Will Abbott veto anti-Parental authority bill?!?

"Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right."
Ephesians 6:1

Texas Homeschool Coalition has asked Governor Abbott to veto SB 206, which expands the authority of Child "Protective" Services; as they explain:

• SB 206 extends the deadlines for cases and allows CPS more time to prosecute families in court, but provides no penalties for CPS or relief for the family if CPS fails to meet the deadlines. Not only is CPS now provided an extra six months of time under the bill to prosecute the family on a case that is already supposed to be high priority and timely, it is not even required to meet the deadlines provided in the law. 

• SB 206 unnecessarily allows CPS to delay a visit between parents and their child who has been removed. Originally, CPS had three days to arrange a visit with the parents and their child after removal. The bill extends that deadline to five days without cause. When a child is removed traumatically from a family, extending that child’s time away from family unnecessarily is senseless. 

• SB 206 eliminates the concrete standards by which progress on an investigation is measured. Insuring the quality of an investigation that potentially involves the removal of a child is paramount, and the removal of accountability standards in the process does not protect the child or the family.

[Author's Note: Emphasis in Original.]

Read the whole thing here.

-----

Governor Greg Abbott: (512) 463-2000
Twitter: @GregAbbott_TX

-----

Read Texas Homeschool Coalition's full letter below:

2015-06-02-sb-206-veto-request

First Amendment Tuesday: Fire the Coaching Staff?!?

"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

First amendment Tuesday; it's certainly not boring!!!

Tony McDonald (Empower Texans) (Partial):



Highlights:

• Joe Straus doesn't care about conservative priorities.

• Every reform we're pursuing is opposed by someone whose livelihood depends on it.

• "From a day to day, bill to bill, perspective," lobbyists control the process.

Emily Kebodeaux/Jim Graham (Texas Right to Life), Tony McDonald (Reprise):

Highlights:

• We haven't heard a pro-Life bill on the floor yet.

• Explains Sunset process.

• J.D. Sheffield's five minute diatribe about how unborn babies had to be "dealt with" was complimented by Planned Parenthood.

• Four Price pulled the bill to protect Straus from having to overrule Trey Martinez Fischer's point of order.
• Cuts off members from being able to overrule Straus

• 2 hearings later this week.

• "Not one regular pro-Life bill has passed in Texas since 2003."
• Songram and HB 2 only passed because Rick Perry put his foot down.

• House only hearing watered down pro-Life bills; Senate has only heard one pro-Life bill period.

• Texas' national pro-Life ranking is falling.

• 600 bills have passed a chamber, only one on either life or 2A: "That's what they really think of the Republican platform."

• In the 570 days between now and next session, 120,000 babies will be killed if the legislature fails to act now.

• "If we do not win in the next 5 weeks, it is incumbent upon us to change the players on the field."

Texas Homeschool Coalition:

Highlights:

• SB 1543 by Perry has passed.

• Tebow bill had hearing in Senate.

• Parental rights bill has had hearing in both chambers.

Mary Lynn Gerstenschlager (Texas Eagle Forum):

Highlights:

• Oppose HB 742 by Huberty.

• Marriage bills in Calendars.

• Todd Hunter's red card/green card system is their way of blowing us off.

Geren attempting to pull a fast one

"They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work."
Titus 1:16

Last week the Texas House licensing committee approved an absurd bill from Charlie Geren that would ban the sale of "powdered alcohol"; as we noted on our Facebook page at the time:

Two points:a) Yet another waste of time bill from House leadership designed to create a manufactured time crisis at...
Posted by Adam Cahnman on Monday, March 30, 2015

In a VERY interesting development, the bill has been sent to the local and consent committee:

And what, pray tell, is the local and consent committee?!?

In theory, the local and consent committee is where non-controversial bills are supposed to be referred and easily passed.  That being said, leadership occasionally sends bills there over which they're hoping to avoid a floor debate.  As Texas Homeschool Coalition explained last session:

For those who are unfamiliar with the process in the Texas House, whenever a bill is voted out of committee the chairman of that committee can elect to send it to one of two places: the Regular Calendars Committee or the Local and Consent Calendars Committee. Controversial bills are sent to the Regular Calendars Committee, while bills that are expected to pass unanimously in the House are sent to the Local and Consent Calendars Committee.

Is the Local and Consent Calendar ever abused? Yes, definitely. It’s not uncommon for a legislator to try to “sneak” a bill onto the Local and Consent Calendar. If successful, his bill will be brought up early during the day, with possibly a hundred other bills that are quickly glossed over and voted on by legislators who aren’t really paying attention to what’s happening. After all, why should they? The bills are supposed to be non-controversial and would have unanimous support anyway.

Bottom Line: For Geren and Straus to send this bill to Local and Consent instead of Calendars reveals a lack of confidence in the merit of their underlying position.

-----

Worth noting is that Geren's fellow Tarrant County colleague, Giovanni Capriglione, serves on Local and Consent:

Giovanni Capriglione:
(512) 463-0690
@VoteGiovanni

First Amendment Tuesday: Week 10

"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

First Amendment Tuesday hit it's high-water mark for attendance this session earlier today.

Tony McDonald (Empower Texans):



Highlights:

• Citizen activists are not lobbyists.

• Amendment process
• You can't do it with any bill.
• Prevents Massive "Christmas Tree" bills a. la. D.C.
• Bills have to be limited to one topic.
• Ultimately, the members decide a point of order.

• Members frequently leave legislation pending after a committee hearing; you shouldn't get suspicion until it's been left pending over a week.

Jonathan Saenz (Texas Values):

Highlights:

• Religious liberty amendment borrows language from Hobby Lobby case.

• Religious liberty involves telling government TO STOP ACTIVITY.

• Jason Villalba dropped religious liberty amendment, Matt Krause picked it up.

• Bill in State Affairs on Marriage tomorrow.

• Texas Association of Business thinks government power should trump religious rights.

• "Apparently, the Texas Association of Business thinks religious liberty is bad for business."

Cathie Adams (Texas Eagle Forum):

Highlights:

• Recaps toll and marriage rallies.

• "Without marriage, America implodes."

• HB 1745 by Bell, hearing tomorrow.

• American laws for American Courts (ALAC) getting hearing today.
• 10 other states have passed it.

• "A test is valuable, an 'assessment' is devious."

Ann Hettinger (Concerned Women for America):

Highlights:

• CWA also supports ALAC.

• ALAC is about protecting women.

• School choice hearing at 9AM Thursday.

Jeremy Newman (Texas Homeschool Coalition):

Highlights:

• Parental rights restoration
• Protects single parents.
• Grandparents frequently do this in cases of homeschooling.

First Amendment Tuesday: Week 9

"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

Several interesting developments at First Amendment Tuesday this morning:

Tony McDonald (Empower Texans):



Highlights:

• You are not a lobbyist.

• There are people in government who want to shut effective people down.

• Bad but not big legislation passes all the time.

• Germaneness -- Can't do mishmashed Christmas tree style bills the way they do it in D.C.

• Byron Cook isn't a communist; communists believe in things!!!

David Walls (Texas Values):

Highlights:

• Showing up makes a difference.

• Communicating with staff is fine (and sometimes better).

• If you have a personal story to tell, you should testify; if you don't, simply registering your position is fine.

• Krause has picked up religious liberty amendment.

• TAB -- Apparently "Religious Liberty is bad for business."

• It's concerning that House state affairs is already hearing bad bills.

Emily Horne (Texas Right to Life):

Highlights:

• All of RTL's bills have been filed.

• 2 bills on end of life.

Mary-Lynn Gerstenschlager (Texas Eagle Forum):

Highlights:

• 401 bills on education filed.

• Texas Eagle Forum against all pre-K bills.

• Zerwas is pushing an HPV bill.
• Author's Note: Sounds like too much government action involving too many agencies for a cause that isn't worthwhile in the first place.

Steven Housely (Texas Homeschool Coalition):

Highlights:

• Tebow bill ongoing.

• Parental rights restoration waiting on hearing.

First Amendment Tuesday: Week 7

"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 First Amendment Tuesday this morning:

Emily Kebodeaux (Texas Right to Life) (Partial):



Highlights:

• Points of Order.

