State Representative Jim Keffer (R-Eastland) launched a petition website on Wednesday, August 31st, calling on Congress to follow Texas’ lead by passing a constitutional amendment requiring a balanced federal budget. The website, www.BalanceOurFederalBudgetNow.com, provides Texas citizens and lawmakers the opportunity to sign the petition that Rep. Keffer will personally deliver to members of Congress later this year.
“Washington needs to learn the first lesson in Texas economics: Don’t spend more than you make,” said Keffer. “It’s time for Washington to follow our lead and pass a balanced budget amendment. I am asking all Texans and my colleagues in the Texas legislature to sign this petition and send a message that we are sick and tired of the out-of-control federal spending.”
The Texas State Constitution requires a balanced state budget. This past session the Texas legislature balanced the budget without raising taxes despite a budget shortfall. “Our Texas Constitution reflects our commitment to conservative values,” said Keffer.
“We have to make tough decisions and prioritize spending just as Texas families do in tough times, and we have been able to keep the size of our state government in check and our economy stable and job friendly.”
Rep. Keffer co-authored House Concurrent Resolution 18 this past session calling on Congress to pass a balanced budget amendment. The resolution overwhelmingly passed both the House and Senate with bi-partisan support and was signed by Texas Governor Rick Perry.
Both the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate are required to hold votes this fall on a federal balanced budget amendment as one of the conditions of the recently enacted legislation to raise the debt ceiling. Keffer plans to personally deliver the petition to members of Congress ahead of the vote.
“We have a great Texas delegation in Washington, many of whom share our commitment to reigning in federal spending,” said Keffer. “It’s also my goal with this petition to provide our delegation with grassroots support to keep fighting the current administration and the big liberal spenders.”
This past legislative session, Rep. Keffer was rated one of the “Top Ten” Legislators by Texas Monthly Magazine and was recently rated by Capitol Inside political newsletter as one of the Top Ten Texas Legislators of the past decade.
A true “Texas Taxpayer Watchdog”, Keffer is a conservative family man, small business owner and a lifelong Texas Republican. He is pro-life and pro-property owner/gun owner rights. Earlier this year he helped organize the Republican Party of Texas’ “Debt Busters” fundraising program that helped the party get out of debt and into the black.
Prior to running for the Texas legislature, Jim served as Republican County Chairman for Eastland County. In 1997, he became the first Republican to ever represent District 60. In his first session, Jim co-authored and passed the “Texas Taxpayer Appraisal Bill of Rights” which created the first-ever cap on property tax appraisals and enabled portability of senior citizen property tax freezes. It is rstimated that Keffer’s tax-cutting legislation has saved Texas families and businesses BILLIONS of Tax dollars and he is credited with having helped pass and author the three largest tax cuts in Texas history (1997, 1999 and 2007). In addition to Jim’s tax cutting reforms, he has also authored and helped pass landmark conservative legislation signed into law by both Republican Governor George W. Bush and Rick Perry.
Jim and his wife, Leslie, have been married for 36 years and have three grown sons and two grandchildren. He is president of a family owned and operated iron foundry business, EBAA Iron Sales, Inc. that is one of the largest employers in his community. To sign the petition, visit www.BalanceOurFederalBudgetNow.com.
