San Antonio/Chick-fil-a Debacle Textbook Example of Why GOVERNMENT SHOULDN'T OWN AIRPORTS

They said to Him, “Caesar’s.”

And He said to them, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”
Matthew 22:21

So this happened:

Wayfarers passing through San Antonio International Airport will be out of luck if they’re craving Chick-fil-A's crispy chicken or waffle fries, as the city council has banned the chicken-centric chain from opening up shop in the air hub due to the company’s alleged “legacy of anti-LGBTQ behavior.”

On Thursday, six members of the San Antonio City Council rejected the inclusion of Chick-fil-A from the new Food, Beverage and Retail Prime Concession Agreement for the airport, KTSA reports. The seven-year contract for concession management at the terminal is expected to create $2.1 million in revenue for the Texas city; the motion that passed gave the green light to food shops including Smoke Shack and Local Coffee.

“With this decision, the City Council reaffirmed the work our city has done to become a champion of equality and inclusion," Councilman Roberto Treviño said of the vote, as per News 4 San Antonio. "San Antonio is a city full of compassion, and we do not have room in our public facilities for a business with a legacy of anti-LGBTQ behavior."

 Some predictable reactions:

San Antonio punishes Chick-fil-A for its donations to Christian organizations. Sorry, that's unconstitutional. It's also intolerant. And it's more fake outrage. Do people really not feel "welcome" if an airport has a Chick-fil-A? https://t.co/62kuERHK4e

— David French (@DavidAFrench) March 22, 2019

Those reactions aren't wrong. The San Antonio city council's action certainly was an affront to religious liberty.  But they're not asking the right question.

Why does the San Antonio city council have jurisdiction over the airport in the first place?!?

This is why:

Is anyone surprised that an entity controlled by a political body is making political decisions?!?

Because you shouldn't be.

We have no idea about the solution.  Air travel in the United States is, basically, an act of socialism.  There are ample opportunities for reform at both the state and federal level.

As long as socialism continues in air travel, it should surprise nobody that concessions contracts are handed out based on political factors.

Bottom Line: No private business owner would have made this decision....

#TXLEGE: Texans for so-called "Lawsuit Reform" Needs to be SHAMED into supporting First Amendment

"Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons,"
1 Timothy 4:1

Some wretched bills filed by Democrats have attracted national attention.  Under the guise of "nondiscrimination," the bills in question would eviscerate the first amendment.  If such bills were to pass, it would make the Colorado cake baker case look like child's play.

That being said, we noticed something else when we read the bills.

HB 244 (Farrar):

HB 254 (Bernal):

HB 188 (Bernal): 

HB 517 (Israel):

HB 850 (Johnson):

SB 151 (Rodriguez):

In 47 separate places, across 6 bills, Democrats want to enable lawsuits or major regulatory actions (which will inevitably beget lawsuits) based on "perceptions."

Not actions.

Perceptions.

This sort of language is a sea change; the unintended consequences have not been thought through.

Which begs the question: Where, pray tell, is Texans for "Lawsuit Reform" in all this?!?

Besides the obvious first amendment/religious liberty nightmare, these bills are the biggest trial lawyer boondoggle in a generation.  It does not take a genius to see how, if "perception" becomes a valid legal standard, ambulance chasers will bloom.  That's before the "perception" standard is expanded by future legislatures or Democrat judges.

Yet the state's largest so-called "tort reform" group is silent.

It's madness.  Madness that's indefensible from a group that claims to oppose trial lawyer boondoggles.  Indefensible madness that Texans for so-called "Lawsuit Reform" should be forced to either defend or disavow.

Bottom Line: You would think that a so-called "tort reform" organization would oppose trial lawyer boondoggles.  For some reason, that's not the case.  How very, very odd.

Sanford calls Corporate America's Bluff

"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places."
Ephesians 6:12

From Texas Values:

Texas State Representative Scott Sanford, author of the Pastor Protection law, joined by over 100 state legislators from across the country, sent an open letter to the NFL Commissioner, the Big 12 Commissioner, the CEO of the NCAA, the CEO of Marvel, and the CEO of Disney, requesting that the corporations reconsider their threats against states passing religious freedom bills.

