The Aransas Pass Progress (Aransas Pass, Tex.), Vol. [106], No. [26], Ed. 1 Wednesday, July 1, 2015 Page: 4 of 10
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The Aransas Pass Progress
Forum
Wednesday, July 1, 2015
Page 4
Officials react to decision on federal health care law
ly short period of time on the issue of
same-sex marriage. But those in control
of Texas refuse to join the 21st century.
They have already declared their intent
to continue to fight on the wrong side of
history. Their fight is futile because this
ruling affirms the fundamental Ameri-
can ideal of equality under the law.”
says: “County clerks and their employ-
ees retain religious freedoms that may
provide accommodation of their reli-
gious objections to issuing same-sex
marriage licenses. Justices of the peace
and judges also may claim that the gov-
ernment forcing them to conduct same-
sex wedding ceremonies over their re-
ligious objections, particularly when
other authorized individuals have no
objection to conducting such ceremo-
nies, is not the least restrictive means of
furthering any compelling governmen-
tal interest in ensuring that such cere-
monies occur. Importantly, the strength
of any particular religious accommo-
dation claim depends on the particular
facts of each case.”
In contrast, State Rep. Celia Israel,
D-Austin, cheered. In a June 26 state-
ment, she said, in part, that she is “re-
lieved the Supreme Court struck down
discriminatory laws out of step with
most Texans, noting that same-sex cou-
ples want to get married to make a life-
time commitment to the person they
love and to protect their families.”
State Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin,
said, “We have come so far in a relative-
under the Affordable Care Act.
AUSTIN — Pursuant to a 6-3 de-
cision by the United States Supreme
Court on June 25, health insurance pol-
icies will stay on course for Texans who
secured coverage through a federally
facilitated exchange under the U.S. Af-
fordable Care Act.
The high court, in ruling against the
plaintiffs in the case King v. Burwell,
upheld the constitutionality of a federal
tax credit that pays a portion of the cost
of a policy.
After the decision was announced,
Governor Greg Abbott said, “The Supreme
Court abandoned the Constitution to re-
suscitate a failing healthcare law. Todays
action underscores why it is now more
important than ever to ensure we elect a
president who will repeal Obamacare and
enact real healthcare reforms.”
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick also reacted, say-
ing, “I am extremely disappointed that the
Supreme Court of the United States has
once again sided with President Obamas
disastrous healthcare legislation.”
And Texas Attorney General Ken
Paxton said, “This is unfortunate news
for the millions of Americans who have
experienced first-hand the devastating
Capital
Highlights
Court rules on same-sex marriage
The U.S. Supreme Court on June 26
ruled 5-4 in Obergefell v. Hodges, in-
validating state bans that prevent the
recognition of marriages of same-sex
couples.
Gov. Abbott reacted, saying, “De-
spite the Supreme Courts rulings,
Texans’ fundamental right to religious
liberty remains protected. No Texan is
required by the Supreme Courts deci-
sion to act contrary to his or her reli-
gious beliefs regarding marriage.”
Lt. Gov. Patrick said, “The Supreme
Court, as it has in the past, is making
law. I do not believe that is what the
Constitution intended or allows. In my
view, this is a clear violation of the sep-
aration of powers.”
On June 28, Attorney General Pax-
ton posted Opinion No. KP-0025, Re:
Rights of government officials involved
with issuing same-sex marriage licenses
and conducting same-sex wedding cer-
emonies.
Paxtons summary of the opinion
by Ed Sterling
?
effects Obamacare has had on their
families and businesses.”
Stacey Pogue of the Center for Public
Policy Priorities, an independent Aus-
tin-based research organization, said,
“This ruling means that the 832,000
Texans whose subsidies pay 75 per-
cent of the cost of their premiums on
average will continue to have access to
affordable health insurance.” Currently,
Pogue said, some 3 million Texans are
“potentially eligible for federal Market-
place coverage.”
In March, when the Supreme Court
heard oral arguments in King v. Bur-
well, various news sources reported
national enrollment in “Obamacare”
totaled 11.7 million people. In his June
26 address welcoming the high courts
decision, President Obama said 16 mil-
lion Americans who were uninsured
before, now have health care coverage
Agency chief calls for safety
Texas Railroad Commission Chair
David Porter in a June 24 news release
called for enhanced safety measures af-
ter visiting South Texas oil and gas facil-
ities and pipeline rights of way near the
U.S.-Mexico border.
Porter said commission staff and in-
spectors who want to carry firearms for
self-protection on pipeline inspection
duty in South Texas “have the opportu-
nity to obtain their concealed handgun
license in a timely manner.”
He called for (1) use of the buddy sys-
tem to ensure personnel are not alone
in potentially dangerous areas and (2)
the purchase of cell phone boosters for
inspector vehicles in remote areas close
to the border.
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More new laws to
watch go into effect
Staff
Vetoes signal
governor
priorities,
philosophy
Interim Publisher
Brittney Richerson
Office Manager
Angela Erdagi
which the state addresses the
planning, development, and
support of aerospace initia-
tives to ensure that Texas is on
the forefront of the aerospace
industry in the nation.
I invite you to review the
governor’s actions by going
to www.gov.texas.gov/, or to
see the bills that have already
been signed, please visit www.
gov.texas.gov/news/bills/ . If
you would like to see more
about the legislature, please
visit the Texas Legislature
online at www.capitol.state,
tx.us/.
