Weekly Issues Alert August 30, 2007
| |
|
|
| |
 An atheist couple from Carrollton filed suit against Governor Perry and the state of Texas over the new version of the Texas state pledge, which includes the words 'One State under God.' The judge denied their request for an injunction in this first stage of the lawsuit. Although students in school districts are allowed to leave the room or remain silent, Mr. and Mrs. David Croft argue their children are still injured by having to hear, or leave the room to avoid hearing the Texas pledge. Citizens across the country have grown weary of these attacks on the religious heritage and nature of this country, as evidenced by the Texas Legislature's passing of the new Texas Pledge and the new display of In God We Trust in the state House and Senate. Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott, who is defending the pledge alongside State Solicitor Ted Cruz, lays out a strong argument in the Dallas Morning News. |
|
|
Top
|
| |
|
|
| |
 The pro-homosexual movement is gaining ground through an elite group of individuals with a lot of money and fundraising ability. The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) a non-profit group that advocates for gay and lesbian 'rights,' recently called upon their grassroots to lobby Congress for three aims: blocking conservative judicial appointees like Judge Leslie Southwick, and passing hate crimes legislation and employment non-discrimination laws (ENDA) that give special protection to those living a homosexual lifestyle or those in transgenderism. HRC raised $200,000 in one week for these legislative causes-the result of a $100,000 match made by one person, Bruce Bastian. Similarly, studies uncovered that pro-homosexual activist Tim Gill and his allies have actually funded 38% of campaigns opposing traditional marriage nationwide. Supporters of conservative social values have been considerably outspent so far.
|
|
|
Top
|
| |
|
|
| |
 Taxpayer-funded lobbying, although the topic of legislative committee reports and legal disputes has yet to be clarified under the Texas Government Code. The issue is whether school districts, city governments and others that receive tax dollars can use your tax dollars to lobby for more money and bigger government. Most recently, Appropriations Chair Warren Chisum has asked the Attorney General to clarify whether a non-governmental organization receiving state grants, in this case the Houston Advanced Research Center, can lobby government. The Attorney General's ruling will have great implications, possibly determining that all taxpayer-funded lobbying is unlawful or opening the door for more use of tax dollars to beg for more tax dollars. CLICK HERE to read more on the topic.
ACTION: Please call and encourage Attorney General Greg Abbott to interpret the Texas Government Code as it was intended and rule to end taxpayer-funded lobbying. Also, thank him for his strong defense of our Texas pledge. |
|
|
Top
|
| |
|
|
| |
 Free Market Foundation will be hosting a free, one-hour lunch and tour Thursday, September 6th! This is an excellent way to meet the leaders and staff at Free Market and get the inside scoop on all the exciting things Free Market is doing. The open house will be held at our office in Plano from 12:00-1:00 p.m. If you would like to attend this free event, please RSVP to Sarah at scrawford@freemarket.org or call (972) 423-8889 x 106. We hope to see you on Thursday!
|
|
|
Top
|
|
|
Free Market Foundation is a non-profit organization made possible through financial donations from our supporters. To donate to Free Market Foundation click here.
|
|
|
