Changes

|name=Kenneth Francis Sheets​

|name=Kenneth Francis Sheets​

|nationality=[[United States|American]]​

|nationality=[[United States|American]]​

|office=[[Texas]] State Representative<br>for District 107 (Dallas County)]]​

|office=[[Texas]] State Representative<br>for District 107 (Dallas County)​

|party=[[Republican Party|Republican]]  ​

|party=[[Republican Party|Republican]]  ​

|term_start=January 11, 2011​

|term_start=January 11, 2011​

|alma_mater=Mansfield (Texas) High School​

|alma_mater=Mansfield (Texas) High School​

University of Texas at Arlington<br>​

University of Texas at Arlington<br>​

Dedman School of Law] at [[Southern Methodist University]]​

Dedman School of Law at [[Southern Methodist University]]​

|allegiance=[[United States]]

|allegiance=[[United States]]

|branch=[[United States Marine Corps]]

|branch=[[United States Marine Corps]]

|serviceyears=2000-2010; still in Marine Corps Reserve

|serviceyears=2000-2010; still in Marine Corps Reserve

|battles=[[Iraq War]]; [[Fallujah]]

|battles=[[Iraq War]]: [[Fallujah]]

|awards=Armed Forces Reserve Medal

|awards=(1) Armed Forces Reserve Medal

Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal<br>

(2) Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal<br>

Iraq Campaign Medal​

(3) Iraq Campaign Medal​

|rank=[[Major]]

|rank=[[Major]]

​}}​

​}}​

​

​

Sheets was named "Champion for Free Enterprise" by the Texas Association of Business, which rated him 93 percent in 2013,<ref name="Texas Association of Business">{{cite web|url=http://www.txbiz.org/cwt/external/wcpages/resources/voting_record_house.aspx|title=Voting Record|publisher=Texas Association of Business}}</ref> "Freshman of the Year" in 2011 by the Hispanic Republican Conference, "Crime Fighter of the Year" by the [[North Texas Crime Commission]], "Friend of Law Enforcement" by the Texas Municipal Police Association, "Courageous Defender of Life" by Texas Alliance for Life, and a "Rising Star" by the Dallas County Republican Party.<ref name=votesmart/> ​

Sheets was named "Champion for Free Enterprise" by the Texas Association of Business, which rated him 93 percent in 2013,<ref name="Texas Association of Business">{{cite web|url=http://www.txbiz.org/cwt/external/wcpages/resources/voting_record_house.aspx|title=Voting Record|publisher=Texas Association of Business}}</ref> "Freshman of the Year" in 2011 by the Hispanic Republican Conference, "Crime Fighter of the Year" by the [[North Texas Crime Commission]], "Friend of Law Enforcement" by the Texas Municipal Police Association, "Courageous Defender of Life" by Texas Alliance for Life, and a "Rising Star" by the Dallas County Republican Party.<ref name=votesmart/> ​

===Legislative voting records===​

===Legislative voting records===​

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In 2011, Sheets backed the redistricting bills for the state House and Senate and the [[United States House of Representatives]].<ref name=votingrecords/> He also voted in support of legislation that requires women to undergo a sonogram before procuring an abortion. During the debate on this bill, Sheets added an amendment clarifying when women with certain complications would be exempted from the provisions of the law.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.legis.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=82R&Bill=HB15 |title=Legislative Session: 82(R) Relating to informed consent to an abortion|publisher=Texas Legislature Online|accessdate=March 21, 2014}}</ref>​

In 2011, Sheets backed the redistricting bills for the state House and Senate and the [[United States House of Representatives]].<ref name=votingrecords/> He also voted in support of legislation that requires women to undergo a sonogram before procuring an abortion. During the debate on this bill, Sheets added an amendment clarifying when women with certain complications would be exempted from the provisions of the law.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.legis.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=82R&Bill=HB15 |title=Legislative Session: 82(R) Relating to informed consent to an abortion|publisher=Texas Legislature Online|accessdate=March 21, 2014}}</ref>​

 

In 2011, Sheets voted to require [[Internet]] retailers to collect [[sales tax]]esn transactions for which there were already tax liabilities, essentially holding them to the same standard as brick and mortar stores. The measure passed the House 125-20. Sheets voted to prohibit [[smoking]] in public places. He voted to establish eligibility for indigent health care. He voted to establish student centers at public colleges and universities which acknowledge family and traditional values; the measure passed the House 110-24. To guarantee the integrity of the election process, he supported picture identification of voters casting a ballot.<ref name=votingrecords/> The measure finally took effect in October 2013 and was used widely without incident in the primaries on March 4, 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/21/texas-voter-id-law-into-effect_n_4138138.html|title=Texas Voter ID Officially Takes Effect, October 21, 2013|publisher=''[[The Huffington Post]]''|accessdate=March 16, 2014}}</ref> In 2013, Sheets voted for related legislation to forbid a voter from turning in multiple ballots.<ref name=votingrecords/>​

