Bits and bobs and hearings to watch this week
And "If she would repent of her sin… she would be a phenomenal superintendent."
Another busy Monday that didn’t allow me to follow hearings today, but here are a few bits of information worth knowing:
I mentioned last week that Rep. Pat Curry was trying to end the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department because of a personal vendetta he had with the agency over chronic wasting disease in deer. Well, he killed his own bill today, so you can rest easier tonight.
I was alerted yesterday to some nastiness brewing in Deer Park, the town where I went to high school and is currently being lightly “represented” by one Briscoe Cain, who also attended Deer Park High School and and and a bunch of stuff I’m not going to write about him. Look it up.
Anyway! I’ll let this petition tell the tale:
On March 14, 2025, the Deer Park ISD Board of Trustees named Dr. Tiffany Regan as the lone finalist for superintendent of schools—a highly respected educator with nearly 30 years of experience serving this district.
Just days later, Pastor Doug Harris of Central Baptist Church used his pulpit to launch a public attack against Dr. Regan—not based on her qualifications, but on her sexual orientation. In a sermon, he told his congregation:
“She lives a lifestyle that is ungodly and immoral… we would not condone but condemn.”
“If she would repent of her sin… she would be a phenomenal superintendent.”
“It will only be a matter of time before the wokeism and the liberalism and the sexual immorality begins to be pushed at a fast pace in our district.”
This pastor looks like the two uncles I have blocked on Facebook, tbqh.
”Pastor Doug began preaching at 15 years of age. He and Dawnette have been in full time ministry together for their entire married life. They have been privileged to serve the Lord in several different areas before coming to Central Baptist Church. They have served as missionaries among the Navajo Indians of Arizona.”
IN THIS DAY AND AGE, SOMEONE YOUNGER THAN ME IS STILL TRYING TO CONVERT NATIVE AMERICANS. ARE YOU SERIOUS.
I just thought I’d bring that to everyone’s attention. A dork pastor in a Houston suburb is trying to take down a lesbian educator who has been serving her community faithfully for 30 years and was placed in a leadership position for it. Absolute garbage. Thanks to Spencer (we sat next to each other in the third grade because our names were alphabetically aligned. It just so happened we were also the same height and got along nicely) for alerting me.
On deck for notable (to me) bill hearings this week:
Senate Education 8 a.m. Tuesday:
SB 870 Birdwell
Relating to the open carrying of a handgun by a uniformed school marshal.
And a bunch of bills regarding student misconduct and expulsion. You know, the old school-to-prison pipeline.
Criminal Jurisprudence 10:30 a.m. Tuesday:
HB 324 Johnson
Relating to the prosecution of the offense of sexual assault. — This one is personal to me after meeting with Summer Willis earlier this year in my capacity working at SAFE Alliance. She is a Houstonian who set out to crawl the Austin Marathon in February to bring awareness to the difficult journey one travels to heal after a sexual assault. She was drugged and sexually assaulted by multiple members of a fraternity 10 years ago while a student at UT. They bragged about it after, publishing it in their newsletter. But because the person who drugged her was not the person(s) who assaulted her, it was not considered rape under Texas law. Houston Rep. Ann Johnson is attempting to right this horrible wrong with this bill. Hear from Summer here:
At the finish line, her supporters joined Willis, including Texas legislators who ran the final stretch with her, showing their support for stronger protections for sexual assault survivors. Rep. Donna Howard said Willis’ journey reflects the ongoing fight for legal change.
“Crossing that finish line with Summer felt like she’s now passing the torch to us at the Texas Legislature to protect and empower survivors,” Howard said.
Willis’ advocacy garnered national attention. Shortly after the marathon, she received unexpected news.
“The bill I’ve been fighting for the most — defining what consent is — is now moving forward,” Willis said. “They told me they’re renaming the bill after me, which feels like the biggest honor in the world.”
There are many other sexual crime-related bills in this hearing, if you’re able to take that in. I know not everyone is able.
House Agriculture & Livestock 2 p.m. Tuesday:
HB 2669 Guerra
Relating to the establishment of a reporting and education program for the dangers of balloons to livestock. — I’m sure this sounds silly, but you really shouldn’t release balloons into the sky for any reason. They kill all kinds of animals.
Health and Human Services 8 a.m. Wednesday:
SB 1233 Hancock
Relating to information regarding perinatal palliative care; creating an administrative penalty. — This bill creates the appearance of caring for Texas women who learn that their child has a medical condition that will ensure that they die shortly after birth. Abortion used to be an option in these horrible, horrible cases, so that the mother could choose whether or not to witness her newborn die.
This bill would ensure that these mothers receive pamphlets.
SB 1257 Hughes
Relating to required health benefit plan coverage for gender transition adverse effects and reversals.
House State Affairs 8 a.m. Wednesday:
HB 796 Bell, Cecil | et al.
Relating to the Texas Sovereignty Act. — I don’t even want to talk about this, but the hearing should be ridiculous.
HJR 98 Vasut | et al.
Applying to the Congress of the United States to call a convention under Article V of the United States Constitution for the limited purpose of proposing one or more amendments to the constitution to impose fiscal restraints on the federal government, to limit the power and jurisdiction of the federal government, and to limit the terms of office of federal officials and members of Congress. — I can’t believe this actually got a hearing.
Senate Committee on Business & Commerce 8 a.m. Thursday:
SB 819 Kolkhorst | et al.
Relating to renewable energy generation facilities; authorizing fees. — OH HEY here’s a really bad bill!
Rather than find a balanced solution that allows for wind and solar energy to continue thriving, while implementing targeted measures to minimize impacts to land and water, SB 819 would create discriminatory and capricious permitting and other requirements that could slam the brakes on new renewable energy projects. That would be a major setback for our environment and electric grid, as solar and wind energy are badly needed to reduce global warming pollution, ensure power prices remain affordable, and meet skyrocketing demand for electricity.
Once again, it took me hours to parse all of these schedules, so please share my work or send me a little thumbs-up whenever you get the chance. It means a lot every time.
Three. Good. Things.
- I was fostering Adam (standing) but his brother Allen couldn’t handle not being with his brother, so Allen’s foster and I got them together this weekend and we realized they really should be together forever. So, she now has both of them, and this is a photo of them this evening. They were both traumatized by their two years of life in some terrible state, but I think together they are going to conquer the world and be just fine. To the person who traumatized them to the point where Adam wouldn’t even walk through a door or take treats or food: die.
I bought a weighted vest. If you’re not aware of the bone density benefits of weighted vests in postmenopausal women, here you go. I’m not in perimenopause yet, but I’m going to be PREPARED. My bones will be STRONG.
The movie trailer for Bob Trevino Likes It, made by a filmmaker from Houston, made me tear up. It looks great. Go see it at River Oaks Theater this weekend.
