Weekly Issues Alert February 21, 2007
| |
|
|
| |
 Yesterday, legislators decided to exceed the spending cap in order to provide property tax relief for Texans. Some conservatives argue that the spending cap should never be broken and that increasing the budget is not appropriate or responsible. Others say that because tax relief is counted as "spending," it is appropriate to bust the cap in order to relieve property taxes. Both Sen. Dan Patrick and Former House Appropriations Chairman Talmadge Heflin released statements regarding this bill. To read Heflin's - CLICK HERE, or for Sen. Patrick's - CLICK HERE. C.L.O.U.T (Citizens Lowering Unfair Taxes) and Texans for Fiscal Responsibility, both fiscally conservative organizations, have come down on opposite sides of the issue.
|
|
|
Top
|
| |
|
|
| |
 On Monday, testimony was heard in the Texas House Committee on Public Health on H.B. 1098, which would prohibit "mandating" the immunization against HPV as a condition for admission to public school. The committee listened to public testimonies from both sides for more than six hours before wrapping up after 1:30 a.m. Although there wasn't a vote within the committee, many expect it will receive a favorable committee vote and be considered on the Texas House floor soon. As the fight on this controversial mandate is being waged, Merck & Co. announced yesterday their plans to back off from pushing states into making the vaccine mandatory. According to a report in the Wall Street Journal, Merck said the lobbying had become a distraction because of the backlash among physicians, consumer advocates, parents and legislators. To see a Washington Times article questioning the medical logic of the vaccine, CLICK HERE.
|
|
|
Top
|
| |
|
|
| |
 On Monday, Chairman of TPRC Dr. Linda Flower testified in favor of H.B. 1098 and weighed in on the topic from a medical and personal perspective. Dr. Flower explained that the vaccine has not been tested enough to impose a mandate. In addition to her medical expertise, Dr. Flower has an 11-year-old daughter about which she commented to the committee, "What am I to say to her? 'Let's experiment on you to see if it works'?" She agrees with a majority of medical experts and institutions that the best solution at this time is to encourage each girl's parents to consult with her doctor about the potential risks and benefits. To read TPRC's statement, CLICK HERE.
|
|
|
Top
|
| |
|
|
| |
 The world's tiniest baby, Amillia Taylor, was barely breathing when she was born on October 24, 2006 at 10 ounces, 9.25 inches. She was born less than 22-weeks-old, while babies born at full-term typically spend 37 to 40 weeks inside their mothers before delivery. Physicians treating Amillia were not very optimistic, as doctors typically say that babies weighing less than 14 ounces have very little chance of staying alive outside the womb. But miraculously, Amillia has survived with only a few health issues, a testament to the sanctity of life, and will go home with her parents soon.
|
|
|
Top
|
| |
|
|
| |
 The movie "Amazing Grace" opens in theaters this Friday, Feb. 23! We strongly encourage you, along with your friends and family, to see this powerful film about how one man's passionate work as a Christian legislator ended the British slave trade and impacted the entire world. CLICK HERE to find theaters and show times near you. Opening weekend is a key time to see the movie - it could ensure that "Amazing Grace" will be played at more theaters and for a longer period of time.
|
|
|
Top
|
|
This page is printer-friendly. To view in text only format, click here.
|
Free Market Foundation is a non-profit organization made possible through financial donations from our supporters. To donate to Free Market Foundation click here.
|
|
|
