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Restrictive voting bill killed after Texas Democrats walk out of House chamber to stop debate

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3 years ago

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Texas Democrats on Sunday night used every parliamentary tool at their disposal to effectively kill a bill that would add new restrictions to elections in the state, ultimately staging a walkout to prevent a vote from being held before a midnight deadline.

Republican Gov. Greg Abbott said that the bill would be added to a special session agenda.

Senate Bill 7, known as the Election Integrity Protection Act, passed the state Senate along party lines early Sunday morning after an all-night debate. The bill came up in the state House Sunday evening for final approval. But after hours of debate and delaying tactics, the chamber adjourned after Democratic lawmakers left in protest, breaking quorum and ending debate. At least 100 lawmakers must be present to conduct business.

The sweeping bill would ban drive-thru voting, limit voting hours, make it more difficult to cast mail ballots and empower partisan poll watchers. The final version of S.B. 7 was the result of a bicameral group of mostly Republican lawmakers reconciling proposals previously passed by both chambers. Elements were hashed out behind closed doors, and Democrats have argued they were left largely in the dark as last-minute changes and entirely new provisions were pushed through.

Democrats on Sunday night repeatedly pointed to language that could make it easier to overturn an election in Texas that was not included in original legislation. According to the bill text, a court may void an election if the number of fraudulent votes cast could change the result, whether or not fraud was proven to have affected the outcome.

Opponents railed against the new measures during debate Sunday night, calling them “unconscionable” and undemocratic. “The voices of Texans were not heard in this debate,” state Rep. John Bucy III said.

But Republican state Rep. Travis Clardy said lawmakers who back the additions had done their “level best” to be transparent and release information. The legislation will “make it easier for Texans to vote” and “harder to cheat” for “those determined to break the law,” he said.

Breaking quorum to block passage of a bill is rare — Texas lawmakers have done it only three other times, according to The Dallas Morning News. It happened most recently in 2003, when Democratic lawmakers fled to Oklahoma.

The final version of S.B. 7 would preserve the elimination of 24-hour polling stations and drive-thru voting centers, both of which Harris County, the state’s largest Democratic stronghold, introduced last year in an election that saw record turnout.

President Biden condemned the bill in a statement, calling it “part of an assault on democracy that we’ve seen far too often this year—and often disproportionately targeting Black and Brown Americans.” “It’s wrong and un-American. In the 21st century, we should be making it easier, not harder, for every eligible voter to vote,” Mr. Biden said. “I call again on Congress to pass the For the People Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. And I continue to call on all Americans, of every party and persuasion, to stand up for our democracy and protect the right to vote and the integrity of our elections.”

The bill would also prohibit Sunday voting before 1 p.m., which critics called an attack on what is commonly known as “souls to the polls” — a get-out-the vote campaign used by Black church congregations nationwide. The idea traces back to the civil rights movement. Democratic state Rep. Nicole Collier, chairwoman of the Texas Legislative Black Caucus, said the change is “going to disengage, disenfranchise those who use the souls to the polls opportunity.”

Collier was one of three Democrats picked to negotiate the final version, none of whom signed their name to it. She said she saw a draft of the bill around 11 p.m. Friday — which was different than one she had received earlier that day — and was asked for her signature the next morning.

Texas was also set to newly empower partisan poll watchers, allowing them more access inside polling places and threatening criminal penalties against elections officials who restrict their movement. Republicans originally proposed giving poll watchers the right to take photos, but that language was removed from the final bill that lawmakers voted on this weekend.

President Joe Biden criticized the GOP-backed legislation in a statement Saturday, calling it “part of an assault on democracy that we’ve seen far too often this year—and often disproportionately targeting Black and Brown Americans.”

He again called on Congress to pass federal voting rights legislation.

Republicans have argued that strict penalties and empowered poll watchers would deter fraud, though there is no proof widespread fraud occurs. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s office spent 22,000 hours looking for voter fraud in 2020 and uncovered just 16 cases of false addresses on registration forms, according to The Houston Chronicle. Nearly 17 million voters are registered in Texas.

Texas’ bill is akin to many measures being considered in Republican-led legislatures across the country in the wake of President Donald Trump’s stolen election lie.

Since Trump’s defeat, at least 14 states have enacted more restrictive voting laws, according to the New York-based Brennan Center for Justice. It has also counted nearly 400 bills filed this year nationwide that would restrict voting.

Republican lawmakers in Texas have insisted that the changes are not a response to Trump’s false claims of widespread fraud but are needed to restore confidence in the voting process. But doubts about the election’s outcome have been fanned by some of the state’s top GOP leaders, including Paxton, who led a failed lawsuit at the U.S. Supreme Court to try to overturn the election.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who chaired Trump’s presidential campaign in Texas, offered a $1 million reward to anyone who could produce evidence of voter fraud. Nonpartisan investigations of previous elections have found that voter fraud is exceedingly rare. State officials from both parties, including in Texas, as well as international observers have also said the 2020 election went well.