....

The letter states in part:

“We write to you today because you recently issued statements against religious liberty legislation in various states around the country. Giving you the benefit of the doubt, we understand that you may have been misinformed and misguided into a position of condoning and promoting government use of the force of law against people of faith in America….

Freedom of conscience and freedom exercise of religion can include nothing less than the way a person lives all aspects of his or her life. As a nation, our laws must encourage and support, not penalize, citizens who seek to adhere to their moral convictions.

Government, unelected Justices, and big businesses should not be in the business of forcing individuals and entities to act in a manner that contradicts their conscience. The Obergefell decision, the United States Supreme Court’s effort to redefine marriage throughout America, has left private schools, charities, businesses, churches or individuals that disagree unprotected. We need laws protecting their right to live their faith, thus the reason for the recent bill in Georgia.

....

[I]f you were to remove your events and other economic activities from every state that already has significant religious liberty legislation or state court decisions with the same effect, you will find yourselves operating in an increasingly shrinking pool of states. As of now, 32 states contain these, and others are in the process of adoption.

Please ask yourselves this question: “Do we really want to live in a society where our government may, under the penalty of law, force its citizens to engage in the promotion or solemnization of an act that they find contrary to their conscience and their religious beliefs?” Your efforts are indeed forging a path that contradicts and undermines the principles and concepts that our Founders incorporated as the building blocks of this Constitutional Republic.

Read the whole thing here.

Stickland secures Three more MAJOR Conservative Endorsements

"As iron sharpens iron,
So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend."
Proverbs 27:17

Congratulations Team Stickland:

STICKLAND ANNOUNCES NEXT ROUND OF ENDORSEMENTS FOR REELECTION CAMPAIGN

(Bedford, TX) – Tuesday, Jonathan Stickland announced his third round of public endorsements for his re-election campaign to the Texas House. The list includes three of the most well known and respected statewide Christian conservative leaders. Texas Republican Party Chair and President of Texas Eagle Forum* Cathie Adams President of Texas Values* Jonathan Saenz President and CEO of the Liberty Institute* Kelly Shackleford

“Jonathan Stickland is a courageous conservative with a heart of gold. As an elected representative, he has been highly successful in bringing home the best policies and principles for his constituents. Voters in House District 92 are most fortunate to be represented by one of the hardest working legislators who employs the highest integrity as he works on the issues most important to them. I hope my friends in HD 92 will join me in keeping Jonathan Stickland serving them in Austin.”

-Cathie Adams

"Rep. Stickland is not only a fighter for the unborn but a staunch defender of traditional marriage and religious freedom. I am proud to continue my work with Rep. Stickland and I fully endorse his re-election to protect Texans religious liberty and to defend the Texas values of the traditional family." –Jonathan Saenz

“Jonathan Stickland did what he promised he would do. He never relented when it came to defending liberty and fighting for our Christian values. I am proud to endorse his reelection campaign and encourage all conservatives to do the same.” –Kelly Shackleford

*Organizational name for identification purposes only

LOL, 17 #TXLEGE RINO's attempting to waft behind Cruz's campaign....

"Therefore by their fruits you will know them."
Matthew 7:20

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Update: It's worth mentioning that, at the beginning of the summer, we were considering keeping a running tally of which Presidential candidates Texas legislators were supporting, but we decided against this because we thought something like this might happen.

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Ted Cruz's Presidential campaign released a list of supporters from the Texas Legislature this morning.  It's...an interesting list.  It reveals the degree to which Ted Cruz defines politics in this state.

The overwhelming majority of solid conservatives in both chambers endorse Cruz.  In the Texas Senate, all of the Senators who endorsed him are solid.  In the Texas House, 15 out of the 19 Scott Turner supporters endorsed Cruz.

But this list gets interesting when you look at the Straus supporters who've endorsed Cruz.

While a few of the Straus supporters are middle-of-the-pack House members, the list also features some of the WORST RINO's in the Texas House.

