Tuesday, February 3, 2015

First Amendment Tuesday: Week 3


"and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel,"
Ephesians 6:19

Life, Liberty, and Property coalition held their second "First Amendment Tuesday" this morning:

Michael Quinn Sullivan (Empower Texans):



Tony McDonald (Empower Texans):



Highlights:
  • Lege rules are designed to protect the minority and public.
  • "If it doesn't seem fair, it very well might not be."
  • The only part of the rules that apply to the public is "decorum."
  • A lobbyist is a hired gun, engaged citizens are not lobbyists.
  • 2 ways to get classified as a lobbyist:
    • Spend too much $$$ (don't give gifts to legislators or staff)
    • Communicating with legislators on behalf of someone for $$$
  • "There are people who do not like engaged citizens."
  • If you want to have a legislator file a bill, now is the time to get on it.
  • Straus has, in the past, "perfectly carved out" meaningful participation by conservatives.
  • Keep an eye on what happens to Turner voters and Straus voting "conservatives."
    • Don't be surprised if some of them get chairmanships for show while the composition of the committee makes their chairmanship functionally meaningless; a la Dan Flynn on the impeachment committee.
Emily Kebodeaux (Texas Right to Life):



Highlights:
  • Know who your Rep. and Senator are.
  • Call ahead if you know that you are coming.
  • Meet in the afternoon; after the legislator is done on the floor but before committee hearings.
  • Ask the staffer to "walk you down to the floor."
  • Know what issue you're talking about.
  • Visit your legislator even if you disagree.
Ann Hettinger (Concerned Women for America):



Highlights:
  • CWA will highlight a bill every week.
  • CWA has a list of legislators by hall.
Cathie Adams (Texas Eagle Forum):




Highlights:
Jeremy Newman (Texas Homeschool Coalition):



Highlights:


  • Texas is in the minority of states that don't allow homeschoolers to participate in athletics.
  • Parental Rights (HB 529, SB 414)
    • Usually happens when there's bad blood.
    • Typically, single parents run out of money to fight.
    • Main opponent: "Family Law Foundation."
      • Family law attorney's make money when these cases drag out.
Jonathan Saenz (Texas Values):



Highlights:


  • Faith and Family Day February 24th
    • Noon rally on the South Steps
  • HB 623 (Bell):
    • County clerks willing to take the law into their own hands.
    • Cuts off state funding for local governments that issue homosexual 'marriage' licenses
    • 33 authors and co-authors so far.
    • Texas Supreme Court currently pressured to grant homosexual 'divorces.'
    • We're not going to know about the U.S. Supreme Court until after the session ends.
  • Religious Liberty Amendment:
    • Based on Language from Hobby Lobby case.
    • SJR 10, HJR 55.
    • Opponents want to ban home prayer meetings.
  • HB 537 (Anchia) -- Oppose.
    • Stikes out father and mother on birth certificates and replaces them with "Parent #1" and "Parent #2"

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