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March 12, 2023
NEWS DIGEST
by Brandon Waltens
Good morning,
The speed of session is starting to pick up, with legislation passing the Senate and committee hearings lined up on key legislation.
One of the first priorities passed last week by the Senate was legislation restoring the penalty of illegal voting to a felony. That was necessary because it was lowered to a misdemeanor as part of 2021’s omnibus election integrity bill.
Yes, you read that correctly.
Remember when Democrats fled Austin to break quorum and freeze consideration of election integrity legislation? When they returned, Republicans voted to water down the bill.
As Texas Scorecard reported at the time, Republican State Rep. Steve Allison of San Antonio included the change in an amendment.
The last-minute switch infuriated election integrity advocates and Republican Party delegates, who had set a legislative priority to strengthen penalties for election code violations.
But while the Senate attempted to fix the problem two years ago, House Speaker Dade Phelan said that he did not want to "relitigate" the issue, despite Gov. Greg Abbott saying he wanted to see the penalty restored. In the end, Abbott and the Senate accepted the change.
Of course, two years have passed since he said that, and pressure has only continued to grow. This session, multiple bills have been filed in the House to fix the problem.
So far, however, the House Elections Committee hasn't prioritized the issue. Instead of taking up any of the numerous bills to restore the felony penalty of illegally voting, they've considered legislation like HB 1635 by State Rep. Dustin Burrows (R-Lubbock). That measure is designed to force the Republican Party of Texas to place candidates on the ballot — even if they've been censured for betraying the values of the party.
In the House, that is seemingly more important than protecting elections.
This week...
- The Texas Senate is scheduled to return on Monday Mar 20, 3:00 pm.
- The Texas House is scheduled to return on Monday Mar 20, 2:00 pm.
Upcoming Committee Hearings...
Featured
by Darrell Frost
As the radical left wrestles with the meanings of basic terms such as “woman,” “man,” “male,” and “female,” three Texas lawmakers have filed legislation that defines them in state law.
House Bill 3883 by Rep. Ellen Troxclair (R–Spicewood), House Bill 3902 by Rep. Brian Harrison (R–Midlothian), and Senate Bill 1082 by Sen. Bob Hall (R–Edgewood) each propose identical definitions for “female” and “male.”
State
Senate Committee Hears Testimony on Legislation Banning Child Gender Modification
“I don’t believe that any parent has the right to mutilate and sterilize their child.”
Pro-LGBTQ Resolution Pulled From House Calendar Following Pressure
The chamber was set to consider another resolution honoring Victor Holmes and Mark Phariss of Plano for making a “lasting, positive difference through their advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community.”
Poll: Texas GOP Voters Want to Defund DEI-friendly Universities
Republicans don’t want their tax dollars to continue going to state universities utilizing DEI policies.
Local
Texas Education Agency Announces Takeover of Houston Independent School District
The move comes after more than three years of litigation and seeks to address poor student performance.
Another Grand Prairie Teacher Arrested for ‘Improper Relationship’
Cody Bush is the second Grand Prairie ISD teacher charged this school year.
Communist China in Texas: Spies Infiltrate Texas’ Sheriffs
Beijing in Speaker Dade Phelan’s backyard, and yours.
Federal
Legislation Filed in Texas to Allow for Recalling US Senators
A new bill would help to recall senators who don’t serve the state’s best interest.
President Joe Biden Calls for Stronger Implementation of Red-flag Laws
Texas’ U.S. Senator John Cornyn supported the funding of red-flag laws.
Border Patrol Chief Admits US Lacks Operational Control of the Border
“The impact is always felt first and foremost at the local level.”
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Quoting...
"If the freedom of speech is taken away then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter."
- George Washington
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