By Chris Roark, Staff Writer
The Flower Mound Leader

Texas Representative Tan Parker, R-District 63, said illegal immigration is the top concern in Texas right now, and at Tuesday’s town hall meeting at the Flower Mound Public Library, the issue dominated the conversation.

About 35 people attended Parker’s meeting where he discussed accomplishments during the last legislature and goals for the upcoming session.

Illegal immigration was the most-discussed topic, and Parker and his staff highlighted the discussion with a nine-point plan of how to curb the growing numbers.

“Tonight echoes what I hear and see everyday,” Parker said of the public’s opinion on illegal immigration. “We need to realize the repercussions of illegal immigration into the state and the country. It drains our education system and our criminal justice system. Diversity is our strength, but the key is to immigrate to Texas in a legal fashion.”

Among the recommendations Parker plans to push this session is requiring proof of identification to vote in Texas, verifying citizenship for all applicants for public benefits, placing citizenship status on drivers licenses and deploying the Texas National Guard to secure the state’s border.

When asked who agreed with those ideas, nearly everyone in the room raised their hand. “(Their) plans for the 81st assembly appear to be sound, thoughtful and to have promise,” said Flower Mound resident Gavin Poston. “They certainly merit discussion. We have an illegal immigration problem.”

Parker said Tuesday’s meeting was the 10th of its kind in recent weeks, and the issue has been the most talked about one at all of them.

“As it should be,” said Dianne Edmondson, chairman for the Denton County Republican Party. “I love the nine points he addressed. I’ve studied the laws from other states, and I think this is a good compilation of those.”

Parker stressed the importance of government and businesses working together since the idea of scanning identification cards to find out people’s legal status has been brought up. One resident pointed out how quickly information is generated simply by swiping a credit card.

“Someone asked if government and corporations are working together that pertain to identification,” Parker said. “We need to take techniques that are already in place. That concept is applicable to all policies.”

Other ideas Parker has regarding stopping illegal immigration include denying punitive damages to illegal immigrants, imposing criminal penalties on employers who knowingly hire them and denying bail to them and seizing their assets to cover court costs.

“If we make it unattractive to come here illegally, they’ll go back home,” Edmondson said.

Parker also addressed property taxes and his goal to replace it with consumption taxes.

Among his other issues is improving education, and he hopes for more progress in the upcoming session.

“I’m a believer in incentive pay for teachers,” Parker said. “It’s very important, and I think that will help. We also need to focus on the money, and get that into the classroom. Then we need to be as efficient as possible in using that money.”

Parker also said mentoring programs are key for schools’ success.

“There are a number of children who are disadvantaged, and they need to know that they can have a bright future,” Parker said. “Having mentorships through partnerships is one way to do that.”

Parker’s accomplishments during his first session have touched on different issues, but he said one of his most prominent efforts has been sponsoring legislation authored by Senator Chris Harris in helping provide lake safety.

The legislation allows cities who surround a lake to enter into agreements to improve safety.

“It’s critical that we improve safety in lakes across the state,” Parker said.

Parker also passed House Bill 2117 that states volunteer emergency service personnel are extended the same liability protections as a good Samaritan when assisting in a medical emergency to save someone’s life.

He passed House Bill 1060, which allows hospitals to get necessary demographic information from patients to help eliminate errors in patient data entry and increase hospital recognition of past patients.

Parker represents District 63, which covers 18 towns or cities in Denton County including Flower Mound, Lewisville, Highland Village, Argyle and Sanger.