Texas House Bills 464 and 3080 make it more expensive and difficult to enter into an election in the State of Texas.

Here is the text for HB 3080: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/84R/billtext/html/HB03080I.htm

Here is the text for HB 464: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/84R/billtext/html/HB00464I.htm

Was HB 3080 filed in case HB 464 fails?

 

My reaction to HB 464 was as follows. I OPPOSE this bill.

Essentially it states that if you want to run for office, no matter what party you are running in, you must pay a filing fee (which sounds fair since everyone has to pay, right?), even if you don’t nominate by primary – which are tax-funded elections. Specifically, as you might know, the Libertarian Party of Texas nominates by convention, the expenses of which are covered by the party, whose funds are raised by private donations. The 2 major parties, (Republicans and Democrats) nominate by tax-funded primaries.

What happens if HB 464 passes?

Candidates of minor parties who might not be able to afford the filing fees would not qualify to be placed on the ballot unless they achieve the specified number collected in petition in lieu of filing fees. The Libertarian Party of Texas‘ convention would be minimized as they would have very few candidates to run (which would be those who were able to afford the filing fees or collect the number of valid signatures). A convention of which the party would still have to pay for by itself while the major parties get tax-funded primaries. The 2 major parties would knock out most 3rd party candidates, while receiving funding by the would-be 3rd party candidates that they eliminated… via their tax dollars. It’s the perfect scheme.

How fair does that sound?

This bill was introduced by a Republican (Rep. Drew Springer), and with a Republican-dominated legislature in a state with the largest Libertarian presence, I suspect that this bill (or HB 3080) will pass so that Republicans can keep Libertarians from drawing votes away from Republican candidates (As if Republicans deserved or were entitled to Libertarian votes in the first place). If passed it will take effect September 1st, 2015, just in time for the kick-off of the 2016 Election year. Republicans pulled a similar stunt in Ohio. Also, we’re leaving it to the Secretary of State to adopt rules necessary to implement this section. I’d be curious to see how that’s done.

There is a problem when the dominating party can pass legislation that limits their competition. That is tyranny.

 

The text above was sent to Texas House Rep. Jeff Leach of District 67 who kindly and promptly responded to my message. See image below:

He mentioned he could not support HB 464 in its current form. Representative Leach believes the bill will “place an undue burden on individuals who freely engage in the political process.”

I would expect that in the interest of maintaining his integrity, he will also OPPOSE HB 3080 and continue his opposition of HB 464.