, but will also include a re-emphasis on career and technical training which teaches valuable skills, creating promising job opportunities.

We’ve watched in stunned disbelief as Washington politicians have run the Federal debt to near historic levels. Compared to Washington politicians, Texas has demonstrated great restraint in government spending, but the fact remains we can do more. Our property tax rates are too high and rise too fast, while our sales tax rates are some of the highest in the country. We must make tough choices and find ways to minimize the tax burden on Texans. That means keeping our needs separate from our wants — funding those critical things which are necessary and proper for the government — while encouraging innovative ways to provide non-essential services. In the process, Texas can be a beacon of responsible government that the entire country can follow.

Accomplishments of the 82nd Legislature on Controlling Spending

• HB 1- State Budget- Signed by the Governor. Balanced State’s budget without raising taxes.
• SB 4 (1)- Improving Health Care Efficiency- Signed by the Governor.
• HB 274- Loser Pays Tort Reform- Signed by the Governor.
• HB 3 (1)- Texas Windstorm Insurance Association Reform- Signed by the Governor. Ensures financial resources are used primarily for paying claims, and not legal fees or damages.

Larry understands the best stewards of the land are those farmers and ranchers who care for it – in some cases they have done so for generations. These are the people who understand what it means to ensure the land’s viability and who understand its importance to our Texas heritage and our economic stability and strength. Larry will protect private property rights, trusting and believing in those who care for the land, and will stand against a government that tries to trample this constitutionally given right by taking improperly what belongs to the private citizen.

Our great state is under attack by a liberal, over-reaching federal administration in Washington D.C. Like never before, an assault on our way of life in Texas is in full force, with a federal government which thinks they can run Texas better than Texans. Texas, and more specifically Central Texas, has largely been insulated from the economic problems which are crippling the rest of our nation. This is not by accident! We have had a conservative, pro-business mindset that has proven to be successful in creating jobs and opportunities for families to succeed. Not only have we put a plan in place, but we have executed that plan behind the strong leadership of conservative Texans. But liberals in Washington are targeting our state, trying to make changes in our system of government they have no right to make.

Accomplishments of the 82nd Legislature on State Sovereignty:

• SB 7 (1)- Interstate Health Care Compact- Signed by the Governor.
• HCR 18- Federal Balanced Budget Amendment- Signed by the Governor.
• HB 2510- Exempting Incandescent Light Bulbs from Federal Regulation- Signed by the Governor.
• HB 41 (1) & SB 29 (1)- Prohibiting Unreasonable Searches by Security Officials (TSA)- Each bill passed each respective body in the Special Session.
• HCR 50- Asserting Texas’ Tenth Amendment Rights- Passed in House Only.
• HCR 94- Federal Financial Regulation- Passed in House Only. Urges Congress to repeal Dodd-Frank.

Larry is a strong pro-life, pro-family candidate. For over 16 years in the legislature, he has worked with state leaders to ensure the sanctity of life is respected, protected, and upheld. Larry will continue to fight to promote research and treatments using adult stem cells – not embryonic. He opposes partial birth abortions and human cloning. Larry supports adoption as an alternative to abortion, and will seek additional state funding for the “Alternatives to Abortion” fund which provides grants to social service groups that assist pregnant women considering childbirth instead of abortion.

Accomplishment of the 82nd Legislature on Pro-Life:

• HB 15- Sonogram Prior to Performing and Abortion- Signed by the Governor.

While American soldiers are fighting overseas to ensure free and fair elections in foreign countries, Texans have a right to demand that elections right here in Texas are just as fair. Iraq requires a photo ID to vote. So does Mexico. At the heart of way of life is our democracy, and central to its success is a fair election process. A photo ID requirement would protect the integrity of our ballot and increase voter turnout by giving Texans more confidence that their vote will count. We must pass a photo ID requirement to vote – with free IDs for those who can’t afford them – to ensure the integrity of our elections.

Accomplishments of the 82nd Legislature on Election Integrity:

• SB 14- Voter ID- Signed by the Governor. Requires individuals to show photo identification in order to vote.
• HB 2449- Mail in Ballot Security- Signed by the Governor. Addressed the problem of “vote harvesting” with mail-in ballots.
• HB 174- Cancellation of Voter Registration of Non-Citizens and Deceased Voters- Signed by the Governor.

Terror, and those who sow the seeds of terror, exists in every part of our world today, extending across many ethnic groups, posing a constant threat against our country – threats which use our Southern border as a corridor into our lives. Larry knows our border patrol agents, sheriff’s deputies, and local law enforcement officers have their hands full. He also knows our state and local leaders are left to deal with the costs – both fiscal costs and costs to our personal safety and well being.

Larry believes it’s time we secure our borders and give law enforcement the authority to do their job and allow them to enforce our laws, helping to stop transnational gangs from spreading their violence. It’s also important we protect our system of legal immigration – America is a nation of immigrants, but it’s also a nation built on the rule of law, and we must stand up and defend that principle.

82nd Legislature Accomplishments On Border Security:

• HB1- Border Security Funding- Signed by the Governor. Within the fiscally conservative budget, $87million was devoted to funding border and homeland security initiatives.
• SB 1 (1)- Verifying Citizenship of Applicants for Driver’s Licenses- Signed by the Governor.
• SB 1009- Notification of Foreign Students Leaving a Course of Study- Signed by the Governor.
• HB 12, SB9 (1)- Ending Sanctuary Cities- In the Regular Session: HB 12 passed in the House Only.
• HB 875- Illegal Aliens in the Criminal Justice System- Passed in the House Only. Would have required sheriffs or other officers in charge of correctional facilities, upon receiving a defendant arrested for a felony or certain intoxication offenses, to immediately make a reasonable effort to determine the defendant’s citizenship status.
• HB 197- Verify Citizenship Status for Occupational Licenses- Passed in the House Only.
• HB 1122- Increase Penalties for Human Trafficking- Passed in the House Only.