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Wayne Smith (Texas politician)

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Richard Wayne Smith
Texas State Representative for District 128 (Harris County)
In office
January 14, 2003 – January 9, 2017
Preceded byFrederick Martin "Fred" Bosse
Succeeded byBriscoe Cain
Personal details
Born (1943-08-17) August 17, 1943 (age 81)
Bell County, Texas, USA
Political partyRepublican
SpouseBrenda Smith
ChildrenTwo children
Residence(s)Baytown, Harris County, Texas
Alma materUniversity of Texas at Arlington
OccupationRetired civil engineer and land surveyor
Military service
Branch/serviceUnited States Army
Battles/warsVietnam War

Richard Wayne Smith, commonly known as Wayne Smith, (born August 17, 1943)[1] is a former seven-term Republican member of the Texas House of Representatives for District 128. He was first elected in November 2002 and served until January 2017.[2] On May 24, 2016, Smith was unseated by 23 votes in the Republican runoff election by Briscoe Cain, 3,050 (50.2%) to 3,027 (49.8%).[3]

Political life

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Elections

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In the 2016 Republican Primary, held on March 1, Smith had two challengers—Briscoe Cain and Melody McDaniel. Smith received 43.75% of the vote and Cain received 47.83%, resulting in a runoff.[4] In the runoff election, held on May 24, Smith lost to Briscoe Cain by 23 votes − 3,050 (50.2%) to 3,027 (49.8%).[3] Smith sought a recount.[5] The vote count was unchanged after the recount.[6]

House Committee assignments

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In 2015, Texas Speaker of the House Joe Straus appointed Smith as chairman of the House Licensing and Administrative Procedures Committee. Smith also currently sits as well on the Culture, Recreation, and Tourism Committee.[7] Smith was first appointed as chairman of the Licensing and Administrative Procedures Committee in 2013 by Straus.[8] in 2011 Straus appointed Smith as chairman of the Environmental Regulations Committee.[9] Smith was also appointed chair of the County Affairs Committee in 2007 and 2003.[10]

Rice University analysis

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2015

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In 2015, Rice University's Baker Institute, ranked Smith 66th on the Liberal-Conservative Index, with the rank of 148 going to the most conservative house member and the rank of 1 to the most liberal house member.[11][12] According to the non-ideological study of legislators' voting records,[13] Smith, when compared to members of his own party (Republican), the Liberal-Conservative index scored Smith as the 15th most liberal-republican in the Texas House.[14]

2013

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In 2013, the House Rankings released by the Baker Institute a think tank based at Rice University that describes itself as "Strictly non-partisan",[15] ranked Smith 65th on the Liberal-Conservative Index, with the rank of 149 going to the most conservative house member and the rank of 1 to the most liberal house member.[16] According to the study, when Smith is compared to the members of his own party (Republican), he ranked as the 10th most liberal republican in the Texas house, a score that placed him in the 'Less Conservative than 2/3 of the Republican delegation' category of the study's intra-party scale.[17]

Legislative record

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2015

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In the 84th Legislative Session, Smith co-authored HB 11[18] that added more technology and DPS troopers on the Texas border. He also voted for the budget that added over $800 million in new funding for border security. Republican Governor Greg Abbott called the measures "the toughest, most comprehensive border-security plan of any state in the nation."[19] He also co-authored a Constitutional Amendment to raise the homestead exemption by $10,000. If passed by the voters on November 3, 2015, the Constitutional Amendment will result in a tax cut of $1.2 billion.[20]

In 2015, Smith voted to allow felons to receive foodstamps (SNAP Benefits).[21] He voted to make it a crime to film legislators inside the state capital without their permission.[22] He voted to make it a crime for citizens or journalists to film legislators inside the state capital without their permission.[23] In 2015, Smith voted against requiring conference committees to be open and transparent to constituents.[21] Smith voted to table an amendment to Texas House Bill 32 which sought to increase the franchise tax exemptions for small businesses.[21] Smith also voted to increase the office budget of representatives.[21] He voted to create a clean needle exchange.[24]

2013

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In 2013, Smith voted for Medicaid expansion, a vote that according to Americans for Prosperity and Empower Texans, would have implemented Obamacare in Texas; the amendment however failed to pass.[25][26] Smith voted against establishing term limits for certain statewide elected offices.[27] In May 2013, when Texas Senate Bill 5 was brought up, Smith voted for the ban on abortion after twenty weeks of gestation; the measure passed the House, 96–49. He also voted for companion legislation to increase medical and licensing requirements of abortion providers. In 2011, Smith supported two other anti-abortion measures. One forbids state funding of agencies which perform abortions and the other requires that a woman undergo a sonogram before procuring an abortion.

