TEXAS HOUSE SPEAKER
There are currently 12 candidates for House Speaker, an election that takes place on January 13. Of the 12, 7 are Republicans and 5 are Democrats. There may be another candidate enter the race before the New Year begins. TEF has worked very well with current Speaker Tom Craddick of Midland, but if he decides not to run, we plan to support the most conservative candidate as his successor. There is no score for Speaker Tom Craddick (R-Midland) because he does not traditionally cast votes, but his vote record before becoming Speaker was very conservative. Other candidates thus far include: Byron Cook (R-Corsicana) 68%, Pete Gallego (D-Alpine) 29%, Dan Gattis (R-Georgetown) 81%, Scott Hochberg (D-Houston) 32%, Delwin Jones (R-Lubbock) 56%, Jim Keffer (R-Eastland) 68%, Edmund Kuempel (R-Seguin) 68%, Tommy Merritt (R-Longview) 68%, Allan Ritter (D-Nederland) 56%, Burt Solomons (R-Carrollton) 74%, Sylvester Turner (D-Houston) 30% and Senfronia Thompson (D-Houston) 12%.


TEF CO-SPONSORS PRO-LIFE LOBBY DAY: FEBRUARY 24 IN AUSTIN
Save the date! On Tuesday, February 24, 2009, citizen activists from around the state are invited to the Capitol in Austin at 10 a.m. to hear from top elected officials, including Gov. Rick Perry, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and Atty. Gen. Greg Abbott, and pro-life leaders on important legislation affecting the unborn. After lunch in the Capitol cafeteria, there will be time to lobby representatives and senators on impending pro-life bills such as the Ultrasound Bill, which would require an ultrasound of her unborn baby be offered to the mother before an abortion is performed. The event is sponsored by state pro-life organizations.

TEF has chartered a 53-seat luxury bus from Dallas, which will leave from the NorthPark area at 6:30 a.m. and return around 6 p.m. The cost is $25 per person. To make your reservation, please make a check out to Texas Eagle Forum, include the names, addresses and telephone numbers of those reserving a seat, and mail to TEF, PO Box 795354, Dallas, TX 75379. Reservations will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis. Call 972-250-0734 for more information or to reserve with a credit card. Buses will also leave from other areas around the state. Call our office for details and join us as we stand for LIFE!


GOV. PERRY ENDORSES “CHOOSE LIFE” LICENSES PLATES
At a Capitol news conference on December 18, Texas Gov. Rick Perry gave Texas a special Christmas gift by announcing his support for House Bill 109, a bill to create the Choose Life license plate in Texas to promote adoption as an alternative to abortion. The bill will be considered when the Legislature convenes in January. Gov. Perry said, "The majority of Texans believe in the sanctity of life, and this license plate will give them a means to tell the world in a subtle but meaningful way, while providing support to pregnant women making the decision to choose adoption." The governor was joined by Rep. Larry Phillips (R-Sherman), who will sponsor the bill in the Texas House of Representatives..

Source: Texas Alliance for Life Update, 12/26/08

PLANNED PARENTHOOD OUT OF TEXAS PANHANDLE
American Life League and the Diocese of Amarillo scored a major victory last month as Planned Parenthood prepared to withdraw from the Texas Panhandle. Using American Life League's STOPP project to defeat Planned Parenthood, the nation's largest abortion chain has been completely eradicated from the diocese of Amarillo, Texas. "As the result of our 23 years of directly confronting Planned Parenthood, STOPP has developed a plan of action that is closing Planned Parenthoods across the nation," said Jim Sedlak, vice president of American Life League and director of the STOPP project. "Our plan needs local activists to do the hard work of implementing it in a consistent and persistent manner until victory is won. The dedicated people of the Texas Panhandle did just that and God has granted this victory."

In 1997, Planned Parenthood operated 19 clinics in the Texas Panhandle. As of Jan. 1, 2009, the local affiliate with its two remaining clinics will change names and sever ties with the Planned Parenthood Federation of America.

Source: Christian Newswire, 12/22/08

Editor’s Note: January 22 is the 35th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion. Now more than ever, we must continue to fight for the unborn as most radical pro-choice president is sworn into office this month. Read “The Abortion President” in the January Torch to find out what Obama plans to do in his first 100 days in office on the life issue. TEF will aggressively defend pro-life legislation as the 81st Legislative Session opens on January 13.

TAG CALLS ON LEGISLATORS TO DO THE RIGHT THING
Republican State Rep. Todd Hunter, of Corpus Christi, has informed Texans Against Gambling (TAG) he has returned a contribution from gambling kingpin Gordon Graves, now indicted in three counties for operating slot machine-like devices called 8-liners across Texas. Public records showed Hunter had received $2,000. We’re still waiting to hear from the 41 other Texas elected officials who together took more than $400,000 from Graves and his pals at Aces Wired. To see if your local representative or senator is on the list, visit www.texansagainstgambling.org.

Video Lottery Terminals (VLTs) – another name for slot machines – were recently endorsed by the Farm Bureau, raising the specter of another big push in the upcoming legislature to expand gambling. The biggest danger from legalizing VLTs in Texas is it will automatically open the door to Indian Casinos and other large, private casino development in Texas. Ask your state lawmakers to oppose any expansion of gambling.

Source: Weston Ware, TAG, 12/ 22/08


TX TAXPAYERS SPEND $678 MILLION ON HEALTHCARE FOR ILLEGALS
Healthcare for illegal immigrants cost the Texas government and local hospital districts $678 million in a year, according to a new study that state lawmakers hope will show the federal government how much Texas is spending in uncompensated care for illegals. The Texas Health and Human Services study estimates that $597 million of the total was spent by 94 public hospitals during fiscal 2005-06. The remainder, about $81 million, went to the state’s contribution to emergency Medicaid, which pays for emergency medical care, including childbirth, and to the Texas Family Violence Program, which funds shelters, 24-hour hot lines, counseling and other related services.

Rep. Leo Berman, R-Tyler), an outspoken critic of illegal immigration, said he was glad that Congress is getting the report. “I’d like to bill the U.S. government, “ he said,” and have them pay Texas for the cost of the benefits that they require us to provide to illegal aliens.”

Source: Fort Worth Star Telegram, 12/13/08

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