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- The Texas Report 3/29
The Texas Report 3/29
Happy Wednesday!
Representative Tom Oliverson
Written by: Jay Williamson
Statewide News Round-Up
A fire at a Mexico migrant center near El Paso killed at least thirty-nine people. Mexico president Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said the fire began when migrants learned they were to be deported and set fire to mattresses in protest. However, The Los Angeles Times cited an anonymous Mexican official with knowledge of the case who said the protest was because sixty-eight people were crowded in a cell meant for fifty and lacked access to drinking water. (More on the fire)
Since March 2020, U.S. Border Patrol agents have turned away over 2 million people attempting to enter the country, including asylum seekers, through the federal emergency health order Title 42. President Biden plans to end Title 42 on May 11, and in January, unveiled a new immigration plan allowing 30,000 migrants per month from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela who can enter the country and work legally for up to two years. However, to qualify, people must fill out an application and make an appointment at a port of entry before trying to enter the US. (More here)
Monday, the House Committee on Public Health heard controversial House Bill (H.B.) 1686 by Representative Tom Oliverson (R-Cypress), which would prevent child health care plans from providing coverage for services intended to transition a child's biological sex, including surgery and the use of prescription drugs like puberty blockers. Dallas Morning News Reporter Lauren McGaughy tweeted that over 2,817 people registered against the bill compared to ninety-seven for it. Testimony ranged from doctors, transgender rights advocates, and people who had detransitioned. One of the reasons this hearing was so tense is that Representative Stephanie Klick chose to limit testimony to midnight, resulting in the vast majority of people on both sides of the issue being unable to testify. (Thread by Lauren McGaughy)
In ending the hearing, Representative Klick said that the "public comment portal is open" and she would be directing the clerk to keep it open till 5:00 pm on Friday. Following the closure of public testimony, several opponents of the bill protested the decision and chanted throughout the Capitol, "Klick lies, kids die." (Link to the protest)
Over in the Senate, the Senators recently voted on a bill to block minors from updating gender on birth certificates. Senate Bill (S.B.) 162 by Senator Charles Perry would require an individual's sex assigned at birth to be included on their birth certificate and limit the circumstances for minors to change the information.
Some of the exceptions would include the following:
Changing a clerical error
Completing an incomplete certificate
If the child is intersex and the sex is later determined.
The bill advanced on a 19-11 vote and now will go through a final vote in the chamber before being sent to the House.
Advocates against the bill said it would make it harder to acquire identification down the road necessary for college enrollment and employment. Trans woman Jacqueline Murphy added, "I expect the aim of this bill is to undermine the legitimacy of trans identity as a whole, particularly among children. This is a power play aimed at making the lives of transgender children as difficult as possible." On the other side, S.B. 162 proponents like Jonathan Covey of Texas Values said, "it's vitally important to know a person's sex at birth. The bill is crucial "in light of fairness in women's sports."
Governor Abbott has directed the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) to assist the City of Austin Police Department (APD) in reducing crime in the state's capital. In his press release, Abbott said, "In Texas, public safety remains our top priority, and we will do whatever it takes to support the brave men and women in law enforcement who protect our communities. I welcome the opportunity to work with Mayor Watson and city officials to provide the personnel and resources needed to make Austin safer. Texas has always been—and always will be—a law and order state." In a news release by Watson, he said the troopers and special agents will assist with "violent crime and traffic issues."
This is an interesting move by Watson, who may experience pushback from members of his party. For context, in 2019, DPS came to Dallas to provide policing support as, at the time, the city was experiencing a record-high murder rate. Troopers made a significant amount of arrests and traffic stops, and some criminal justice advocates and local officials thought the department was over-policing in certain minority areas and disagreed where their enforcement procedures. APD is currently dealing with a historic staffing crisis, and more than seventy officers are expected to retire before the end of the month as the meet-and-confer agreement between the city and the Austin Police Association expires on March 31. The staffing issues have increased wait times for calls for service and forced specialized units like detectives to move back to patrol. Per the Austin Chronicle, council members may not have been consulted on the plan, and some didn't learn about it until fifteen minutes before the announcement. (Austin Chronicle)
The Texas Emergency Management Academy recently graduated its inaugural class of cadets at the Texas Capitol. The Governor thanked the seventeen cades for their service and highlighted the personal importance of Texans willing to respond during a disaster. Abbott said, "you will not know when, where, or how a disaster will occur. There's one thing you've got to keep at the forefront of your mind: the people you're helping. When I was out jogging and that big tree fell on me, I was one of those people in an emergency needing help. I know what it's like for our fellow Texans who are in pain and need your help—and I know what it's like to receive that help."
On Tuesday, in the House Committee on Public Education, lawmakers discussed legislation that would fine teachers and school officials up to $10,000 for celebrating or providing special instruction on sexual preference. This would include events like Pride week and allow the State Board of Educator Certification (SBOEC) to revoke or suspend teaching certificates for violations of this law. Bill author Ken King (R-Canadian) said, "I think having sexually oriented celebrations at school for all grades is teaching a sexual ideology no matter who is doing it. I think when you are teaching first graders your world view of sexuality, that is an inappropriate relationship." In questioning the impact of the legislation Representative James Talarico (D-Austin) said, "We have Black History Month to ensure a group of kids that have faced historical discrimination is included. I think that is my concern about any effort or any legislation that would prevent school districts from celebrating groups of students that have faced historical discrimination." There were additional questions on who would pay this fine, and it looks like it would be up to the SBOEC to levy the fine against the teacher or school. (More here) (Bill)
The Senate Higher Education Committee is set to take up S.B. 18 by Senator Brandon Creighton (R-Conroe) this Thursday, which deals with tenure at public institutions of higher education. This bill would make tenure cease to exist for faculty members employed after September 1, 2023.
The Texas Senate Education Committee approved voucher bill S.B. 8 by Representative Brandon Creighton (R-Conroe) via party-line vote. This legislation would create an $8,000 education savings account, allowing families to use that money to pay for private school tuition, books, and other materials. Currently, the money is only available to students coming from public schools or just beginning their education. S.B. 8 is a priority bill for the Lieutenant Governor, and Governor Abbott has recently been championing voucher programs via a tour across rural Texas. The legislation now moves to consideration by the full Senate.
Committee schedule for this week:
Wednesday - Senate Transportation & House Transportation. House Agriculture & Livestock, Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence, Land & Resource Management, Licensing & Administrative Procedures, Pensions, Investments & Financial Services, County Affairs, Juvenile Justice & Family Issues, State Affairs, and Transportation.
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Happy Wednesday!
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