December SREC Meeting: How I Voted and Why
The official listing of all roll call votes by all SREC members is here.
My votes (and the reasons for them) are listed below…
Vote 18Q4-1 – Amendment to the Substitute Amendment to the Motion to Create a Special Committee on Chair’s Compensation – 34 ayes to 28 nays.
What we voted on: This vote was related to the creation of a Special Committee on Chair’s Compensation, which would review the process and logistics for chairman compensation, along with party finances (revenue and expenditures), and report back their findings to the Officials Committee and the SREC body. Since compensating the chair would be a new (and significant) expense, the idea was that more analysis and transparency would help provide stakeholders with information to determine if chair compensation was a sustainable option.
Why I voted Yes: I will always vote in favor of greater transparency.
Vote 18Q4-2 – Substitute Amendment to the Motion to Create a Special Committee on Chair’s Compensation – 31 ayes to 30 nays.
What we voted on: This vote was related to the creation of a Special Committee on Chair’s Compensation, which would review the process and logistics for chairman compensation, along with party finances (revenue and expenditures), and report back their findings to the Officials Committee and the SREC body. Since compensating the chair would be a new (and significant) expense, the idea was that more analysis and transparency would help provide stakeholders with information to determine if chair compensation was a sustainable option.
Why I voted Yes: I will always vote in favor of greater transparency.
Vote 001* – Adoption of “Resolution on Redistricting Texas House District 90” – 52 ayes to 0 nays.
What we voted on:
WHEREAS, a panel of three judges in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas will review Texas House District 90 for redistricting; now THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the State Republican Executive Committee calls upon the Texas Legislature to hold hearings and redraw House District 90 within the 45-day window prescribed by the three-judge panel.
A district court ruled that the legislature must redraw HD 90 in the first 45 days of the legislative session, or the court will redraw it themselves. This resolution urges lawmakers to complete the task within the window.
I was not present for this vote.
Vote 002* – Adoption of “Resolution in Support of Non-Discrimination” – unanimously by 63 ayes to 0 nays.
What we voted on:
WHEREAS The Republican Party of Texas affirms its commitment to Republican Party of Texas rule number 3, which states,
Discrimination Prohibited
Participation in any Republican convention or meeting including, but not limited to, any primary caucus, any meeting or convention held for the purposes of selecting delegates to a County, District, State, or National Convention shall in no way be abridged for reason of sex, age, race, religion, color, or national origin; and
WHEREAS, the Republican Party of Texas affirms and supports all Americans’ right to practice their religion (RPT Legislative Priority “Religious Freedom and Privacy”, RPT Platform Planks 84, 305, 306)and recognizes the contributions of Republicans of every faith who advance conservative policies and ideals; now
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the State Republican Executive Committee encourages all Republican county executive committees to follow the Rules of the Republican Party of Texas related to participation in meetings and conventions; and reaffirm our core values of religious liberty and the freedom to practice all faiths.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Republican Party of Texas calls for all Republican organizations to advocate and adhere to our platform planks protecting and preserving religious liberty for all Americans, a fundamental principle which has been a bedrock of our society and government since its inception; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to all Republican county chairs in Texas.
Why I Voted Yes: Because it’s what Thomas Jefferson would have done. One of Jefferson’s three achievements he instructed be on his epitaph was the Virginia Statute on Religious Freedom. In this document he consciously included all faiths. I have studied his writings on this issue and have found them compelling. The relationship between a man and God is intrinsic and the most sacred, and government cannot dictate its bounds or limits. Our party must embody this ideal.
Vote 003 – Motion to adopt 65 non-substantial amendments to the SREC Bylaws. – 57 ayes to 0 nays.
What we voted on: Housekeeping, cleaning up language and making terms throughout our bylaws more consistent.
Why I Voted Yes: All of the changes were reasonable and sensible.
Vote 004 – Motion to amend SREC Bylaws Article V Section 5 – 36 ayes to 23 nays.
What we voted on: This one was brought to you by our Committeeman, Mr. Barcroft. He proposed changing the language of our bylaws to refer to votes in the minutes as “ayes” and “nays” instead of “yeses and noes” in order to clean up the grammar and bring the terms in line with Robert’s Rules. This sparked a lively debate and much needed levity.
Why I voted No: Yes and No are plainer terms, so I liked them better. To add to the fun, Jack voted against his own motion.
Vote 005 – Poll of the SREC for preference on location of the 2022 State Convention
What we voted on: After hearing presentations from potential host cities, we voted on our preference for the city to host the 2022 State GOP Convention.
Why I voted for Houston: The 2020 Convention will be in Houston, and the city informed us they will cut us a deal if we book two conventions in a row.
Vote 006 – Motion to amend the tabled motion by (Bold= additions, Itallics=strikeouts)
“c. To ratify all written contracts:
1) Concerning employment, the RPT State Convention or real estate purchases or leases or services between the RPT and third parties involving proceeds or obligations costs greater than $25,000; and
2) Providing there is no contract provision limiting the personal liability of SREC members, any contract between the RPT and third parties involving proceeds or costs greater than $25,000 and up to $100,000; and
2) All contracts of any kind involving proceeds or obligations costs greater than $100,000 during the contract term.
3) Concerning compensation of State Chairman
4)Ensure all contracts contain provisions so that SREC members are not individually or collectively liable for contract(s), fulfillment, or disputes arising from contract(s) with the Republican Party of Texas.
d. Negotiate and ratify contract concerning compensation of State Chairman”
– 52 ayes to 6 nays.
What we voted on: This updates the rules concerning contracts to enable more oversight for higher dollar expenses.
Why I voted yes: This enhances transparency and accountability.
Vote 007 – Motion as tabled and amended to amend SREC Bylaw Amendment Article VII Section 8.A.5 – 55 ayes to 4 nays.
What we voted on: This was a follow-on to the previous vote.
Why I voted yes: This enhances transparency and accountability.
Vote 008 – Adoption under new business of “Resolution on House Republican Caucus Speaker Recommendation” – 59 ayes to 0 nay.
What we voted on: A resolution supporting Dennis Bonnen as House Speaker.
Why I voted yes: Bonnen was the best choice, so we agreed to express our support as a body for him.
Vote 009 – Adoption under New Business of “Resolution on Floor Votes” – unanimously by 57 ayes to 0 nays.
What we voted on:
Whereas, legislation either directly based on or inspired by the language found in the platform approved by the delegates to the 2014 and 2016 Republican Party of Texas State Conventions has been denied opportunity for passage into law by the previous legislative process; and,
Whereas, the previous state legislative process allows certain individual members to block legislation that is widely supported by the House Republican Caucus; and
Whereas, previous House Rules require constituents to be present at the Capitol in order to register their opinions and give testimony on bills; and
Whereas, many Texans are hundreds of miles away from the Capitol, rendering the previous process detrimental to hearing a balanced voice of constituents from across Texas; therefore be it
Resolved, that the State Republican Executive Committee calls on the Texas House Republican Caucus to introduce and pass House Rules to expedite legislation requested by the delegates to the 2018 State Republican Convention, including but not limited to a rules change that would guarantee consideration on the floor of any bill with 75 coauthors and a rules change that would allow constituents to register their opinion and provide testimony on bills from any district office.
Why I voted yes: Enabling registration of testimony at district offices would empower the grassroots and encourage engagement of constituents who cannot travel to the capitol to appeal to their legislators directly. And 75 coauthors of a bill indicates significant support that I think it is reasonable to fast-track it to the floor for consideration by the body. Unfortunately, these initiatives did not get passed by the House.