I went to Austin for the political rally with Equality Texas. I got a chance to speak with my Representative, Ellen Cohen Monday. I am her constituent. Also, she spoke at the Double Tree Hotel where we had a social gathering for the Equality lobbyists. I attended, somehow managing to look refreshed after my long drive from Houston.
I tried to speak with Senator Rodney Ellis. I am his constituent as well. Unfortunately, he was busy. We presented the Equality materials to an aid. And explained the pros of supporting the bills that we endorsed.
I am in House District 134.
The Capital Extension is like a maze, in my opinion. But, Equality provided maps.
Also, I got a chance on this trip to photograph the dome and the beautiful Red Buds which were in bloom.
House Bill 353:
This is the Hospital Visitation and Medical Decision Making Bill. Equality Texas supports this bill. Representative Ellen Cohen is the Joint Author on this Bill. Domestic Partners will have the right to stay with their loved ones in the hospital.
House Bill 538:
This is the Freedom from Workplace Discrimination Act. Equality Texas supports this Bill. The Joint Author is Ellen Cohen. It would prohibit discriminatory practices in employment on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity and expression.
House Bill 616:
This is the Hate Crimes Study Bill. Equality supports this Bill. I think this is in committee; Criminal Jurisprudence. This is in reference to the James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Act. The prosecutions have not been happening and the study is designed to find out how the James byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Act can be more effectively implemented.
House Bill 861:
This is the Competitive Insurance Benefits (CIB) Bill. Equality supports this Bill. This is in committee, Insurance.
House Bill 1323:
This is the Anti-Bullying/Harassment Bill. Equality supports this Bill. This is in committee, Public Education. It is a Bill written to provide a safe learning environment that is free from bullying/harassment. It doesn't matter why the harassment is taking place. This provides a way for the State of Texas to add reporting standards for incidents.
House Bill 1455:
This is the Right to Decide Act. Equality supports this Bill. This relates to a designated medical power of attorney. It would make it potentially costly to challenge a power of attorney and discourage frivolous challenges.
I am happy that I got a chance to thank Representative Ellen Cohen for supporting Equality Texas. Obviously, if no one in the State Capital supports the bills we are trying to get through, no progress will be made.
It is refreshing to have someone in your corner.
In addition to attempting to lobby; I got to schmooze with fine people, visit an exciting and vibrant city, and see a magnificent pink dome.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
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Tea Party
"Indeed, the rightward tilt of the state's GOP electorate permitted another Tea Party insurgent to mount a respectable run without serving as a spoiler to Perry's similarly themed campaign. Debra Medina, a darling of the far right, recently made headlines for questioning the government's involvement in the 9/11 terrorist attacks, but came in with about the same 16 percent showing that polls registered prior to her gaffe. -http://news.yahoo.com/s/ynews/20100304/ts_ynews/ynews_ts1213
The rightward slant of the Republican party in Texas portends ill for its citizens and residents alike. A state already gerrymandered to the Republican's advantage, allowing a comfortable margin for incompetence, is being pulled toward a radical part of the political spectrum.
The Tea Party rejects any workable form of federalism where the Federal government plays a necessarily central role in funding large projects, such as roads and dams, and provides funding for necessary functions, such as public education.
"But by the time Republican voters went to the polls here in a primary on Tuesday, the political ground had shifted under Senator Hutchison, who lost in a three-way race to Mr. Perry." -link to NY Times Article.
The Tea Party candidates posit themselves as outsiders. But, Rick Perry has been governor for over 10 years.
http://www.billwhitefortexas.com/
If you really want change, elect someone who hasn't been governor for 10 years. Bill White handily beat several other Democratic challengers, and, Bill White doesn't have to hide under a false agenda.
The Tea Party is a mis-informed tax revolt married to a wild-eyed dream of secession. All States require federal money to complete big projects because this is the tax money not hijacked by regional petty thievery, and, back-stabbing. It provides the wealth to the communities too poor to educate their own children or pave their own streets. And it provides a necessary counterweight to local lapses in judgment.
Don't leave the future of Texas in the hands of a movement that would send us back into the Dark Ages; where a decent education is a luxury, and a decent life is a far-off dream. This is the movement that would deny you your unemployment benefits. In fact, Governor Perry already has.
The rightward slant of the Republican party in Texas portends ill for its citizens and residents alike. A state already gerrymandered to the Republican's advantage, allowing a comfortable margin for incompetence, is being pulled toward a radical part of the political spectrum.
The Tea Party rejects any workable form of federalism where the Federal government plays a necessarily central role in funding large projects, such as roads and dams, and provides funding for necessary functions, such as public education.
"But by the time Republican voters went to the polls here in a primary on Tuesday, the political ground had shifted under Senator Hutchison, who lost in a three-way race to Mr. Perry." -link to NY Times Article.
The Tea Party candidates posit themselves as outsiders. But, Rick Perry has been governor for over 10 years.
http://www.billwhitefortexas.com/
If you really want change, elect someone who hasn't been governor for 10 years. Bill White handily beat several other Democratic challengers, and, Bill White doesn't have to hide under a false agenda.
The Tea Party is a mis-informed tax revolt married to a wild-eyed dream of secession. All States require federal money to complete big projects because this is the tax money not hijacked by regional petty thievery, and, back-stabbing. It provides the wealth to the communities too poor to educate their own children or pave their own streets. And it provides a necessary counterweight to local lapses in judgment.
Don't leave the future of Texas in the hands of a movement that would send us back into the Dark Ages; where a decent education is a luxury, and a decent life is a far-off dream. This is the movement that would deny you your unemployment benefits. In fact, Governor Perry already has.
Capitol Building -Austin
State Capitol Complex:
11th and Congress.
Parking at the intersection's southeast Corner, and 1500 block of Congress.
Larger than any other state capitol.
11th and Congress.
Parking at the intersection's southeast Corner, and 1500 block of Congress.
Larger than any other state capitol.
Texas Employment Law
"Texas employment law does NOT prohibit workplace discrimination and/or termination based upon sexual orientation, gender identity, or marital status." -Equality Texas
"The Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), federal legislation that would add sexual orientation as a protected class against discrimination, has been proposed but failed in the past few years. But it is expected that President Obama and the a stronger Democratic majority in Congress will pass and enact the law in 2009." -HRHero.com
http://www.hrhero.com/topics/sex_discrimination.html
"The Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), federal legislation that would add sexual orientation as a protected class against discrimination, has been proposed but failed in the past few years. But it is expected that President Obama and the a stronger Democratic majority in Congress will pass and enact the law in 2009." -HRHero.com
http://www.hrhero.com/topics/sex_discrimination.html
Texas Travel and Leisure Blog
Check out my website:
Texas Travel and Leisure Blog
It has articles on travel and leisure in Texas. Also, information pertaining to equality.
Enjoy!
Texas Travel and Leisure Blog
It has articles on travel and leisure in Texas. Also, information pertaining to equality.
Enjoy!
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