Unfortunately, neither the Choose Life License Plates nor CHIP were passed yesterday. The Choose Life License Plate amendment is attached to the Department of Transportation Sunset house bill that has been controversial because of an issue regarding a local entity's ability to raise taxes, an issue that TCC is not taking a position on. There is another House Bill, HB 1959, that would allow governmental entities subject to sunset review, such as the Texas Department of Transportation, to continue if the entity's sunset bill is not passed. This bill does not have the Choose Life License Plate amendment on it, however, it is more likely that this bill will be passed because it is not as controversial as HB 300, and because it would also allow the Texas Department of Insurance and many other agencies under sunset to continue.

CHIP has a majority of votes to pass in the House, but it does not have the two-thirds vote necessary to suspend the rules to bring it up for a vote. We encourage you to contact your State Representative and ask that he or she vote to suspend the rules to allow CHIP to be brought up for a vote. You can find out who your State Representative is here, and use the following message to ask for support of CHIP.

"Hi my name is name and I am calling from city, Texas. As a Catholic, I would like to ask you to vote to suspend the rules and allow Senate Bill 2080 to be called up for a vote and support its passage.

Senate Bill 2080 has been amended to include language that would allow for a CHIP buy-in program. My Catholic faith teaches that every person has a right to adequate healthcare. This right flows from the sanctity of human life and the dignity that belongs to all human persons, who are made in the image of God. Health care is more than a commodity; it is a basic human right, an essential safeguard of human life and dignity. We believe our people's healthcare should not depend on where they work, how much their parents earn, or where they live. Our constant teaching that each human life must be protected and human dignity promoted leads us to insist that all people have a right to healthcare.

Again, I ask that you please vote to allow Senate Bill 2080 to be called up for a vote and then support its passage. If you have any questions on the position of the Bishops of Texas with regard to either of these bills, feel free to contact the Texas Catholic Conference at 512-339-9882. Thank you for your time."