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Friday, March 27, 2015

Texas House State Affairs Committee Hearing on HB 1745 - 3-25-15


In 2015, the Travis County Clerk complied with a court order to issue a marriage license to a loving lesbian couple who have been together for 30 years and, experiencing health concerns, petitioned the court fearing they might not see the day when a federal court found Texas’ prohibition on the freedom to marry unconstitutional. In response, HB 1745 seeks to remove the power to issue marriage licenses from locally elected county clerks and place it with the Secretary of State, who is appointed. This would allow the Secretary of State to disallow the issuance of marriage licenses in counties whose clerks complied with court orders requiring the issuance of licenses.

Facts:
• 67% of Texas voters believe that there should be some form or legal recognition for same-gender couples.
• Providing the freedom to marry would generate $14,799,292 in sales tax revenue to the State of Texas over the first three years of legalization.
• The 2010 U.S. Census reported 46,401 same sex couples in Texas, 20% of which are raising children.
• More Texans support the freedom to marry (48%) than oppose (47%).
• HB 1745 would cost Texas taxpayers $1,450,919 in the first year of implementation and an additional $1,005,863 every year after that in administrative cost alone . This estimate does not include legal costs associated with defending the law in court.

Legislative Update for March 27: Here Comes the Budget

This week in your Legislative Update: Daniel tells us about a hearing on an anti-marriage bill and why the budget can be dangerous.

Contact your lawmakers using our ACTION CENTER.
http://equalityfederation.salsalabs.c...

Learn more about the legislation we're working on at the LEGISLATIVE INFORMATION CENTER.
http://www.equalitytexas.org/content....

Join us for Freedom Advocacy Day on April 13, register at https://hq-equalityfederation.salsala...

Thank you for your support! Together, we are Building a State of Equality in Texas.

Transcript:

Friday, March 20, 2015

House State Affairs Hearing on HB 537 Mar 18th, 2015


It is standard practice for courts to issue “supplementary birth certificates” that reflect the names of adoptive parents. This is done because birth certificates are the primary document for establishing the parental relationships and are often required to enroll children in school, add them to the parents’ insurance policy or admit them for medical treatment. Current Texas law does not allow two men or two women, who are both the legal parents of a child, to receive a supplementary birth certificate reflecting both of their names. This creates a serious obstacle for parents in caring for their children. HB 537 addresses this inequity.
Facts:
• Adoption by two parents of the same gender is a fact of life in Texas. Over 9,191 same sex couples are raising children in Texas .
• In Texas, if the parents of an adopted child are of the same gender, the child cannot get the primary document used to demonstrate their relationship with their parents.
• Correcting this inequity in the law does not create any new rights, privileges or relationships.

Legislative Update for March 20: It's been a good week

This week in your Legislative Update: We've been very busy at the Equality Texas office! Plus, this has been a record year for pro-LGBT legislation in Texas.
Contact your lawmakers using our ACTION CENTER.
http://equalityfederation.salsalabs.c...

Learn more about the legislation we're working on at the LEGISLATIVE INFORMATION CENTER.
http://www.equalitytexas.org/content....

Join us for Freedom Advocacy Day on April 13, register at https://hq-equalityfederation.salsala...

Transcript:

Friday, March 13, 2015

Legislative Update for March 13: DON'T PANIC

This week in your Legislative Update, Daniel warns that, despite the rash of bad bills at the last minute, we can beat back the onslaught if we work together.
Contact your lawmakers using our ACTION CENTER.
http://equalityfederation.salsalabs.c...

Learn more about the legislation we're working on at the LEGISLATIVE INFORMATION CENTER.
http://www.equalitytexas.org/content....

Join us for Family Advocacy Day on March 23. Register at https://hq-equalityfederation.salsala...

and Freedom Advocacy Day on April 13, register at https://hq-equalityfederation.salsala...

Transcript:

Friday, March 6, 2015

Legislative Update for March 6: This is when the real fun starts


Published on Mar 6, 2015
Contact your lawmakers using our ACTION CENTER.
http://equalityfederation.salsalabs.c...

Learn more about the legislation we're working on at the LEGISLATIVE INFORMATION CENTER.
http://www.equalitytexas.org/content....

Join us for Family Advocacy Day on March 23. Register at https://hq-equalityfederation.salsala...

and Freedom Advocacy Day on April 13, register at https://hq-equalityfederation.salsala...

Thank you for your support! Together, we are Building a State of Equality in Texas.

Transcript: