June 18, 2007

The 80^th legislative session marked a change in the order of business at the Texas Catholic Conference. It was the first regular session after a changing of the guard of leadership at the conference. The lobby team for this legislative session was expanded to include: Andy Rivas, Executive Director, Jennifer Carr, Associate Director, and Margaret McGettrick, Director of Education. Even Marsha Solana, Associate Director of Education, and our intern, Maria Frederick got into the action and testified on critical bills. Texas Catholic Conference actively monitored 260 bills and took positions on 115 individual bills (63 Support, 52 Oppose) during the 80^th Regular Session of the Texas Legislature. Some of these bills were the identical companion bills filed in the House and Senate. We took positions on 108 different pieces of legislation throughout the session. Bills are enrolled when they pass both the House and Senate, but have not yet been signed by the Governor. Here's how we did: