| Revision as of 15:32, 2 October 2013 editJamesx12345 (talk | contribs)Pending changes reviewers, Rollbackers28,014 editsm traditonal marriage is a bit POV (HG)← Previous edit | Revision as of 15:42, 2 October 2013 edit undo208.54.87.175 (talk) Some limited in English comprehension have a hard time understanding traditional and same sex marriage are not the same. Marrying your mom or sister is not traditional but is same sex. You are the ones pushing a POV, that's easy to see by your edits.Next edit → | ||
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| *Committee on Transportation (Member) | *Committee on Transportation (Member) | ||
| Throughout his tenure in the House, Merritt built a solid conservative record on issues including |
Throughout his tenure in the House, Merritt built a solid conservative record on issues including Second Amendment rights, protecting traditional marriage, defending the rights of the unborn and lower government spending and taxes. | ||
| In 2009, Merritt authored "campus carry" legislation allowing concealed handgun license holders to carry their weapons on college campuses,<ref>http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=HB1893</ref> while in 2007, Merritt authored legislation waiving or reducing concealed license handgun fees for military members and veterans.<ref>http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=80R&Bill=HB233</ref> | In 2009, Merritt authored "campus carry" legislation allowing concealed handgun license holders to carry their weapons on college campuses,<ref>http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=HB1893</ref> while in 2007, Merritt authored legislation waiving or reducing concealed license handgun fees for military members and veterans.<ref>http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=80R&Bill=HB233</ref> | ||
| Merritt strongly |
Merritt strongly supported traditional marriage. In 2005, he co-authored the state constitutional amendment that defined marriage as a union of one man and one woman.<ref>http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=79R&Bill=HJR6</ref> Merritt also co-authored bills to defend traditional marriage and keep the state from recognizing same-sex civil unions in 2003,<ref name="capitol.state.tx.us">http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=78R&Bill=HB38</ref><ref name="ReferenceA">http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=77R&Bill=HB496</ref> 2001,<ref name="ReferenceA"/> 1999,<ref>http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=76R&Bill=HB383</ref> and 1997.<ref>http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=75R&Bill=HB11</ref> | ||
| While a member of the Texas House, Merritt |
While a member of the Texas House, Merritt was a pro-life leader as well. He co-authored the bill to issue Choose Life license plates in 2009.<ref>http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=HB109</ref> In 2003, Merritt co-authored a bill extending legal protections to the unborn.<ref>http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=78R&Bill=HB246</ref> In 2007, he co-authored legislation to ban human cloning.<ref>http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=79R&Bill=HB864</ref> Merritt also co-authored numerous bills requiring parental consent for minors to obtain abortions in 2005,<ref>http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=79R&Bill=HB1212</ref> 1999,<ref>http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=76R&Bill=HB5</ref><ref>http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=76R&Bill=HB342</ref><ref>http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=76R&Bill=HB623</ref><ref>http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=76R&Bill=HB3413</ref> and 1997.<ref>http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=75R&Bill=HB276</ref> | ||
| In 2003, Merritt co-authored legislation requiring Texas students to recite the Pledge of Allegiance<ref name="ReferenceB">http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=78R&Bill=HB313</ref> as well as a bill to guarantee a daily moment of silence in Texas public schools.<ref name="capitol.state.tx.us"/> In 2007, Merritt co-authored legislation to include the phrase "Under God" in the Texas Pledge of Allegiance<ref>http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=80R&Bill=HB1034</ref> | In 2003, Merritt co-authored legislation requiring Texas students to recite the Pledge of Allegiance<ref name="ReferenceB">http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=78R&Bill=HB313</ref> as well as a bill to guarantee a daily moment of silence in Texas public schools.<ref name="capitol.state.tx.us"/> In 2007, Merritt co-authored legislation to include the phrase "Under God" in the Texas Pledge of Allegiance<ref>http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=80R&Bill=HB1034</ref> | ||
Revision as of 15:42, 2 October 2013
| Thomas Charles Merritt | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Texas House of Representatives from the 7th district | |
| In office January 14, 1997 – January 11, 2011 | |
| Preceded by | Jerry Yost |
| Succeeded by | David Simpson |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1948-02-27) February 27, 1948 (age 76) Kilgore, Texas, USA |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Janet Merritt |
| Children | Missy, Meredith, Thomas |
| Residence | Longview, Texas |
| Alma mater | Kilgore College, Texas Christian University (BBA, 1970) |
| Profession | Businessman |
| Website | Representative Tommy Merritt |
Thomas Charles "Tommy" Merritt (born February 27, 1948) is a former Republican member of the Texas House of Representatives. Merritt represented District 7 from January 1997 until January 2011. In March 2010, he lost the Republican nomination to David Simpson. On May 29, 2012, Merritt failed in a bid to reclaim the Republican House nomination from Simpson.
