By Chris Roark
Star Local News

State Rep. Tan Parker will seek to continue his mission of improving job growth and keeping Texas fiscally responsible. Parker (R-Flower Mound) filed Monday for re-election in the upcoming Republican primary for District 63.

Parker cited his past accomplishments, his desire to continue working on job growth initiatives and the need for strong fiscal discipline as his primary reasons for seeking re-election.

"I want to focus on expanding our job base and attracting new companies with new jobs to Texas in an effort to make sure that the Texas economy is as robust as possible," Parker said. "Without a strong and dynamic Texas economy, we as a state cannot address the other important issues of the day such as education, transportation and health and human services.

"Last session, I had two economic development issues that, unfortunately, were passed by the House but not adopted by the Senate," he said. "One was designed to incentivize large-scale manufacturing projects to come to Texas and create new jobs. The second would have removed an outdated financial penalty that landowners incur when they elect to develop land previously designated for an agricultural purpose. Passing both of these measures will be at the top of my priorities for the next legislative session. Additionally, legislation I recently passed established citizen advisory panels in the areas of: lake recreational safety, child abuse prevention and improving upon Texas' adoption process. Taking the recommendations from these citizen advisory panels and translating them into meaningful legislative improvements will also be an accomplishment I intend to achieve."

However, Parker said, economic development and job growth initiatives will not be the only issues at the forefront of the next legislative session.

"Most people believe that with the downturn of the national economy, that Texas will have to be as fiscally disciplined as ever," Parker said. "Next session will bring a new definition to the term fiscally responsible, as ensuring that Texas continues to balance a budget without raising taxes will be at the forefront of issues that lawmakers tackle."

Parker also said it is important to continue to improve upon the state's education systems, both kindergarten through the 12th grade, and higher education, to ensure that Texas citizens are fully prepared to be competitive in a 21st century global economy.

Parker has supported multiple measures to reduce property taxes, increase border security funding, crack down on illegal immigration, protect traditional family values and eliminate unnecessary taxes. Parker has also made himself accessible to his constituency by hosting a series of town hall events throughout the district, being accessible for one-on-one meetings with constituents and hosting open office hours on the first Saturday of every month.

Parker's efforts have twice earned him the Texans for Fiscal Responsibility's Heroes and Champions award, Texas Association of Business's Champions for Free Enterprise award, Eagle Forum's Top 16 most Conservative Legislators designation, and a reputation for remaining close to his constituency. The Heritage Alliance, Young Conservatives of Texas, Americans for Prosperity and the Texas Association of Realtors have also lauded Parker's performance as a lawmaker.

Parker represents both rural and urban parts of Denton County, including Flower Mound, Highland Village, Trophy Club, Roanoke, Pilot Point, Argyle, Aubrey, Krugerville, Sanger, Cross Roads, Krum, Ponder, Justin, Northlake, Copper Canyon, Double Oak, Bartonville, and portions of Lewisville and Southlake.