Category

Texas

Sep 30 2021
0

Another opportunity to support girls’ sports in Texas

By | Texas | No Comments

On September 20, the Texas legislature began the Third Special Session, making it a total of four sessions for the 87th Legislature. Concerned Women for America of Texas has been in Austin for all four sessions working to pass legislation that aligns with CWA’s seven core issues.

This week, HB 25, a girls’ sports bill sponsored by State Rep. Valoree Swanson (R-Dist. 150), was assigned to the Select Constitutional Rights and Remedies Committee. Now it’s time to activate our prayer and action network to see that HB 25 is passed and signed into law.

A majority of Texans support protecting female athletes from physical harm and losing scholarships and endorsements.  A majority of Texas legislators support the right and opportunity of girls to compete in their own sports. Gov. Greg Abbott has put legislation to protect girls’ sports on the Special Session call three times for the 87th Legislature.  The Texas Senate has passed the girls’ sports bill four times. Now it’s time for the Texas House to pass the girls’ sports bill.

This issue affects Texans of all races, cultures, and backgrounds.  According to Texas Education Agency (TEA) statistics for the 2019-20 school year, there are approximately 862,137 females of African American, Hispanic, and other ethnicities and approximately 318,953 white females.1 Since the enactment of Title IX in 1972, national statistics show two in five girls (40%) now participate in school sports.2 So, school sports for grade 7-12 in Texas accounts for approximately 472,436 Texas girls. These statistics do not include private, parochial, or homeschool students.

The Third Session of the 87th Legislature ends on October 19, so it’s critical that you make your voice heard on this very important issue.

Please Act:

  1. Contact the office of Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan and urge him to prioritize HB 25 on the House Calendar Committee. (512) 463-1000 | Online Form
  2. Contact the members of the Select Constitutional Rights and Remedies Committee and ask them to support HB 25.
  3. Contact your state representative and ask them to protect girls’ sports and support HB 25. Find who represents you in the Texas House by clicking here.
  4. Forward this email to family and friends.

Please Pray:

  1. Pray that our young women will not be denied benefits from their God-given talents and abilities.
  2. Pray that the forces of evil will be cut off.
  3. Pray that citizens will wake up to their role in righteousness in government.

“We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone.  See that no one repays another with the evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people.”   I Thessalonians 5:14-15

Sincerely,
Ann Hettinger

I’d like to provide an example for you:  Alanna Smith is an African American high school athlete from Connecticut.  She is from a family of exceptionally gifted athletes and is on track to play professional sports unless her opportunity is stolen by an undeserving biological male. Alanna, now a high school sophomore, is a short-distance runner (100m, 200m, and 400m). She was a 3-peat 100 Meter Connecticut state champ in sixth, seventh, and eighth grades. Her freshman year she learned she would be racing at the Connecticut State Open against a male who identifies as a female.  No matter how many hours Alanna put into training or how hard she worked on speed, endurance, and strength, she had no chance to beat the physical strength of a biological male who previously ran in the men’s division. Alanna felt defeated before stepping onto the track.

In Connecticut alone, two biological boys have been running girls off the track since 2017. Between them, they have set seventeen individual state meet records—registering times that females have no hope of breaking. The sheer size and strength they bring to the track have resulted in more than eighty-five missed opportunities for girls to even qualify for the next level of competition.  As they have continued breaking records and beating biological girls, it is simply not fair for anyone born as a boy to compete against girls. That unfairness does not go away because of what someone believes about their gender identity. 4

We must work hard to protect the rights that women have gained since Title IX when only one in 27 girls participated in school sports.  When biological males are allowed to compete in girls-only sports, girls’ lives are permanently impacted.

1https://tea.texas.gov/sites/default/files/enroll_2019-20.pdf

2https://concernedwomen.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Protecting-Womens-Sports-CWA-fact-sheet-2021.pdf

3https://house.texas.gov/members/find-your-representative/

4https://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/ny-oped-i-deserve-a-level-playing-field-20200304-zd36p3jlurfeddfdk6gmuzyv2i-story.html

Sep 15 2021
0

Ask Speaker Phelan to Pass “Save Girls’ Sports”

By | Texas | No Comments

For the last three sessions of the Texas legislature, Concerned Women for America of Texas has been on the front lines fighting for the passage of a bill that prohibits biological males from competing in girls’ sports.  Physical strength, stamina, size, and other abilities inherent in the male composition make it completely unfair for girls in sports to be required to overcome these advantages in order to play on girls’ teams. Girls are being denied placement on teams, championships, endorsements, and acknowledgments, which help them achieve scholarships and other benefits available to males on male sports teams. These advantages are going to biological males who are taking these positions, claiming to be “transgendered.”

  • In the Regular Session, SB, 29 by Sen. Charles Perry (R-District 8) was killed by the House Public Education Committee. 
  • In the First Special Session, SB 32 by Sen. Perry was not heard by the House Public Education Committee.  
  • In the Second special Session, SB 2 by Sen. Perry was left pending in the House Public Education Committee.  

If girls’ sports are to be protected in Texas, this bill must pass in this Third Special Session that begins Monday, September 20, 2021!

Take Action:

  • Contact the office of Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan and tell him you want to see Texas girls’ sports protected by passing HB 10 sponsored by State Rep. Valoree Swanson (R-Dist. 150) and that you want the bill assigned to a committee other than the House Public Education Committee.
    (512) 463-1000 | Contact Form
  • Urge your friends to make this call.
  • Urge young women athletes to make this call and be available to testify when it comes before the committee.

Please Pray:

  • Pray that our young women will not be denied benefits from their God-given talents and abilities.
  • Pray that the forces of evil will be cut off.
  • Pray that citizens will wake up to their role in righteousness in government.

