How to testify

February 28, 2025

In person 1.Check the schedule of upcoming hearings on the Texas Legislature’s website. (Full instructions are available online, too.) 2. Click on the “committee meetings” under either the House or the Senate – depending on where your bill of interest is – to find details about when it will be discussed, and if they’re taking…

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Testimony: Support SJR 12 so parents can engage in public school curriculum review and governance processes

February 28, 2025

Jennifer Allmon Executive Director of the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops I am testifying in support of SJR 12. As the primary educators of their children, parents have the right and responsibility to direct their children’s education. Most Texas parents, whether by choice or because a private or homeschool alternative is financially impossible, will enroll…

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Testimony: SB 504 transparency good but current text too broad in scope

February 28, 2025

Jennifer Allmon Executive Director of the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops I am testifying on SB 504. We thank Senator Kolkhorst for her commitment to transparency for tax funds distributed to non-profit entities in Texas. We believe that there should be transparency and accountability for the stewardship of tax dollars whether these dollars are spent…

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Review of HB3 on parental choice

February 20, 2025

HB3 meets all the requirements of the bishops’ criteria for supporting parental choice legislation because it includes 1) accountability through accreditation and the administration of a norm-referenced assessments, 2) strong religious liberty and private school autonomy protections, and 3) prioritization of the poor and vulnerable.

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Testimony: SB2 meets minimum of bishops’ criteria for parental choice in education

January 28, 2025

Jan. 28, 2025 Testimony by Jennifer Allmon,  Executive Director of the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops I am testifying in support of SB 2. SB 2 meets the minimum requirements of the bishops’ criteria for supporting parental choice legislation because it includes: Accountability through accreditation and the administration of norm-referenced assessments. Strong religious liberty and…

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Oppose HB 4, uphold the rights and dignity of every person, foster the common good

November 12, 2023

The following testimony was delivered on Nov. 9 before the House State Affairs Committee by Justin Estep, senior director of Immigration and Refugee Services, Catholic Charities of Central Texas. As a church of immigrants, the Catholic Church has a long history of involvement in the immigration issue. Our experience in working with immigrants throughout the…

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HB 4 not solution for immigration reform

October 27, 2023

The following testimony was delivered on Oct. 19 before the House State Affairs Committee by Justin Estep, senior director of Immigration and Refugee Services, Catholic Charities of Central Texas. The Catholic Church has a long history of involvement in the immigration issue. Our experience in working with immigrants throughout the years compels us to speak…

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Bishop Olson testifies in support of SB8, parental choice

May 15, 2023

My name is Bishop Michael Olson and I serve as the bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth that covers 28 counties in North Texas. I am here to testify on behalf of the Diocese of Fort Worth and the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops. We register initial support for the committee substitute for…

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88th Legislature Immigration Bills

May 2, 2023

88th Legislature Immigration Bills For years, burdens of an unworkable system of immigration have fallen heavily on states and communities along the US-Mexico border. The human and moral cost of ongoing federal inaction to create an effective set of policies to ensure safe and orderly migration is tragically reflected both in an unprecedented number of persons…

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Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops supports parental choice in education bills

March 23, 2023

AUSTIN — Recognizing education is one of the best means to escape poverty and that parents are best suited to determine the right educational choice for their children, the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops (TCCB) supports a set of bills increasing parental choice in education. The bills have been filed by Sen. Paul Bettencourt, Sen.…

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