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April 22, 2015
Title: Red Light Cameras are Back in the News
Topic: Red Light Cameras
Discussed by State Representative Gary Elkins
with Elected Officials
FACT: 90% of the
tickets issued from red light cameras are for people turning right on red a
light. Even most police officers wouldn’t do that!
State Representative Gary Elkins is here today to give an update on the battle
surrounding red light cameras. Some like them; many do not. First, he reviews
the history behind red light cameras. In 2003, there was a “Civil Regulation”
amendment offered in a transportation bill that seemed harmless at the time. One
problem with red light cameras, according to Gary, is that the traffic laws vary
from city to city. Drivers deserve uniform laws across the state of Texas.
State Rep. Gary Elkins was able to pass a law repealing the Civil Regulation
amendment in 2005 with overwhelming bipartisan support. In fact, it has passed
the Texas House over a dozen times. But it keeps dying in the Senate!
Furthermore, every time the public has had a chance to vote to repeal red light
cameras, it has passed. Listen in as Gary explains the hurdles he is facing now
concerning HB1131.
The Senate’s sister bill concerning this issue is SB714. It has
passed the Senate committee, but Gary needs your help to get a hearing for his
bill, HB1131. Please call the House Transportation Committee
and light a fire under them! The phone number to call is: 512.463.0818
ext E2.122
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February 10, 2015
Title: The History Behind Red Light Cameras
Topic: Red Light Camera History
Discussed by State Representative Gary Elkins
with Elected Officials
State Representative Gary Elkins is beginning his 21st year in the Texas
State Legislature. He is fed up with the government trying to take away the
rights of citizens. He believes, like many others, that red light cameras are
infringing on the rights of Texans and he has plans to make them go away once
and for all.
Legislation was introduced in 2003 under the guise of wanting to “civilly
regulate traffic”. That sounded great, so the Texas Legislators passed the law,
which actually allowed individual cities to install the cameras if the voters
agreed. You can imagine the shock many elected officials experienced when they
discovered this! Many were furious because they thought they had firmly said NO
to red light cameras.
In fact, in 2005 the House passed a law to repeal the law, but it died in the
Senate. Same thing happened in 2007 AND in 2009. Every single time it passed the
House but was shot down in the Senate..... What gives??
Finally, this year, Senator Don Huffines (R-Dallas) has filed a bill in the
Senate to stop red light cameras once and for all. Listen in as State
Representative Gary Elkins explains the premise behind red light cameras and why
he believes they are nothing but bad news.
SB 340 and HB 1131 can be found [HERE].
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February 27, 2014
Title: Lobbyists, Non-Profits, Money, and the LINK Letter
Topic: Pay-to-Play Politics
Discussed by State Representative Gary Elkins
with Elected Officials
Part 1 of 2
Gary Elkins first
knocked on my door in January of 1994. Back then, I was just stepping into the
political scene. Very few people were Republicans and even fewer
people actually admitted it.
But people were beginning to see the light and realize we needed a change in
Texas if our great state was to survive.
20 years later, Gary is still my friend. We don’t agree on everything. We
probably never will. What does he think of the LINK Letter? Does he think I’m a
“sell-out”?
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Title: Part 2 of 2
Topic: Pay-to-Play Politics
Discussed by State Representative Gary Elkins
with Elected Officials
Gary says that lobbyists have
the real power and influence. They will hound and hound and offer money and free
gifts; they organize fundraisers and even sponsor your kid’s t-ball team.
Why don’t people see these activities as wrong and immoral?
Also, pro-life organizations such as Texas Right to Life will give politicians a
big, fat “F” if they vote against any pro-life bill, no matter the circumstance.
Is this fair? Shouldn’t we be looking at the big picture?
Pro-life issues are very important, probably the most important to me. But there
are others issues that are high priority, like border security, repealing
ObamaCare, and lowering taxes. Those issues matter, too.
HOST’S NOTE: What issues are important to you? Do you have a suggestion for a
guest for the What’s UP Radio Program? Is there a topic you would like for us to
discuss more often? Click on the “Contact Us” link at www.TerryLowry.com and
tell us!
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January 20, 2014
Title: Campaign Funds
Topic: Politics and Money
Discussed by State Representative Gary Elkins
with Elected Officials
Part 1 of 3
Everyone hates the dreaded phone calls from politicians and their staff and volunteers asking for money. Even candidates themselves hate calling you!
BUT how is an un-known candidate to get elected without the necessary and proper funds?
Fundraisers are great, but don’t often raise enough money, especially for people new to the political arena.
Listen in as State Representative Gary Elkins talks some about his campaign.
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Title: Part 2 of 3
Topic: Politics and Money
Discussed by State Representative Gary Elkins
with Elected Officials
After becoming an elected
official, many politicians are then able to raise significant amounts of money.