Personal life
Merritt is a native East Texan born in Kilgore on February 27, 1948. After graduating from high school, he attended Kilgore College and then graduated in 1970 with a Bachelor of Business Administration from Texas Christian University in Fort Worth. He and his wife, Janet, have three children, Missy, Meredith, and Thomas. Tommy Merritt is a devout Christian and member of Kilgore First Baptist Church, the Businessmen's Bible Club at First Baptist Church in Longview, Texas and also attends the BarNone Cowboy Church in Tatum. He is a lifelong supporter of Republican candidates, including Barry Goldwater and Ronald Reagan.
Business career
From 1971 to 1974, Merritt worked as an inspector for the United States Postal Service. In 1976, he founded Gregg Industrial Insulators, Inc. It was admitted to the OSHA, Voluntary Protection Program, and is a multi-million dollar company which employs more than five hundred workers. From 1986 to 1993 Merritt served as one of the directors of the Gregg County Appraisal Board, which led to his appointment by Governor Bill Clements to the Sabine River Authority in 1990.
Political career
After Republican Jerry Yost decided not to run for reelection in 1996, Merritt entered the Republican primary and won over 62 percent of the vote. Merritt went on to win a seat in the Texas House of Representatives after being unopposed in the 1996 general election; in 2008 he was elected to a 7th term. Tommy Merritt co-authored the bill which added "Under God" to the Texas Pledge.
Merritt served on numerous committees in the House:
- Committee on Energy Resources (Chair and Vice Chair)
- Committee on Public Safety (Chairman)
- Committee on Local and Consent Calendars (Member)
- Committee on Redistricting (Member)
- Committee on Transportation (Member)
Throughout his tenure in the House, Merritt built a solid conservative record on issues including Second Amendment rights, protecting traditional marriage, defending the rights of the unborn and lower government spending and taxes.
In 2009, Merritt authored "campus carry" legislation allowing concealed handgun license holders to carry their weapons on college campuses, while in 2007, Merritt authored legislation waiving or reducing concealed license handgun fees for military members and veterans.
Merritt strongly supported traditional marriage. In 2005, he co-authored the state constitutional amendment that defined marriage as a union of one man and one woman. Merritt also co-authored bills to defend traditional marriage and keep the state from recognizing same-sex civil unions in 2003, 2001, 1999, and 1997.
While a member of the Texas House, Merritt was a pro-life leader as well. He co-authored the bill to issue Choose Life license plates in 2009. In 2003, Merritt co-authored a bill extending legal protections to the unborn. In 2007, he co-authored legislation to ban human cloning. Merritt also co-authored numerous bills requiring parental consent for minors to obtain abortions in 2005, 1999, and 1997.
In 2003, Merritt co-authored legislation requiring Texas students to recite the Pledge of Allegiance as well as a bill to guarantee a daily moment of silence in Texas public schools. In 2007, Merritt co-authored legislation to include the phrase "Under God" in the Texas Pledge of Allegiance
Merritt also had a strong record of fighting for lower spending and lower taxes.
In 2009, Merritt co-authored legislation to limit growth in state spending to the rate of population growth plus the rate of inflation. That same year, he co-authored a proposed constitutional amendment requiring a 2/3 vote of both houses of the Legislature to raise taxes.
Real property tax reform was another of Merritt's priorities in the Texas House. In 1999, he authored a proposed constitutional amendment to cap property taxes. In 2005 he authored both a bill and a proposed constitutional amendment to bring property tax relief to Texans. In 2009, he again authored legislation to reform property tax appraisals and proposed a constitutional amendment to cap property appraisal increases at the rate of inflation.
In 2009, Merritt co-authored legislation to reform the state's franchise tax, exempting more small businesses. Merritt also authored or co-authored numerous bills to overturn and subsequently prohibit inheritance taxes in Texas in 2005 and 2003.