If you have questions re-
garding any of the informa-
tion mentioned in this week’s
article, please do not hesitate
to call my Capitol or District
Office. Please always feel free
to contact my office if you
have any questions or issues
regarding a Texas state agency,
or if you would like to contact
my office regarding constitu-
ent services. As always, my of-
fices are available at any time
to assist with questions, con-
cerns or comments (Capitol
Office, 512-463-0672; District
Office, 361-949-4603).
community supervision for,
certain drug or alcohol relat-
ed offenses; authorizing a fee.
The bill would permit a judge
to require certain defendants,
as a condition of communi-
ty supervision, to attend and
complete an alcohol aware-
ness program. The bill would
require a judge to order the
defendant to pay the cost of
attending the program, unless
the defendant is found to be
indigent or unable to pay the
cost. Under certain circum-
stances, the judge would be
permitted to require the de-
fendant’s parent or guardian
to pay the cost of attending
the program.
• House Bill 1762 is relat-
ing to the creation of a health
care advocacy program for
veterans. The bill would create
a program within the Texas
Veterans Commission to re-
solve access issues raised by
Texas veterans at VA health-
care facilities. The healthcare
advocacy program for vet-
erans will strategically place
healthcare liaisons in VA fa-
cilities throughout the state,
coordinating with VA medical
administrators to resolve ac-
cess issues raised by veterans.
• Senate Bill 458 is relating
to the aerospace and aviation
office of the Texas Economic
Development and Tourism
Office and to the aerospace
and aviation advisory com-
mittee. The bill reforms the
existing aerospace-related di-
vision in the Governor’s Office
and improves the manner by
By Rep. Todd Hunter
Advertising
John D. Bowers
o
n June 1, the 84th
Texas Legislative Ses-
sion officially came to
an end. On June 21, the Gov-
ernor had a deadline to veto
or allow bills to go into effect.
Here are certain bills in
addition to those featured in
last week’s article, which were
passed and have been signed
by the Governor:
• House Bill 530 is relating
to the use of proceeds from
criminal asset forfeiture to
provide college scholarships
to children of peace officers
killed in the line of duty and
to an annual report regard-
ing the total value of forfeit-
ed property in this state. The
bill would authorize a law
enforcement agency to trans-
fer no more than 10 percent
of the gross amount credit-
ed to the agency’s forfeiture
fund into a special fund to
provide college scholarships
to children of peace officers
killed in the line of duty. The
bill would also require the At-
torney General to publish an
annual report detailing the to-
tal amount of funds forfeited,
and credited after the sale of
forfeited property, in the pre-
ceding calendar year.
• House Bill 642 is relat-
ing to an alcohol awareness
program or drug education
program for certain minors
convicted of or adjudicated
to have engaged in, or placed
on deferred disposition or
Circulation
Michael Hembree
Reporter
Brooke Ostrom
ture is already out of session,
it is practically impossible.
The veto often signals
a Governor’s priorities and
philosophy on government.
Since this is Gov. Abbott’s first
term, his vetoes may indicate
his vision for the state. His
predecessor, Gov. Perry, had
been in office for many years
and his outlook was firmly
established.
As a new Governor, many
awaited Mr. Abbott’s vetoes to
get a better idea on his style of
leadership and priorities.
All told, the Governor
vetoed 42 bills. This is the
highest number since 2007.
However, as a percentage
of the total number of bills
passed, it is a reasonable
number. The Governor also
has line-item veto power to
reduce the budget. He vetoed
nearly $300 million in state
spending.
By State Rep. J.M. Lozano
Contributors
Richard Gonzales
Annita West
The Aransas Pass Progress
(USPS 028-900) is published
weekly by Granite Publishing
Partners Inc., 346 S. Houston St.,
Aransas Pass, Texas 78336. Sec-
ond Class postage paid at Aran-
sas Pass, TX. Postmaster: Send
address changes to The Aransas
Pass Progress, P.O. Box 2100 Aran-
sas Pass, TX 78335.
While the Texas Legisla-
ture has been out of session
since June 1, the Capitol has
been busy winding down
since lawmakers left town.
One of the most important
periods occurs during this
time, which is the Governor’s
veto period.
A bill that passes both the
House and Senate must get
approval from the Governor
before becoming law. If he
agrees with a proposed law, he
can simply let the bill become
law, or sign the bill, which
usually indicates his strong
approval. However, the Gov-
ernor also reserves the right
to reject laws. This is called
a veto and this year the veto
period ended on June 20.
Technically, the Legislature
can override a Governor s
veto, but because the Legisla-
Subscription rates: Aransas
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Memberships:
National Newspaper
Association, Texas Press
Association;
South Texas Press Association;
Texas Gulf Coast Press
Association;
Aransas Pass Chamber
of Commerce,
Rockport Chamber of
Commerce, Ingleside Chamber
of Commerce.
Be heard
Aransas Pass Progress
346 S. Houston • PO Box 2100
Aransas Pass,TX 78336
Phone: 361-758-5391
Fax: 361-758-5393
www.aransaspassprogress.com
Rep. Hunter represents
Nueces (Part) County. He can
he contacted at todd.hunter@
house.state.tx.us or at 512-
463-0672.
Send letters to the editor to
editor@aransaspassprogress.com
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Hall, Brittney. The Aransas Pass Progress (Aransas Pass, Tex.), Vol. [106], No. [26], Ed. 1 Wednesday, July 1, 2015, newspaper, July 1, 2015; Aransas Pass, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1143188/m1/4/?q=music: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Ed & Hazel Richmond Public Library.