In 2011, Sheets voted to require [[Internet]] retailers to collect [[sales tax]]esn transactions for which there were already tax liabilities, essentially holding them to the same standard as brick and mortar stores. The measure passed the House 125-20. Sheets voted to prohibit [[smoking]] in public places. He voted to establish eligibility for indigent health care. He voted to establish student centers at public colleges and universities which acknowledge family and traditional values; the measure passed the House 110-24. To guarantee the integrity of the election process, he supported picture identification of voters casting a ballot.<ref name=votingrecords/> The measure finally took effect in October 2013 and was used widely without incident in the primaries on March 4, 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/21/texas-voter-id-law-into-effect_n_4138138.html|title=Texas Voter ID Officially Takes Effect, October 21, 2013|publisher=''[[The Huffington Post]]''|accessdate=March 16, 2014}}</ref> In 2013, Sheets voted for related legislation to forbid a voter from turning in multiple ballots.<ref name=votingrecords/>​

 

During the 83rd Legislative Session, Texas lawmakers were faced with the challenge of passing a balanced budget while coping with a shortfall estimated by some to be as high as $27 billion.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://money.cnn.com/2011/01/19/news/economy/texas_budget_deficit/|author=Tami Luhby|title=Even budget deficits are bigger in Texas|date=January 19, 2011 |publisher=CNN Money|accessdate=March 21, 2014}}</ref> Sheets voted for the biennial Texas budget which lawmakers balanced without having to raise taxes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.legis.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=82R&Bill=HB1|​

During the 83rd Legislative Session, Texas lawmakers were faced with the challenge of passing a balanced budget while coping with a shortfall estimated by some to be as high as $27 billion.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://money.cnn.com/2011/01/19/news/economy/texas_budget_deficit/|author=Tami Luhby|title=Even budget deficits are bigger in Texas|date=January 19, 2011 |publisher=CNN Money|accessdate=March 21, 2014}}</ref> Sheets voted for the biennial Texas budget which lawmakers balanced without having to raise taxes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.legis.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=82R&Bill=HB1|​

title=Legislative Session: 82 (R) General Appropriations Bill|publisher=Texas Legislature Online|accessdate=March 21, 2014}}</ref>​

title=Legislative Session: 82 (R) General Appropriations Bill|publisher=Texas Legislature Online|accessdate=March 21, 2014}}</ref>​

 

Sheets in 2013  again supported passage of the biennial Texas budget.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.legis.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=83R&Bill=SB1|title=Legislative Session: 83 (R) General Appropriations Bill|publisher=Texas Legislature Online|accessdate=March 21, 2014}}</ref> Having recovered from the downturn in the economy, Texas lawmakers were not faced with the same budget austerity issues in 2013 and were able to restore some of the funding cuts made in 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/05/27/us-usa-texas-budget-idUSBRE94Q01Q20130527|title=Texas budget|publisher=Reuters|accessdate=March 21, 2014}}</ref> In 2013, Sheets also supported passage of an amendment to the Texas Constitution to provide funding to develop water resources.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.legis.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=83R&Bill=SJR1|title=Legislative Session: 83 (R) Proposing a constitutional amendment providing for the creation of the State Water Implementation Fund for Texas and the State Water Implementation Revenue Fund for Texas to assist in the financing of priority projects in the state water plan|publisher=Texas Legislature Online|accessdate=March 21, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://stateimpact.npr.org/texas/2013/05/22/lawmakers-approve-funding-for-texas-water-plan-setting-up-statewide-vote-in-november/|title=Lawmakers Approve Funding For Texas Water Plan, Setting Up Statewide Vote, May 22, 2013|publisher=National Public Radio|accessdate=March 21, 2014}}</ref>​

Sheets in 2013  again supported passage of the biennial Texas budget.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.legis.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=83R&Bill=SB1|title=Legislative Session: 83 (R) General Appropriations Bill|publisher=Texas Legislature Online|accessdate=March 21, 2014}}</ref> Having recovered from the downturn in the economy, Texas lawmakers were not faced with the same budget austerity issues in 2013 and were able to restore some of the funding cuts made in 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/05/27/us-usa-texas-budget-idUSBRE94Q01Q20130527|title=Texas budget|publisher=Reuters|accessdate=March 21, 2014}}</ref> In 2013, Sheets also supported passage of an amendment to the Texas Constitution to provide funding to develop water resources.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.legis.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=83R&Bill=SJR1|title=Legislative Session: 83 (R) Proposing a constitutional amendment providing for the creation of the State Water Implementation Fund for Texas and the State Water Implementation Revenue Fund for Texas to assist in the financing of priority projects in the state water plan|publisher=Texas Legislature Online|accessdate=March 21, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://stateimpact.npr.org/texas/2013/05/22/lawmakers-approve-funding-for-texas-water-plan-setting-up-statewide-vote-in-november/|title=Lawmakers Approve Funding For Texas Water Plan, Setting Up Statewide Vote, May 22, 2013|publisher=National Public Radio|accessdate=March 21, 2014}}</ref>​

 

