When the budget is in the rearview mirror, the controversial legislation often breaks loose in the Texas Legislature. This week is no exception. On Tuesday, the House Public Education Committee will take up several voucher bills. On Wednesday, the House State Affairs Committee will take up several border security bills. Meanwhile, several good bills need a nudge out of the House Calendars Committee and onto the House floor.
House Public Education
Tuesday, April 11
Oppose HB 619 by Shaheen. HB 619 would divert money from public schools through an insurance premium tax credit for contributions made to educational assistance organizations
Oppose HB 3781 by Jetton. HB 3781 would divert money from public schools by creating an education savings account program for children with disabilities.
Oppose HB 4340 by Frank. HB 4340 would divert money from public schools by creating an education savings account program and an insurance premium tax credit for private schools.
Oppose HB 4807 by Harrison. HB 4807 would divert money from public schools by creating a Texas Parental Empowerment Program fund and through an insurance premium tax credit.
Bottom line: any voucher program would diminish religious freedom by using the coercive power of the state to take money from one person of faith and give it to another to educate a child in a different faith. Additionally, any diversion of public funds to private schools takes money from the public school system, which disproportionately affects rural and low-income districts. For more background on vouchers, read our issue brief.
Normally, we would just say to call the House Public Education Committee. However, an amendment was placed on the budget last week which would prohibit the diversion of public funds to private education for the 2024-2025 biennium. The vote was 86-52-10. Nevertheless, nothing is dead until Sine Die. The amendment easily could be removed in conference committee, and enabling legislation has passed the Senate and similar legislation is being heard in the House. The pressure on House members is intense. Rumors include threats of finding and funding primary opponents. Now is the time to find out how your representative voted and call them. See the image below for the record vote on the voucher amendment. An aye vote is a vote FOR public schools and rejecting voucher programs.
Call the House Public Education Committee
Chair: Rep. Brad Buckley – (866) 515-0459
Vice Chair: Rep. Alma A. Allen – (866) 218-2506
Rep. Steve Allison – (866) 695-0633
Rep. Charles Cunningham – (866) 700-9145
Rep. Harold V. Dutton, Jr. – (866) 721-0905
Rep. Cody Harris – (855) 921-1364
Rep. Brian Harrison – (855) 921-1368
Rep. Cole Hefner – (855) 706-0757
Rep. Gina Hinojosa – (855) 921-1351
Rep. Ken King – (866) 563-8736
Rep. Oscar Longoria – (855) 921-1344
Rep. Matt Schaefer – (855) 921-1361
Rep. James Talarico – (866) 491-0258
House State Affairs
Wednesday, April 12
Oppose HB 7 by Guillen. HB 7 would…create a separate state court program for all border related crime
Oppose HB 20 by Schaefer. HB 20 would create a state border police unit with the power to deputize volunteer citizens dedicated to arresting and expelling migrants from Texas at the discretion of the governor
Oppose HB 65 by Spiller. HB 65 would further criminalize migrants by increasing most of the punishments for offenses associated with the border such as criminal trespass, destruction of property and smuggling to felonies, if committed with the intent of entering the US illegally
Oppose HB 82 by Spiller. HB 82 would create an interstate compact with other border states to share resources and “crack down” on immigration collectively
Oppose HB 1600 by Hefner. HB 1600 would label cartels as terrorist organizations and create a state offense for illegal entry into the US
Oppose HB 3782 by Guillen. HB 3782 would create a permanent border security advisory council to advise and help the governor run border security operations
Call the House State Affairs Committee
Chair: Rep. Todd Hunter – (866) 419-0102
Vice Chair: Rep. Ana Hernandez – (866) 721-0908
Rep. Rafael Anchía – (866) 631-6169
Rep. Jay Dean – (855) 921-1362
Rep. Charlie Geren – (866) 629-4776
Rep. Ryan Guillen – (855) 737-9013
Rep. Will Metcalf – (855) 921-1374
Rep. Richard Peña Raymond – (855) 729-6257
Rep. Shelby Slawson – (866) 516-3108
Rep. John T. Smithee – (866) 554-6284
Rep. David Spiller – (866) 535-0914
Rep. Senfronia Thompson – (866) 721-0903
Rep. Chris Turner – (855) 736-6906
House Public Health
Get these bills moving! The following bills have not been scheduled for committee hearings yet. There are only two more weeks left in the prime window for bills to be heard in their originating chamber. Urge Chair Klick to hear these bills before April 15.