“We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone.  See that no one repays another with the evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people.” I Thessalonians 5:14-15

Ann Hettinger
State Director

Sep 15 2021
0

Help protect vulnerable children in Texas

By | Texas | No Comments

Gov. Greg Abbott (Republican) has called a third Special Session, and he needs to hear that Texans understand that children who struggle with identity should be protected from harmful “gender reassignment” medical practices causing serious health risks, irreversible damage, and increasingly, regret.

Currently, under Texas law, a minor can choose, or be subjected to a choice coerced by adults, to have his or her body “transgendered.” Did you know that puberty-blocking drugs can be administered as early as 7-years-old and 13-year-olds can have mastectomies and “bottom surgery”? 

These experimental transgender treatments and surgeries on minors are not reversible and carry with it multiple other physical and emotional risks and disabilities. These procedures can never actually change the child’s DNA; it is simply a reconfiguration of the child’s body. Please review Concerned Women for America’s (CWA) resources on these experimental treatments and surgeries below my signature.

State Sen. Bob Hall (R-District 2) offered legislation in Texas’ regular legislative session to prohibit this abuse of children in the state. Republican House Leadership deftly crushed the bill, and Gov. Abbott failed to put this issue on the call for the first two Special Sessions.

Take Action:

  1. Contact Gov. Abbott and urge him to add the banning of gender modification to the agenda for the next (third) Special Session. (512) 463-1782 | Contact form
  2. If you are a member of Concerned Women for America of Texas, be sure to let him know.
  3. You may also respectfully Tweet your request to Gov. Abbott (@GovAbbott).

Please Pray:

  • It is no secret that Satan wants to destroy America’s children. Please pray for God’s hand of protection over these little ones.
  • Pray also that adults will dutifully and valiantly defend children as God has created them.
  • Pray that Gov. Abbott and House and Senate Leadership will be moved to prioritize this important issue.

Ann Hettinger
State Director

CWA resources on protecting vulnerable children from experimental transgender treatments and surgeries:

Sep 02 2021
0

What did the Supreme Court Do in the Challenge Against Texas Heartbeat Law?

By | LBB, Legal, News and Events, Sanctity of Life, SCOTUS, Texas | No Comments

The radical left and its media enablers are going berserk over the United States Supreme Court’s denial of an application for injunctive relief to stop Texas’s Heartbeat Law from going into effect. The Court simply refused to act in an activist manner and allowed the process to work as it was constitutionally envisioned.

Anyone seeking the Court to take such an extreme action that would frustrate the democratic process in this manner needs a “strong showing” that they are “likely to succeed on the merits” of the case. The pro-abortion side failed to meet that heavy burden.

Though they are fixated on Roe v. Wade, this case presents “complex and novel antecedent procedural questions on which they have not carried their burden.”

To put it simply, the Texas law is not being enforced by state officials, which the pro-abortion side is used to suing in their official capacity, given the fact that they are usually charged with enforcing the law. Not here. This law does not charge any agency or official with its enforcement. Instead, it gives private citizens the right to sue if the law is violated in the future.

The Court then, making no judgment on merits of the case, has refused to enjoin the law (meaning stopping it from going into effect) until there is an actual case or controversy with a proper defendant in order for the courts to assess it in the proper context.

The Court concluded: “This order is not based on any conclusion about the constitutionality of Texas’s law, and in no way limits other procedurally proper challenges to the Texas law, including in Texas state courts.”

Such limited action shows the Court is acting under the sort of judicial restraint envisioned by the constitutional structure, instead of as a super legislature constantly interfering and frustrating the democratic process.

It is discouraging that Chief Justice Roberts joined Justices Breyer, Sotomayor, and Kagan to dissent from the decision. The Chief Justice recognizes the complex nature of the procedural question presented, saying, “We are at this point asked to resolve these novel questions—at least preliminarily—in the first instance, in the course of two days, without the benefit of consideration by the District Court or Court of Appeals.” But he would actually enjoin the law, frustrating the will of the millions of Texans who helped enact it.  This fits a pattern we have seen from the Chief Justice before, where he seems to worry about public opinion in an unhealthy way, taking steps in every major case to protect what he perceives as the “legitimacy” and independence of the Court.

Not surprisingly, the liberal side of the Court, Justices Breyer, Sotomayor, and Kagan, wrote separately, eager to project that they are ready to act on behalf of the pro-abortion side. No need for them to worry about the legitimacy of the Court. That seems to always cut one way.

We are thankful for Justices Thomas, Alito, Gorsuch, Kavanaugh and Barrett for their unwavering commitment to the law and showing the proper judicial restraint in such a politically charged area of law. That’s where it counts.

Sep 01 2021
0

Texas Celebrates Life!

By | Texas | No Comments

Today, September 1, 2021, Concerned Women for America of Texas joined other pro-life organizations as we celebrated the first day of the enforcement of the Texas Heartbeat Act. This bill, offered by Sen. Bryan Hughes (R-District 1) and Rep. Shelby Slawson (R-District 59), prohibits the abortion of any pre-born child with a distinguishable heartbeat. It is estimated that this will save one hundred and fifty babies a day in Texas.

You can watch the announcement filmed today in the Atrium at the Texas Capitol. Watch my remarks starting at the 5:33 mark. Thank your senator or representative if they voted for it. And thank our Lord for the officials that heard His voice and followed His leadership, making Texas much safer for babies.

Ann Hettinger
State Director

 

Aug 21 2021
0

Girls’ Sports Bill to Be Heard in Committee on Tuesday!

By | Texas | No Comments

Senate Bill 2 (Sen. Charles Perry – R. District 28), the girls’ sports bill, is scheduled for a public hearing in the House Public Education Committee this Tuesday, August 24, at 10:30 a.m. (or upon final adjournment of the House) in the Capitol Auditorium, E1.004. Concerned Women for America (CWA) of Texas has been advocating for restricting athletes who play in girls’ sports to be biological females only. We will be in Austin, representing your voice during the hearing.

We recently interviewed a young basketball athlete and her mother about the impact of biological males getting to play in girls’ sports. You can watch the videos here. Download the CWA Fact Sheet here.