In 2013, Smith voted against requiring legislators to disclose government contracts entered into by themselves, their family or their businesses.[28] He voted to prohibit texting while driving.[29] Smith supported an "equal pay for women" bill, which passed the Legislature but was vetoed by Governor Perry.[30] Smith voted against redirecting $1.4 million toward volunteer fire departments from bingo compliance.[31]

2011

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In 2011, Smith supported a resolution to reduce funding for state agencies. In 2011, he voted to expand the sales tax to Internet transactions to match existing laws for brick and mortar stores;[32] the measure passed the House 125–20. The same year, Smith opposed budget transparency by voting against requiring every expenditure to be line-itemed for each entity's appropriation.[32] In 2011, Smith, voted against shifting funds from the Commission on the Arts to the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services.[33] In 2011, Smith voted against a bill to prohibit smoking in public places.[34] Smith voted against permitting the use of corporal punishment as a method of student discipline; the bill nevertheless passed the House, 80–64. Smith voted to require colleges and universities to make student centers compatible with traditional family values. To guarantee the integrity of the election process, Smith supported picture identification of voters.[35] The law finally took effect in October 2013 and was used widely without incident in the primaries on March 4, 2014.[36] In 2013, Smith supported related legislation to forbid a voter from turning in multiple ballots.[35]

In 2011, Smith voted for HB 150 which approved the redistricting of several house districts that according to policy organizations sought to punish conservative republicans who voted against Joe Straus for Speaker.[34][37]

He voted to make it illegal to install a sprinkler system without a license.[38]

2009

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In 2009, Smith supported a bill to allow counties to increase property taxes.[39] In 2009, Smith supported a bill to allow cities to increase property taxes to use on energy efficient improvements and also allowed cities to place a lien on the homeowner's lot until the improvement was made.[39] Though the bill failed to pass, Smith supported a bill that sought to base property taxes on the owner's annual income rather than on the value of the property. In 2009, Smith voted for placing non-discrimination requirements for services and employment on faith based charities receiving government support. In 2009, Smith voted to give authority to the Commissioner of the Texas Education Agency to approve content of electronic textbooks.[40]

2007

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In 2007, Smith voted against giving school teachers a pay increase. He voted against the funding of school choice programs. [41] [42] The same year Smith voted for the levying of a "granny tax" on nursing home residents.[43] A bill which according to State Senator Jane Nelson was "a tax on the people that could least afford it."[44] In 2007, Smith opposed English-only education, and supported HB 2814 to allow schools to teach in students in two languages rather than just English.[34] In response to HB 2814, Rep. Debbie Riddle (R-Dist. 150) said, "we're in America where English is the native language; kids should know how to use it proficiently."[45] In 2007, he voted to increase the number of people eligible for indigent health care even though many of the families who would now be eligible could afford their own healthcare.[34]

2005

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In 2005, Smith voted to raise the motor vehicle sales tax.[46] Smith voted to authorize counties to impose a local gasoline tax.[47]