• Pro-Life Agenda.

• Judicial Bypass reform and DNR changes.

David Walls (Texas Values):

Highlights:

• Their lege guide is now available.

• Best way to communicate with legislators is in person.

• Good idea to call in advance (but if you're making a last minute trip, don't worry about it and just stop in).

• There's a desk outside the House chamber that you can use to contact your member when they're on the House floor.

• "Government goes to those who show up."

• Religous Liberty Amendment: SJR 10, HJR 55.

• HB 623 (Bell): Marriage Preservation Act.

• HB 1556 (Miller): Smacking down local "Non-Discrimination" ordinances.

Ann Hettinger (Concerned Women for America):

Highlights:

• SB 276 (Campbell) -- Taxpayer Savings Grants.

• All currently enrolled Texas public school students are eligible for enrollment.

• Private schools in Texas are not under the authority of the State.

• Oversight under the Comptroller, not T.E.A.

Texas Homeschool Coalition:

Highlights:

• Tebow bill is primarily for rural areas.

• Parental rights restoration act.

Emily Kebodeaux redux:

Highlights:

• Text message alerts: Text "pro-Life strong" to 23559.

Closing Remarks:

First Amendment Tuesday: Week 5

"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 6:12

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

Michael Quinn Sullivan (Empower Texans):



Highlights:

• State of the state today.

• Abbott's transportation plan.

• Significant Tax Relief.

• Constitutional spending limits.

• Whole section on the border.

Tony McDonald (Empower Texans):

Highlights:

• Committees will post hearings 5 days in advance.

• Guests in the gallery must maintain decorum.

• Friday is the deadline to file bills if you want them to have a realistic chance of passing.

• Don't buy stuff for state employees.

• Began to discuss amendment process.

Emily Horne (Texas Right to Life):

Highlights:

• Online registration for or against bills.

• You only get a few minutes to testify, plan in advance.

David Walls (Texas Values):

Highlights:

• Faith and Family day next Tuesday.

• CWA has a dinner Monday night.

• Briefing in Capitol auditorium with Abbott.

• Rally w/ Patrick.

• Legislative Guide is almost ready.

• HB 623 (Bell) -- Would defund rogue county clerks from issuing homosexual "marriage" licenses.
• Current laws don't have teeth.

Jeremy Newman (Texas Homeschool Coalition):

Highlights:

• Tim Tebow bill designed for rural areas.

• Aycock killed the bill last session.

• Expect bills to sail through Senate.

• Homeschool leagues frequently don't offer access to the same scholarship opportunities.

• Parental Rights Restoration Act
• Amends "Grandparents access statute." re: Single Parents
• Single parents are frequently targeted when there's bad blood.
• The goal is to make them go bankrupt fighting.
• "Family law" groups are primary opposition.
• Last session, parents testified on good bill; lawyers testified on bad bills.

Michael Quinn Sullivan; Part 2:

Highlights:

• Abbott endorsed Patrick's position re: DPS on border.

• Straus refused to fund border operations past March last year.

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.

• SB 171 (Huffman): Increases penalties for Human smuggling.

• CWA has a list of legislators by hall.

Cathie Adams (Texas Eagle Forum):




Highlights:

• Constitutional carry (SB 342) just got referred to Senate State Affairs.

• SB 115 (V. Taylor) -- DeLink judicial and legislative retirement.

• SB 340 (Huffines) -- Getting rid of red light camera.

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"

First Amendment Tuesday: Week 2

"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:

Tony McDonald (Empower Texans) (Partial):



Highlights:

• Review of "lobbying" rules.

• Defeated attempt to expand the impeachment committee.

• Good changes for conservatives in House rules.

• Biggest change was 2/3rds rule in Senate.

• Rumor mill says House committee assignments will come out at the end of this week.

• Pressure the Lite Guv to refer Constitutional carry to state affairs committee rather than Criminal Jurisprudence.

John Seago (Texas Right to Life):

Highlights:

• No good piece of legislation passes automatically.

• Members care more about what their constituents think than "advocates."

• We can have a civil relationship with people with whom we disagree.