Take Action!

#1. Contact the members of the Public Education Committee and urge them to vote YES on SB 2. If you are a member of CWA Texas, be sure to let them know.

#2. Contact your state representative and tell them to vote FOR SB 2 when it reaches the House floor! Click here to learn who represents you in the Texas House.

#3. Forward this information to those in your circle of influence who could help us protect our girls’ sports.

Please pray!

  1. Pray for the legislators who are working on this issue that they may have clarity on the issue and the courage to act wisely.
  2. Pray for those impacted by the girls’ sports issue that they will come to Austin to testify in favor of the bill.

“For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.”  II Timothy 1:7

Ann Hettinger
State Director

Aug 13 2021
0

Girls’ Sports Matters in Texas – Hear Why!

By | Texas | No Comments

Concerned Women for America Senior Director of External Relations, Danielle Buck, recently sat down with student-athlete Kassidy Comer and her mother Janet Comer to discuss the importance of female athletics and the current threat to girls’ sports in the state of Texas. We encourage you to watch their interviews below and then take action on this very important issue.

Take Action!
Contact Gov. Greg Abbott and thank him for placing the saving girls’ sports issue on the Special Session call. Urge him to include women’s collegiate sports protections too.

Phone: 512-463-2000 or online contact form.

Aug 02 2021
0

Texans: Calls Needed on Critical Race Theory

By | Texas | No Comments

Is it OK with you that Critical Race Theory is being taught to our children?

Legislation currently filed in the Texas House of Representatives and the Texas Senate addresses the issue of educating Texas school children about issues of race. These bills, SB 3 by Sen. Bryan Hughes (R-District 1), have passed out of the Texas Senate, and HB 178 Rep. Steve Toth (R-District 15) has yet to have a hearing before a House Committee. Concerned Women for America of Texas have been compared both bills. We support HB 178 and oppose SB 3.

You need to consider these points:

  1. All curricula in Texas are established by the State Board of Education, a single-member district board elected by the constituents of the respective districts.
  2. Those curricula are adopted in alignment with Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills metrics established by that board in conjunction with the reports by evaluating committees in each discipline every ten years.
  3. Curricula from different disciplines are designed to allow concepts from one discipline to input education in another discipline,e., social studies words are learned in the language arts studies; social studies concepts are integrated into math problems.
  4. The options offered within this curricula are adopted by local independent school district school boards and supplied to their school district classrooms.
  5. The issue of race is controlled by the United States Constitution (Fourteenth Amendment) and the Texas Constitution. This prohibits prejudice toward or against anyone on the basis of race, color, creed, or nationality.
  6. The issue of Critical Race Theory is being used to teach our students that those who have light skin are the oppressors and those who have dark skin are the oppressed, thereby tainting the next generation with racists prejudices.
  7. CWA of Texas believes that the Texas Legislature must guard our school children against divisive concepts that create anger and distrust between citizens of all ages.

CWA of Texas is supporting HB 178 and opposing SB 3 for these reasons:

  1. SB 3 provides no prohibition of teaching the concepts of Critical Race Theory; it simply allows Independent School Boards to make the determination for each school district.
  2. While SB 3 appears to address the major issues of Critical Race Theory, however, it attaches no penalty on school districts adopting it.
  3. HB 178 would establish the constitutionally appropriate curricula concept and require that the State Board of Education incorporate that concept into all Texas Public School curricula, Kindergarten through Grade 12.
  4. Because concepts flow from discipline to discipline, i.e., Social Studies to Language Arts or to Mathematics, we believe that the bill must address curricula in all disciplines. HB 178 will do this, and SB 3 will not.
  5. SB 3 allows Independent School District Boards to adopt resolutions that integrate this flawed theory into policies that impact hiring, procurement, and awarding of contracts.

Read more information on CTR here.

Take Action:

To halt this damaging theory in Texas:

  • Contact your State Senator and urge him or her to vote for HB 178. Contact your State Representative and urge him or her to oppose SB 3 and vote for HB 178. Also, ask your legislators how they intend to vote on the bill. If you are a member of Concerned Women for America of Texas, be sure to let them know.
  • Share this information with like-minded friends and family. Educate those around you who share our values about this threat and ask them to take action.

Please pray:

May God help us protect the citizens of our state and nation, particularly our children, from this incendiary, anti-American concept.

“Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, rebuke and expose them. It is shameful even
to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret. But when the light shines on them, it becomes
clear how evil these things are. And where your light shines, it will expose their evil deeds.” Ephesians 5:11-14  NLT

Ann Hettinger
State Director

May 24 2021
0

URGENT ALERT! Will you pray?

By | Texas | No Comments

Question: When God opens the Red Seas in your life, what do you do? I don’t know about you, but I run with my feet and pray with my heart! That is where we are this evening in Texas, with our legislative session ending in one week.

Speaker of the Texas House, Dade Phelan (R-District 21), unexpectedly extended the time for House and Senate bills to be considered by the Texas House, giving Concerned Women for America (CWA) of Texas additional opportunities to see our bills enacted. Here is a brief status report on them:

  • SB 7/HB 6, the Election Integrity bill, is in conference committee waiting for a consensus bill to take to both chambers
  • SB 1311/HB 1399, the Gender Modification Prohibition bill has been advanced to the House Public Health Committee, then needs to be scheduled for floor debate by the House Calendars Committee
  • SB 29/HB 1458, the protection for women’s sports to be free from transgender participation, has been scheduled on the House Major State Calendar for tomorrow with a negating amendment, reducing it to a study. It needs to be amended back to the original text and passed.
  • SB 26/HB 1239, the protection against government closing places of worship will need to go to a conference committee between chambers for a consensus bill which will then need to go back to each chamber for adoption
  • SB 442 is a bill that restricts public school curriculum from having sex-ed materials, which are inappropriate for students, and brings them under the guidance of parental councils.

