The upcoming session will, perhaps, be the most challenging of all of our legislative careers.  You know the issues are staggering challenges but I feel the most important and perhaps, as yet under stated change, will be voter participation and observation.   Times are a'changin!

One significant change not recognized by many political pros was the demise of statewide daily distribution of metropolitan newspapers almost six years ago.  The days of the mainstream media as decisive in policy and politics are done.  Fox News has joined talk radio, in becoming the major public media for Texans and  both are challenged by Al Gore's invention, the internet.  

The most significant political movement in modern times, the TEA parties and fellow independent groups, have surpassed the size and scope of former political "uprisings" that include the voter revolts that took hold during the Carter and Clinton administrations resulting in Reagan's landslide and Newt Gingrich's "Contract with America."  All three will go down in history as encouraging reactions to liberal political progressive power grabs.  The differences this time include the depth of the progressives' grab, the numbers or size of the independent voter groups that are reacting, and lastly their ability to communicate by Gore's media.  

Thus we enter this year of historical legislative challenges with a voter base who is alerted, demanding, and like no other time in history both watching and connected (and frankly, very motivated and vocal!)!  It's a new world but it's a true conservative's dream.  A participating and activated voter base that has bypassed the liberal media and demanding the agenda on which we are organized: Conservative!

I have traveled over 7,000 miles since January across the state as TCC president sharing our history and goals.  This my report to you, members of now the third largest caucus in the state of Texas, the Texas Conservative Coalition.  We now have membership of over 75 legislators in both chambers and I predict several new friends after Election Day.  Under the shadow of the quote from history, "Together we stand, divided we fall," we enter this session as one of the most powerful groups in the history of the state who share a common political philosophy and legislative agenda.  

Our growth and the changes mentioned above are directly related.  The voters do NOT care who has a majority as a political party.  They are disgusted with both parties; however they are more angry with liberals (progressives) than the rest of us at the moment.  Republicans will benefit in this election, but unless they change their ways and perform with significant conservative legislative accomplishments, they too will be put to pasture.  That makes the Texas Conservative Coalition the podium from which to advance the voters' goals.

The political parties had better wise up. Historically, each believes it's only worthy goal is to win a majority of members in the legislature.  That is not what the Texas voters are demanding.  They are demanding that their politicians get serious about smaller government, states' rights, border security, significant fiscal efficiencies in all areas of government, and election integrity.  In other words, they have their agenda, are "connected" and will be watching and anxious to reward those who continue to ignore such at the next election.

At the dozens of town halls -- including the major three TCC  town halls in urban areas involving Governor Perry, Attorney General Greg Abbott, and Judge Andrew Napolitano --  Republican party clubs, Texas Federation of Republican Women meetings, GOPAC TX training meetings TEA party meetings that I have attended, our House leadership has been questioned.  Perhaps from the court ruling won with the former Republican Party Chairman as plaintiff and Kelly Shackelford as counsel, which now permits participation in the Speaker's race by grass roots groups, voters are now engaged in how we vote in the upcoming Speaker's election.    The Eyes of Texas are upon us!

A recently published study from  Rice University reveals the liberals accomplished more of their legislative goals during this most recent session than the last session controlled by the Democratic Party.  Believe me, our conservative base knows this.

As chairman of the Texas Republican Party's Platform Party this past summer, two significant things were added.  First the legislative agenda of specific demands for legislation was adopted and included the legislative agenda of our Texas Conservative Coalition.  We now enter the upcoming session with full official support of the Texas State Republican Party of our legislative agenda.  Secondly, the platform provides a legislative report be provided by the SREC to voters 120 days prior to the next primary, concerning how we as elected officials performed regarding their agenda.  Accountability is now a part of the party's agenda.

Our growth during these past few years from under thirty members to our current size came from active participation on the part of members and quality work of our staff in providing issue letters with member's signatures (which encouraged many legislators to join by request of their voters), the substantive and exciting town-halls mentioned above, our "Pledge with Texans" and our TCC scorecard which allows voters to have faith in our members by proven records of votes.  This accountability will now be expanded to more voters than ever through this report by the Texas Republican Party.  We have been honored by the addition of Governor Perry's and Comptroller Combs' signature and other statewide officials to our Pledge.  Add your name to the Pledge to identify yourself as a courageous conservative.

I can assure you that your TCC board and our fine staff are working for other great advancements for the purpose of giving you the most powerful tools with which to accomplish the conservative agenda your voters are demanding from each of us.  But after all the work and opportunities I have mentioned above, all will boil down to what we do.

In my years in the Legislature I have been told time and time again you just have to be patient and work "within the system."  "It's been done that way a hundred years and you just have to go along."  The truth is, we do not.  We can attain the goals given us by our voters if we stand together and demand action through a committed voting block.  Then we can confidently return to our districts and report to our constituents:  "mission accomplished."