Asked earlier Sunday about Texas’ failure to find evidence of fraud, as well as the provision in S.B. 7 that would make it easier for a judge to throw out the results of an election, U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, said, “This may be more of an optics issue.”

“I think the intent —and I’m not in the state Legislature — is to restore confidence in the elections that fraud isn’t taking place,” McCaul told CNN’s Jake Tapper.

“Now, you’re — you make a good point. I’m a federal prosecutor. In a court of law, that hasn’t really been borne to bear. This may be more of an optics issue, restoring confidence with the American people and in my state who actually do believe there was tremendous fraud,” he said.

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds in March signed into law a measure that makes it harder to vote early. Republicans said the new rules were needed to guard against voter fraud, though they noted Iowa has no history of election irregularities.

Earlier this month, Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey, a Republican, signed legislation that will periodically remove infrequent mail voters from the state’s early voting list over protests from Democrats and advocates who said the law is discriminatory and will make voting harder.

Republicans in Georgia and Florida, meanwhile, have enacted broad restrictions. Georgia’s law, which prompted significant pushback from outside groups that ultimately led a handful of prominent corporations to condemn the legislation or pull business from the state, imposes new identification requirements for mail voting, makes it illegal to take food or water to voters in line, limits the use of drop boxes and shortens the window to request absentee ballots.

Florida’s law limits drop boxes, requires voters to request to vote by mail more regularly, prohibits election officials from using private money to help pay for election administration, restricts third-party voter registration organizations and adds new powers for partisan election observers.

The laws in Iowa, Georgia and Florida have already drawn legal challenges. Other states facing lawsuits over new voting limits are Montana and Arkansas, according to Marc Elias, founder of Democracy Docket and Democrats’ top election attorney.

Culled from the NBC. Authors: By Liz Johnstone, Gary Grumbach and The Associated Press

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Houston’s Mayor Admits His City Is Broke, Even Firefighters Aren’t Being Paid

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2 weeks ago

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April 16, 2024

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The Democratic mayor of Houston recently admitted that his city is suffering from a large deficit because of overspending done by previous administrations. To address the $160 million shortfall, the mayor has proposed 5% spending cuts to all non-essential city services while maintaining funding for police and fire departments.

During a recent City Council meeting, Mayor John Whitmire openly acknowledged the severe financial situation, stating, “I think we can all agree on that, we are broke.”

This admission highlights the severity of Houston’s budget deficit, showing the urgent need to take decisive action and address the city’s financial struggles.

The city of Houston is struggling with the serious budget deficit, the new Democratic Mayor underscores the seriousness of this concern. The reality of the seriousness of Houston’s financial challenges has ignited discussions regarding potential solutions and the broader implications for the city’s fiscal health. Mayor Sylvester Turner, the previous mayor, had established that he was leaving the city with a $420 million budget surplus.

Despite this, subsequent assessments have shown that Houston is faced with a $160 million deficit due to sustained overspending. Chris Hollins, the city’s Comptroller, gave insight on the ongoing financial challenges,

Saying that Houston is spending between $150 million to $200 million more annually than  it is generating in revenue. Mayor John Whitmire said, “It was broken when I got here.” He has also alluded that there may be a possible tax increase and fees to help make up the budget gap. Whitmire recently promised to give “$650 million for seven years of back pay,” to Houston firefighters.

He said, “I don’t like a 5 percent cut now, but you have to make tough decisions and the folks put me in this position to make tough decisions, and I’m going to do my job.”

Whitmire said, “I’m not going to play games with people’s lives,”  “I’m not going to play politics with people’s lives. So we have a responsibility to settle with the firefighters and protect Houstonians.”

Councilman Willie Davis said, “This is going to come down to a financial sacrifice by the city. Now we can either be $1.2 billion broke, or we can be $650 million broke.”

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11 Communication Students Awarded Scholarships at TSU’s Commweek

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2 weeks ago

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April 16, 2024

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Each student received $1,000 through the SOC scholarship initiative.

Scholarships alleviate financial stress and contribute to academic success, diversity, and equitable access to education. They are a valuable resource for college students, opening doors that might otherwise remain closed due to financial barriers. The 2024 Commweek – the 42nd Intercultural and Communication Conference of the School of Communication (SOC) at Texas Southern University ended Friday, April 12 with a cheerful outcome. 11 communication students walked away with a fat check as beneficiaries of the SOC Commweek Scholarship initiative.

The recipients of the 2024 Commweek scholarships are Christopher Jarmon, Rachel Frank, Benjamin Clark, Racheal Lewis, Briannah Dilworth, Courtney Roberts, Precious Johnson, Douglas Gordon, Briana Williams, Zoria Goodley, and Erin Slaughter. Each student received $1,000 from the SOC scholarship initiative, aimed at helping students overcome financial obstacles while pursuing their academic goals. The funds can be used to cover tuition, textbooks, other educational expenses, and living costs like housing, transportation, and food.

Dr. Chris Ulasi, the Interim Dean of the School of Communication, explained that the scholarship funds were made possible through grants and donations from corporate and local businesses. These contributions were specifically designated for talented and economically disadvantaged students within the School of Communication. “Many of these students rely on financial aid to support their education. Therefore, we prioritized collaborating with private and corporate partners to support this initiative,” Dr. Ulasi stated.