ACTION AND PRAYER:  Today, our prayer is action! Our CWA of Texas leaders are doing everything in their power to impact these bills. Our hope lies in the power of God to establish the prayers and work of His children. Therefore, I am asking you to pray without ceasing. II Chronicles 7:14: “If My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

Ann Hettinger
State Director

May 13 2021
0

Calls Needed to Protect Vulnerable Children

By | Texas | No Comments

America’s progressive culture is fueling the rise of gender modification in minors. The drive to normalize and affirm “gender identity dysphoria” is resulting in radical treatment for children. There are currently 56 transgender pediatric clinics in the U.S., and one of those is in Dallas, Texas. The Gender Education and Care Interdisciplinary Support (Genecis) Program is at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and Children’s Medical Center.

SB 1646, sponsored by State Sen. Charles Perry (R-District 28), has passed the Senate and was referred to the House Public Health Committee. This legislation would prohibit children from receiving puberty suppression prescription drugs, cross-sex hormones, or medical procedures or surgeries for the purpose of transitioning genders or gender reassignment. 

Children have a constitutional right to be protected from life-altering decisions until they are of age. Examples of these include laws on smoking, marriage, voting, tattoos, piercing, school attendance, etc. Other helpful information may be accessed at Protecting Vulnerable Children – Concerned Women for America.

Take Action!
The legislative session is nearly over (just a couple of weeks left), so it is critical that you contact the members of the House Public Health Committee ASAP and ask them to schedule a hearing immediately on SB 1646.

  • Rep. Stephanie Klick – Chair (R- District 91), (512) 463-0599 | Email
  • Rep. “Bobby” Guerra – Vice-Chair (D-District 41), (512) 463-0578 | Email
  • Rep. Steve Allison (R-District 121), (512) 463-0686 | Email
  • Rep. Liz Campos (D-District 119), (512) 463-0452 | Email
  • Rep. Garnet Coleman (D-District 147), (512) 463-0524 | Email
  • Rep. Nicole Collier (D-District 95), (512) 463-0716 | Email
  • Rep. Jacey Jetton (R-District 26), (512) 463-0710 | Email
  • Rep. Tom Oliverson (R-District 130), (512) 463-0661 | Email
  • Rep. Four Price (R-District 87), (512) 463-0470 | Email
  • Rep. Reggie Smith (R-District 62), (512) 463-0297 | Email
  • Rep. Erin Zweiner (D-District 45), (512) 463-0647 | Email

Remember, Jesus said: “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe to stumble, it would be better for him if, with a heavy millstone hung around his neck, he had been cast into the sea.” Mark 9:42

Pray:  

  1. Pray that there will be bi-partisan recognition of the irreparable harm that children are suffering now and will suffer in years to come should this bill not pass.
  2. Pray that the members of both Texas legislative chambers move swiftly to protect the most vulnerable among us.

Ann Hettinger
State Director

May 10 2021
0

Texas Leadership: Protect Female Athletics!

By | Texas | No Comments

Concerned Women for America (CWA) of Texas hand-delivered this letter to our Texas legislative leadership encouraging them to be champions for our daughters and granddaughters as we ask them to protect women’s and girls’ athletic opportunities here in Texas. They need to hear from you, too! 

You can read more about this issue here, here, and here.

Take Action – Light Up the Switchboard and Inboxes!

Contact the Governor, Lt. Governor, and Speaker of the House and urge them to take proactive action to secure a level playing field for girls and women athletes at all levels. It is important that we “light up their phone lines and inboxes.” The window of opportunity is closing, so please call today!

  • Greg Abbott – (512) 463-2000 | Email
  • Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick – (512) 463-0001| Email
  • Speaker of the House, Dade Phelan – (512) 463-1000 | Email

If you are a member of Concerned Women for America of Texas, let them know.

Be sure to share this with friends and family.

 Please Pray:

  1. Please continue to pray that women will not lose the ground we have gained in the last 100 years as we see some men in our current culture attempt to usurp many of our hard-earned, sacrificial protection and opportunities.
  2. Pray for this Texas legislative session to end well in securing the protection of women.

 “For a while [the judge] refused, but later on he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor have regard for people, yet because this widow keeps on bothering me, I will give her justice, or in the end, she will wear me out by her unending pleas.’” Luke 18:4-5 (NASB)

Just like the widow, we need to be relentless in our pursuit of fairness and equality for our daughters and granddaughters! Please, contact our leaders today!

Ann Hettinger
State Director

May 04 2021
0

Texas Is in a Race to #SaveGirlsSports

By | Texas | No Comments

Do you have a female relative who plays sports in Texas, or do you have friends with daughters in school sports? If you answered yes to either of these questions, be aware that the athletic opportunity for female athletes is at risk in Texas. I have written to you recently about the threat to girls’ sports here and here.

What’s the problem?

Several of the girls’ sports bills in the Texas legislature are languishing in committee or have not yet been referred to any committees. Why the stall?  It’s because the Left has the backing of 43 major companies that oppose Texas bills to protect girls’ sports. This type of financial pressure seems to be causing lawmakers to waver on what they know is the right thing to do.

We need your help!

HB 1458 appears to be the only bill left alive in the legislature to protect women’s sports in the state. If passed, the bill would provide a level playing field for female athletes from kindergarten through college by prohibiting males identifying as females from participating in female sports.

Let’s move this bill!

Six governors have signed into law legislation protecting female athletes. It’s time Texas joins these trailblazing states!   

Take Action

Contact the following leaders and urge them to use their influence to move HB 1458 today!

