2010 Elections - 2011 Legislative Session
While pundits continue to "analyze" and "spin" what Tuesday's elections mean at both the federal and state levels, we would like to share with you what we know to be true with regard to our ongoing work at the Texas Legislature.
Based on current election returns, the 2011 Texas House of Representatives will include 51 Democrats and 99 Republicans. All races remain to be certified by the Secretary of State's office. There is the potential for a recount in House District 48, where incumbent Representative Donna Howard (Austin) is currently the winner by 15 votes.
We are gratified that every single primary author of the 17 pro-equality bills in our 2009 legislative agenda was re-elected. We are fortunate to have the continued support and leadership of Sen. Rodney Ellis (Houston), and Reps. Rafael Anchia (Dallas), Roberto Alonzo (Dallas), Garnet Coleman (Houston), Jessica Farrar (Houston), Donna Howard (Austin), Elliott Naishtat (Austin), Eddie Rodriguez (Austin), Mark Strama (Austin), Marc Veasey (Fort Worth), and Mike Villarreal (San Antonio).
We are certainly sad to lose members with whom we have had a supportive working relationship, including co-authors and joint authors of legislative agenda bills: Valinda Bolton (Austin), Ellen Cohen (Houston), David Leibowitz (San Antonio), Joe Moody (El Paso), Paula Pierson (Arlington), Patrick Rose (San Marcos), and Allen Vaught (Dallas); Carol Kent (Dallas) and Robert Miklos (Mesquite) who cast important votes in the House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence; and endorsed allies Diana Maldonado (Round Rock), Kristi Thibaut (Houston) and Chris Turner (Burleson).
We are grateful for their service and for their support.
However, equality is, and should continue to be, a bipartisan issue.
We look forward to working with the 37 incoming freshmen lawmakers, and with many of the returning incumbents, to find common ground in support of dignity and respect for all Texans.
These new members have been elected to focus on jobs, the economy, fiscal responsibility, and the state's budget deficit. None of these new members ran campaigns supporting bullying in schools or bashing gay people. Only four of the 37 freshmen mentioned "pro-family values" or "traditional marriage" as campaign issues. To learn more about these incoming freshmen, see Emily Ramshaw and Matt Stiles story at The Texas Tribune.
We must acknowledge that regardless of Tuesday's outcome, the 2011 Legislative Session will, by necessity, focus on the state's staggering budget deficit and redistricting.
Given that narrow focus, we will continue to make anti-bullying legislation our #1 policy priority so that not one more child is left to feel hopeless and consider taking their life. We will seek bipartisan support to pass legislation that provides direction to Texas teachers on how to protect all children from bullying, harassment and discrimination in school, including the children of gay and lesbian parents or teenagers who are or perceived to be gay.
The 2011 Legislative Session commences on January 11th.
Equality Texas will be there. And we need your support.
P.S. Save the date! Equality Texas Lobby Day at the Capitol is Monday, March 7, 2011. Make plans now to join us.
Equality Texas advocates and lobbies for the elimination of discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity/expression.
Our work is only possible with your financial support. Please help.
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