49
Speaking Out
As State Representative for the 61
st
District,
Phil King represents the people of Parker and
Wise counties in the Texas Legislature. He
has earned a reputation as a principle-driven
conservative who consistently provides key
leadership in passing some of Texas’ most
sweeping public policy legislation.
King currently serves as Chair of the State and
Federal Power and Responsibility Committee.
He also serves on the Energy Resources
Committee and Environmental Regulation
Committee. King serves as National Chair of
the American Legislative Exchange Council,
and on the Board of Directors of the Texas
Conservative Coalition Research Institute. As
chair of the Regulated Industries Committee
for three legislative sessions, he worked
to promote competition in the electricity
and telecommunications markets. King is
a frequent speaker on public policy issues
impacting Texas.
King serves as a Lt. Colonel in the Texas State
Guard, one of three branches of the Military
Forces of the State of Texas. The Guard
assists and augments the Texas National
Guard and Texas civil authorities during state
emergencies and in homeland security.
He is a practicing attorney with the firm of
Eggleston King, LLP. Representative King and
his family are active members of Trinity Bible
Church. Phil and his wife Terry are the proud
parents of six children, six granddaughters
and four grandsons.
Biography
every space of commerce. When I vote
on legislation, I am thinking about that
constituent trying to make payroll each
month while navigating state, federal and
local regulatory waters.
During your time at the Capitol you have
served on many different committees,
including your current commitments as
chairman of the House Committee on
Federal Power and Responsibility, member
of the House Committee on Energy
Resources and member of the Committee
on Environmental Regulation. What are
some of your greatest accomplishments
while serving on these various committees?
There are no
individual
accomplishments
in the legislature. We are a corporate
body. That said, among my most enjoyable
experiences was chairing the former
Regulated Industries Committee. Together,
we were able to deregulate much of the
telecommunications market and the
electric power industry. This has produced
billions in economic development and
consumer savings. Along that same line,
working on energy issues during the shale
development has been challenging and
very interesting. I have also been proud to
work on pro-life issues which are very near
to my heart. And, of course, I always enjoy
working alongside our home builders.
The Texas housing economy is leading
the nation in the areas of production,
affordability and job creation. A large
measure of this success is due to the
economic well-being of the state. What do
you think needs to be done (or not done)
at the state level to ensure that Texas
sustains its top ranked status in the future?
I'll speak generally here about Texas'
economic future. Several things must be
addressed. Most involve (or are the fault
of) the federal government. 1) I touched on
this earlier, but we need to bring certainty
into the state's property tax system. This
also means changing the way we fund
our public schools to some degree. This
is wholly the legislature's responsibility to
fix. 2) On the federal side, we must push
Congress to allow the export of crude oil
so Texas can compete internationally,
reduce these excess inventories and expand
production. 3) We need Medicaid relief
from the federal government that is now a
$36 billion a biennium hit to Texas. That's
more money than the state puts into public
education and Medicaid's rate of growth is
impossible to sustain. 4) The border must
be secured and we must have workable
immigration reform. 5) And again, this
too is federal, the Endangered Species Act,
Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act are
being used by federal agencies to an extent
never intended. The result is incredible
(actually oppressive) cost to business and
consumers. It's sad to say but the federal
government is the greatest impediment to
Texas' economic growth.
As a husband, father and grandfather,
what are the personal and familial
challenges you face while fulfilling your
civic responsibility as a member of the
Texas Legislature? What advice would
you give to new members or those that are
considering to run for public office?
Make sure that your family is first in all
matters. If you are not doing a good job
of being a husband, wife, dad, mother,
grandmother or grandfather, you are
never going to be at your best as a
legislator. Serving in the legislature is
worth the financial sacrifice, but it's
never worth the sacrifice of family. The
other side is this, there are many ways to
plug your family into the campaign and
legislative experience. I am blessed with a
wife, Terry, who is a great political advisor.
The legislature can also be a great vehicle
to train your children in patriotism
and public service. So far, none of our
children have entered the political world,
but they are all very attuned to politics
and public affairs.
Is there anything else you would like to
share with the readers of Texas Builder?
It is a tremendous honor to serve in the
Texas Legislature and a pleasure to work
with TAB. The builders I know find great
satisfaction in providing jobs and affordable
housing for Texans.
