The Texas Ethics Commission (TEC) seeks unprecedented control over Texans’ livelihoods through Senate Bill 1460, a measure that perfectly illustrates why the Texas Nationalist Movement continues fighting for independence. This bill, which would create an “Ethics Violations Registry” linking professional licensing to political compliance, represents exactly the type of centralized control that makes Texas independence essential.
Under the proposed legislation, Texans could lose their ability to work in licensed professions, such as driving trucks or practicing medicine, based on TEC determinations regarding their political activities. The bill’s author, Sen. Donna Campbell, claims this targets only candidates, officeholders, and lobbyists. However, the TEC’s history of aggressive enforcement against ordinary citizens tells a different story.
We’ve seen this pattern before – government agencies accumulating power through seemingly limited measures, then expanding their reach far beyond original intentions. The TEC already wields considerable authority over political speech in Texas. Now they want control over our professional licenses too. This mirrors the Federal Government’s typical strategy: create a bureaucratic mechanism first, then steadily increase its scope and power.
The economic implications for Texas independence become clearer when examining this bill. Our state’s economy thrives because of our relatively free market and limited government interference. This legislation would establish a political screening system for participation in that economy—a system that could easily be weaponized against independence advocates or anyone challenging established power structures.
Consider the practical effects: A Texan speaking out against government overreach could face TEC fines and then lose their professional license due to inability to pay. This creates a chilling effect on political speech and organization, exactly what we’ve fought against since the days of the Republic. The bill’s rushed committee hearing, with less than 24 hours’ notice, suggests an attempt to minimize public scrutiny.
The Texas Nationalist Movement has long warned about the dangers of concentrated government power. SB 1460 proves our point. An independent Texas would never need such heavy-handed measures to maintain ethical behavior. Our own constitution, written by and for Texans, would protect both political expression and economic liberty.
As this bill moves through the legislature, every Texan should recognize it as yet another reason to support independence. We don’t need a political licensing system that resembles authoritarian control mechanisms. We need the freedom to govern ourselves according to Texas values, protecting both individual liberty and honest government through truly democratic means.
The choice becomes clearer each day: continue to accept increasing control from a centralized authority, or reclaim our independence and right to self-determination. SB 1460 illustrates precisely why the second option becomes increasingly urgent with each subsequent legislative session.
