Following the unprecedented and unwarranted actions of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to federalize the permitting of refineries and other facilities in Texas, the Texas Conservative Coalition (TCC), the conservative caucus of the Texas Legislature, strongly objected to the federal intrusion, and noted their intention to pursue all possible steps to prevent the EPA's takeover of state permitting.

In the 81st Legislature, State Representative Tim Kleinschmidt worked tirelessly to advance and defend conservative principles. Based on his adherence to principles and his spirited defense of conservative values, Rep. Wayne Christian, President of the Texas Conservative Coalition recognized Rep. Kleinschmidt as a Courageous Conservative of the 81st Legislature and the TCC Freshman of the Year.

Today the Texas Conservative Coalition presented State Representative Randy Weber (R-Pearland) with the Courageous Conservative Award for the 81st Legislature. Rep. Weber worked tirelessly during the session to advance conservative principles.  His conservative voting record was top among TCC members, and he had a very successful freshman term in the Texas House of Representatives.

AUSTIN, TEXAS - Today, the Texas House of Representatives passed a key bill to spur innovation to help the environment. House Bill 469, supported by the Texas Conservative Coalition, creates incentives for clean coal technology that allow for carbon dioxide to be captured and used for enhanced oil recovery.

Austin, Texas - Today, conservatives in the Texas House of Representatives passed three bills to spur innovation to cut taxes on small businesses, to help the environment, and to increase protections for private property owners.

“Sound fiscal policy is the key to economic growth. Legislators should reject the philosophical underpinnings of the preliminary mid-session report of the Select Committee on Federal Economic Stabilization Funding.�

In a statement to the media, TCC president Wayne Christian states that "state employees have secure jobs which they can hardly expect to lose through firings or layoffs, unlike people who work in the private sector. Yet, the Texas State Employees Union continues to demand more from taxpayers even as Texans lose jobs and families are forced to cut back..."

Following the release of a study on the economic impact of the stimulus package, the Texas Conservative Coalition issued a statement to the press. "The stimulus takes our state and nation down the wrong path, in stark contrast to the policies that we know work. The massive increase in federal spending will require higher taxes, more debt, or both. More spending, higher taxes, and increased debt are the wrong answer to right the economy..."

Wayne Christian, President of the Texas Conservative Coalition, issued a statement to the press regarding the funding mechanism of House Bill 6, the hurricane recovery bill.  The statement insisted on responsible hurricane recovery spending and that the "Rainy Day Fund" not be utilized.

Wayne Christian, president of the Texas Conservative Coalition, issued a statement to the press supporting House Bill 4294.  The bill proposes allowing school districts to purchase electronic textbooks and other instructional technologies in addition to textbooks.