Sheets in 2013 supported the ban on [[abortions]] after five months of [[gestation]]; the measure passed the House, 96-49. He also supported companion legislation to increase medical and licensing requirements of abortion providers.<ref name=votingrecords>{{cite web|url=https://votesmart.org/candidate/key-votes/117472/kenneth-sheets#.UyuVL8tOUfg|title=Kenneth Sheets' Voting Records|publisher=votesmart.org|accessdate=March 21, 2014}}</ref> These issues brought forth an unsuccessful [[filibuster]] in the [[Texas State Senate]] by [[Wendy Davis (politician)|Wendy R. Davis]] of [[Fort Worth, Texas|Fort Worth]], who in 2014 was the Democratic nominee for [[governor of Texas|governor]] against the successful Republican candidate, [[Greg Abbott], a former state attorney general.<ref>{{cite news|title=Filibuster in Texas Senate Tries to Halt Abortion Bill|author=M. Fernandez|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/26/us/politics/senate-democrats-in-texas-try-blocking-abortion-bill-with-filibuster.html|newspaper=''[[The New York Times]]''|date=June 25, 2013|accessdate=March 9, 2014}}</ref> In 2011, Sheets supported two other anti-abortion measures. One forbids state funding of agencies which perform abortions. The other requires that a woman undergo a  sonogram before procuring an abortion. This legislation is based on the view that a woman could change her mind about an abortion once she witnesses the development of the unborn child through the latest technology.<ref name=votingrecords/>​

Sheets in 2013 supported the ban on [[abortions]] after five months of [[gestation]]; the measure passed the House, 96-49. He also supported companion legislation to increase medical and licensing requirements of abortion providers.<ref name=votingrecords>{{cite web|url=https://votesmart.org/candidate/key-votes/117472/kenneth-sheets#.UyuVL8tOUfg|title=Kenneth Sheets' Voting Records|publisher=votesmart.org|accessdate=March 21, 2014}}</ref> These issues brought forth an unsuccessful [[filibuster]] in the [[Texas State Senate]] by [[Wendy Davis (politician)|Wendy R. Davis]] of [[Fort Worth, Texas|Fort Worth]], who in 2014 was the Democratic nominee for [[governor of Texas|governor]] against the successful Republican candidate, [[Greg Abbott], a former state attorney general.<ref>{{cite news|title=Filibuster in Texas Senate Tries to Halt Abortion Bill|author=M. Fernandez|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/26/us/politics/senate-democrats-in-texas-try-blocking-abortion-bill-with-filibuster.html|newspaper=''[[The New York Times]]''|date=June 25, 2013|accessdate=March 9, 2014}}</ref> In 2011, Sheets supported two other anti-abortion measures. One forbids state funding of agencies which perform abortions. The other requires that a woman undergo a  sonogram before procuring an abortion. This legislation is based on the view that a woman could change her mind about an abortion once she witnesses the development of the unborn child through the latest technology.<ref name=votingrecords/>​

 

Sheets did not vote on the establishment of the taxpayer-funded breakfast program for public schools; the measure cleared the House, 73-58. He co-sponsored legislation to provide marshals for school security as a separate law-enforcement entity. He co-sponsored the successful bill to extend the franchise tax exemption for Texas businesses. He voted to require testing for [[narcotics]] of those individuals receiving unemployment compensation. He sponsored the law to forbid texting while driving. He voted in support of an "equal pay for women" bill, which passed the Legislature but was [[Veto|vetoed]] by Governor [[Rick Perry]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.legis.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=83R&Bill=HB950|title=Legislative Session: 83 (R) Relating to unlawful employment practices regarding discrimination in payment of compensation|publisher=Texas Legislature Online|accessdate=March 21, 2014}}</ref>​

Sheets did not vote on the establishment of the taxpayer-funded breakfast program for public schools; the measure cleared the House, 73-58. He co-sponsored legislation to provide marshals for school security as a separate law-enforcement entity. He co-sponsored the successful bill to extend the franchise tax exemption for Texas businesses. He voted to require testing for [[narcotics]] of those individuals receiving unemployment compensation. He sponsored the law to forbid texting while driving. He voted in support of an "equal pay for women" bill, which passed the Legislature but was [[Veto|vetoed]] by Governor [[Rick Perry]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.legis.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=83R&Bill=HB950|title=Legislative Session: 83 (R) Relating to unlawful employment practices regarding discrimination in payment of compensation|publisher=Texas Legislature Online|accessdate=March 21, 2014}}</ref>​

 

Sheets sponsored but did not vote on final passage on the bill to prohibit the state government from engaging in the enforcement of federal regulations of firearms. He co-sponsored the measure to allow concealed handgun licensees to carry weapons on public college campuses. He voted to reduce the time required to obtain a concealed-carry permit.<ref name=votingrecords/>​

Sheets sponsored but did not vote on final passage on the bill to prohibit the state government from engaging in the enforcement of federal regulations of firearms. He co-sponsored the measure to allow concealed handgun licensees to carry weapons on public college campuses. He voted to reduce the time required to obtain a concealed-carry permit.<ref name=votingrecords/>​

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