First Amendment Tuesday: Six Weeks to Go

"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

With the clock conspicuously ticking, this morning's First Amendment Tuesday detailed the slow walk conservative legislation is getting across the board.

Tony McDonald (Empower Texans):



Highlights:

• TMF's point of order was legit.

• In 2007, Tom Craddick fired the parliamentarian and assumed dictatorial control of the House.

• Of late, we've seen a return to that style of leadership under Straus.

• By ruling Stickland's amendment non-germane, Straus didn't have to provide an explanation the way he would have had to if there had been a point of order.

• D's threatened to break quorum over campus carry.

• At one point, there were 240 bills that had been passed by the Senate that we're sitting on Straus' desk; that number has come down slightly in the past few days, but not by much.

• HB 910 has to go through the Senate process ALL OVER AGAIN; thus it could take another month to get it to Abbott's desk.

David Walls (Texas Values):

Highlights:

• We have to get bills moving at this point in session.
• Author's Note: Not gonna happen.

• HB 3567, Pastor protection bill, up in State Affairs tomorrow.

• Revealing exchange last week between Bryan Hughes and Texas "Freedom" Network

Ann Hettinger (CWA):

Highlights:

• THSC's parental rights bill being discussed this week.

• We've yet to hear any abortion related bills this session.
• Author's Note: Technically, we haven't heard any meaningful pro-Life bills; a few of the "caption only" bills discussed below have had hearings.

Mary Lynn Gerstenschlager (Texas Eagle Forum):

Highlights:

• Astonishing number of global warming related bills being heard this session.

• American Laws for American Courts is stuck in Calendars.

• EMP protection bills being heard in Senate today and House tomorrow.

Jim Graham:

Highlights:

• HB 3074 negotiations ongoing.

• Beware "caption only" bills -- Sound great but do nothing.

• Meaningful bills are getting slow-walked -- "Lets get these bills out of committee."