  • Greg Abbott (Republican) – Ask Gov. Abbott to put his support and influence behind HB1458. Email | (512) 463-2000
  • Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick (Republican)- Ask LG Patrick to support the movement of HB1458. Email | (512) 463-0001
  • Speaker of the House, Dade Phelan (Republican) – Ask Speaker Phelan to encourage the State Affairs Chairman, Rep. Paddie, to schedule a hearing for the bill. Email | (512) 463-1000
  • Speaker’s Director of Policy, Jay Dyer – Let him know we want the bill to get a hearing and passage. Email | (512) 463-8278
  • Chris Paddie (Republican), Chairman of the State Affairs Committee – Rep. Paddie is a co-author of this bill. Ask him to schedule a hearing in the committee he chairs. Email | (512) 463-0556

Please Pray for the elected officials of Texas:

  1. Pray for clarity regarding what is true and right.
  2. Pray for boldness and courage.
  3. Pray they will fight to defend the birthright of every young girl in Texas, no matter the cost.

“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other,
or he will be devoted to one and despise the other.  You cannot serve God and wealth.” Matthew 6:24

Ann Hettinger
State Director

May 02 2021
0

Act Now! Save Women’s Sports in Texas!

By | Texas | No Comments

Action is needed today!
Help stop biological males from playing female sports in Texas schools.

The Texas legislature is holding a bill that would require public school students to compete in sports competitions based on biological sex rather than on their perceived gender identity.

The bill simply takes current Texas University Interscholastic League (UIL) Rules and makes them law. (UIL is an organization that exists to provide educational extracurricular academic, athletic, and music contests for public school students.)

Bill Information:

SB 29 passed (5-2) the Senate State Affairs Committee on March 26, 2021. It passed (18-12) from the Senate floor on April 15, 2021. It was then referred to the House Public Education Committee on April 19.  SB 29’s companion bill, HB 4042, has already been heard in the Public Education Committee. In order to protect women’s sports, we need the Public Education Committee to vote HB4042/SB29 out of committee this week in order for it to go to the Texas House floor for a vote. And then, if passed, make its way to Gov. Abbott’s desk. We are so close!

We need you to contact the House Public Education Committee members and ask them to pass the bills.

Take Action:

  1. Contact the House Public Education Committee members and ask them to pass HB 4042 and its companion, SB 29. The members and their contact information are listed below my signature. You can also find the list of the committee members here. It is particularly helpful if you are the constituent of any of the committee members for you to identify yourself as a constituent! Use this link to find out who represents you in the state legislature.
  2. Contact your own state representative and ask him or her to support SB 29. Use this link to find who represents you.

Please pray:

  1. Pray that Texas state representatives will not be overcome with timidity and “political correctness” and will handle this issue with positive and fair wisdom for the girls and women of Texas.
  2. Pray for the young women who are called upon to stand strong against this adversity in the face of the “cancel culture.” Pray they will come forward to give testimony.
  3. Pray for Gov. Greg Abbott (Republican), and Speaker Dade Phelan (R-District 2), Chairman Harold Dutton (D-District 142), and the members of the committee that they may support and defend the birthright of every young girl in Texas.

“God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” Genesis 1:27 NASB

Ann Hettinger
State Director

House Public Education Committee members
Ask them to pass HB 4042 and its companion, SB 29.

Harold Dutton, Chairman (D-District 142) – (512) 463-0510
J.M. Lozano, Vice Chairman (R-District 43) – (512) 463-0463
Alma Allen, (D-District 131) – (512) 463-0744
Steve Allison (R-District 121) – (512) 463-0686
Keith Bell (R-District 4) – (512) 463-0458
Diego Bernal (D-District 123) – (512) 463-0532
Brad Buckley (R-District 54) – (512) 463-0684
Mary E. Gonzalez (D-District 75) – (512) 463-0613
Dan Huberty (R-District 127) – (512) 463-0520
Ken King (R-District 88) – (512) 463-0736
Terry Meza (D-District 105) – (512) 463-0641
James Talarico (D-District 52) – (512) 463-0670
Gary VanDeaver (R-District 1) – (512) 463-0692)

 

Apr 06 2021
0

Texans Deserve Integrity in Our Elections

By | Texas | No Comments

Election integrity should be the number one legislative priority for the entire country. It is imperative that our state enacts the strongest guidelines and laws for ensuring that we execute honest and fair elections in the Lone Star State. That is why Concerned Women for America (CWA) of Texas supports recently filed HB 6, an election integrity bill that will combat election fraud.

Election fraud is real, and therefore needs careful and intentional legislation to ensure confidence and integrity with the process. The voting system should preserve the integrity of each ballot.

Below are some of CWA of Texas’ election integrity concerns:

  • Voter rolls must be current, void of deceased voters or those who have moved out of the area.
  • Citizenship must be verified before voting. Voter ID should be a non-negotiable requirement.
  • We need stricter rules on mail-in ballots. Mail-in ballots should be limited by those who are unable to go to the election site, not as a personal preference. Mail-in ballots need to be numbered and traceable, as regular ballots are traceable. Ballot harvesting should not be allowed and certainly not conducted by well-paid harvesters.
  • We must close primaries. A person should not be allowed to vote in either primary.
  • We need more transparency at the polls by ensuring that poll watchers in Texas are not obstructed from observing the counting of ballots.

Take Action:

  1. Contact the members of the House Calendars Committee and ask them to schedule HB 6 for debate on the House floor. The committee members are listed below my signature. If you are a constituent (within one of the house member’s district), be sure to let them know.
  2. Contact your state representative and ask him or her to support HB 6.  Use this link to find out who represents you in the state legislature.
  3. Forward this information to family and friends.

Please Pray:

  1. Pray that Texas maintains a level of integrity in our election procedures and processes and that citizens hold them accountable to do so.
  2. Pray that the results of our elections will produce public servants who respect the citizens and protect their dignity and freedoms.
  3. Pray for the leadership of our state, Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, and Speaker Dade Phelan (R-District 21), that God’s wisdom and purpose is their ever-driving goal.

Elections have grave consequences: “When the righteous increase, the people rejoice, but when a wicked man rules, people groan.” – Proverbs 29:2 (NAS)

Ann Hettinger
State Director

House Calendars Committee Members: 

Mar 31 2021
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Who Gets to Compete in Women’s Sports Competitions?

By | Texas | No Comments

Fair competition and equality in women’s sports are being threatened. Individual male born athletes should not be eligible to participate on an athletic team that is exclusively for females – from kindergarten to high school to college (NCAA).

Many biological girls train and work hard to excel in their chosen sport with the goal of a college scholarship. When a biological boy who thinks he’s a girl is allowed to compete with the biological girls because of his natural endurance and strength, he steals the prize.

Texas House Bill 1458, a bill to help ensure fairness in women’s sports, has been introduced by Rep. Valoree Swanson (R-Dist. 150). The bill is assigned to the State Affairs Committee but has not been assigned a hearing. The chairman and members of the committee need to hear from you (particularly if you are a constituent of a committee member) about the importance of ensuring girls have a fair playing field in sports.

Visit Concerned Women for America’s (CWA) Standing with Female Athletes page for timely resources on this issue. Download and distribute CWA’s Protecting Women’s Sports CWA Fact Sheet.

Take Action:

  1. Contact the members of the House State Affairs Committee and ask them to support HB 1458 and give it a hearing. The committee members are listed below my signature. If you are a constituent, be sure to let them know.
  2. Contact your state representative and ask him or her to support HB 1458. Use this link to find out who represents you in the state legislature.
  3. Forward this information to family and friends.

Pray:

  1. Pray that Texas state representatives will not be overcome with timidity and “political correctness” and will handle this issue with positive and fair wisdom for the girls and women of Texas.
  2. Pray for the young women who are called upon to stand strong against this adversity in the face of the “cancel culture.” Pray they will come forward to give testimony.
  3. Pray for Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Governor Dan Patrick, and Speaker Dade Phelan that they may support and defend the birthright of every young girl in Texas.

“God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” Genesis 1:27 NAS

Ann Hettinger
State Director

House State Affairs Committee Members
Rep. Chris Paddie, Chairman (R-District 9) 512-463-0556 | Email
Rep. Ana Hernandez, Vice Chairman (D- District 143) 512-463-0614| Email
Rep. Joe Deshotel (D- District 22) 512-463-0662 | Email
Rep. Sam Harless (R- District 126) 512-463-0496 | Email
Rep. Donna Howard (D- District 48) 512-463-0631 | Email
Rep. Todd Hunter (R- District 32) 512-463-0672 | Email
Rep. Phil King (R- District 61) 512-463-0738 | Email
Rep. Eddie Lucio III (D- District 38) 512-463-0606 | Email
Rep. Will Metcalf (R- District 16) 512-463-0726 | Email
Rep. Richard Pena Raymond (D- District 42) 512-463-0558 | Email
Rep. Matt Shaheen (R- District 66) 512-463-0594 | Email
Rep. Shelby Slawson (R- District 59) 512-463-0628 | Email
Rep. John T. Smithee (R- District 86) 512-463-0702 | Email

Mar 30 2021
0
Texas flag

Texas Legislative Session – Bill Status

By | Texas | No Comments

Texas Legislative Session Status

Updated: March 28, 2021

Here is the current status of state bills that Concerned Women for America (CWA) of Texas is supporting or opposing in the state legislature.

HB 525– Rep. Matt Shaheen (R- District 66)
Text:  Texas Legislature Online – 87(R) Text for HB 525
Title of the bill: Relating to the protection of religious organizations.
Co-Authors: Anderson, Ashby, Bell, Keith, Cason, Middleton, Parker, Patterson, Slaton, Stephenson, Swanson, Thompson, E, Tinderholt, Vasut
Companion bill in Senate: None
Committee:  House State Affairs
Committee Hearing: March 25, 2021, Left pending in committee

HB 567 – Rep. James Frank (R- District 69)
Text: Texas Legislature Online – 87(R) Text for HB 567
Title of the bill: Relating to the procedures and grounds for terminating the parent-child relationship involving the Department of Family and Protective Services.
Co-Authors: Swanson
Companion bill in Senate: Identical – SB 190 – Sen. Bryan Hughes (R- District 1)
Committee:  House Juvenile Justice & Family Issues
Committee Hearing date:  Heard in Committee on March 8.  Passed and Referred to Calendars Committee, March 22, 2021

HB 574 – Rep. Greg Bonnen (R- District 24)
Text:  Texas Legislature Online – 87(R) Text for HB 574
Title of the bill: Relating to the prevention of fraud in the conduct of an election.
Co-Authors: Goldman, Anderson, Ashby, Cain, Cook, Dean, Ellzey, Holland, King, Phil, Leman, Metcalf, Middleton, Parker, Paul, Sanford, Slaton, Spiller, Tinderholt
Companion bill in Senate: Identical – SB 1514 – Sen. Larry Taylor (R-11)
Committee:  House Elections Committee
Committee Hearing date:  Heard in Committee on March 18. Committee Substitute voted favorably, March 35, 2021.

HB 1165 – Rep. Shelby Slawson (R- District 59)
Text: Texas Legislature Online – 87(R) History for HB 1165
Title of the bill: Relating to prohibiting abortions after detection of an unborn child’s heartbeat; authorizing an administrative penalty.
Co-Authors: None
Companion bill in Senate: SB 8 – Sen. Bryan Hughes (R-1) is similar but not identical
Committee:  House Public Health
Committee Hearing date:  No date for a committee hearing as of now.