They have a title. They have recognition.
Once an elected official has a substantial amount of money, can they then use
their own campaign funds to help others?
State Rep Gary Elkins discusses....
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Title: Part 3 of 3
Topic: Politics and Money
Discussed by State Representative Gary Elkins
with Elected Officials
So, what happens when a state
official retires, yet still has unused campaign funds? Can they donate their
money or do they get to keep it?
Also, some elected officials have invested campaign funds in the stock market.
Is this even legal?
You can find contact info for Gary’s campaign at www.GaryElkins.com.
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September 28, 2010
Title: Gary Elkins: Government is not the answer, Government is the Problem segment 1 of 2
Topic: Conversation with an Elected Official
Discussed by State Representative Gary Elkins
with Elected Officials
Gary Elkins and Terry start to discuss redistricting, but soon find themselves discussing the Speaker of the Texas House and his selection of committee chairmen, the possibility of a state income tax, and business friendly environments (or unfriendly as the case may be).
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Title: Gary Elkins: do you have $164,000? Segment 2 of 2
Topic: Tax Burden is Too Heavy Now
Discussed by State Representative Gary Elkins
with Elected Officials
Gary and Terry discuss government spending and the cost of the government debt (interest), and that the Republican Pledge to America does not include a provision for a balanced budget. America is no longer “business friendly”. Where can business make the most profit? It is no longer America. We get it; why can’t Washington D.C? With 85 million tax payers trying to pay off a 13 trillion dollar debt, that is $164,000 per tax payer. Do you have $164,000? (Total US debt is 157 trillion dollars.)
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December 15, 2009
Title: THE TIME IS NOW TO GET INVOLVED Part 1 of 4
Topic: Candidate Interviews
Discussed by State Representative Gary Elkins
with Elected Officials
How did State Rep Gary Elkins get his start in politics and why? Log on to www.GaryElkins.com to learn more.
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Title: THE TIME IS NOW TO GET INVOLVED Part 2 of 4
Topic: Candidate Interviews
Discussed by State Representative Gary Elkins
with Elected Officials
What does Gary Elkins stand for? Log on to www.GaryElkins.com to learn more.
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Title: THE TIME IS NOW TO GET INVOLVED Part 3 of 4
Topic: Candidate Interviews
Discussed by State Representative Gary Elkins
with Elected Officials
Why is the state budget so important? How does Texas compare to other states? Log on to www.GaryElkins.com to learn more.
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Title: THE TIME IS NOW TO GET INVOLVED Part 4 of 4
Topic: Candidate Interviews
Discussed by State Representative Gary Elkins
with Elected Officials
Do you know what the 9th and 10th Amendments are? Why does it matter? Log on to www.GaryElkins.com to learn more.
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October 17, 2008
Title: Meet State Representative Gary Elkins
Topic: Old Topic - 2008 General Election Candidate Interviews
Discussed by State Representative Gary Elkins
with Elected Officials
State Representative Gary Elkins discusses the issues facing Texans today.
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May 1, 2006
Title: FOLLOW THE MONEY
Topic: Special Session of the Texas Legislature
Discussed by State Representative Gary Elkins
with Elected Officials
"They" want a Special Tax! What is this "Special Tax" and who wants it? State Representative Gary Elkins tells it like it is.
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July 14, 2005
Title: Should Texas take all but $1?
Topic: Red Light Cameras
Discussed by State Representative Gary Elkins
with Elected Officials
Government bureaucrats testified in Austin that the purpose for cameras at intersections was for safety and not revenue. Therefore, St. Rep. Gary Elkins proposed an amendment to HB3 that would allow any city to use cameras to film and fine light-running drivers, but the city could only keep $1 out of the fine. All other dollars collected would be remitted to the state for public education.
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June 22, 2005
Title: School Finance Reform
Topic: Taxes and Government Spending
Discussed by State Representative Gary Elkins
with Elected Officials
State Representative Gary Elkins helps us understand the reason for the called special session by Governor Perry.
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February 15, 2005
Title: A reduction in property taxes, could cost you and me more, how? And what about Red light cameras...
Topic: Conversation with an Elected Official
Discussed by State Representative Gary Elkins
with Elected Officials
State Representative Gary Elkins sounds the alarm: there is a rush to reduce property taxes, but there is a catch. Be aware, many elected officials will try to mask a larger tax increase. It will not help if they reduce your property taxes by $500 if they reach into the other pocket and take out $800 to $1000 somewhere else! And, say no to cameras at street lights for three reasons: 1. Documented to cause an increase in injures by 24% 2. Why should a city profit from its engineering mistakes 3. If they were so effective in reducing the number of red light runners, why would they bring in so much money year after year? You would think drivers would just stop, but no, they really are encouraged to hurry all the more.
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