Empower Texans compiles an index to measure legislators on economic issues.  Texas Values has a similar index for Faith and Family issues.  On that note, consider the following from the recently concluded legislative session:

Obviously, these folks think getting their name in a Ted Cruz Presidential press release (and the pictures that will inevitably follow) will obscure their mediocre and worse records in the legislature.

Bottom Line: Ted Cruz clearly attracts support from both conservatives and people who are scared to death of conservatives.

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* - Dan Flynn led the Wallace Hall impeachment fiasco.

** - Larry Phillips helped illegally cock-block Constitutional Carry.

*** - Debbie Riddle almost killed a pro-Life bill in an obscure legislative committee.

**** - Wayne Smith killed the TESLA bill.

***** - John Zerwas is openly pro-Obamacare.

The Texas Response: Pastors, Marriage, & Religious Freedom

"The first one to plead his cause seems right,
Until his neighbor comes and examines him."
Proverbs 18:17

Pflugerville -- Last night, Texas Values hosted an event in Pflugerville to outline the state-of-play on religious liberty in Texas following the U.S. Supreme Court's lawless marriage ruling this past summer.  It highlighted how Churches can protect themselves in the current climate and discussed the Pastor Protection law that the legislature passed last session.  It was a solid start that needs to be build upon.

Jonathan Saenz (Texas Values):



Highlights:

• Several people have been fined and jailed over marriage.

• Houston 5 were attacked by Annise Parker.

• Dan Patrick: "No one should be compelled."

• Scott Sanford carried this bill in House.

• Pastor Protection law protects "religious ORGANIZATIONS."

• ACLU retracted their support for Federal RFRA after marriage decision.

• Pastor Protection Law covers religious hospitals.

Jeremy Dys (Liberty Institute):

Highlights:

• Plugs Ken Paxton -- Filed a pro-Religious Liberty brief at the Texas Supreme Court last week.

• "Religious liberty is broader than human sexuality."

• Define your mission in writing in your church documents.

• Detailed minutes of Church meetings CAN SAVE YOUR BACON in the event of a lawsuit.

• Learn more about protecting your Christian institution at ReligiousLibertyKits.com

Attorney General Paxton:

Highlights:

• Put out his opinion re: County Clerks within hours of SCOTUS decision.

• People of Faith are essential to keeping American "free and prosperous."

• Religious liberty is the first freedom for a reason.

• When we lose our moral compass, things go bad in a hurry.

• "Discrimination against Christians, or other people of Faith, is entirely unacceptable."

Senator Craig Estes:

Highlights:

• Our perilous times are different that First Century Christians or Christians in Syria.

• Pray for the Christians around the world.

• This isn't the hill the hard core leftists want to die on.

Pastor Panel:

[Note: Danny Forshee is the Pastor of this Author's Church.]



Highlights:

• If Christians abdicate politics, the Devil is pleased to take over.

• When you put God in charge, He takes over.

• Joe Gonzales tells a story about praying with his personal state rep.

• Pastor Danny: "To disagree does not mean to discriminate."

• Pastor Mike: Just voting isn't good enough.
• The Church has abdicated it's position.
• We need to participate in the process.
• "Had the Devil known what he was doing, he wouldn't have raised the issue."
• The Church in Texas is coming together (tells the story about preaching in inner-city Kileen)
• Texas is going to be a haven for the gospel.

Texas Values' scorecard largely mirrors Empower Texans and Mark Jones

"So he called him and said to him, ‘What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your stewardship, for you can no longer be steward."
Luke 16:2

Texas Values released their scorecard for Faith and Family issues during the 84th Texas Legislature.  It was very similar to previously released scorecards from Empower Texans and Mark Jones.  In that sense, it reflects what we already knew.

It confirms the link between fiscal and social conservatism.  Strong social conservatives overwhelmingly tend to be strong fiscal conservatives.  By contrast, fiscal RINO's are usually social RINO's as well.

Other trends worth noting:

• All 19 House members who voted for Scott Turner were named "Faith and Family Champions" (which required scoring 90 or higher).