HB 1458 – Rep. Valoree Swanson – (R- District 150)
Text: Texas Legislature Online – 87(R) Text for HB 1458
Title of the bill: Relating to the separation based on biological sex of athletics teams sponsored by a public school or institution of higher education.
Co-Authors: (76-majority of House) Slawson, White, Noble, Allison, Anderson, Ashby, Bailes, Bell, Cecil; Bell, Keith; Biedermann, Bonnen, Buckley, Burns, Burrows, Cain, Capriglione, Cason, Clardy, Cook, Craddick, Cyrier, Darby, Dean, Ellzey, Frank, Frullo, Gates, Geren, Harless, Harris, Hefner, Holland, Hull, Jetton, Kacal, King, Ken; King, Phil; Klick. Krause, Kuempel, Lambert, Landgraf, Larson, Leach, Leman, Lozano, Metcalf, Middleton, Morrison, Murphy, Murr, Oliverson, Paddie, Parker, Patterson, Paul, Price, Raney, Rogers, Sanford, Schaefer, Schofield, Shaheen, Shine, Slaton, Smith, Smithee, Spiller, Stephenson, Stucky, Thompson, Ed; Tinderholt, Toth, VanDeaver, Vasut, Wilson
Companion bill in Senate: SB 373 – Sen. Charles Perry (R-District 28) Similar but not identical
Committee:  House State Affairs
Committee Hearing date:  No date for a committee hearing as of now.

HB 2300– Rep. Tan Parker (R- District 63)
Text:  Texas Legislature Online – 87(R) Text for HB 2300
Title of the bill: Relating to the offense of solicitation of prostitution, civil racketeering related to human trafficking, and common and public nuisances related to certain criminal conduct, including prostitution; increasing a criminal penalty; making conforming changes.
Co-Authors: None
Companion bill in Senate: None
Committee:  House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee
Committee Hearing date:  No date for a committee hearing as of now.

HB 4498– Rep. Briscoe Cain (R- District 128)
Text: Texas Legislature Online – 87(R) Text for HB 4498
Title of the bill: Relating to compliance with the National Voter Registration Act.
Co-Authors: None
Companion bill in Senate: None
Committee:  He is chairman of the House Elections Committee to which this will probably be assigned
Committee Hearing date:  No date for a committee hearing as of now.

SB 8 – Senator Bryan Hughes (R- District 1)
Text: Texas Legislature Online – 87(R) Text for SB 8
Title of the bill: Relating to abortion, including abortions after detection of an unborn child’s heartbeat; authorizing a private civil right of action.
Co-Authors: 16 including one Democrat, Sen. Eddie Lucio, Jr. (D- District 27)  Sen. Robert Nichols (R- District 3) and Sen. Kel Seliger (R- District 31) have not yet signed on.
Companion bill in House: HB 1165 – Rep. Shelby Slawson (R- District 59) Similar but not identical
Committee:  Senate State Affairs
Committee Hearing date:  Heard on March 16, 2021.  Passed from committee and is on the intent calendar for March 23.

SB 26 – Sen. Angela Paxton (R-District 8)
Text: Texas Legislature Online – 87(R) Text for SB 26
Title of the bill: Relating to the prohibited suspension of laws protecting religious freedom and prohibited closure of places of worship.
Co-Authors: Buckingham, Campbell, Creighton, Hall, Hancock, Hughes, Nelson, Perry, Schwertner, Springer, Bettencourt, Kolkhorst, Lucio, Nichols, Taylor, West.
Companion bill in House:  HB 1239 – Rep. Scott Sanford (R- District 70) is identical
Companion bill in Senate:  SB 251 – Sen. Angela Paxton  (R- District 8) is identical
Committee:  Senate State Affairs
Committee Hearing date:  Heard on March 15.  Committee Substitute voted favorably, March 17
Floor debate:  March 25, 2021, Reported engrossed!

SB 316 – Sen. Joan Huffman (R- District 17)
Text: Texas Legislature Online – 87(R) Text for SB 316
Title of the bill: Relating to requirements for human trafficking awareness and prevention in commercial lodging establishments; authorizing a civil penalty.
Co-Authors: None
Companion bill in House: None
Committee:  Senate Jurisprudence
Committee Hearing date:  No date for a committee hearing as of now.

SB 442 – Senator Bryan Hughes (R- District 1)
Text: Texas Legislature Online – 87(R) Text for SB 442
Title of the bill: Relating to local school health advisory councils and health education provided by school districts, including requirements regarding human sexuality instruction.
Co-Authors: None
Companion bill in House: HB 3872 – Rep. Harold Dutton (D- District 142) is identical.  Dutton is chair of House Education Committee.
Committee: Senate Education Committee
Committee Hearing date:  Heard in Committee on March 25.  Left Pending.

HERE ARE ACTIONS YOU CAN TAKE:

  • If a bill has been filed, and assigned to a committee, you can ask your Legislators to sign on as co-authors.
  • If it has been filed in one chamber and not in the other, you can ask your Representative or Senator to file it in the opposite chamber.
  • If it has not yet been heard in committee and your Senator or Representative is on that committee, you can ask them to use their influence to get a hearing date set.
  • If it is scheduled to be heard and you have relevant testimony, please make an effort to go to Austin and be present for that hearing. If you can go but prefer not to testify, please go and sign in supporting the bill.
  • If it has been passed in a House Committee, you can ask members of the House Calendars Committee to schedule it for action on the floor of the House.
  • If it has been passed in a Senate Committee, you can ask your senator to vote to support bringing it to debate on the Senate floor.
  • If it has passed the House Chamber or if it has passed the Senate Chamber, the next action will be in the opposite chamber and all of these actions will be appropriate there.

 

Information on Committee Hearings:


For bills in House Committees:
A live video broadcast of this hearing will be available here. Instructions related to public access to the meeting location and health and safety protocols for attending this meeting are available here. Texas residents who wish to electronically submit comments related to agenda items on this notice without testifying in person can do so until the hearing is adjourned by visiting here. 

For bills in Senate Committees:
Those wishing to give public testimony, please limit prepared remarks to 2 minutes. If submitting written testimony, please submit 30 copies, with your name on each copy, to the Committee during the hearing. To protect the health and safety of members, staff and the public, the Senate Education Committee will strictly follow all Senate rules relating to the pandemic, including the requirement for a negative COVID-19 test to enter the hearing room.

The Texas State Senate – Senate Live Broadcasts  To watch one of today’s live streaming broadcasts, find your desired program to the left and click the “play” button. Today’s programs are listed by their scheduled start time.

