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Weekly Legislative Update
Several developments have happened during this second week of the special session. Amendments to ban taxpayer funding for abortion and increase abortion reporting requirements were added to SB 7, an onmibus health care bill. This bill passed the House and goes on to conference committee. Amendments to ban tax funding for abortion and to report the costs of guardian ad litems, who represent minors seeking to bypass parental consent for an abortion, were added to SB 1, which will be heard for its final reading in the House today. Bishop Vásquez, Cardinal DiNardo, and Archbishop García-Siller submitted letters of support for the ban on taxpayer funding for abortion that were distributed to all members of the Texas House. You can read the letters here. Click here to sign up for the Texas Catholic Voice email newsletter.
Unfortunately, Governor Perry has added the topic of sanctuary cities to the call this week and several anti-immigrant bills have been filed. These bills diminish the dignity of Texans and risk public safety. We advocated during the regular session against these bills and were pleased that a "sanctuary cities" ban was not passed. Another "sanctuary cities" ban - SB 9 - which also includes language from other immigration bills we opposed in the regular session, will be heard in committee on Monday, June 13. See below for an action alert on how you can voice your opposition to the bill.
And finally, if you want to learn more about the special session and the specific issues on the call for the session, we recommend this month's Capitol Comments: Why this Summer may be "Special."
Action Alert: Oppose "Sanctuary Cities" Ban
Please contact the members on the Committee and ask them to oppose SB 9. You can find a sample message and contact information for the committee members below.
Sample message: "Hello, my name is Name and I am a Catholic in City, Texas. I am calling to ask that you oppose SB 9. As a Catholic, I believe in promoting the life and dignity of all human life, including the lives of immigrants in our communities. Therefore, I am asking you to oppose SB 9. This bill threatens public safety and endangers the civil and constitutional rights of Texas residents. It is an expensive way to make our cities less safe. This bill could encourage discrimination, co-opt local law enforcement, and scapegoat immigrants who are valuable contributors to our society and our state. Solutions to our nation's broken immigration system must be implemented through federal comprehensive immigration reform. Piecemeal policies such as SB 9 only serve to separate and weaken the communities in our state. For more information you can contact the Texas Catholic Conference at 512-339-9882. Thank you for your time."
Senate Transportation and Homeland Security
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Bill Updates
Voted Out of Committee:
Bill Reports
We read each bill and determine if the proposed legislation is one that we should support or oppose based on the Bishops’ legislative agenda. We will continue to add new bills to the report as well as edit reports as we have more information available. Below you can find a list of legislation that we have added to our site this week. You can view our entire bill report list here: Life & Family Life
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Summary |
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HB 53
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This bill adds steps to the informed consent process to prevent coerced abortions. The TCC supports this bill as a gradualistic approach to reducing abortions in Texas. Policy Paper |
Back to Bill Reports
Immigration
| Bill |
Summary |
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HB 57
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This bill grants permission for a peace officer to arrest an individual without a warrant, if the officer has probable cause to believe that the individual has violated a civil or criminal provision of federal immigration law. The TCC believes that it is not the responsibility of state law enforcement to enforce federal laws and opposes any legislation that would allow or require state enforcement of federal laws. Policy Paper |
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HB 58
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This bill makes it a state jail felony if a person intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly: employs an unauthorized alien; contracts for the performance of labor or other work with an unauthorized alien; or contracts or subcontracts for the performance of labor or other work with another person the actor knows will employ or contract with an unauthorized alien to perform labor or other work under the contract or subcontract. The TCC opposes this bill because it criminalizes a civil violation. |
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HB 59
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This bill would require local governmental entities, including school districts, to the determine the citizenship status of people receiving their services. The TCC opposes this bill because it is not the role of local government to evaluate the immigration status of people receiving services. Policy Paper |
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SB 9
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This bill prohibits governing bodies of a municipality, county, or special district and their employees from adopting a policy that prohibits employees from inquiring about the immigration status of a person lawfully detained or arrested. The TCC opposes this bill because it is not the role of local government to evaluate the immigration status of people receiving services, and because local governments should not be prohibited from adopting policies that ensure that the civil and constitutional rights of Texas residents are protected. Policy Paper |
Back to Bill Reports
Education
| Bill |
Summary |
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HB 54
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This bill allows accredited private schools to participate in UIL activities. The TCC supports this bill, which encourages athletic opportunities for private school students. |
Back to Bill Reports
Health and Human Services
| Bill |
Summary |
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HB 46
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This bill establishes a ban on smoking in public places, with limited exceptions. It also allows business owners to declare their establishments as nonsmoking. The TCC supports this bill to encourage healthy lifestyles and cancer prevention. Companion SB 28. Policy Paper |
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SB 28
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This bill establishes a ban on smoking in public places, with limited exceptions. It also allows business owners to declare their establishments as nonsmoking. The TCC supports this bill to encourage healthy lifestyles and cancer prevention. Companion: HB 46. Policy Paper |
Social Justice is not a bad word!
