HB 2504, authored and passed by Rep. Lois Kolkhorst in 2009, created an important transparency reform for higher education institutions.  Public colleges are now required to offer a syllabus of each class offered along with associated costs.  As a result, families can make a more informed choice about course registration.

Representative Ken Paxton fought tirelessly against property taxes.  He authored and passed HB 1038, requiring county chief appraisers when determining the market value of a residence homestead to not exclude from consideration the values of other property in the neighborhood that sold at foreclosure or that declined in value because of the economy.

In the 81st Legislature Phil King authored and passed HB 469.  The bill created incentives for the implementation of certain "clean energy projects" which capture and sequester carbon dioxide that would otherwise be emitted into the atmosphere.  HB 469 was signed by the governor and takes effect September 1, 2009.

Rep. Fletcher co-authored and helped to pass HB 51, a Pledge with Texans bill, which creates an incentive program to bring more Texas universities to nationally-prominent research status.  Texas has only three "Tier One" universities, compared to nine in California and seven in New York.  This bill will improve higher education in Texas.

The United States Supreme Court has upheld the constitutionality of a photo identification requirement to protect the integrity of elections.  House Bill 125 secures elections against the threat of fraud by requiring presentation of a photo ID by voters.

Texas has three tier one universities, compared to nine in California and seven in New York, placing Texas at a significant educational disadvantage.  HB 51 creates an incentive program to bring more Texas universities to nationally-prominent research status.

HB 3796 creates a standard reporting process for the collection and reporting of information related to the performance of an abortion, including why the woman is choosing to have an abortion.

Limiting business taxes will allow the private sector to direct more capital to payrolls, rather than tax payments.  House Bill 3237 limits taxes on small businesses and contract laborers, which will help the private sector to grow the economy and create jobs.

School district M & O property taxes rise annually regardless of the property owners ability to pay.  The system is considered out dated and has been deemed unconstitutional.  HB 3176 repeals the M & O school district property tax and suggests an alternative system be created.

Requiring proof of citizenship or legal residency when applying for a driver's license maintains the integrity and security of the drivers license as a legal ID.  HB 976 codifies a DPS rule requiring verification of citizenship or legal residency status.