TEXAS - TELL GOV RICK PERRY TO VETO SB 346 - DON'T EMULATE OBAMA!

Submitted by: Nancy Battle Gun Owners of America

Et Tu Texas? Will the Lone Star State crack down on conservative groups, too?   One of the big Obama scandals recently has been the IRS targeting of politically conservative groups.   No one was overly surprised to see that the President brought his Chicago-style politics to Washington, and that his administration has been targeting their political opponents.    But what is surprising is that the state of Texas might follow suit.   The bill in question is SB 346 and it is currently sitting on Governor Rick Perry’s desk.  It is imperative that people call Perry immediately (at 512-463-2000) and ask him to VETO this dangerous bill.   The bill is introduced by Sen. Kel Seliger in the Senate and Rep. Charlie Geren in the House.  SB 346 could require Gun Owners of America — and other gun groups that you support — to disclose their donors’ names.    This bill would provide, as the Wall Street Journal observed, “a new opportunity for advocacy groups to intimidate businesses and others from participating in elections.”   Please be sure that GOA will NEVER disclose its members’ names to any governmental organization.  But realize that taking this stand could cost us dearly in the courts — and even result in the demise of this organization.   Again, that is why gun owners must call Rick Perry right away (at 512-463-2000) and demand that he veto the bill!   Apparently, many Senators didn’t realize what was really in the bill when it passed in the Senate.  According to the Wall Street Journal — in its article entitled “Texas Targets Conservatives” — several Senators are now having “Monday morning” regrets:   “Mr. Seliger's bill passed the Senate unanimously in April. But when Republicans realized what they'd voted for, two-thirds of the chamber voted to recall the bill from the House for a revote. That courtesy is routinely extended within the Texas legislature, but this time Mr. Geren [the House sponsor] refused. To force the bill directly to the Governor's desk, he moved the bill through the House unamended and it passed 94-51 with 51 Republicans opposed.”   Among other things, the sponsors of this legislation — Seliger and Geren — want to prevent fraudulent candidate voter guides from being published.   Says Senator Seliger:  “Whereas, differing views and interpretations are a constitutional right of free speech, fraudulent manipulation of voting records is shameful and needs to be condemned.”   But as the Wall Street Journal noted, what Sen. Seliger is saying is that “politicians get to decide what can or can't be said about their voting records. This is the Lee Kuan Yew school of free political speech, but Austin isn't Singapore.”   ACTION: Please call Gov. Rick Perry immediately at 512-463-2000.  You can use the following letter to direct your comments to Gov. Perry.   ---------------------   Dear Gov. Perry:   Please veto SB 346!   One of the big Obama scandals recently has been the IRS targeting of politically conservative groups.   No one was overly surprised to see that the President brought his Chicago-style politics to Washington, and that his administration has been targeting their political opponents.    But what is surprising is that Austin, Texas might follow suit.   And that is why I oppose SB 346, as it could require Gun Owners of America - and other gun rights groups - to disclose their donors’ names.    This bill would provide, as the Wall Street Journal observed, “a new opportunity for advocacy groups to intimidate businesses and others from participating in elections.”   Apparently, many Senators didn’t realize what was really in the bill when it passed in the Senate.  According to the Wall Street Journal - in its article entitled “Texas Targets Conservatives” - several Senators are now having “Monday morning” regrets:   “Mr. Seliger's bill passed the Senate unanimously in April. But when Republicans realized what they'd voted for, two-thirds of the chamber voted to recall the bill from the House for a revote. That courtesy is routinely extended within the Texas legislature, but this time Mr. Geren [the House sponsor] refused. To force the bill directly to the Governor's desk, he moved the bill through the House unamended and it passed 94-51 with 51 Republicans opposed.”   Among other things, the sponsors of this legislation - Seliger and Geren - want to prevent fraudulent candidate voter guides from being published.   Says Senator Seliger:  “Whereas, differing views and interpretations are a constitutional right of free speech, fraudulent manipulation of voting records is shameful and needs to be condemned.”   But as the Wall Street Journal noted, what Sen. Seliger is saying is that “politicians get to decide what can or can't be said about their voting records. This is the Lee Kuan Yew school of free political speech, but Austin isn't Singapore.”   Please veto SB 346.   Sincerely,