Testimony before 85th Legislature

HB 3899: Don’t override local zoning ordinances

March 29, 2019

Testimony provided by Jennifer Allmon On its surface, this bill violates the Catholic principal of subsidiarity, which notes that governmental decisions are best made by those closest to those impacted by the decisions. In political terms, this might be translated as legislation through consent of the governed. We recognize it is legitimate to protect the…

Read More

HB 2350: Ban abortions “triggered” by court precedent

March 29, 2019

Testimony provided by Jennifer Allmon Supporting pro-life laws is part of our history and heritage as Texans. The State of Texas has repeatedly and throughout our history passed legislation to recognize and respect the dignity of unborn human life. Our state’s first prohibition on abortion 1854 remained intact for 120 years until Roe struck it…

Read More

HB 1929: No subsidizing of abortion providers

March 28, 2019

Testimony provided by Jennifer Allmon HB 1929 will protect tax payers from subsidizing abortion providers through preferential contracts and property deals. Time and time again the people of Texas have made it abundantly clear that our citizens have a tremendous respect for unborn human life. This bill ensures that our tax dollars are not used…

Read More

HB 16: Babies should be given medical care after “failed” abortion

March 25, 2019

Testimony given by Bishop Patrick Zurek, Amarillo Regardless of the circumstances of his or her birth, any baby merely by virtue of being born is a legally-recognized person. Under this bill, he or she must be treated like any other premature infant and given medical care appropriate to his or her age and needs. Actively…

Read More

SB 22: stop subsidizing abortion providers

March 18, 2019

Testimony provided by Jennifer Carr Allmon Senate Bill 22 will protect tax payers from subsidizing abortion providers through preferential contracts and property deals. Time and time again the people of Texas have made it abundantly clear that our citizens have a tremendous respect for unborn human life. This bill ensures that our tax dollars are…

Read More

As amended, HB 21 improves school finance and offers choice for special needs students

May 11, 2017

Michael Barba The Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops support HB 21 as amended by the Senate. The Principle of Parental Choice. We strongly support parental choice and we applaud Rep. Simmons for authoring this bill, both because it: 1. recognizes that parents are the primary educators of a child, and 2. provides opportunities for special needs…

Read More

HB 2008: requires payday lenders to comply with federal military lending regs

April 30, 2017

Jennifer Allmon Executive Director The Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops support HB 2008. This bill requires that payday and auto-title lenders comply with the federal military lending act. The TCCB supports this bill to prevent predatory loans to active duty military. The Texas Catholic Bishops first became concerned about the harmful effects of payday and…

Read More

HB 1134: uniform statewide payday lending regulations

April 30, 2017

Jennifer Allmon Executive Director The Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops support HB 1134.  We would like to thank Representative Craddick for filing this important bill to provide uniform statewide regulation for payday and auto-title lenders. Frustrated with the lack of meaningful regulation by the state, cities throughout Texas have taken steps to pass a unified ordinance…

Read More

HB 1335: Parental choice helps children in foster care and with special needs, too

April 28, 2017

Michael Barba Associate Director of Public Policy My name is Michael Barba and I am testifying on HB 1335 on behalf of the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops. The Principle of Parental Choice. We strongly support parental choice and we applaud Rep. Simmons for authoring this bill, both because it: recognizes that parents are the…

Read More

HB 3347: Support before- and after-school care

April 25, 2017

Michael Barba Associate Director of Public Policy The Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops supports HB 3347. Analysis and Recommendation. Under HB 3347, the board of trustees of a school district can establish before-school and after-school programs for students in Elementary or Middle school. The programs would be maintained through public-private partnerships, and HB 3347 effectively makes…

Read More