Sunday Filibuster: Choose Life Plate in Grave Danger-Sen. Carona Threatens Filibuster to kill HB 300 over Tax Issue

12:05 a.m.-House chooses not to extend time, without voting to approve conference committee report on HB 300, bill and Choose Life License Plate is apparently dead.  Since House has not approved the final version of HB 300, the Senate will have no reason to take up  HB 300 and Sen. Carona will have no opportunity or need to filibuster.  So, the bad LOCAL OPTION GAS TAX AND FEES SHOULD BE DEAD!!

12:03 a.m.  WOW! In rare move, House takes record vote to adjourn, as some members want to extend time to complete work.  House votes to adjourn.

11:57 p.m. -Senate adjourns without reaching HB 300.  Opportunity appears to exist for Carona filibuster for tomorrow.

11:42 p.m. -CORRECTION: Due to a suspenion of the rules by the Senate yesterday to push back the Saturday night deadline to tonight at midnight, for completion of conference committee reports, we could see Sen. Carona take up his filibuster tomorrow, ir HB 300 does not come up tonight, he could still have time to do it tomorrow.

11:15 p.m. =Rep. Pickett has challenged Sen. Carona to show he has the votes on HB 300, to block it, or let go of his threat to filibuster.   Pickett is sure the numbers are there in the House to fully reject the bad amendments he wants, and Carona is still determined to filibuster or call a point of order on HB 300.  I hope he is not planning on using the Choose Life License Plate as a basis for calling a point of order on HB 3oo.

Due to a suspenion of the rules by the Senate yesterday to push back the Saturday night deadline to tonight at midnight, for completion of conference committee reports, we could see Sen. Carona take up his filibuster tomorrow, AS WELL..

So, Sen. Carona has now stated that he will filibuster the bill when it comes up for discussion today. Basically he will talk as long as he has to (until midnight tonight), without ceasing, until time runs out to pass the bill, which causes the bill to “die” and not get passed.  See Sen. Carona’s letter here.  CARONA.FILIBUSTER[1]

By the way, Sen. Carona VOTED “FOR” THE CHILDREN’S HATE CRIMES BILL, HB 824, IN COMMITTEE.  He first voted against the bill in committee, and the bill died, because it didn’t have enough votes to pass.  He then immediately changed his vote and asked for the bill to be brought back up for a vote, and he then voted “FOR” this hate crimes bill.  His vote switch gave the bill the vote it needed to pass out of committee.  We then had to work very quickly to talk to other Senate Members to block this bill, so it did not become law, as it had already been passed by the House.

Call Lt. Gov Dewhurst and ask him to save the Choose Life License Plate.  512-463-0001

Call Sen Carona and ask him to withdraw his filibuster and save the Choose Life License Plate.  512- 463-0116

Saturday Update: Taxes, Choose Life Plate Still Undecided

HB 300, which contains both the dangerous and heavily opposed “local option gas tax and fees” and the heavily supported “Choose Life License Plate” is still being worked on by the Legislature.  Because the House and Senate versions of HB 300 were different, a select group of House and Senate members have to work out the differences (see details in previous blog entry below).  We requested the tax portion be removed and the Choose Life License Plate be preserved.  We have been told that has been done in the House.  It is now up to the Senate members who are:

Sen. Glenn Hegar (chair) (R-Katy), 512-463-0118,
Sen. John Carona (R-Dallas), 512-463-0116,
Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa (D-McAllen), 512-463-0120,
Sen. Robert Nichols (R-Conroe), 512-463-0103,
Sen. Kirk Watson (D-Austin), 512-463-0114.

They are at the Capitol right now working on this issue, so call them and tell them to take out the local option gas tax and fees.  Click here to see talking points on this issue.  http://www.texaspolicy.com/pdf/2009-05-28-hb300letter.pdf

Pass HB 300 Without Local Option Tax, With Choose Life Plates

 

(Pictured above). Dallas Mayor, Tom Leppert, and others are bussed in from Dallas to rally for more new taxes.  They were met by a counter message- NO NEW TAXES.

We support passing HB 300 with the Choose Life License Plate, but without the local option tranporation tax and fees.  The stand alone bill for the Choose Life License Plate was not allowed to pass out of committee, even though we had the votes on the House Floor.  So, we don’t want to complete “kill” HB 300, we just want the bad Senate Amendment with the local option tax langauge taken out.  That way we can pass HB 300 with the Choose Life License Plate, and other important measure for the state.  Otherwise, there will be exactly ZERO (“O”)  pro-life/pro-family bills passed this session.

A = opposed the local option gas tax and fee amendment

N= supports the local option gas tax and fee amendment

P= Present, not voting

Today, the mayor of Dallas and other officials will be at the Capitol in Austin to stand for the “local option transportation plan,” which is actually is legislation to allow new gas taxes and fees that is currently attached as an amendment to HB 300. To institute this tax, all cities have to do is announce a vote to increase taxes at any time which passes. Since differing versions of this bill have already passed in the House and Senate, a conference committee is now meeting to finalize details before going to the Governor for approval.

