Texas Insider

11:39 am CST - September 18, 2009

Welcome to Texas, Madame Speaker: An Open Letter to Nancy Pelosi

Dear Madame Speaker,
I want to be one of the first to welcome you to Texas for your fundraising visit on Saturday in Austin. You should feel at home as you drive from the airport to your event, passing by businesses that were once located in your home state of California and being greeted by the smiles of friendly Californians who now call Texas home.

I understand that you will be here to accept donations for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. Texas is an excellent venue for such as an event, as workers in our state still have jobs and discretionary income. In addition to taking Texas money back with you to Washington, I would like to respectfully request that you also carry back some insight for your colleagues that you may personally witness during your visit to our state.

Since your party gained control of Congress and the White House, you and your colleagues have proposed federal policies that look like the policies that have recently been used to govern California. I understand you spend most of your time in the beltway, so let me help you become reacquainted with your home state.

California’s unemployment rate is teetering on 12%, which is more than two points higher than the national average. California is currently struggling to close a $24.3 billion budget gap, partly caused by a decrease in revenue from the personal income tax.. California lawmakers are looking to further increase income taxes on the middle class to make up the difference, just as you and your colleagues are proposing to fund your health care proposal. Rather than taking more money out of the pockets on taxpayers, may I suggest another solution?

Texas, which has a 7.5% unemployment rate (two points BELOW the national average), was affected by a slowing economy after 9/11. During the 78th Legislative Session, Texas faced a $10 billion shortfall.. By cutting expenditures and passing a responsible budget, the Legislature managed to cover our state’s expenditures for the biennium without raising taxes and without dipping into our “Rainy Day Fund.” Furthermore, because of our business-friendly policies, our economy recovered, and we ended our next Legislative session with a $14 billion surplus. Last year, more jobs were created in Texas than in the other 49 states COMBINED. Did I mention that we don’t even have a state income tax?

With all due respect, Madame Speaker, the harsh regulations on businesses, as found in your Cap and Trade bill, and increased taxes on individuals and businesses, as found in your Health Care proposal, will not help our country recover from this economic downturn. Additionally, a vibrant economy lies not in handouts or bailouts, but in sound and responsible fiscal policies that encourage growth and opportunity.

Rather than relying on the power of government, I believe we should rely on the power and creativity of the American people. Please take a close look while you are in Texas and suggest to your colleagues that Congress should re-focus its priorities by promoting policies that allow businesses, families and individuals to thrive without additional financial burdens and bureaucratic restrictions that lead to job loss and increased prices.

Regards,

Ken Paxton
Texas State Representative, District 70

13 Comments

George
2:58 pm CST
September 18, 2009

Be careful Mr. Paxton, otherwise you will be labeled as an angry mob of 1, with racist tendencies. This appears to be the standard rebuttal used by the House leadership whenever we attempt to convey our concerns about domestic issues.

John C Matthews
5:31 pm CST
September 18, 2009

Mr. Paxton, wish you would take Mr Kirk England, Dist 106, aside and give him a lesson in fiscal responsibility. He used to be a Republican, or RINO, and then just left us to join the Democrats. I am sure they love him over there, but we feel kind of slighted. Maybe he would listen to facts such as the ones you listed. Thank you, hope you give it a shot.

SJK
5:39 pm CST
September 18, 2009

I would not be so fast to let Nancy Pelosi know how successful Texas is! Her state is failing probably by huge efforts on her part! We do not want her dirty hands touching anything in our great state! I am sorry there are people in oue state that are willing to donate funds to the likes of this braind dead puppet of Obama’s! I say SHAME on those who donate even a penny to this woman! She needs to be defeated and thrown out of office!

James T. Purcell
7:23 pm CST
September 18, 2009

Very Simple Welcome to San Fran Nan — “Now that you’ve seen it ;; GO HOME!!!”

R. G. Blair
12:35 am CST
September 18, 2009

SJK says it all ~ we DON”T need (or want) Pelosi in Texas! She has already ruined congress and California. Hopefully she will be defeated by the California voters!

Lisa
5:45 am CST
September 18, 2009

I hope that she will get a great big Texas-sized welcome, complete with signs that say things like, “Bankrupting America one Unread Bill at a Time”, and “If ANYONE is inciting violence, it is YOU”! I would love to go, but live in Tyler and can’t get down there! All you Austinites need to go out to “greet” her!

Debbie
8:12 am CST
September 18, 2009

I hope Miss Nancy goes back to Washington penniless. She has no business coming to Texas. She is not wanted or needed. I wouldn’t waste my gas or time to go see her. I see her too much on TV as it is. A good suggestion is for everyone to just stay home, maybe when she see’s that no one cares about what she has to say, then she can go back to Washington with her tail between her legs and no money. Wouldn’t that be a kicker?

james
3:53 pm CST
September 18, 2009

I can’t help agreeing with CAROL comment that our goverment is takink us down the road or SOCIALISM. We all need to wake up!!!

Karla
5:05 pm CST
September 18, 2009

As humans we have natural tendencies to think and act negatively as our peers might do when presented with someone in which we may not agree. Nancy Pelosi may not be a person I would ever invite over for dinner, but as long as she was here to visit we should not stoop to a level unbecoming of American citizens. Our point of view can still be spoken and heard without being ugly and disrespectful. Ken Paxton was able to state his case effectively with respect. Those of us who know the Lord and claim Christianity should certainly be a godly example to others, friend or foe, in practicing the Fruit of the Spirit. After all, it is the Lord whose plan prevails, not the Democrats or Republicans. Please join me in praying for those in office at all levels of government and for those we will vote for in future elections who would stand up for values and represent Americans appropriately.

CWJensen
6:11 pm CST
September 18, 2009

2 THESSALONIANS 2:14

CWJensen
6:14 pm CST
September 18, 2009

That being said………………..how is it possible to shame one who will not be shamed?

WB
11:14 pm CST
September 18, 2009

I thoroughly enjoyed the article. I am new to Texas (not from California), and I am pleasantly surprised to learn more impressive facts about Texas. Mr. Paxton, I would be pleased to read your philosophy on public education.

WB
11:16 pm CST
September 18, 2009

p.s. the date stamp function on your website is slow by seven days. It is actually Friday, 9/25