• Of the House members who voted for Straus, the following were named "Faith and Family Champions":  James White, Will Metcalf, Dennis Paul, Dan Flynn, Andrew Murr, Brooks Landgraf, Allen Fletcher, and Dwanye Bohac.

• John Cyrier and Tom Craddick were also named "Faith and Family Champions" despite having not been present on the day of the speaker vote (Cyrier hadn't been elected yet, Craddick was out with medical issues).

• If 29 members can earn the title "Faith and Family Champion," that means it's not difficult.

• On that note, Jodie Laubenberg, Rick Miller, and Debbie Riddle all failed to earn the "Faith and Family Champion" designation.  This is notable because those three like to hang out at SoCon events and tout their SoCon bonafides.  If these three can't get the SoCon stuff right, they've honestly got nothing.

• Likewise, Cecil Bell only scored a 78.

• Otherwise, the rest of the low scoring House Republicans were the usual suspects closely aligned with leadership.

• On the Senate side, the results were mostly predictable, though Konni Burton scored a surprisingly low 82.

• Pro-Life Democrat Senator Eddie Lucio scored a 73; the following Republicans scored lower: Joan Huffman, Kel Seliger, Todd Hunter, Phil Stephenson, Gilbert Pena, Dan Huberty, Myra Crownover, Susan King, Gary van Deaver, John Otto, Marsha Farney, John Zerwas, Larry Gonzales, Trent Ashby, John Fruillo, Jim Murphy, Travis Clardy, Kyle Kacal, Ed Thompson, J.M. Lozano, Jimmie Don Aycock, Drew Darby, Doug Miller, Four Price, Jason Villalba, Rick Galindo, Lyle Larson, Patricia Harless, Wayne Smith, Ken King, Kenneth Sheets, Morgan Meyer, Linda Koop, John Raney, John Kuempel, Byron Cook, Jim Keffer, J.D. Sheffield.
• Author's Note: A similar, though not as pronounced, trend existed on the fiscal side.

• While she could be included on the list above, Sarah Davis' 14 is worth noting on it's own.

Important facts about Annise Parker's Bathroom Ordinance

"And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart."
Galatians 6:9

From Texas Values:

5 Things Everyone Needs to Know About Houston's November “HERO” Vote On Tuesday, November 3rd, Houston voters will finally have a chance to vote for or against the controversial LGBT “Equal Rights” Bathroom Ordinance (or HERO), known as Proposition 1 on the ballot. The election is already drawing national attention as it will have a tremendous impact on future religious freedom battles across the country. All eyes will be on Houston. The vote comes after a more than yearlong campaign by Houston Mayor Annise Parker toillegally disenfranchise voters and intimidate opponents, including efforts to silence Houston pastors by attempting to subpoena their sermonsand private church communications. A unanimous Texas Supreme Court ruled against the Mayor in July, ordering the Council to stop enforcement of the ordinance and “comply with its duties” to allow Houstonians to vote on the issue. With Election Day closing in, a thorough analysis reveals the ordinance is about giving local government new power to force private individuals and businesses to affirm homosexual conduct and actual or perceived “gender identity” under threat of serious criminal penalties. Openly lesbian Mayor Parker admitted as much during the original debate over the ordinance in 2014, when she said in her own words ‘This [ordinance] is about me.’ Here are five key points about the ordinance that all Houston voters should consider: The ordinance will allow men access to women’s bathrooms, shower rooms, and locker rooms (any “place of public accommodation”). The ordinance would force employers and private business owners to violate their religious and moral convictions. The ordinance promotes government-backed discrimination by seeking to criminalize opposition to homosexual and transgender behavior. The ordinance equates race with sexual conduct. The ordinance increases government interference in the private sector by mandating employment of homosexual and transgendered persons. CLICK HERE to view our full analysis of the ordinance. Early voting begins on October 19th and the last day to register to vote is October 5th. Houston voters will also have a chance to vote for Mayor and City Council in the election. Our friends at the Houston Area Pastor Council are hosting a Candidate Forum this Thursday, September 17 at Houston’s First Baptist Church (more details here). We encourage all Houstonians to ensure they are registered and prepared to vote in the November 3rd election. Click here to visit the Harris County voter registration page.

