Texas Catholic Voice Feb. 10, 2025

In this issue of the Texas Catholic Voice:

  • Parental choice legislation moves forward
  • Some of governor's emergency items are on bishops' priorities
  • And much more!

A Message from Jennifer Allmon, Executive Director

Happy Monday, TCV readers! We are still awaiting committee announcements from the House which convenes tomorrow at 2 p.m.  

Meanwhile, Governor Abbott declared school choice an emergency item during his State of the State address on Feb. 2. In the Senate chamber, SB 2 has already passed with 19 amendments adopted, and we are pleased that none are harmful.  

Both the House and Senate will have their own versions of ESA legislation. The House will either move their own version with a new House bill number and content or they could replace the Senate version with their own content and change the bill text significantly. When that happens to a bill, sometimes we change our position on the bill because of the changes. Stay tuned to the TCV and our weekly video updates to learn more once the House bill is filed.  

In addition to parental choice, the governor also named the following as emergency items: property tax relief, generational investment in water, teacher pay, career training, bail reform, and the creation of the Texas Cyber Command to combat cyberattacks. Several of these items are on the bishops’ legislative agenda and we will be watching the water issues, teacher pay, and career training bills among others. We hope to begin posting positions after the bill filing deadline on March 15.

Contact your (arch)diocesan advocacy day coordinator to learn more about participating in visits with legislators and student participation in mock hearings. Click here to learn more.

Pope Francis' prayer intention for February: For vocations to the priesthood and religious life

Let us pray that the ecclesial community might welcome the desires and doubts of those young people who feel a call to serve Christ's mission in the priesthood and religious life.

For more information, visit the Pope's Video website.

Upcoming executions

  • Richard Tabler – Feb. 13, 2025
  • David Wood – March 13, 2025
  • Moises Mendoza – April 23, 2025
  • Matthew Johnson – May 20, 2025

We pray for the victims of violence and their loved ones, for those on death row and for an end to the death penalty.