AUSTIN -- A handful of Republican leaders rallied at the Texas Capitol Tuesday, saying -- if it's not repealed -- federal health care legislation could force a tax increase in Texas.
About 100 people showed up at the Capitol to hold up signs and cheer on plans from the former Republican governor of New York, George Pataki.
The crowd was smaller, older and more racially diverse than a recent Tea Party rally.
As part of his organization called Revere America" – named after Paul Revere – Pataki wants to see federal health care legislation overturned.
He believes Revere America's plan is better than the president's.
“We want to have true malpractice lawsuit reform to get rid of junk lawsuits, that will immediately reduce the cost of health care; we want to allow consumers to be able to buy healthcare from different companies and buy policies across state lines if they like those policies better,” he said.
The group will also support congressional candidates who pledge to fight for the repeal health care legislation.
Pataki is also on a nationwide quest for a million signatures from voters who agree with him.
"We don’t care who signs the petition -- we want Republicans, Democrats, liberals, conservatives,” Pataki said.
While the movement promises to be non-partisan, top Texas Republicans fired up the crowd.
“As Americans we must stand up and repeal and replace ‘Obamacare,’” said Attorney General Greg Abbott.
Linda Kinney opposes the new law. She drove to Austin from Dripping Springs for the rally.
“I'd like to have the opportunity to make my own decisions and not have somebody make them for me,” Kinney said.
Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst fears if the law stays on the books, legislators will be forced to make certain decisions, too.
“We're either going to have to increase our taxes in Texas or cut back in programs like public education, like higher education, like public safety,” he said.
As the Revere America rally wrapped up at the Capitol, dozens of democrats gathered a few blocks away -- saying health care reform will pay for itself in Texas.
“What they forget to say is that it brings in $190 billion. That’s a lot of money. That’s going to create a lot of jobs,” said State Rep. Garnet Coleman, D-Houston.
Pataki deflected questions about possible presidential aspirations for 2012; however, after leaving Austin he appeared at a rally in Iowa.
