| | Thus far in his legislative career, Lavender is best known as the author of legislation, signed into law by Governor [[Rick Perry]], which permits the manufacture of incandescent light bulbs in Texas. Under current federal law signed in 2007 by U.S. President [[George W. Bush]] (also Perry's predecessor as governor), effective in 2012, incandescent bulbs must be replaced by flourescent lights on grounds that the latter are more energy-efficient. Lavender, however, notes that the flourescent bulbs contain [[mercury]] and are manufactureed mostly in [[China]]. "The last thing we need in this economy is to send American jobs overseas and raise costs to consumer based on dubious claims of increased energy efficiency. This law defends our constitutional rights from an overreaching federal government," said Lavender."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scribd.com/fullscreen/58821320?access_key=key-hvx7ylz2vu517dhvovi|title=Let There Be Light in the Lone Star State: Governor Perry Signs Lavender's Incandescent Light Bulb Bill into Law|publisher=scribd.com|accessdate=September 29, 2011}}</ref> | | Thus far in his legislative career, Lavender is best known as the author of legislation, signed into law by Governor [[Rick Perry]], which permits the manufacture of incandescent light bulbs in Texas. Under current federal law signed in 2007 by U.S. President [[George W. Bush]] (also Perry's predecessor as governor), effective in 2012, incandescent bulbs must be replaced by flourescent lights on grounds that the latter are more energy-efficient. Lavender, however, notes that the flourescent bulbs contain [[mercury]] and are manufactureed mostly in [[China]]. "The last thing we need in this economy is to send American jobs overseas and raise costs to consumer based on dubious claims of increased energy efficiency. This law defends our constitutional rights from an overreaching federal government," said Lavender."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scribd.com/fullscreen/58821320?access_key=key-hvx7ylz2vu517dhvovi|title=Let There Be Light in the Lone Star State: Governor Perry Signs Lavender's Incandescent Light Bulb Bill into Law|publisher=scribd.com|accessdate=September 29, 2011}}</ref> |
| − | Lavender was defeated for re-nomination in 2014 by Gary VanDeaver; he is again contesting the House seat in the Republican primary scheduled for March 2, 2016. Once again his opponent will be VanDeaver. | + | Lavender was defeated for re-nomination in 2014 by Gary VanDeaver, a retired educator; he is again contesting the House seat in the Republican primary scheduled for March 2, 2016. Once again his opponent will be VanDeaver. |