Feb 28 2021
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Texas flag

Dinner Cruise and Lobby Day – March 16 & 17

By | Texas | No Comments

The days are passing quickly. The Texas legislature has been in session for almost six weeks now. In the State House of Representatives, 2,219 bills and 93 proposed constitutional amendments have been filed. In the State Senate, 769 bills and 30 proposed constitutional amendments have been filed. Each one of these bills and amendments could make a significant impact on you and your family, your community, and our state.

March 16 Event: CWA of Texas Dinner Cruise
Concerned Women for America (CWA) of Texas is hosting a dinner cruise on Tuesday evening, March 16. In addition to fun, you will enjoy good food and be informed on current issues by outstanding speakers on one of two riverboats. Speakers include CWA’s policy experts from Washington D.C.: Legal Counsel Mario Diaz, Esq. and Vice President of Government Relations Doreen Denny. You will also hear from state leaders and more.

Here are the details:
Date: Tuesday, March 16
Time: 5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Location: Austin

Click here for all the details on the dinner cruise, including how to register for the event and information on our block of hotel rooms.

March 17: Texas Faith and Family Day at the Capitol

Join Concerned Women for America (CWA) of Texas, like-minded organizations, and conservatives at the “Texas Faith and Family Day at the Capitol” in Austin on Wednesday, March 17. There will be a legislative briefing on a variety of topics followed by lunch. Topics include the lives of both born and unborn babies, sex education in our schools, protection for females in sports, religious freedom, election integrity, and more.

Here are the details:
Date: Wednesday, March 17
Time: 8:30 a.m. – 1:15 +
Location: Near Texas Capitol in Austin
For more information and tickets for the session and lunch can be reserved here.

You are also invited to make an appointment to visit with your representative and senator that afternoon. See the information below my signature line on how to set up your appointment.

Do you really want to make a difference?!  Make plans now to attend both events!  And be sure to invite some friends!

“When the godly are in authority, the people rejoice …” Proverbs 29:2

Ann Hettinger
State Director

PS: Here is how to make an appointment to see your state representative and/or senator:

  1. Contact your state representative and state senator and request an appointment.
  2. If you do not know who your legislators are, click here. Enter your address and press search.
Feb 10 2021
0
Texas flag

Join Us for a Policy Update Aboard a Dinner Boat Cruise!

By | Texas | No Comments

Concerned Women for America (CWA) of Texas is actively engaged in the Texas legislature’s 87th legislative session. We are monitoring bills that affect the things we hold dear: our deeply held faith and precious Texas families.

But we also want to have some FUN!

We invite you to join us on a riverboard cruise in Austin for a fun and informative evening. We will hear from two of CWA’s national policy experts: General Counsel, Mario Diaz, Esq., Doreen Denny, Vice President of Government Relations, and CWA of Texas State Director, Ann Hettinger.

As a special treat while on the cruise boats, we will watch a unique Austin spectacle as the Mexican free-tail bats leave their bat colonies at the Congress Avenue Bridge!

Event Details
Date: Tuesday, March 16, 2021
Time: 5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Location: The cruise boats depart from the Hyatt Regency Boat Dock, 208 Barton Springs Road, Austin, Texas
Cost: $70/person. Purchase tickets here.
Flyer: Click here to view and print the flyer. Feel free to print and distribute freely.

Additional Event: We also invite you to spend the night and attend the Texas Faith & Family Day at the Capitol on Wednesday, March 17. Click for more information and to register for the Wednesday event.

Hotel Information: We have secured a group rate for the Hyatt House Downtown University Hotel, 901 Neches St. Austin, TX 78701

  • Book your room at 888-479-0125 (let them know you with the Legislative Day block) or online (use the group code G-LEGD)
  • Overnight parking is $20 (extends to the conclusion of Wednesday’s Faith & Family Day activities.)
  • A complimentary breakfast is available for guests.
  • The hotel registration deadline for the group rate is March 2, 2021.

“Therefore, encourage one another and build one another up, just as you also are doing.”
~1 Thessalonians 5:11

Please forward this on to friends and family and encourage them to attend along with you.

We are excited to spend time with you!

In gladness and sincerity of heart,

Ann Hettinger
State Director

 

Sep 19 2020
0

What Can You Do? Check This Out!

By | Texas | No Comments

Kathaleen Wall
She Prays, She Votes Texas Director

Valoree Swanson
Texas State Representative (Republican – District 150)

Angela Paxton
TexasState Senator
(Republican – District 8)

Candy Noble
Texas State Representative – District 89

Kathy Hall
Wife of Texas Senate  Senator Bob Hall (District 2)

Sep 18 2020
0

CWA of Texas Leaders Gather for She Prays, She Votes

By | Texas | No Comments

On Tuesday, September 15, 2020, Concerned Women for America (CWA) of Texas leaders gathered on the shores of Lake Ray Hubbard in Rockwall for a Facebook Live event to share the work of their She Prays, She Votes campaign and to encourage the Facebook Live viewers to also get involved with the campaign.

CWA of Texas leaders (from L-R) Kori Peterson, East Texas Area Director, Avinger, Texas; Mary Liechty, Hostess, Heath, Texas; Danielle Buck, CWA Director of Donor Relations, Washington, D.C.; Mary Smith, North Texas Area Director, Arlington, Texas; Kathaleen Wall, Texas State Director for She Prays, She Votes, Sugarland, Texas; Carolyn Brooks, Home Team Captain, Euless, Texas; Lindsey McCaffety, Prayer Action/Chapter Leader, Huntsville, Texas; Betty Ann Reynolds, Prayer Action/Chapter Leader, Midway, Texas; Ann Hettinger, CWA of Texas State Director, Rockwall, Texas; Catherine Shaver, Prayer/Action Leader, Austin, Texas; Vicki Slaton, Prayer/Action Leader, Sunnyvale, Texas; Paula Moore, Texas Issues Coordinator, San Antonio, Texas; Ilan Huang, Prayer/Action Leader, Round Rock, Texas.

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