Action News- July 2023
Joyce LeBombard | Published on 7/11/2023
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Dear Joleen,
In case you couldn’t tell with this extreme heat, summer is upon us! Summer is the time for vacations and adventures but also a time for idleness and taking it easy. Let’s face it, things usually slow down for most people at this time of year.
While there is still a special legislative session going on, voting rights and election laws are not on this session's agenda. Texas legislators have been focused on proper tax relief and school vouchers. The House and the Senate have reached an agreement on property taxes. You will be hearing more from the League on school vouchers as that discussion progresses.
LWVTX Advocacy VP, Elisabeth MacNamara, and Voting Rights, Election Law, and Redistricting Issue Chair, Stephanie Swanson, are busy culling through the various bills passed during the 88th Legislative Session to understand the impact they will have on voters. Look for League webinars to explain the impacts of the new laws coming soon.
September 11th is the trial date for our lawsuit on the anti-voter Senate Bill 1 from the 87th Legislative Session. Our lawyers, the ACLU of Texas, have filed for summary judgment (judgment entered by a court for one party and against another party without a full trial) as did the defendants of the case.
I hope you find some time to take it easy, and to re-energize yourself for the work ahead in the rest of 2023 and going into 2024.
Respectfully,
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The League of Women Voters of Texas is working tirelessly to advocate for all Texans this legislative session and beyond. Donate today to support our mission of empowering voters and defending democracy!
Donate Today!
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| Your Texas League in Action |
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Capitol Action Report
by Elisabeth MacNamara
A second special session is currently underway with the sole charge of cutting property taxes. The House and Senate have agreed to a package of tax cuts that include both “compression” of local property taxes which would benefit both residential and business property owners and an increase in the homestead exemption. Property taxes fund public schools, the state promises to make up the loss of revenue from state coffers. This resolution is a win-win-win for the Governor, Lt. Governor, and the Speaker. It is unlikely to be a win for public school finances.
The Governor’s voucher bill, SB8 failed to pass in the regular session. A special session is likely in the fall on the subject of vouchers. The League opposed SB8 in regular session so look for action alerts and further information as the situation develops. In the meantime, the many constitutional amendments passed during the regular session come up for a vote in November.
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SCOTUS Rejects Independent State Legislature Theory
In a closely watched case, the United States Supreme Court (SCOTUS) rejected the theory that state legislators controlled the drawing of legislative and Congressional districts without judicial review. Leagues across the country, including here in Texas, filed amicus briefs opposing what is known as the Independent State Legislature Theory and the Court agreed.
Read more here.
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Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard College
The United Supreme Court ruled that current admissions policies which considered race as a factor violate the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment. While focused specifically on admissions policies at Harvard University and the University of North Carolina, the decision will impact institutions of higher learning across the country including here in Texas.
Read more here.
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LWV Corpus Christi
Photo credit: Corpus Christi League of Women Voters Facebook page. LWV Corpus Christi made history, electing their first Black president, Alice Upshaw-Hawkins. Read more here, here, and here.
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LWV Williamson County
Photo credit: League of Women Voters Williamson County Facebook page. Members of LWV Williamson County volunteers registered 41 voters at "Round Rock Pride" on June 3rd. Read more here.
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LWV Comal Area
Photo credit: League of Women Voters of the Comal Area Facebook page. LWV Comal Area organized a "Texas Critter Election" for kids 18 and under, and had them vote at various events throughout the area. Read more here.
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LWV South Central Texas
Photo credit: League of Women Voters of South Central Texas Facebook page. Members of LWV South Central Texas participated in the Juneteenth Day celebration in La Grange, TX on June 17th. Read more here.
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Your Comments Needed!
From our friends at Raise Your Hand Texas:
Provide your comments to the House Select Committee on Educational Opportunity and Enrichment by July 17th!
The Select Committee is meeting on July 11th and July 12th to hear invited testimony on:
- Educational opportunity and freedom to obtain a quality education
- Improving student outcomes, supporting educators and institutions
- Modernizing assessment and accountability measures for Texas schools
The Select Committee’s first report is due August 11th, 2023.
Texas residents who wish to electronically submit comments related to agenda items on this notice without testifying in person can do so by clicking here.
Submit Comments Electronically
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Tell Democrats and Republicans to Work Together on Voting Rights!
There are many ways Republicans and Democrats can come together to act on voting rights. Both sides are making efforts to advance legislation that would codify their priorities on voting. The League would like to see the introduction of bipartisan legislation that includes expanding early voting, allowing no-excuse absentee voting, implementing automatic and online voter registration, improving operations of the Election Assistance Commission, improving language access, and ensuring proper voter list maintenance.
Increased accessibility to the electoral process is integral to ensuring that every eligible voter can exercise their freedom to vote. While we have made progress in expanding voter access, many people still face challenges to participating in elections due to factors including income, health, age, race, disability, and gender. Voting is a fundamental right, and all Americans deserve an equal opportunity to make their voices heard in our democracy.
Please take one minute for voting rights and urge Congress to work together to protect the right to vote!
Take Action!
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Board Nominations: We're Looking for Leaders!
Would you or someone you know make an excellent League of Women Voters of Texas board member? There are also many off-board projects and activities to empower voters and defend democracy. Please let us know how you can help!
Ideal candidates are committed to the League’s Mission of empowering voters and defending democracy. We are looking for committed candidates who have experience in leadership, advocacy, business, government, philanthropy or nonprofit work, etc. Creative visionaries and hard workers should apply!
LWV is an organization fully committed to Nonpartisanship as well as Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in principle and in practice. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are central to the organization’s current and future success in engaging individuals, households, communities, and policymakers when empowering voters and defending democracy.
This is a working board. Currently, the Board meets monthly for 2 hours via Zoom. The Board will also meet at least twice a year in person over a long weekend. Between meetings, each board member assumes responsibilities for specific tasks such as voter education, advocacy, growing strong and healthy Leagues, and fundraising.
Board nominations are open through the end of October 2023. Learn more here.
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League of Women Voters of Texas
1212 Guadalupe St. #107
Austin Texas, 78701
(512) 472-1100
lwvtexas@lwvtexas.org
lwvtexas.org
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