Texas Supreme Court SMACKS Down Annise Parker

"Arise, O Lord;
Save me, O my God!
For You have struck all my enemies on the cheekbone;
You have broken the teeth of the ungodly."
Psalm 3:7

Fantastic news, from Texas Values:

Texas Supreme Court Stops Houston LGBT Ordinance, Must be Repealed or Placed on November Ballot Today, the Texas Supreme Court ruled that the Houston City Council must stop enforcement of a controversial anti-religious freedom LGBT ordinance, and the City must either repeal the ordinance or place it on the ballot for vote by the people for the November 2015 election. Earlier this year, a state court held a trial on these issues of basic voting rights of one million Houston registered voters, including the 55,000 citizens who signed the No UNequal Rights referendum. The trial court decision resulted in a ruling that only 16,684 signatures were valid, 600 signatures short of the needed 17,269 for the law to be repealed or placed on the ballot. Jared Woodfill is the lead plaintiff, and a board member for Texas Values Action, and he sought to overturn this trial court ruling by filing a request directly with the Texas Supreme Court. Texas Values Action President Jonathan Saenz released the following statement: “This is a total victory for the people of Houston, for free speech, and a major loss for Mayor Parker and LGBT advocates who fought so hard to silence the people’s voice. We are thrilled that the rogue and dictator style tactics of lesbian Mayor Annise Parker and her crew have been stopped by the rule of law and the persistence of faith-based leaders in Houston. The Texas Supreme Court got it right on this one." Last year, Mayor Annise Parker and the Houston City Council passed this radical anti-religious freedom LGBT ordinance, despite overwhelming opposition. The ordinance allows men to go into women’s restrooms, forces business owners to violate their religious convictions, and increases government interference in the private sector. The city secretary reported there were more than enough signatures collected to put the ordinance to a referendum, but Mayor Parker and the City Attorney refused to recognize the signatures. Read more.

Detailing the 84th #TXLEGE's Religious Liberty Failures

"The Lord is righteous in her midst,
He will do no unrighteousness.
Every morning He brings His justice to light;
He never fails,
But the unjust knows no shame.",
Zephaniah 3:5

Dave Welch of the Texas Pastors' Council has the grisly details:

Many reasons were given to us as to why SB 1155 in the Senate and HB 1556 in the House never even had a hearing – except the real reasons. It is important that pastors know the truth so we can be better prepared going forward.

We had difficulty finding a “senior” Senator who was willing to author this bill that would put the brakes on the proliferation of “bathroom bills” in every city in the state like those in San Antonio, Houston and Plano. We ran into a general fear of what the national media and pro-LGBT jihad did in Indiana. Sen. Bob Hall, a freshman in tenure but a solid and seasoned man agreed to author and file the bill, which became SB 1155. The Texas Association of Business, a powerful lobbying group soon held a press conference with the ACLU and pro-LGBT groups like Texas Freedom Network openly opposing ALL marriage protection or religious freedom bills.

These city “Equal Rights Ordinances” are spawned by the radical LGBT national Human Rights Campaign (led by a recently arrested sexual predator), and do nothing for equal rights but create new protected “characteristics” in sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression that not only don’t exist in state or federal law, they have a different definition in every city – but ALL carry criminal punishment for those who (as in San Antonio) “in word or in deed” disagree.

SB 1155 would have stopped this in its tracks by creating a uniform, statewide standard for discrimination protections. Senator Hall tried through proper channels to move the bill, including formally requesting on March 27 that Senator Huffman schedule a hearing, which she declined. (HB 1556, authored by Rep. Rick Miller (Sugar Land) was the same bill in the House, however Speaker Joe Straus’ team assigned it to Urban Affairs Committee chaired by Houston Democrat Carol Alvarado to assure it died there.)