• Staff is important.

• Explain why you care about the issue.

• Keep literature to ONE PAGE.
• Don't trust staffers to take good notes.

• Beware of delay tactics that offices use:
• They don't want to commit on bills.
• Office Tour
• Life Stories: Theirs or Yours.

• If legislators refuse to commit, ask them what they need then follow up.

Ann Hettinger (Concerned Women for America -- Texas):



Highlights:

• CWA has prayer chapters all around the state.

• Capitol Library on second floor will print out bills.

Cathie Adams (Texas Eagle Forum):



Highlights:

• Reassembling a coalition has been the most effective thing we've done in a long time.

• CleanupAustin.com
• Legislators tie their retirements to district judges.
• Slush funds.

• HB 562 (Leach) - American Laws for American Courts.

• HB 623 (Bell) - Marriage Bill
• This has already been decided by the people of Texas.

David Walls (Texas Values):



Highlights:

• Loosely related to Focus on the Family.

• Life, Marriage, and Religious Liberty.

• Faith and Family Day February 24th.

• TXValues.org/legislativeguide

• Religious Liberty Amendment (SJR 10)

• Our guys need encouragement.

Jeremy Newman (Texas Homeschool Coalition):



Highlights:

• They deal closely with Parental Rights issues.

• Tim Tebow bill.

• "Child Possession" loophole.

• Possible Parental rights amendment.

• Aycock sat on Tebow bill last session.

Dustin Matocha (Empower Texans):



Highlights:

• Constitutional Spending Limit.

• Zero based budgeting.

• Eliminate Margins Tax.

Life, Liberty, and Property Kicks off the 84th #TXLEGE

"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

The Life, Liberty, and Property coalition held their first "First Amendment Tuesday" this morning prior to Greg Abbott's inauguration; it is a FANTASTIC primer for citizen lobbying:

Michael Quinn Sullivan (Empower Texans):



Highlights:

• Learn the rules for petitioning government.

Tony McDonald (Empower Texans):

Highlights:

• House rule 1; section 5
• No signs or disruptive behavior (doesn't apply to Wendy Davis).
• Our opponents will use failure to practice decorum to silence us.

• Lobbying:
• "A lobbyist is a hired gun."
• There are rules about giving gifts.

• In a couple of weeks, committees will be assigned.

• How a bill moves out of the House (at least in theory): First reading -- > Committee -- > Calendars -- > Floor

• "Points of Order" can cut both ways.

• 2/3rds rule -- Senate is supposed to consider bills in the order they come out of committee.

John Seago (Texas Right to Life)

Highlights:

• Every pro-life victory is due to gubernatorial leadership and strong grassroots activism.\

• Legislators care more about what constituents think than "lobbying" groups.

• Remember, they work for us.

• Be respectful.

• Tell the what bills you support.

• Before you leave the office, have them respond.
• "Does this sound like a good bill to you?!?"
• There's all kinds of stalling techniques elected officials use:
• Office Tours
• Life Stories
• Asking a frillion questions about your life story.

Jeremy Newman (Texas Homeschool Coalition)

Highlights:

• Mostly parental rights stuff.

• Tim Tebow bill - Allow homeschoolers to participate in extra-cirriculars

• In laws can sue parents for "access" to children.

Ann Hettinger (Concerned Women for America)

Highlights:

• Tuesday 2/24 lobby day.

• Plano bathroom bill got enough signatures.

• Restoring SBOE authority.

Cathie Adams (Texas Eagle Forum)

Highlights:

• American laws for American courts.

More Harmony schools popping up.

• Defund
• Put their checkbooks online.
• Author's Note: Good grief, there are at least 5 in Austin alone.

• CSCOPE: The whack-a-mole continues.

JoAnn Fleming (Grassroots America: We the People)

Highlights:

• Interstate compacts for Border Enforcement.

• With GOP control of Congress, forces them on record.

• Interstate compacts bypass the President; only require congressional approval.

• Start with the 25 states suing Obama over Executive Amnesty.

• "The state of Texas spends too much, borrows too much, and relies too heavily on the Federal government."

• Restore state spending to it's core functions.