You can stand against this amendment by going to the Capitol in Austin tomorrow at 12:30 p.m., or by calling members of the HB 300 Conference Committee and asking them to stand against new taxes!

The members of the conference committee are the following:

Rep. Carl Isett (chair) (R-Lubbock), 512-463-0676,
Rep. Linda Harper-Brown (R-Irving), 512-463-0641,
Rep. Wayne Smith (R-Houston), 512-463-0733,
Rep. Ruth McClendon (D-San Antonio), 512-463-0708,
Rep. Pickett (D-El Paso), 512-463-0596.

Sen. Glenn Hegar (chair) (R-Katy), 512-463-0118,
Sen. John Carona (R-Dallas), 512-463-0116,
Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa (D-McAllen), 512-463-0120,
Sen. Robert Nichols (R-Conroe), 512-463-0103,
Sen. Kirk Watson (D-Austin), 512-463-0114.

Democrats Block McLeroy, Rely on N.Y. Times-FMF Statement

AUSTIN, Texas – Following much speculation about the confirmation of Don McLeroy to the State Board of Education (SBOE) Chair, the Texas Senate voted today by a vote of 19-11 to deny him a second term as Chairman. McLeroy needed 21 votes, 2/3 of the 31 Senate members, to be confirmed. 

All 19 Republicans voted FOR McLeroy, 11 Democrats voted AGAINST McLeroy, and Democratic Senator, Eddie Lucio, Jr., did not cast a vote. 

Gov. Perry reappointed McLeroy in February, and was passed by the Senate Nominations Committee on May 20. Critics of McLeroy have for months focused on his religious beliefs, even highlighting statements he made at his church. Some Senators pointed to national stories that were critical of him as reason for opposition. The vote fell along party lines.
After the vote, Free Market Foundation (FMF) Director of Legislative Affairs and Attorney Jonathan Saenz released the following statement:

“Some Senators have made it clear that the N.Y. Times, religious beliefs, and party affiliation are in control of deciding who serves as SBOE chairman. The message has been sent — if you have sincere religious beliefs, you need not apply to be chair of the State Board of Education.” 
FMF President Kelly Shackelford said this:

“I find the comments about McLeroy’s religion and the Senate vote to be very disturbing. This is an embarrassment and a black mark on the Senate. We expect the Governor to nominate an SBOE Chair who is just as conservative as McLeroy, and therefore, representative of the people of Texas.”

McLeroy/SBOE Vote Comes TODAY!!-Watch for Updates

4:00 p.m. 19-11, McLeroy is NOT confirmed.  Needed 2/3rds.  Interesting-almost every Senators that spoke against him, started out by saying, this isn’t about religion or faith…..   Not very convincing.

3:45 p.m. Sen. Patrick speaking in favor of McLeroy.  “if this (decision) isn’t about the Bible, what is it about?”

Sen. Estes to speak in support of McLeroy- Your decision should not be even just one percent about religion.  Sen Deuell is speaking in favor of McLeroy.

3:30-Sen. Ogden now speaking in favor of McLeroy.  There is an innuendo in the air, a slur.  To say that he is not qualified because the N.Y. Times criticizes him, is ridiculous.  Wow!  -Sen. Ogden-He has a science degree, dcotor of science in Dentistry.  “__he is a Scientist.”

Sen. Ogden-Whether intentional or not, there will be the preception that we applied a “religious test” in this decision.  “The message will be that if you believe the Bible is infallible….you need not apply.” (if McLeroy is not confirmed). Precisely.

2:55 p.m. Sen. Van de Putte moves to sever, bascially oppose/block the nomination of McLeroy.   Sen. Jackson now is speaking in defense of McLeroy.  Sen. Shapleigh, Sen. Watson, Sen. Ellis speak against McLeroy.

Sen. Jackson reads  a long list of accomplishments of McLeroy

Sen. Van de Putte: “My opposition is not because he’s not a good man.  He’s a decent man…he’s a good man.  Man of internal courage.  My opposition….has to do with his management style.”  “This is about a leadership position on the state board.”  Sen. Van de Putte references articles written by the N.Y. Times criticizing McLeroy as a reason to oppose him. 

 —————————–

2:52 p.m.-Sen. Shapleigh jumps the gun on this issue.  Sen. Jackson made a motion to return certain nominees that did not meet certain criteria.  Sen. Shapliegh was off the floor and came in quickly to say he wanted to talk about McLeroy, but it wasn’t time.

We will be here at the Capitol following this issue and others today. Watch for updates.

Please Support Don McLeroy for SBOE Chairman! 

Don McLeroy Is A True American Serviceman & Leader.

• Don Served his country:  U.S. Army, 1^st Lt. 1969-71
• Don Serves his community:

            Trustee, Bryan Independent School District, 1997-1998

            Boy Scouts of America-Eagle Scout District Award of Merit

            Youth Soccer Coach, 11 years             

Don McLeroy Leadership & Education Serve Him Well on the SBOE.

B.S. Electrical Engineering

Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, 1969

• Freshman Student Senator, Senior Student Officer
• Corp of Cadets

Doctor of Dental Surgery

University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, 1978

Don McLeroy Distinguished Leadership & Service to SBOE=Excellent Selection for Chairman.