Jonathan Saenz from Texas Values (affiliated with Focus on the Family) later met with Huffman’s staff, he and I met with her personally in mid-April and she continued to basically parrot the talking points provided by the Human Rights Campaign to the Texas Association of Business.

Read the whole thing here.

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Texas Values has A LOT more here.

First Amendment Tuesday: Detailing all the Wreckage

"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

Today is the deadline for worthwhile bills to move in the legislature; on that note, First Amendment Tuesday this morning detailed the bills stuck behind an absolutely AWFUL "Ethics" bill.

Tony McDonald (Empower Texans) (Partial):



Highlights:

• SB 19, by Byron Cook, would prohibit Churches from passing collection plates.

Ann Hettinger (Concerned Women for America):

Highlights:

• American laws for American courts is dead.

• Debbie Riddle was an initial sponsor of ALAC.

• 1/3 of the adoption agencies in Texas are faith based.

Mary-Lynn Gerstenschlager (Texas Eagle Forum):

Highlights:

• TLO is one of the best uses of our tax dollars.

• SB 313 (Seliger) -- AWFUL bill would re-write TEKS.
• HB 2811 (Huberty) also viable

• SB 1200 -- Larry Taylor has a bill that would undermine State Board of Education.

• "If the foundations are destroyed...."

• SB 9 is TERRIBLE now; worse than doing nothing.

David Walls (Texas Values):

Highlights:

• The left is radically opposed to religious freedom.

• Anything on religious liberty is "Indiana-style."

• SB 206 -- Amendment by Scott Sanford.

• SB 19 is a threat to everyone.

Emily Kebodeaux (Texas Right to Life):

Highlights:

• SB 575:
• Would have originally banned abortion coverage under Obamacare, Private Insurance, and State Employee Plans.
• Byron Cook delayed it then gutted it.
• TxRTL was offered a deal on SB 575 for pulling amendments on Sunset Bills
• Debbie Riddle and Patricia Harless voted no.
• Sarah Davis and Patrica Harless were trying to break Quorum.
• SB 575 will only hit the floor at 11:50 pm (if at all).
• HB 3994 is a GREAT bill.

First Amendment Tuesday: Shenanigans Late in Session

"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 less than two weeks till sine die, we've entered the most dangerous part of any legislative session.  With deadlines looming and the self-inflicted time crisis having squandered the bulk of the session, now is the time when things get sneaked in under cover of night.  Even if you can't stop something, the key is to raise a stink about it so that it at least occurs in public.

Tony McDonald (Empower Texans):



Highlights:

• Conference committees rarely have formal meetings.

• Texas open meetings act de facto doesn't apply to the legislature.

• Bills are usually hashed out between the House and Senate bill authors.
• "This is a REALLY dangerous process."
• Lack of Transparency and tight deadlines.

• Outside the bounds resolutions: Supposed to ask for permission but usually they ask for forgiveness and it's granted automatically.

• Read conference reports during the last few days of the session.
• This is one of the most useful things activists can do; no one has time to go through them all.
• Dan Flynn tried to use this process last session to sneak thru an anti-Wallace Hall bill.
• "Dan Flynn Should be censured and removed from the House."

• You have to trust guy at the front mic to tell the truth.
• Author's Note: Exactly.

• You'd be surprised what qualifies as a typo on the last day of session.

• Short notice periods on all this nonsense.

• If you catch anything, TELL DAVID SIMPSON.

• If you see something fishy during the last few days of the session, don't assume anyone else has found it.

Ann Hettinger (Concerned Women for America):

Highlights:

• Event tomorrow to "lean on calendars committee."

• House killed Pastor protection bill.

• Dan Patrick is the only reason we got Pastor protection bill thru Senate.

• SB 531 (American Laws for American Courts) -- Needs to be heard on Senate Floor.

David Walls (Texas Values):

Highlights:

• SB 2065 needs a House vote THIS WEEK.

• "It's not done till it's done."

• We knew the D's would chub if they got the opportunity.

• Locate Tea Party leaders in Calendars committee members districts.

• Joan Huffman says she'll move ALAC, but she hasn't done so and she has the votes.

