Changes

Sheets in 2013 supported the ban on [[abortions]] after five months of [[gestation]], a measure later blocked in federal court. 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=June 23, 2020}}</ref> These issues brought forth an unsuccessful [[filibuster]] in the Texas State Senate by Wendy Russell Davis of Fort Worth, known by her conservative critics as "Abortion Barbi," who in 2014 was the unsuccessful Democratic nominee for [[governor]] against the  Republican candidate, [[Greg Abbott]], a former state attorney general.<ref>{{cite web|title=Filibuster in Texas Senate Tries to Halt Abortion Bill|author=Manny Fernandez|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/26/us/politics/senate-democrats-in-texas-try-blocking-abortion-bill-with-filibuster.html|publisher=''[[The New York Times]]''|date=June 25, 2013|accessdate=June 23, 2020}}</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]], a measure later blocked in federal court. 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=June 23, 2020}}</ref> These issues brought forth an unsuccessful [[filibuster]] in the Texas State Senate by Wendy Russell Davis of Fort Worth, known by her conservative critics as "Abortion Barbi," who in 2014 was the unsuccessful Democratic nominee for [[governor]] against the  Republican candidate, [[Greg Abbott]], a former state attorney general.<ref>{{cite web|title=Filibuster in Texas Senate Tries to Halt Abortion Bill|author=Manny Fernandez|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/26/us/politics/senate-democrats-in-texas-try-blocking-abortion-bill-with-filibuster.html|publisher=''[[The New York Times]]''|date=June 25, 2013|accessdate=June 23, 2020}}</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=June 23, 2020}}</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/>​