After winning a major victory in the legal arena last month, one newly elected lawmaker is seeking to codify that victory in state law.
On Thursday, freshman State Rep. Briscoe Cain (R–Deer Park) filed legislation that would officially repeal an unconstitutional state law banning the use of legislative video in political campaigns. Cain encountered the law last year during his successful campaign against State Rep. Wayne Smith (R–Baytown).
Wishing to use video of votes Smith had taken to increase his own pension, give drivers’ permits to illegal aliens, and fund diversity training over border security in political advertising, Cain was informed by the Texas Ethics Commission that doing so would violate state law.
Believing the law to be unconstitutional, Cain sued and won an injunction against the law being enforced.
“Last year, I successfully sued the Texas Ethics Commission to stop enforcing this unconstitutional law,” said Cain in a statement. “HB 1004 makes it official. No longer will Texas citizens be kept in the dark on how their legislators vote during session.”
The effect of Cain’s lawsuit is already being felt this session with citizens able to share on Facebook video of State Rep. Todd Hunter (R–Corpus Christi) admitting he kills conservative legislation in secret so Republican lawmakers can lie to their constituents.
