The Lubbock Democratic Party held a press conference today to discuss controversial bills that will be talked about in the Texas Special Session that starts tomorrow.
The Special Session has caused further division in the party.
“This is a waste of money because it is,” said Vice Chair of the Lubbock Democratic Party, T.G. Caraway. “They should have done their job between January and May. But if there was going to be a Special Session there shouldn’t be 20 items, there should be one.”
“I got to thinking about it, if we’re going to have a special session, let’s have a special session that makes it count,” said Governor Abbott in response to critics.
One of the most controversial bills on the agenda is Senate Bill 4 which deals with sanctuary cities.
“These communities that we have in Texas, communities such as Houston, El Paso, Dallas, and Austin, who host the largest immigrant communities in our state are regarded as some of the safest cities in the country,” said Texas Tech Professor who specializes in borderline studies, Miguel Levario. “Not just the state of Texas but the country.”
Senator Charles Perry said the first thing the session needs to do is pass the sunset scheduling bill. If not, several state agencies like the Texas Medical Board will close until the next session in August 2019.
“After sunset is passed, tomorrow probably, the Governor will give us direction on what other bills he wants to be heard based on that,” said Senator Perry.
Senator Perry is heading to Austin now where he hopes the session will be efficient and effective.
“It’s an imperfect system because of people,” the Senator said. “There’s no excuse for not coming together to get the bulk of these things done. I think we’re close enough to be able to be effective and get it done.”
Other items the legislature will be discussing are school finance reform, anti-abortion measures and a controversial bathroom bill that would change the policies for transgender people in public restrooms.
The Lubbock Democrats are holding a rally tomorrow night at the Tim Cole Memorial to further show Republicans they are angry and ready to fight back.
