David Simpson is the Texas House Representative from District 7 here in Texas. He is a deeply religious man and a believer in Liberty. He is also a Constitutionalist and believes in the “Rule Of Law”. Today on the house floor, he gave a speech that should remind people of why we have corruption and out of control government.
From his Facebook Page:
Today I offered the following personal privilege speech on the enactment of SB 293 before the Texas House of Representatives:
“Mr. Speaker and members:
I don’t wish to take much time today, but there is an issue that I cannot let go unnoticed.
As we press forward through this legislative session, I want us to remember that each and every one of us is responsible for upholding the rule of law—not just its letter but its spirit.
Sure, we can play games with words and effective dates, as we used to do with the clock. But who are we kidding? The Lord knows and, more and more, the people know when we violate our rules or our constitutions.
I want to get right to the point, and pull the “Band-Aid” off quickly, not slowly and painfully. Two weeks ago we debated Senate Bill 293, which was presented to this body as a “clarification of the law” that would have NO retroactive effect. I brought multiple points of order on Section 2 of the bill that clearly requires a retroactive application, but I was overruled. I also appealed to the governor.
Last Wednesday, April 8, the governor signed Senate Bill 293 into law. That same day the City of Fort Worth submitted a letter to the comptroller’s office, requesting that a previously denied application for a NASCAR event beginning the next day should be reconsidered.
Even though it was only a day before the event’s activities commenced, not the 45 days required by statute (See Vernon’s Civil Statutes, Article 5190.14, Section 5A, and especially b-1.), the comptroller, based upon the retroactive language of Section 2 of the bill and in keeping with its letter of March 20, approved the February 19 application RETROACTIVELY.
And what is all this for? Is it to increase the eligible reimbursement for this event from $1,007,900 to $1,824,796? Have we as leaders of this state (this house, the senate, the governor, and the comptroller), really sacrificed our oaths for $816,896, for one city and one event? Have we sold our birthright of liberty and limited government for a bowl of political pottage? I believe we have.
We’ve played games with the rule of law, and it is obvious. We have trampled on our U.S. Constitution and the Texas Constitution that both specifically forbid ex post facto or retroactive laws.
This is why people don’t trust politicians.
Ladies and gentlemen, when we consciously violate our oath of office or intentionally work around the plain spirit of our laws and our constitutions, we reinforce the beliefs of every cynic that we have proven our profession and all we do here is negotiate price.
May God have mercy upon us and help us.”
A copy of David Simpson’s Speech from the Texas House Floor