Themed “Amplifying Diverse Voices in Media and Communication,” Commweek kicked off on April 8 and concluded with an Awards Gala on Friday, April 12, 2024, where scholarships were presented. Throughout the week, scholars, students, professionals, and civic leaders engaged in discussions on topics with cultural, political, economic, and social significance, as well as communication dynamics.

The School of Communication (SOC) at Texas Southern University is a dynamic academic institution that fosters interdisciplinary learning. With four departments and two graduate programs – Communication Studies, Entertainment Recording Industry Management (ERIM), Journalism, and Radio, Television, and Film (RTF), along with a Master of Arts (MA) in Communication and Master of Arts (M.A.) in Professional Communication and Digital Media (PCDM) – SOC has been a leader in training culturally responsive professionals and scholars for nearly five decades. Graduates are equipped to navigate diverse urban and international environments with inclusivity and a deep understanding of historical context.

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TSU Announces 2024 Annual Communication Week

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1 month ago

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March 25, 2024

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TEXAS INTERNATIONAL GUARDIAN, HOUSTON, TX – The representation of diverse racial and ethnic groups, as well as sexual and gender identities in the media, is critically important because it accurately shapes decency, fairness, and unity in the community. When media lacks or portrays insensitive representations, it can perpetuate harmful stereotypes and discrimination, further marginalizing these identities.

The School of Communication (SOC) at the Texas Southern University (TSU) has announced its 2024 Commweek, signifying the 42nd Intercultural and Communication Conference. Themed “Amplifying Diverse Voices in Media and Communication”, the conference will be held April 8 – 12, 2024, and will culminate with an Awards Gala on Friday, April 12, 2024, at the University’s Tiger Room.

Ensuring a diversity of voices in the media requires holistic monitoring systems and the wider application of target-based measures for both public and private media. Amplifying diverse perspectives can instigate a richer and more inclusive media landscape that benefits the entire populace. The Intercultural Communication Conference provides a forum for scholars, students, professionals, and civic-minded leaders to explore topics with cultural, political, economic, and social implications as well as communication dynamics. But the theme is necessary and also, it is coming at the right time.

The challenges posed by a lack of diverse voices in media and communication can be seen across social, political, economic, and cultural spheres of influence. These issues can influence the views represented in news coverage and dissemination. Indeed, the diversity of perspectives is key to creating a more inclusive and equitable society.

According to Dr. Chris Ulasi, the Interim Dean of the School of Communication, “The 2024 event will be special because we are equally raising scholarship funds for gifted and economically disadvantaged students in the School of Communication.  Traditionally, a majority of our students rely on some form of financial assistance to fund their education. This is why I am using this opportunity to appeal to individuals, corporations, and community organizations to support this cause.”

According to a release made available to our newsroom, proceeds from this event will,

  • Help SOC students break down financial barriers while pursuing their academic prospects.
  • Help SOC students cover the cost of tuition, textbooks, and other educational expenses.
  • Help SOC students supplement the cost-of-living expenses such as housing, transportation, and food.
  • Create retention possibilities for students who might drop out for financial reasons.
  • Act as incentives and encouragement to students in general.
  • This financial sponsorship will be a catalyst for expanding SOC’s ongoing professional relationship with corporate businesses, community organizations, and individual sponsors.

Dr. Anthony Ogbo, co-chaired by Professor Ladonia Randle, and Ms. Michele Jones, is joined by a team of very engaging and supportive members who meet regularly to finalize the machinery for a successful event.  According to Dr. Ogbo, “The 2024 Commweek is expected to draw a line-up of dignitaries from the business, academic, and government sectors. For instance, the City of Houston’s Vice Mayor Pro-Tem, Council Member Martha Castex-Tatum will lead the conference opening ceremony on Monday, April 8. Also, Dr. Kathleen McElroy, renowned Journalist and Professor at the School of Journalism and Media at The University of Texas at Austin will lead the opening session of the intercultural conference on Thursday, April 10.”

The School of Communication (SOC) at Texas Southern University is a transformational, interdisciplinary academic school with four departments and two graduate programs: Communication Studies; Entertainment Recording Industry Management (ERIM); Journalism; Radio, Television, and Film (RTF); and Master of Arts (MA) in Communication and Master of Arts (M.A.) in Professional Communication and Digital Media (PCDM). For 48 years, the school has been at the forefront of training culturally responsive professionals and scholars who can navigate urban and international settings with a deep sense of inclusivity and an understanding of historical legacy.

Texas Southern University possesses an impressive array of more than 100 undergraduate and graduate programs and concentrations, a diverse faculty, 80-plus student organizations, and an extensive alumni network comprised of educators, entrepreneurs, public servants, lawyers, pilots, artists, and more, many of whom are change agents on the local, national and international stage. Nestled upon a sprawling 150-acre campus, Texas Southern University is one of the nation’s largest historically black universities.

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