Merritt also authored the first Texas Legislative Medal of Honor in this history of the state.
Candidacy for Speaker of the House
In November 2008, Merritt announced his candidacy for Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives. After a meeting, ten Republicans running for Speaker had decided on Joe Straus as the Republican candidate. Merritt stated he was willing to end his own candidacy to support Straus, who won a unanimous vote for Speaker.
Loss of Republican nomination
In March 2010, Merritt lost the Republican nomination for District 7 to David Simpson, former mayor of Avinger. Simpson received 53 percent of the primary vote and was then unopposed in the general election.
Meanwhile, Simpson, who beat back Merritt's attempt in 2012 to return to the House, is a candidate in Januaruy 2013 for Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives against Joe Straus of San Antionio, whom Merritt had supported in 2009, when Straus ousted the previous Republican speaker, Tom Craddick of Midland.
Election results
2010
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | David Simpson | 7,891 | 52.87 | |
| Republican | Tommy Merritt (Incumbent) | 7,032 | 47.12 | |
2008
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Tommy Merritt (Incumbent) | 40,671 | 88.34 | |
| Libertarian | Joey R. Stroman | 5,368 | 11.65 | |
2006
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Tommy Merritt (Incumbent) | 20,810 | 68.43 | |
| Democratic | Patrick Franklin | 8,701 | 28.61 | |
| Libertarian | Jonathan A. Rasco | 897 | 2.94 | |
2004
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Tommy Merritt (Incumbent) | 40,787 | 100 | |
2002
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Tommy Merritt (Incumbent) | 26,265 | 100 | |
2000
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Tommy Merritt (Incumbent) | 29,574 | 100 | |
1998
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Tommy Merritt (Incumbent) | 18,395 | 100 | |
1996
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Tommy Merritt | 26,351 | 100 | |
References
- ^ "Rep. Tommy Merritt - Texas State Directory Online" Retrieved on 2009-2-9.
- ^ "Merritt stunned, Simpson wins". Longview News-Journal. 2010-03-08. Retrieved 2010-03-26.
- ^ Texas House of Representatives, Members Biography - "Rep. Tommy Merritt" Retrieved on 2009-2-15
- Merritt, Tommy. "About".
- ^ Gregg Industrial Insulators Website
- Gregg Industrial Insulatiors, Inc. - Company Profile Retrieved on 2009-2-15
- ^ "1992 - Current Election History". Office of the Texas Secretary of State. Retrieved 2009-02-09.
- ^ "Merritt, Hopson get committee chairmanships". Longview News-Journal. 2009-02-13. Retrieved 2009-02-22.
- "Bill: HB 1034". Texas Legislature. Retrieved 2009-02-22.
- http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=HB1893
- http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=80R&Bill=HB233
- http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=79R&Bill=HJR6
- ^ http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=78R&Bill=HB38
- ^ http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=77R&Bill=HB496
- http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=76R&Bill=HB383
- http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=75R&Bill=HB11
- http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=HB109
- http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=78R&Bill=HB246
- http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=79R&Bill=HB864
- http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=79R&Bill=HB1212
- http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=76R&Bill=HB5
- http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=76R&Bill=HB342
- http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=76R&Bill=HB623
- http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=76R&Bill=HB3413
- http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=75R&Bill=HB276
- ^ http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=78R&Bill=HB313
- http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=80R&Bill=HB1034
- http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=HB994
- http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=HJR30
- (http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/Text.aspx?LegSess=792&Bill=HB53
- http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=792&Bill=HJR24
- http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/Text.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=HB4038
- http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/Text.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=HJR104
- http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=HB4765
- http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=79R&Bill=HB2113
- http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=79R&Bill=HJR99
- http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=78R&Bill=HJR47
- http://www.legis.state.tx.us/billlookup/History.aspx?LegSess=77R&Bill=HB3428
- Gregg County GOP Retrieved 2009-02-16
- Burn Orange Report Joe Straus's List of 85 Pledged Supporters for Speaker, Written 2009-01-4, Retrieved 2009-02-16
External links
- "Representative Tommy Merritt". Texas State Directory.
- "Tommy Merritt". Official Campaign Website.
| Texas House of Representatives | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded byJerry Yost | Texas State Representative from District 7 1997-2010 |
Succeeded byDavid Simpson |