Burnt Orange Report

HJR 6 Update

By Karl-Thomas Musselman

The chair of our UDems GLBT Caucus has gotten some info back from our State Senators on where they stand on HJR 6, recently passed out of the Hate Affairs Committee in the House 6-1. Since the House is not the best ground to fight this battle, here is the scoop on the Senate Democrats. All of these were in the Senate for the 2003 vote on the Texas Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). Three Democrats supported that, Madla, Lucio and Armbrister (a co-sponsor!). We need 11 of the 12 to kill the bill.

Senator Gonzalo Barrientos: (D-14th District) Does not support this legislation.

Senator Rodney G. Ellis: (D- 13th District) Will not form an opinion until bills comes to the senate, but voted against the 2003 Defense of Marriage Act and is committed to the civil rights of all people regardless of lifestyle.

Senator Mario Gallegos: (D-6th District) Firmly against the policy and a major force against the legislation.

Senator Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa (D-20th District) "The Senator believes these kinds of amendments are ridiculous and has consistly voted against them."

Senator Royce West (D-23rd District) Awaiting a return call (but likely against the bill)

Senator John Whitmire (D-15th District) "Has not specifically spoken to the Senator on this legislations but is against discrimination and will vote with his gay and lesbian constiuates.

Senator Leticia Van de Putte (D-26th District) Awaiting a call from legislative aid, but "the senator is for equal rights."

Senator Eliot Shapleigh (D-29th District) "The Senator is against theses amendments"

Senator Judith Zaffirini (D-21st District) Awaiting a return call from her office. (but likly to vote against it)

Senator Ken Armbrister (D-18th District) No opinion, very impatient with me, was in a hurry to get me off the phone.

Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr. (D-27th District) No opinion, listening to all sides.

Senator Frank Madla (D-19th District) "Doesn't feel that this is appropriate to be in the state constitution"

So it looks like we have 8 of the 11 votes needed to kill these bills in the Senate. I anticipate that the two Senators that I'm awaiting return calls from (that didn't state any opinion) will vote our way as well. That gives us 10 of 11.

Something else that might be a snag, a few of the offices that I called said that the office doesn't consider House bill until they leave the house and enter the Senate.

Lucio is the swing vote. Armbrister is pretty much a DINO. Lucio will probably do the right thing if preasured enough.

So we are going to see if we can find a delegation of UT students from Brownsville / south TX and request a meeting with Lucio on the matter. I'll keep you updated.