Forum Replies Created
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Mike Goldman, 12 years ago
Ms. Christopherson,
What would you see as common-sense solutions that the Republican Party could advance to address issues on the southern border?
Mike Goldman, 12 years ago
The First Amendment preserves two religious freedoms: the federal government (and by later action of the courts, the states may not:
1. Make a law respecting an establishment of religion; or,
2. Make a law prohibiting the free exercise of a religion.What does it mean for governments to avoid “establishing” a religion, while still respecting religious freedoms? Do you believe that some school officials have gone beyond the realm of being evenhanded between religions, and “established” secularism as an official religion?
Mike Goldman
Policy Analyst, Texans for Greg AbbottMike Goldman, 12 years ago
The following forms of ID qualify a person to vote in Texas:
*An Election Identification Certificate (EIC) at no charge issued at no charge by DPS.
*Texas driver license—unexpired or expired no longer than 60 days at the time of voting
*Texas personal identification card—unexpired or expired no longer than 60 days at the time of voting
*Texas concealed handgun license—unexpired or expired no longer than 60 days at the time of voting
*U.S. passport book or card—unexpired or expired no longer than 60 days at the time of voting
*U.S. Military identification with photo—unexpired or expired no longer than 60 days at the time of voting
*U.S. Citizenship Certificate or Certificate of Naturalization with photoAn application for an EIC must include verification of a person’s identity and citizenship; a birth certificate is an example of the identification necessary to help meet these specifications. To learn more, see: http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/DriverLicense/eicDocReqmnts.htm
You mention the possibility of future technology that might take the place of this sort of Voter ID process. What technological innovations did you have in mind?
Mike Goldman
Policy Analyst, Texans for Greg AbbottMike Goldman, 12 years ago
Mr. Frank,
Wouldn’t abolishing the 16th amendment obviate the need for a flat tax (i.e., a flat-rate income tax)?
Assuming the abolition of the 16th amendment, how would the federal government derive its income? If the federal government were to be downsized, what programs would be eliminated?
On term limits, James Madison wrote in Federalist No. 53:
“[A] few of the members of Congress will possess superior talents; will by frequent re-elections, become members of long standing; will be thoroughly masters of the public business, and perhaps not unwilling to avail themselves of those advantages. The greater the proportion of new members of Congress, and the less the information of the bulk of the members, the more apt they be to fall into the snares that may be laid before them.”
As an example of this concept, six of the most important political figures in the first 50 years of our country; James Madison, Daniel Webster, Henry Clay, John Quincy Adams, John Calhoun and Stephen A. Douglas, served a combined 140 years in Congress. In this light, would the gains of Congressional term limits be worth the costs?
Mike Goldman
Policy Analyst, Texans for Greg AbbottMike Goldman, 12 years ago
Under Texas Tax Code Section 11.22, “A disabled veteran is entitled to an exemption from taxation of a portion of the assessed value of a property the veteran owns and designates, ranging from $5,000 to $12,000 depending on the severity of the disability.
In addition, Texas Drivers Licenses are furnished free of charge to veterans with qualifying service-connected disabilities.
To learn more about Texas veteran’s benefits, you might consider the online Texas Veterans Portal at: http://www.texas.gov/en/veterans/pages/assist-benefits.aspx
Mike Goldman, 12 years ago
Many of the areas mentioned above – i.e., Border Patrol, social security, etc., are governed at the federal level. What state-level steps can Texas take to address the long border with Mexico?
Mike Goldman
Policy Analyst, Texans for Greg AbbottMike Goldman, 12 years ago
Under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 42, deferred adjudication does not become a part of a person’s criminal record. Although the underlying charge might be dismissed, the court does not order the expunction (erasure) of any of these records: the deferred adjudication proceedings; the underlying charge that was dismissed; or the arrest tied to that charge. Both the dismissal order and the initial court order granting deferred adjudication generally remain public records and reportable to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS).
Is deferred adjudication under Texas law, as described above, the appropriate approach?
Mike Goldman
Policy Analyst, Texans for Greg AbbottMike Goldman, 12 years ago
Which website are you referring to? Please post a link! Feel free to elaborate on the catfish farm licensing restrictions so that I can better understand the issue.
Mike Goldman
Policy Analyst, Texans for Greg AbbottMike Goldman, 12 years ago
Mr. Franklin,
Thanks for this comment.
According to the Comptroller’s Office, the franchise tax was responsible for $4,564,730,635 in revenue in Fiscal Year 2012 – 4.8% of the state’s total income.
What cuts to the state budget or additional sources of revenue would be needed to replace the revenue lost of the franchise tax were abolished?
Mike Goldman
Policy Analyst, Texans for Greg AbbottMike Goldman, 12 years ago
Senate Bill 14 (82nd Legislative Session) required all in-person voters to present photo ID’s (either Texas-issued state ID’s or a limited selection of federal ID’s, including passports) before voting. Do you believe that this bill adequately addresses the problem? If not, what further legislative solutions would you propose?
Mike Goldman
Policy Analyst, Texans for Greg AbbottMike Goldman, 12 years ago
Mr. Crabtree,
Do you believe that school administrators have bullied students based on their faiths in academics and athletics? What are some examples of this? What state policies could eliminate such bullying?
Mike Goldman
Policy Analyst, Texans for Greg AbbottMike Goldman, 12 years ago
Two states, Washington and Colorado, have recently legalized recreational marijuana; several others have legalized medical marijuana. However, in medical marijuana states, there have been reports of abuse: for example, the Los Angeles Times linked medical marijuana laws to higher overall marijuana usage rates for children aged 12-17. See: http://articles.latimes.com/2011/sep/01/news/la-heb-medical-marijuana-20110901
Do you believe that such abuses affect the advisability of medical marijuana laws?
Even the Obama Administration agrees that marijuana use is harmful and should be discouraged. The White House website notes that:
* Marijuana use is associated with dependence, respiratory and mental illness, poor motor performance, and impaired cognitive and immune system functioning, among other negative effects.
* Marijuana intoxication can cause distorted perceptions, difficulty in thinking and problem solving, and problems with learning and memory.
* Studies have shown an association between chronic marijuana use and increased rates of anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, and schizophrenia.
* Other research has shown marijuana smoke to contain carcinogens and to be an irritant to the lungs. Marijuana smoke, in fact, contains 50‐70 percent more carcinogenic hydrocarbons than does tobacco smoke.Should the state taken account of these potential health concerns in addressing marijuana policy?
Mike Goldman
Policy Analyst, Texans for Greg AbbottMike Goldman, 12 years ago
What specific constitutional amendments do you believe would be necessary to reduce the influence of the federal government, and restore the principle of state sovereignty guaranteed by the Ninth and Tenth Amendments?
Mike Goldman
Policy Analyst, Texans for Greg AbbottMike Goldman, 12 years ago
Mr. Eddings,
In your post, you mention subjecting legislators who introduce anti-Second-Amendment legislation to criminal prosecution. Do you believe that such a policy would restrict the First Amendment rights of legislators? Do you believe that criminalizing specific political positions violates democratic principles?
If not, what do you believe would restrict gun-control advocates from passing the same penalties against gun-rights advocates when they gain control of the political process?
Mike Goldman
Policy Analyst, Texans for Greg AbbottMike Goldman, 12 years ago
Mr. Bridges,
You make an interesting statement: which Texas laws do you believe are in violation of the Second Amendment? What legislation do you believe is needed to return Texas to constitutional compliance?
Mike Goldman
Policy Analyst, Texans for Greg Abbott