On the contrary, it is a basic element of Catholic teaching based upon the concept at the core of the Gospel and ultimately expressed in Jesus' quote from the Hebrew Scriptures (Leviticus 19:18) that we should love others as we love ourselves. Fifty years ago Blessed Pope John XXIII wrote in his encyclical Mater et Magistra that “all forms of economic enterprise must be governed by the principles of social justice and charity." Last month, at a congress sponsored by the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, Pope Benedict XVI, referring to Mater et Magistra, said that “the social question today is without a doubt one of world social justice.” Read Full Story >>
Church to Observe Pope’s 60th Anniversary of Ordination June 29
Catholics worldwide are asked to mark the sixtieth anniversary of Pope Benedict XVI’s ordination to the priesthood with sixty hours of Eucharistic prayer for vocations. The pope will celebrate his anniversary June 29, the Solemnity of St. Peter and Paul. In honor of his anniversary, the Vatican Congregation for Clergy suggested Catholic clergy and faithful be invited to participate in Eucharistic Adoration with the intention of praying for the sanctification of the clergy and for the gift of new and holy priestly vocations. Read Full Story >> The Archdiocese of San Antonio's Family Fiesta of Life Conference will take place July 29-30, at St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church. Friday night’s program begins with an hour of praise and worship with Christian musicians “Body of Christ Ministries,” followed by Eucharist Adoration and Benediction. The evening will close with a sneak preview of the movie “Courageous,” scheduled for release in theaters this September. Saturday’s program includes family Mass with Bishop Oscar Cantu and presentations by Patrick Coffin, emcee and host of national radio show Catholic Answers LIVE and Vicki Thorne, international speaker and founder of Project Rachel. Brian Butler, a regular speaker on Theology of the Body for Teens, will meet and connect with teenagers. Click here to learn more. El Congreso de la Familia ¡Atención, Familias!El Congreso de la Familia se llevará a cabo el próximo 9 de julio en el Centro de Convenciones Henry B. Gonzalez. El programa incluye la Santa Misa con nuestro Arzobispo Gustavo Garcia Siller y presentaciones del Padre Guadalupe Santos de Guadalajara, México, Armando Duarte, Director del Instituto de la Familia Juan Pablo II de México, Jake Samour, Director de la Pastoral de Matrimonios y Vida Familiar de la Arquidiócesis, Valentina Alazraky de Roma, Italia (testigo en la Beatificación de Juan Pablo II), Lic. Rosa Romo de Roma, Italia, y en concierto Nana Angarita. Abrá adoración del Santísimo, confesiones, oración de sanación familiar, consejería matrimonial y mucho más. Los niños y jóvenes podrán tomar parte en actividades organizadas para ellos. Donativo: Adulto $25/Jóvenes y niños $10; preventa Adultos $20. Para más información llame al (830) 388-3009. Obtenga más información aquí. Legislative Links
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