Dustin Matocha (Empower Texans):

Highlights:

• Details likely tax relief plans: Likely to be something along the lines of Senate's approach to property taxes and House's approach to margins tax.

• #2A: If you want to carry openly, and you don't want to be harasses constantly, contact your Senator.

• The Governor ought to call a special session "on a number of things."

First Amendment Tuesday: Week 16

"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

Fun times this morning.

Jim Graham (Texas Right to Life) (Partial):



Highlights:

• Just because we made concessions 15 years ago doesn't mean we'd make them today.

• SB 575 by Taylor on Senate floor today.
• Author's Note: This video was recorded around 9AM, the bill passed around noon.

• Bills have to be done by May 14th.

Mary Lynn Gerstenschlager (Texas Eagle Forum):

Highlights:

• Byron Cook playing much bigger shenanigans with witness registration than Stickland ever did.

• Troy Fraser left during American Laws for American Courts hearing.

• Judy Zaffirini gave Donna Campbell the pre-K bill to give it a "conservative" face.

• Don Huffines: "At what point do you want children to go into pre-K?!?"
• Proved liberals want to do this at birth.

Jonathan Saenz (Texas Values):

Highlights:

• Pastor Protection bill moving surprisingly quickly.
• "There will be no more changes to this bill."
• ACLU amendment language would have added another layer of bureaucratic B.S.

• "This bill is not about consensus."

• Senate could move on SB 2065 this week.

• No movement on bill to smackdown local "Non-discrimination" ordinances.

Texas Homeschool Coalition:



Highlights:

• College admission bill has been voted out of Senate.

• Tebow bill passed Senate Ed committee two weeks ago with bi-partisan support.

• Parental rights bill has the most hurdles to climb.

• Sticklan has bill to allow foster parents to homeschool.

Ann Hettinger (Concerned Women for America):

Highlights:

• ALAC only pertains to divorce and child custody.

Pastor Protection Bill up today

"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places."
Ephesians 6:12

From Texas Values:

Tomorrow, Wed. April 22, the House State Affairs Committee will have a public hearing on our priority legislation, HB 3567, that protects Texas pastors, churches and religious organizations on the issue of marriage. We need a strong showing in support of religious freedom, especially from our pastors, at the hearing!

We will be gathering tomorrow with Pastors and supporters of the bill at 1:00 PM on the North Steps of the Capitol to give updated information and then will move over to the Reagan Building before the hearing begins (the hearing will be in Room 140 of the John H. Reagan Building). You can also feel free to stop by our office at 900 Congress Ave, Suite 220 (2 blocks south of the Capitol) if you are in Austin earlier.

Please note that the hearing itself will begin AFTER the House session adjourns, which could be between 1:00 pm and 5:00 pm.  You will need to plan on being there all day.  It is a sacrifice and inconvenient – but if we aren’t willing to take a stand for our religious freedom, no one else will.

The Pastor Protection Bill, authored by State Rep. Scott Sanford (R-McKinney and a pastor himself), makes it clear in state law that the First Amendment rights of clergy, pastors and churches in Texas apply to the issue of marriage. The bill ensures that the government may not force a pastor, a clergy member or church to perform a marriage or related ceremony that would violate their sincerely held religious beliefs.

Pastors and churches should not have to live in fear that the government will force them to perform marriages that violate their religious beliefs. With the Supreme Court set to take up marriage later this year, many faith leaders are now concerned about the threat of continuing government intrusion and infringement on these issues. HB 3567 makes it clear that Texas should remain a place where government respects the rights of pastors and churches to hold the Biblical view of marriage.

Read the whole thing here.

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Chairman Byron Cook: (512) 463-0730

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."

First Amendment Tuesday: Whatever week this is

"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

Eventful First Amendment Tuesday this morning:

Tony McDonald (Empower Texans):



Highlights:

• Craddick previously fired a parliamentarian.

• Stickland's amendment is germane.

• 10 members can appeal the ruling of the chair.

• If they kill constitutional carry, hold them accountable.

