07-31-2022 From the Right

At the June State Convention of the Republican Party of Texas, the 31-member Legislative Priorities Committee spent the entire week narrowing propositions down to a manageable fifteen priorities. On Saturday the 5000+ delegates debated and voted to further narrow the priorities to a group of eight.

Topping the list of priorities was “Protect Our Elections”, asking for a restoration of felony penalties for Election Code violations enforceable by any Texas jurisdiction, including the Texas Attorney General. Restrict mail in ballots to only disabled, military and out of state citizens.

The number two priority was the “Banning Democrat Committee Chairmanships” in the Legislature, ensuring that all Republican priorities are given a fair opportunity to become law, the Republican controlled Texas legislature shall adopt a rule prohibiting the practice of awarding committee chairmanships to Democrats.

Priority number Three calls for the “Abolition of Abortion” in Texas from the moment of conception by adopting effective tools to ensure enforcement when district attorneys fail to do so.

Priority Four calls to end the “Sexualization of Texas Kids”, repealing Texas Penal Code 43.24c allowing children access to harmful, explicit or pornographic material. In addition, prohibiting teaching, exposure or discussion of sexual matters including feelings, orientation or gender identity.

Priority Five calls for a ban of “Child Gender Modification” to include chemical castration, puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, genital mutilation, body altering surgery, or psychological/social transitioning.

Priority Six calls to “Secure the Texas Border”, Texas shall deny all taxpayer-funded services or subsidies to illegal aliens and to call the Governor to declare an invasion under Article 1, Section 10, Clause 3 of the US Constitution.

Priority Seven, “Parental Rights and Education Freedom”. Parents are the primary decision-makers for their children in all matters. This authority shall be protected as an inalienable right. This shall include the choice of schooling where the money follows the child without strings attached.

Priority Eight, “Defend Our Gun Rights”, calling for strengthening and protection of 2nd amendment rights.

At a recent Texas House Public Education Committee Hearing, Parents received the last opportunity to speak at about 8:30 pm after a full day of testimony from invited guest, lobbyist, special interest groups and school district staff. Cory DeAngelis, senior fellow at the American Federation for Children said,” The only way to truly secure parental rights and education is to fund students directly and empower families to choose the education providers that best meet their family’s needs and align with their values.” Also saying “it’s time for Texas to fund students, not systems. After all, education funding is supposed to be meant for educating children, not for propping up and protecting a particular institution. The funding belongs to the student, not the institution.” Parent Rachel Hale told the Committee,” I can understand why you legislators and school districts are confused by parents being up in arms when we have trusted the system and allowed you to buy school supplies and act in the role of parents. We were asleep at the wheel, However, that is no longer the case”. Another parent, Sheena Rodriguez of Alliance for a Safe Texas, said,” why ever in the world can schools simply not just teach children? Our schools are failing! They cannot read or write!” To prove the point, State Standardized Test shows that nearly half of all students grades 3-8 cannot read at grade level and over half are testing below grade level.

Mike Collier, the Democrats candidate for Lt governor recently said school vouchers are for “vultures” in a campaign speech, also promising to ban vouchers if elected. I find it odd that a Democrat candidate whose party claims to be the party of the low income would do all in their power to allow children of low-income families to be trapped in poor performing school districts. Chicago columnist John Kass said,” What kind of monster would refer to low-income kids stuck in failing government schools as Vultures.” Kass also said, “school choice is the Civil Rights Issue of our time.” Not a single political issue is more important than the education and future of American children. Republicans offer power to the parents. Democrats offer the same warmed over losing policies.

Terry Harper, past Republican Party of Texas Chairman for Senate District 21