             ●    Don serves his State:

            SBOE Member, 10 years

            SBOE Chair, July 2007-Present

            SBOE Vice-Chair, 2005-2006

            SBOE Planning Committee, 4 years

            SBOE Permanent School Fund Committee, 6 years

Don McLeroy Should be Judged by his Performance of his Duties as SBOE Chairman.

Don McLeroy Should not be Subjected to a Religious Test.

           * Some have criticized Don for statements confirming his Christian religious beliefs. 

           * Some have any attacked him for statements about his faith he made at church meeting.

       * Don has a First Amendment right to his Christian religious beliefs.

       * Don should not be barred from serving as SBOE chairman because of his belief in the Bible.

Any “Controversy” was the Result of The Issues and the Role as the Chairman of the SBOE.

     Any controversy that existed would have occurred regardless of who was acting as SBOE chair.

What Others Are Saying about Don:

“I especially agree with their [The Eagle] saying you are the hardest-working member of the Board. You always have been—and will be again.”  Chase Untermeyer, Former Chair, State Board of Education and former, U. S. Ambassador to Qatar

Hate Crimes Bill For Children Update

2:30 a.. Update-Senate adjourns without voting on this bill.  This should mean that this bill is dead for this session.

10:23 p.m.-Looking more and more like it is safe to safe they will not bring this dangerous bill up for a vote.  I am hearing though that the Senate could work way past midnight, as tonight is the deadline for all House bills to pass the Senate.

7:00 p.m. Update-HB 824, the bill that applies hate crimes laws to children, has not come up for a vote yet on the Senate Floor.

McLeroy/SBOE Vote to Come Tomorrow!!

If you haven’t already called your State Senator, to ask him/her to support McLeroy, please make that call as well at:

512-463-4630.

Don McLeroy-

SBOE Experience:

• Member, 10 years
• Chair, July 2007-Present
• Vice-Chair, 2005-2006
• Planning Committee, 4 years
• Permanent School Fund Committee, 6 years
• Helped lead the efforts to rewrite the English, Language Arts, Reading TEKS, 2006

Education

B.S. Electrical Engineering Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, 1969

• Corp of Cadets
• Yell Leader

Doctor of Dental Surgery University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, 1978

Personal Milestones

• Eagle Scout, 1960
• U. S. Army, 1^st Lieutenant, 1969-1971
• Trustee, Bryan Independent School District 1997-98

McLeroy has been unfairly attacked for his religious beliefs (McLeroy is a Christian), by a fringe Austin group. Ask your state Senator to support Don McLeroy (See phone number above).  The vote could be very close!  McLeroy’s leadership was shown during the Science & Censorship issue, when he led the board to the nearly unanimous vote of 13-2 on the new science standards to continue to allow discussion and debate on critical science issues, including evolution.

Midnight/Deadline Drama in Texas House

12:04 a.m.-SB 1569, Unemployment insurance expansion bill fails to receive a vote before midnight deadline.  Deadline also comes and goes without a vote on the Ultrasound bill.

There is speculation that there may be an effort to suspend the rules and allow for votes on bills after the deadline.  We’ll see tomorrow morning.  House stands recessed until tomorrow.  Did he say recessed?  Why not adjourned?

11:56 p.m.-As deadline nears in Texas House to pass bills, debate/division continues.

FMF Media Interview

FMF goes high-tech with webcam and media interview with Dallas TV station, via internet.

Take Action-Ultrasound Vote TODAY, SBOE/McLeroy Vote-This Week!!

11:38 p.m.-Okay, here comes the drama, just minutes before the Midnight deadline for all bill to pass the House, including SB 182, the Ultrasound bill.  They have now taken up SB 1569, the unemployment insurance bill.  We are still a good number of bills away from getting to Ultrasound bill, but this is the first sign of real movement of the House to start moving through bills.

Ruling on SB 1569 point of order-Point of order is overruled.  This bill has been surrounded by controversy, as it basically undermines Gov. Perry position that Texas would not except a certain amount of government bailout money because it would force Texas taxpayers and Texasx employers to pay unemployment benefits for part-time workers, a policy which current does not exist in Texas.

10:50 p.m. Ultrasound bill has still not come up for a vote.  Deadline is just over an hour away.  McLeroy vote has not happened yet and is now likely to come up on Thursday.

Call Your Representative Now About the Ultrasound Bill! The Ultrasound bill (SB 182) will come up for a vote today in the House. This is our last chance this session to pass this bill, which has already passed the Senate. Call your State Representative today at (512) 463-4630 (main switchboard) and he/she to vote FOR the Ultrasound Bill!!

Also,  the vote to confirm Don McLeroy as State Board of Education chairman will be could come today or later this week, before the full Senate. Mcleroy has been unfairly attacked for his religious beliefs (McLeroy is a Christian), by a fringe Austin group. Ask your state Senator to support Don McLeroy (See phone number above).  The vote could be very close!  McLeroy’s leadership was shown during the Science & Censorship issue, when he led the board to the nearly unanimous vote of 13-2 on the new science standards to continue to allow discussion and debate on critical science issues, including evolution.