Jim Graham (Texas Right to Life):

Highlights:

• HB 3704 by Drew Springer -- Bad Bill (at least in its current form)
• Death Panels redux
• Bill has 5 GLARING "exceptions.

• "We're up against big medicine."

• Tan Parker attempting to pass pro-life consensus bills.

• Beware "caption-only" messaging bills.

• 1 solid bill that makes it's way through the process can save 10,000 to 20,000 lives annually.

Jonathan Saenz (Texas Values):

Highlights:

• You can meet with members outside the House chamber.

• "We don't know what the Supreme court is going to do on the marriage issue."

• Bill filed yesterday on religious freedom issue.

• HB 2801 up tomorrow in state affairs: Keep bathrooms to your birth gender.
• Author's note: SIGH...how is this even an issue?!?

Pat Carlson (Texas Eagle Forum):

Highlights:

• American laws for American courts pending in committee.

• HB 1835 -- Good toll road bill.
• Tolling existing roads is double taxation.

• EMP protection bill hearing tomorrow.

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 8

"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 held the most interesting First Amendment Tuesday of the session so far this morning:

Tony McDonald (Empower Texans):



Highlights:

• Texas is a one party consent state when it comes to recording conversations.

• Michael -- On recording, you should use discretion; don't burn someone unless the juice is worth the squeeze.

• House and Senate have different rules.

• Campaign restrictions on using legislatively produced video are unconstitutional.

David Walls (Texas Values):

Highlights:

• #TXLEGE guide out.

• Best to show up in person.

• "Government goes to those who show up."

• Simple, one-page, handout.

• Just a few minutes of focused activism can make a huge difference.

• It's an easy excuse for legislators if our side fails to show up.

• SJR 10 -- Religious Liberty Amendment.
• Texas Association of Business joining the usual suspects of far-left organizations to oppose religious liberty amendment.
• TAB backs Planet Fitness policy.

Mary-Lynn Gerstenschlager (Texas Eagle Forum):



Highlights:

• HB 2054 (Tinderholt) -- Fighting human trafficking.

• SB 344 (Hall) -- Restricts Eminent Domain abuse by toll road authorities; hearing at 8AM tomorrow.

• Opposition to Sarah Martinez Tucker
• U.T. can set up Common Core compliant charter school in any county they hold a campus.

Ann Hettinger (Concerned Women for America):

Highlights:

• Against all the bad pre-K bills.

• Pre-K adds (at least) $1.4 BILLION to budget every year.

• Kids don't need to be in a government school setting at 4 years old.

• Possibility of children as young as TWO being taught sex ed.

• Why are we giving failing schools more children?!?

Texas Homeschool Coalition:

Highlights:

• Not much has changed since last week.

• Parental rights bill -- Family law Foundation has filed bills to expand loopholes.

Jim Graham (Texas Right to Life):

Highlights:

• Zerwas and Schwertner attempting to bring in Obamacare via backdoor.

• Four corner strategy -- Slow walk everything and create manufactured crises at the end of the session.

• "I'm proud to have two RINO Senators heads on my wall."

• Texas has "to show the rest of the nation we can defeat the RINO establishment."

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:

Faith and Family Day: Jonathan Saenz (Religious Liberty Amendment)

"The first one to plead his cause seems right,
Until his neighbor comes and examines him."
Proverbs 18:17

Texas State Capitol -- Jonathan Saenz of Texas Values spoke about religious liberty and marriage:





Highlights:

• Started to see this local stuff a couple years ago.

• Other side is trying to wear us down.

• "What happens at the local level is really important."

• The case that got him involved in this work is one of the ones that inspired God's Not Dead.

• "Religious freedom is under attack like never before."

• SJR 10 - Religious Liberty Amendment.

• "I'm not sure what we have in statute is enough."
• Constitutional amendment = More protection.

• Beat the old Austin C.C. to defend crisis pregnancy centers.
• But it took two years.

• "The time is now to do something lasting."

• Redefining marriage is a threat to religious liberty.

• Why should we wait another year and a half to address religious liberty?!?