EDITORIAL:
Legislative issues will shape Texas
___Thank the Lord the presidential election finally ended. Now that Native Son George W. Bush is moving to Washington, Texans can turn our attention to the affairs of state--our state. Just in time, too. The 77th Texas Legislature convenes Jan. 9.
___Austin will be abuzz with activity in the coming months. And if lawmakers don't get bogged down in the swamp otherwise known as congressional redistricting (Texas will get two more U.S. representatives, bringing our total to 32, but the fight to draw up their districts could be brutal as well as time-consuming), they can take actions that will benefit Texans for years to come.
___Here are some issues to watch:
___
Abortion. Some form of parental consent legislation is expected in this session, noted Phil Strickland, director of the Texas Baptist Christian Life Commission. Parental consent laws stipulate a parent of a minor girl must provide permission before she can have an abortion. The previous Legislature passed a parental notification bill, insisting parents must be told before abortions are performed. Parental consent would provide another step toward reducing the number of abortions among minor girls; however, judicial review will be vitally important, since some cases of pregnancy result from parental abuse.
___ Campaign finance. Reform is sure to be a national issue. And, given the excesses of many 2000 campaigns, it will be a state issue.
___ Charitable choice. New proposals to provide government funds to pervasively sectarian organizations are expected. "This is a clear violation of church-state separation," Strickland observed. Of course, both government and charitable organizations are needed to combat many of our state's ills and provide a safety net for our most vulnerable residents. However, government funding inevitably leads to government regulation. Freedom-loving Texans will want to prevent government intrusion into religious affairs.
___ Children's issues. More than 1.4 million Texas children lack health insurance coverage. The Legislature will be asked to extend and enhance the Child Health Insurance Program, passed in the previous session, in order to make sure more kids receive medical care. Texans Care for Children, a non-partisan coalition, will promote child insurance in the Capitol this year. Other key children's initiatives will include access to high-quality early child care and education, and expanded capacity of prevention and treatment programs to reduce child abuse.
___ Criminal justice. Texas--particularly its penchant for executing prisoners--became the butt of national jokes during the presidential campaign. Partisanship and feelings about capital punishment aside, the Legislature needs to take steps to secure justice in the criminal justice system. A bill to provide a life without parole prison sentence would be a good first step, for it would give prosecutors and juries an alternative to execution while permanently assuring public safety. Other steps also are needed, such as strengthening public defender programs, providing access to DNA testing, alleviating overcrowded prisons and implementing prevention programs aimed at at-risk youth.
___ Drunk driving. Initiatives to strengthen driving while intoxicated laws are expected, Strickland reported. Measures to remove drunk drivers from Texas streets and highways will be welcome.
___ Educational vouchers. Although the voucher concept has taken a hit nationally and is expected to be downgraded in the Bush administration, another push for vouchers in Texas is anticipated. However, such a program could create unhealthy entangling alliances between the state and church-run schools while undermining public schools.
___ Food. A bill that would allocate $550,000 to fund the Texas Produce Initiative is expected. The bill will have the backing of faith groups and the huge Second Harvest program. It would provide funds for harvesting and transporting crops farmers donate to food banks. The bill "could have a significant impact on food supplies for hungry people in Texas," Strickland said.
___ Gambling. America's never-ending something-for-nothing quest will continue. Serious efforts to legalize casinos and extend off-track betting operations are expected. On the other side, positive bills prohibiting the "eight-liner" slot machines will be filed.
___ Guns. Houses of worship still are required to post large bi-lingual signs to ban handguns. Legislation to exempt them from current concealed-carry laws may be filed.
___ Religious freedom. The last Legislature passed the state's Religious Freedom Restoration Act. Current lawmakers will need to be encouraged to maintain it.
___The coming months will be vital to the future of Texas. The Baptist Standard, the Christian Life Commission and Texas Baptist Communications will keep you informed. Be prepared to write your legislators to express your views on important bills.
___ Marv Knox
E-mail the editor at marvknox@baptiststandard.com
Get printer-friendly version of this story
Send this story to a friend
Contents/ Masthead / Why We're Here / Links / Archive / E-mail us/ SUBSCRIBE!