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4.12.21 Capitol Action Report

LWV Texas | Published on 4/12/2021

April 12, 2021 - News, Updates & Action

We are halfway through the 87th Texas Legislature. We anticipate a few wins and, maybe, a few significant losses.

We must keep the pressure on our legislators!

We actually received a request from one legislator's office to stop our voting rights email campaign! They explained that they had received over 400 emails and cannot get their other constituent support work done. And still, I do not believe this legislator has been swayed to our cause... yet.

You and I and all of our friends must continue to let our legislators know we will not settle for less than a safe and accessible voting system for all the citizens of Texas.

Use our Take Action Center! Use the action alerts to email your legislators, write personal notes, and use the information to send letters to the editor of your local media.

We can do this together!

Donate Now to Support LeagueAction at the Capitol!

Thank you so much for your aspirations and commitment to empowering voters and defending democracy!

Grace Chimene

President, League of Women Voters of Texas

The League at the Capitol

Janet Imhoff, Vice President Advocacy

2021: the Year of Election Restrictions

The two big omnibus voting restrictions bills, HB 6 and SB 7, are advancing and are now both waiting to be scheduled for floor votes in the House.

We are fighting these bills with our testimony, and by working with NAACP and LULAC to inform and mobilize the business community to voice their opinion on these draconian measures. See our webpageDemocracy is Good for Business.
See ourVoting Rights webpagefor more detail.
Read thisTexas Tribune articlefor additional information on HB 6.
IMPORTANT: Respond again to ourUpdated HB 6 Action Alertwith a new letter and added information.

Rev UpTexas hosted LWV Texas Voting Rights & Election Law Issue Chair,Cinde Weatherby (Austin Area)on theirUse Your Powerwebcast.

Click here to watch the 23 min video.Also, see Cinde's weekly update on Voting Rights & Election Law bills on herblog.

Great News on Appeals Courts Redistricting!

We defeated SB 11! This bill would havevastly restructuredthe Appeals Courts Districts by reducing the number from 14 to 7. It was pulled by the billauthor, Senator Joan Huffman, after it was voted out of committee. This does not happen very often!

Our Redistricting Issue ChairStephanie Swanson(Austin Area), testified against this bill, saying it violates the Voting Rights Act by drawing new districts in secret. Read herSB 11 Testimony.

We are so happy to be able to take down the Action Alert, and want to say, "THANK YOU!" to everyone who sent an email to your elected officials.We did it!

To learn more about what happened, check outStephanie's Redistricting Blog.

Your League at the Capitol:

Women's Health- Testimony AGAINST several bills to restrict access to abortion: HB1171,1280,1515,3218,3760.

Gun Safety- Testimony FOR two good bills to close background check loopholes: HB118and HB880. Testimony AGAINST five bills to repeal licenses to carry guns: HB1094 ,1238,1911,1927,2900 .

Water Resources- Testimony FOR three good bills to protect our water: HB2652,2716,2990.

Criminal Justice- Testimony AGAINST three bills which would penalize local governments for making changes to their law enforcement budgets: HB2438, 3021, 2695.Testimony FOR five bills which would help inmates and parolees:HB 1805, 1844, 1894, 137, HJR 10.Testimony FORHB 54, HB 88, HB 1396dealing with arrests by police.

Education- Testimony to SUPPORT HB226,999,1171(online learning); OPPOSESB 28(charter schools).Testimony ONSB 1063,2026(civics education, financial literacy.)

Your League in the News!

Democracy is Good for Business!The Times (Freestone County) 4/9/2021

Grace Chimene interviewon voting rights KPFT The People's News 4/9/2021 (at 5 minute mark)

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4.12.21 Capitol Action Report