References

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  1. ^ "Rep. Wayne Smith (R)". Texas Directory. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
  2. ^ "WayneSmith". Texas Legislative Reference Library. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
  3. ^ a b "Race Summary Report:2016 Republican Party Primary Runoff, 5/24/2016". Office of the Secretary of State, State of Texas. Retrieved May 12, 2017.
  4. ^ "Race Summary Report:2016 Republican Party Primary Election, 3/1/2016". Office of the Secretary of State, State of Texas. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
  5. ^ Svitek, Patrick. State Rep. Wayne Smith Now Wants Recount in House District 128 Runoff, Texas Tribune, May 26, 2016. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
  6. ^ Elliott, Rebecca (June 3, 2016). "Cain's runoff victory over Smith holds after recount". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
  7. ^ "Wayne Smith's Biography". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
  8. ^ Ramshaw, Emily (January 31, 2013). "Straus Makes House Committee Assignments". Texas Tribune. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
  9. ^ Ramsey, Ross (February 9, 2011). "House Committees Named". Texas Tribune. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
  10. ^ "Wayne Smith". Legislative Reference Library. Legislative Reference Library of Texas. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
  11. ^ Jones, Mark P. (July 7, 2015). "The 2015 Texas House, from left to right". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved January 13, 2018. ranging from 1 (most liberal) to 148 (most conservative)
  12. ^ Jones, Mark P. "Texas House Liberal-Conservative Location: 2013-Rs" (PDF). texastribune.org. The Texas Tribune. p. 5. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
  13. ^ Cheshire, Cary (July 18, 2015). "Numbers Don't Lie: Jones Study Confirms Accuracy of Fiscal Responsibility Index Results….Again". Empower Texans. Retrieved January 13, 2018. Dr. Mark Jones of Rice University has, for the past several sessions, provided a non-ideological study of legislators' voting records
  14. ^ The Baker Institute. "Texas House Liberal-Conservative Location" (PNG). texastribune.org. The Texas Tribune. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
  15. ^ "Baker Institute for Public Policy". SourceWatch.org. Source Watch. August 5, 2009. Retrieved January 13, 2018. It describes itself as "strictly non-partisan and dedicated to the highest standards of intellectual excellence and integrity with the goal of helping bridge the gap between the theory and practice of public policy by drawing together experts from academia, government, the media, business, and non-governmental organizations."
  16. ^ Jones, Mark P. (October 15, 2013). "Guest Column: The 2013 Texas House, From Right to Left". texastribune.org. The Texas Tribune. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
  17. ^ Jones, Mark P. "Liberals and Conservatives in the 2013 Texas House of Representatives" (PDF). texastribune.org. The Texas Tribune. p. 2. Retrieved January 13, 2018. Less Conservative than 2/3 of Rs
  18. ^ "Texas Legislature Online - 84(R) History for HB 11". www.capitol.state.tx.us. Retrieved 2015-09-22.
  19. ^ "Governor Abbott Signs Border Security Legislation - Greg Abbott". 11 June 2015. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
  20. ^ "Texas Legislature Online - 84(R) History for SB 1". www.capitol.state.tx.us. June 15, 2015. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
  21. ^ a b c d "State Rep. Wayne Smith (R-Baytown)". Empower Texans. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
  22. ^ "House Record Vote: 1539". Empower Texans. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
  23. ^ "House Record Vote: 1539". Empower Texans. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
  24. ^ "HB 3238: Creating a needle exchange program". Empower Texans. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
  25. ^ http://americansforprosperity.org/texas/files/2014/05/83rd_Legislative_ReportCard1.pdf Archived 2015-12-17 at the Wayback Machine http://www.empowertexans.com/representative/smith-wayne/ Archived 2015-10-02 at the Wayback Machine
  26. ^ "Remembering Who Supported Medicaid Expansion". Empower Texans. August 22, 2013. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
  27. ^ "SJR 13 - Establishes Term Limits For Certain Elected Officials - Key Vote". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
  28. ^ "House Record Vote: 995". Empower Texans. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
  29. ^ "Wayne Smith's Voting Records". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
  30. ^ "Texas Legislature Online - 83(R) History for HB 950".
  31. ^ "Legislative Ratings for the 83rd Legislature" (PDF). Young Conservatives of Texas. October 2013. p. 11. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
  32. ^ a b "State Rep. Wayne Smith (R-Baytown)". Empower Texans. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
  33. ^ http://www.yct.org/wp-content/uploads/ratings/YCT_82nd_Session_Ratings.pdf [bare URL PDF]
  34. ^ a b c d "Check out iVoterGuide".
  35. ^ a b "Wayne Smith's Voting Records". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
  36. ^ "Texas Voter ID Law Officially Takes Effect". HuffPost. October 21, 2013. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
  37. ^ Saenz, Jonathan (November 23, 2010). "Closed Session Dominates so-called "Public Hearing" on Straus Supporter, Rep. Larry Phillips Named As Alleged House Member, Source of "Threat" of Punishment For Speaker Joe Straus Opposers". Archived from the original on March 5, 2017. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
  38. ^ "Legislative Ratings for the 82nd Legislature" (PDF). Young Conservatives of Texas. p. 15. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
  39. ^ a b "Check out iVoterGuide".
  40. ^ "Legislative Ratings for the 81st Legislature" (PDF). Young Conservatives of Texas. p. 12. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
  41. ^ "Legislative Ratings for the 80th Legislature" (PDF). Young Conservatives of Texas. p. 7. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
  42. ^ "64 - Pay Raise for Public School Employees - Key Vote". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
  43. ^ "State Rep. Wayne Smith (R-Baytown)". Empower Texans. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
  44. ^ "Todd Smith's Classic Hits to the Texas Taxpayers | NE Tarrant Tea Party". Archived from the original on 2015-09-30. Retrieved 2015-09-29.
  45. ^ Puckett, Sarah (October 23, 2007). "Riddle voices opposition to dual language classes". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
  46. ^ "CSHB 4 - Motor Vehicle Sales Tax - Key Vote". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
  47. ^ "House Legislative Scorecard 2005". Texas Eagle Forum. September 2005. p. 4. Retrieved 22 August 2015.
Political offices
Texas House of Representatives
Preceded by
Frederick Martin "Fred" Bosse
 Texas State Representative for District 128 (Harris County) Wayne Smith
2003–2017 		Succeeded by
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