Parental Rights and Custody Cases
by Tim Lambert
We have seen home school parents in custody cases faced with judges who decide arbitrarily that the children should not be home schooled again and again. The most recent high profile case was in North Carolina where a judge ruled that the children must be place in a public school in spite of the fact that they were doing very well academically evidently because of the religious beliefs of the mother. The basis upon which judges are allowed to do this is called "the best interest of the child." HB 1611 is designed to reassert parental rights by requiring an equal treatment of the parents unless a parent is found to be unfit.
Science Curriculum Standards for Grades K-12
by Barbara Cargill, State Board of Education
The State Board of Education began discussing the science curriculum standards for grades K-12 in November. The final vote is quickly approaching. We have listened to many testifiers, and we have received over 9,000 e-mails about this issue. The vast majority are from concerned citizens who want the scientific weaknesses of evolution to continue being taught to our students. Interestingly, a Zogby poll released in January reflects similar results in that over 78% of likely voters agree with teaching both the evidence for and against Darwin's theory.
Opponents of Daytime Curfew in Bedford Plan Rally Today
Saying it's unfair to children, people who oppose a daytime curfew ordinance plan to rally at Bedford City Hall this afternoon.
Demonstrators Rally Against Bedford Daytime Curfew
Chloe Kozak, 13, said daytime curfews make her very nervous.
Daytime Curfew Onslaught Continues
by Tim Lambert
Opponents to current and proposed daytime curfews rallied recently in Dallas and Bedford. The Dallas City Council held a hearing two days later to consider adopting the curfew. Many home schoolers testified against the measure as ineffective and dangerous to the liberty of law abiding citizens. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), a group known for their liberal leanings, is also heavily involved in the battle to stop or roll back daytime curfews.
Daytime Curfew Criminalizes Children, ACLU Says
It's 12 p.m. Do you know where your children are? The City of Dallas wants to make sure they are in school by instituting a daytime curfew, which could carry a $500 fine for violators.
ACLU to Stage Rally Today Against Dallas' Daytime Curfew Ordinance Proposal
Members of the American Civil Liberties Union of Texas and a group called Citizens Against the Dallas Daytime Curfew are planning to stage a rally at 4 p.m. today outside Dallas City Hall.
Texas Senate Endorses Bill to Have Commission Redraw Congressional Districts
Congressional redistricting in Texas would be handled by an independent commission rather than the Legislature under a bill tentatively approved Monday by the Senate.
Hutchison Urges Perry to Find Way to Take Federal Unemployment Money
Gubernatorial candidate Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison said Monday that Gov. Rick Perry should look for ways to accept $550 million in unemployment fund stimulus money without committing the state to future federal mandates.
A Senator Does Right
by Michael Quinn Sullivan
Political courage is hard to find. And while State Sen. Jane Nelson of Flower Mound is known for her rather steely-eyed determination, on Monday she cast the lone vote standing up for fiscal responsibility on Texas' powerful Senate Finance Committee.
Texas Senate Tentatively Approves Limiting Automatic College Admission to Top 10%
Texas' top 10 percent law for automatic college admission would be limited to 60 percent of the incoming freshman class at state universities under legislation tentatively approved Tuesday by the Senate.
Texas Dems Say Energy Is at Risk
More than a dozen House Democrats on Tuesday warned that President Barack Obama's proposal to hike taxes and levy new fees on the oil and gas industry could curb domestic energy production.
HB 319 Hearing
by Tim Lambert
A THSC representative testified yesterday at the hearing of HB 319, a bill by State Representative Richard Raymond, that will change the current statute that allows adults to be exempt from jury duty if serving on a jury would cause a child ten years of age or younger to be left alone. The Judiciary Committee hearing was to begin at 2PM, but we did not give testimony on the bill till almost 6:30PM.