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HB 647 by Hinojosa would allow individuals who sign advance directives and do-not-resuscitate orders to specify modifications to their orders that would apply if they are pregnant.
HB 979 by Howard would create an exception to Texas’ prohibition on abortion in cases of rape or incest.
HB 2215 by Howard would provide vital clarification that doctors may perform abortions if in the doctor’s best medical judgment, abortion is necessary to preserve the pregnant patient’s life, future fertility, or physical or mental health, or is requested because of a lethal fetal anomaly.
HB 326 by Goodwin would require a medical facility to remove all medical equipment from a deceased person’s body before the body is transferred to a funeral director.
HB 2895 by Ann Johnson would authorize water cremation, also known as aquamation and alkaline hydrolysis, as a method of disposition when a person dies. Funeral practices have always been closely connected to religious belief, and many people of faith desire a funeral that better cares for God’s Creation. Read the 1-pager.
Call the House Public Health Committee
Chair: Rep. Stephanie Klick – (855) 701-2295
Vice Chair: Rep. Elizabeth “Liz” Campos – (866) 695-0632
Rep. Nicole Collier – (866) 573-1657
Rep. Jacey Jetton – (855) 942-3074
Rep. Ann Johnson – (866) 721-0892
Rep. Jolanda “Jo” Jones – (866) 730-0849
Rep. Venton Jones – (866) 631-6167
Rep. Tom Oliverson – (855) 702-6654
Rep. Four Price – (855) 704-0109
Rep. Reggie Smith – (855) 918-1295
Rep. Tony Tinderholt – (866) 573-1656
House Calendars
Support HB 12 by Rose. HB 12 would extend postpartum medicaid coverage to 12 months.
Support HB 53 by Ed Thompson. HB 53 would exempt vehicles used by disaster relief organizations from registration fees.
Support HB 465 by Thierry. HB 465 would create a pilot program to cover doula services in the Medicaid program in two counties with high maternal and infant mortality rates.
Oppose HB 636 by Patterson would allow election judges to carry firearms at polling locations. The United States has a long and sad history of voter intimidation. Even Justice Thomas — the author of the N.Y. State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen opinion — specifically named polling places as a location where government retains the ability to restrict gun possession. This is not a second amendment issue, but a voting rights issue.
Support HB 916 by Ordaz. HB 916 would help women — especially rural women that travel long distances — access contraception by requiring health insurance to provide a 12 month supply.
Support HB 1212 by Jetton. HB 1212 would ensure that a religious holy day is an excused absence from school with a simple note from a parent.
Ask House Calendars to set HB 12 for floor debate.
Chair: Rep. Dustin Burrows – (855) 767-5441
Vice Chair: Rep. Toni Rose – (855) 704-0851
Rep. David Cook – (866) 596-1702
Rep. Charlie Geren – (866) 629-4776
Rep. Charlie Hefner – (855) 706-0757
Rep. Ana Hernandez – (866) 721-0908
Rep. Ann Johnson – (866) 721-0892
Rep. Jared Patterson – (866) 631-6172
Rep. Shelby Slawson – (866) 516-3108
Rep. James Talarico – (866) 491-0258
Rep. Ed Thompson – (866) 256-4241
TAKE ACTION!
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If you do not have time to make all of the calls on the weekly Action Alert, unless stated otherwise, please prioritize them based on:
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- Any issues you have particular interest or expertise
Find your elected officials via the “Who Represents Me” page at http://www.fyi.legis.state.tx.us/Home.aspx
Please email scott@texasimpact.org if you learn anything from your calls.
Rapid Response Action Alert Sample Script
Sample Script
Hello, my name is _________________and I live in ___________. I am calling to thank Representative/Senator _____________________for his/her service this Legislative Session.
As a person of faith (or clergy) I want to be constructive in working with Representative/Senator _______________ and hope they will support/oppose Bill number.
Feel free to use any of the bullet points in the Action Alert above. If your congregation has a special connection to the issue area you are referencing, feel free to briefly reference that connection. Don’t forget to thank the staff member you are talking to at the end of the call, even if you disagree with their boss on the issue or bill—they are working hard and appreciate being appreciated!
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