Representative Ken Paxton Supports Second Amendment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date: November 24,2009

Contacts: Sheacy Thompson (972) 562-4543

Representative Ken Paxton Signs Amicus Brief Supporting

Second Amendment Rights in Pivotal Supreme Court Case

Representative Ken Paxton joined a large bipartisan group of state legislators and other elected officials from all 50 states who have signed an amicus curiae, or "friend of the court," brief supporting the National Rifle Association’s (NRA) position that the Second Amendment must be upheld by the states through the Fourteenth Amendment. The amicus brief bears the signatures of 891 state legislators and other elected officials, including two governors and three lieutenant governors, and was filed with the U.S. Supreme Court in the case of McDonald v. City of Chicago.

Last week, the NRA filed the brief complete with lawmakers signatures with the U.S. Supreme Court as Respondent in Support of Petitioner in the McDonald case. The NRA brief asks the Court to hold that the Second Amendment applies to state and local governments through the Fourteenth Amendment.

"I was pleased to see so many state lawmakers agree that our Second Amendment freedoms should apply to all Americans. Gun owners across the country should be proud of the stand that their elected officials are taking to support this crucial effort to restore and protect the gun rights of law-abiding Americans," said Representative Paxton.

In September, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to consider the McDonald case, which is on appeal from the U.S. Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals. The U.S. Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that prior Supreme Court precedent prevented the court from applying the Second Amendment rights to the states and local governments. However, the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals decided in an earlier case (Nordyke v. King) that the Supreme Court precedent does not prevent the Second Amendment from applying to the states through the Fourteenth Amendment's Due Process Clause.

"I am hopeful that the U.S. Supreme Court will rule in accordance with the Constitution's true meaning, which will guarantee the rights for all law-abiding Americans to own and bear arms," concluded Representative Paxton.

Chicago has had a handgun ban and other restrictive gun laws in place for 27 years. The Supreme Court is expected to hear the McDonald case in February 2010.

Pol. Adv paid for by Ken Paxton Campaign, 5613 S. Woodcreek Circle, McKinney, Texas 75071

Representative Ken Paxton Named “Champion of Free Enterprise”

The Texas Association of Business named State Representative Ken Paxton "Champion of Free Enterprise" for his positive voting record last legislative session. This award is the Association's highest legislative distinction and further demonstrates Rep. Ken Paxton's commitment to strengthening our State's business climate to keep the economy growing in Texas.


As a small business owner, Rep. Ken Paxton understands that fiscally responsible public policy leads to a prosperous business climate that benefits all Texans.


"Given the downturn in the economy, my goal last legislative session was for us to maintain our business-friendly climate in order to encourage business and job growth while also keeping taxes low for Texas families," explained State Representative Ken Paxton. "This past session, we reduced the tax burden on small businesses, reformed our appraisal system, and passed a reasonable state budget to help accomplish this goal."


Representative Ken Paxton joint-authored House Bill 4765 last legislative session to provide tax relief to small business owners by raising the small business tax exemption from $300,000 to $1,000,000. Approximately 230,000 additional businesses will now qualify to be exempt from paying the margins tax. Decreasing the tax burden on small businesses allows for continued growth and expansion of Texas businesses during this strenuous economic climate.


"I have continuously been a strong opponent of the new margins tax that was passed in 2006," said Representative Paxton. "The effects of the new margins tax hit Texas' small business owners the hardest. Fortunately this session, we passed legislation to deliver much needed tax relief to the small businesses that continue to provide a healthy economic environment in our state."

Pol. Adv paid for by Ken Paxton Campaign, 5613 S. Woodcreek Circle, McKinney, Texas 75071

Welcome to Texas, Madame Speaker

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 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 of 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

Pol. Adv. paid for by Ken Paxton Campaign, 5613 S. Woodcreek Cir., McKinney, Texas 75071