Republican State Senator Craig Estes Files for Reelection

Conservative businessman who authored landmark private property rights legislation and co-authored voter photo ID last session says he will continue to fight for common – sense conservative values

WICHITA FALLS, TX – State Senator Craig Estes (R-Wichita Falls) has filed for reelection to the court-ordered State Senate, District 30.  The court-ordered federal map differs from the map that was enacted by the 82^nd legislature.  Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn the court-ordered federal map.  Despite the pending challenge, Estes is enthusiastic to run in either district.

“It has been a tremendous honor to serve the fine people of North Texas, and I look forward to once again earning their support and continuing to fight for common-sense conservative values in the Texas Senate,” said Estes.  “However the courts rule, I plan to run a positive grassroots campaign across the entire district based on my proven record of conservative leadership for the families of District 30.”

During the 2011 session, Senator Estes authored SB 18, the landmark private property rights legislation that was signed into law by Governor Rick Perry.  Estes also co-authored voter photo ID legislation, helped pass a balanced state budget without raising taxes, passed “loser pays” tort reform, stronger border security initiatives and stronger pro-life legislation, including the “sonogram bill” and choose life license plates.

“My constituents made it clear they wanted us to pass a conservative legislative agenda, and I am proud of what we were able to accomplish,” said Estes.  “When re-elected, I will continue listening to the families of District 30 to make sure our shared conservative values are well represented in the Texas Senate.”

The court-ordered map for District 30 includes all of Archer, Clay, Cooke, Grayson, Jack, Montague, Palo Pinto, Wichita, Wise, and Young Counties as well as large geographical portions of Collin and Denton Counties.

Senator Estes is Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Rural Affairs, and currently represents Senate District 30 covering Archer, Baylor, Clay, Collin (part), Cooke, Denton (part), Grayson, Jack, Montague, Parker, Palo Pinto, Shackelford, Stephens, Throckmorton, Wichita, Wilbarger, Wise, and Young counties.

Click here to view .pdf version

I am amazed at the liberals who proclaim this mantra in defense of every illegal immigrant. That would be the same liberals who demand we educate the children of illegal immigrants, who demand we provide health care for illegal immigrants, who demand we provide protection to illegal immigrants with laws that circumvent the very laws we have to protect our nation from illegal immigrants.

And then they are astounded when we demand that government do something to protect our borders. If the rule of law is to have any meaning than it must be utilized to protect our borders. We expect our citizens to play fair, and abide by the rules of our nation. We should demand and expect no less from those seek to enter our country.

The generations of immigrants who entered our country in the 19th and 20th centuries did so by following our laws. Ellis Island wasn’t simply a gateway where they gave you a pass to the land of opportunity – it was a choke point where you were required to prove that you had indeed complied with our rules and laws.

If we don’t get control of our borders, we will lose control of our nation.

I was disappointed that the Governor vetoed important legislation reforming our eminent domain laws to give more protections to property owners when facing new roads, pipelines, and utilities. I will be working with my colleagues to once again pass this legislation protecting private property.

I also voted for the two-year moratorium to put the brakes on the Trans-Texas Corridor to give the Legislature and the public time to make sure we are making the right decisions and going in the right direction. I will continue to work on the best plan that meets our future transportation needs while protecting and respecting private property.

When this State was forced to deal with a $10 billion budget shortfall during my first Session, I said no to the liberals who proposed tax increases, and instead voted to cut spending to balance the budget. And, when this State had a surplus this past Session, I said no to the liberals who wanted to spend every dime, and instead voted to put aside $7.5 billion to insure future balanced budgets and property tax cuts.

As we approach economic uncertainty that could lead to another budget shortfall, I have a proven track record of fiscal discipline to hold the line on spending rather than raising taxes to balance the budget, and responsible restraint to set aside a surplus for a rainy day.

I voted to reduce school property tax rates by up to one-third, and to hold property appraisals to a true 10% appraisal cap to help hold the line on sharp valuation increases that drive up property tax bills.

I co-sponsored legislation eliminating the unnecessary Telecommunications Infrastructure Fee from your phone bill, and, I will continue to work to restore truth in taxation and see to it that these taxes either fund their intended programs or return the money to the taxpayer.

And, I have a simple message to those looking for a state income tax. If you want an income tax, find a new Senator. An income tax would just open the floodgates of money to the government and once the government gets its hands on your paycheck with automatic deductions, they will never let go.

I am also proud to say that I sponsored and passed House Bill 1287, which provides for a high school elective course in a non-devotional, academic study of the Bible for a well-rounded education in both our culture and our history. We cannot fully understand or appreciate the major writings of our historic figures without better understanding the Biblical text they relied upon for inspiration. An academic review found more than 1300 Biblical references in the works of William Shakespeare, and no one reading the speeches of George Washington or Abraham Lincoln can ignore the impact of the Bible on the
way they thought and wrote.