By: Sydney D This past Monday, Memorial Day, the Texas Senate ended its legislative session. Concluding the passing of five bills; all of which have received backlash from people and the democratic party. The state Capitol, Austin, was packed with protesters this past Monday more specifically towards the new ban on sanctuary cities. But all the bills have each had their own outlandish policies that was meet with equal opposition. Senate Bill 4 on Sanctuary Cities
What it is(Summary): Police departments and local governmental entities are now required to detain illegal immigrants and inform ICE; and also required to hold suspected immigrants for ICE agents at request. This will be met with a $1,000-$1,500 first time penalty towards officials that fail to follow this bill and a $25,000-$25,500 penalty fee if they fail to follow the bill again. They could also face having a Class A misdemeanor attached to them for failure to comply. The bill also states that the money acquired through the fees will be placed into General Revenue-Dedicated Compensation to Victims of Crime associated with new civil penalties. My Opinion: Although I understand the need to have immigrants join/enter the United States though a legal process and to remove those who are here illegally. I still feel as if this bill could cause problems on its own. Since it sounds that police are placed in an awkward situation. What if a person is detained off of just racial profiling but because of very restricting laws the police are now required to keep them there. Then if it's found that they are legal citizens then the police station has now violated the constitution (being detained without probable cause) and a possible lawsuit. I understand the reason behind removing sanctuary cities but I also understand the reason sanctuary cities are in place. So I feel like they should have put in place special exceptions in the bill. I also feel like they shouldn't have police doing ICE job, they aren't immigration officers. Their police, there to protect all the people of their jurisdiction. Not just a select few. House Bill 3859 on Adoptions and Religion What it is(Summary): A faith-based adoption agency can now decline potential parents based off the religious beliefs. Child welfare organizations can now refuse an abortion to Teens under their care and are allowed to place children in faith-based schools or religious private schools. My Opinion: This overall is wrong. Not only does it allow for discrimination amongst potential parents that are apart of the gay, single, or not of that particular faith. It also allows the agency to force religious beliefs on children and the practices that come with it. And the part where parents will be guided to other agencies if denied because of religious reasons is ridiculous. It is still discrimination no matter how you paint it. It takes away the chance for kids to have loving homes and a chance at a stable childhood because of adults jaded outlook on how the world is supposed to be. How about instead of a bill preventing potential adults from adopting children who need families; there be a bill that cracks down on abusive and neglectful foster homes? Senate Bill 8: Abortion Restrictions What is it(Summary): Bans partial-birth and dismemberment abortions and also requires that the fetus have a burial or cremation. Selling the fetus tissues is also illegal. Failure to comply to these rules range from fines to jail time. My Opinion: I don't like the fact that they didn't put in procedures for women who are pregnant as a consequence of rape, insest, or have an life threatening emergency. But other than that, I actually have no problems with the bill. It’s just preventing third trimester abortions, which is when the fetus is actually a baby. And therefore the procedure at that point is not only dangerous but is actually can be considered murder. Senate Bill 6: “Bathroom Bill” What it is(Summary): You go into the bathroom that matches your birth certificate. My Opinion: I don't have an opinion as of right now. Just personal feelings that I currently can't back up with logic and reason. Senate Bill 2095: Sports and Transgender Athletes What it is(Summary): Bans students from sports who are using steroids. The only exception are students who have doctors’ permission of use. My Opinion: This obviously will cause problems with the Transgender community, given the fact that taking “T” (testosterone) falls under taking steroids. And even if that’s allowed within the bills parameters. Because the competition rules still have students play on the team that follows their birth certificate it will cause unfairness with everyone involved in sport competitions. An example would be Mack Briggs, a Texas student, who had to play on the girls wrestling team because of what his birth certificate said- even though he was taking “T”. These bills will be passed in September of 2017.
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Sydney
A 18-year old who spends most of my time reading and taking photos. Most of what I write here is just things that I personally hope is interesting, important, or at the very least funny. Archives
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