Our Kids are Treated Like Political Pawns, Vote out Texas Politicians Who Choose the NRA over our Children
Dear SAISD Parents, Teachers, Administrators, and Staff members,
As our state is grieving for all the children and teachers that we lost in Uvalde, Texas, we need to take some time to ensure this doesn’t happen again. The first issue that we need to address is why our state has suffered through eight mass shootings under our current Governor Gregg Abbott. After his meeting in Uvalde, Texas he sent a letter to our Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick asking him to create a special legislative committee. This committee is to review school safety, mental health (which he cut all funding for from the budget), social media, police training and firearm safety. It’s my belief that his fellow Republican Senators share a common ground with our Lt. Dan Patrick’s love of the second amendment which means they are unlikely to entertain legislation that recommends curbing access to guns. There are eight Republicans and three Democrats which seems unethical and needs to change. This week I feel that everyone needs more political information about these Senators after all they will decide the safety of our schools.
It seems that across Texas the National Rifle Association has lined the pockets of many Republicans and it is time to stop the NRA lobbyist from walking into another upcoming legislation. It’s to close the doors to those that want to bring more harm to our children. It’s time to make laws that will prevent another mass shooting.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick quickly announced the Texas Senate would be forming the “Senate Special Committee to Protect All Texans” made up largely of Republicans- Dade Phelan, Texas House Speaker, will help with this committee.
Sen. Robert Nichols, R-Jacksonville, Chair, helped with SB16, which reduces the price of applying for a license to carry from $140 to $40. It also cuts the renewal cost from $70 to $40. The annual cost of a 5-year license will now be $8 per year.
Sen. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe, Co-Vice Chair (Head of Education and Higher Learning committee who also received an award from the NRA on September 8th, 2021).
Sen. Lois Kolkhorst, R-Brenham, Co-Vice Chair has also made many accomplishments in her career to include some from law enforcement and the NRA as well and now she heads the Health and Human Services Committee.
Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston ,who was the author of SB7 which sought to stamp out the growing plague of inappropriate student-educator relationships.
Sen. Brian Birdwell, R-Granbury is a veteran, Benefactor Life NRA member, TSRA member veteran, Benefactor Life NRA member, TSRA member, Concealed Handgun License-holder and a proud native Texan. Who stated, “I will continue to fiercely defend our right to keep and bear arms. I’m proud to have authored or co-authored an array of legislation protecting the constitutional rights of law-abiding, gun-owning Texans.”
Sen. Donna Campbell, R-New Braunfels is a member of the NRA and has made a commitment
to gun owners and her pledge to defend the second amendment. Dr. Donna Campbell has received an ‘A’ rating from the National Rifle Association, the highest grade the organization awards to non-incumbents. Dr. Campbell received the news in a letter from the NRA. The grade was awarded based on her positions in NRA advocating.
Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, D-McAllen, voted no on HB 1927 which was a bill that would allow people to carry a gun without a permit.
Sen. Bryan Hughes, R-Tyler, state Affairs (chair); Education; Jurisprudence; Natural Resources and Economic Development.
Sen. Charles Perry, R-Lubbock serves as a member of the Senate Committee on Criminal Justice, the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services, and the Senate Committee on Higher Education.
Sen. Royce West, D-Dallas- his city saw a mass shooting of police officers by a gunman in 2016; so he helped pass bills to offer more help for police officers.
Judith Zaffirini D- Laredo whose district includes Sutherland Springs, where a gunman killed 26 people at a church in 2017 along with our House Speaker Dade Phelan.
Stay Safe and Keep all of the Uvalde families in your prayers. We all will vote because lives actually DO depend on it come November. Get ready and put it on your calendar.
If you have any questions or concerns please email at lena.lopez@saobserver.com.
