A lot people are asking:

What happened to the Sanctuary City bill?

On May 18 Tommy Williams' Senatorial Committee held a hearing to discuss Sanctuary Cities. The hearing room overflowed with police chiefs, sheriffs, pastors, priests, and business owners. The most compelling testimony came from law enforcement. Although the bill had been drafted to avoid unfunded mandates and enhance law enforcement, the testimony proved both claims to be false.

The testimony proved beyond a doubt that a sanctuary city bill would damage law enforcement's ability to protect the public, especially in Hispanic neighborhoods. In addition, the testimony clearly revealed the areas of unfunded mandates the bill would create.  Those included citizen children left behind, additional law enforcement hours required, additional inmate housing costs required, and additional police officer training in federal law enforcement would be required. After hours of testimony, Tommy Williams, chairman of the Senate committee, convened his committee and in front of everyone, a motion was made to substitute SB 9 language (dealing with driver's licenses), and completely eliminated sanctuary city language (HB 12).  As a witness to what was a shocking turn of events, I can tell you that everyone, including me, thought the issue was dead.  We all left that evening, gratified by the unanimously supported motion in Tommy Williams' committee.

As the regular session came to an end, the sanctuary cities bill, although it was considered to be slam dunk, had not been approved by both houses.  Everyone expected the Governor to call a special session to make sure that sanctuary cities and a Texas Windstorm Pool bill would be approved.  The Governor then decided to add the TSA groping bill which had become popular.

For those who were opposed to the sanctuary city bill, our celebration came to a halt as we learned that the State Affairs committee would hold a public hearing on two sanctuary city bills crafted by the Conference Committee.  That hearing took place on June 20.  The hearing room was not adequate to hold the witnesses.  An overflow room had to be arranged.  Testimony continued until 1:30 a.m.  Again, the most convincing testimony came from law enforcement, including police chiefs and sheriffs from across the state.  It became obvious to the committee members the bill would handicap law enforcement and would create unfunded mandates.  The evidence was overwhelming.  Although there was no public vote of the State Affairs committee, personal conversations with the members of the committee revealed that the majority of the committee members, including Republicans, had been convinced the sanctuary cities bill was bad legislation.

Individual Republicans in the House were now faced with the toughest decision of all.  Do I do what is right and oppose this legislation, or do I hold my nose and vote for it because the Governor wants me to?  In the final hours it became evident that a lot of Republicans had decided they were no longer going to vote straight party line, but instead were going to vote their conscience.

SB 1, Education Finance, had been handed to the House on a "sine die" basis (no amendments allowed).  Tommy Williams'  SB 9 driver's license language (previously added to SB9 sanctuary cities) had been added to SB 1.  Although SB 1 did not include sanctuary cities wording, it did include Williams' language which codifies TDPS refusal to issue driver's licenses to those that cannot prove legal residency.

Evidently, a lot of Republicans in the House agree with me that refusing to issue a driver's license to 2,000,000+ illegal immigrants does not "make us safer."  Therefore on Tuesday evening, June 28, the Texas House with more than a 2/3 Republican majority voted down SB 1!  This meant a third session was imminent.  The House was recessed, and a Republican caucus meeting was called.  The House reconvened and passed SB 1. What was their choice?  A third session!

I  understand and agree with their decision, Texans should not have to pay for another session!

I look forward to the next legislative session with the hope that many of our Republican members will support common sense legislation to repeal the practice of refusing to issue driver's licenses based on legal residency.   Refusing to issue driver's licenses to millions of people that are driving cars and trucks makes no more sense than refusing to allow their children to be inoculated against communicable diseases.

So, what is next?  Texans, Republican and Democrat, should demand of our Congressional Delegation that our borders be secured and that Sensible Immigration Reform be addressed.  Sensible Reform must require a positive ID and criminal background check of every non-citizen.   We must have a pathway to legalization for those we allow to stay.  All non-citizens must be required to submit to a positive identification and criminal background check.

I have been testifying for many years for the sanctity of life and for tort reform, and against increased taxes.  However, I never realized how hard the members of our legislature actually work.  Regardless of where they were on immigration issues, I have come away from the 82nd regular and special sessions with a deep appreciation for our elected officials.  A lot of folks think as individuals, they cannot make a difference.  Allow me to assure you that when you invest 10 to 12 hours to drive to Austin for 3 minutes of testimony, you have not wasted your time.  Our elected officials listen to their constituents.  I thank God for the outcome of this legislative session.  I believe it is one that Governor Perry should be very proud of.

Texas passed what is probably the strongest sonogram bill in the country.  We  passed photo voter ID and "loser pay".  But most important for the Texas economy, we avoided Arizona-style legislation.   That is something to rejoice about!

Please join me in thanking our legislators for a job well done!

To God be the glory, great things He hath done!!

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