Heflin talks one way, and votes the other
By Byron LaMasters
I'm pleased that State Rep. Talmadge Heflin (R-Houston) has cared for an African-American child from a home that couldn't care for him. But why does Heflin lament over the problem of the shamefully high incarceration rate of young Black males, but votes against programs to help remedy the problem?
The Austin American Statesman has the story for you:
Just as Rep. Talmadge Heflin, R-Houston, is running for re-election in a district that is increasingly minority, he got into an adoption battle over a youngster the Heflins felt they cared for more and better than his parents.
And it produced a comment in court from Heflin that drew some stinging remarks from people who indicated that if Heflin was right, he’s part of the reason.
“We all know the terrible problem that black male children have growing up into manhood without being in prison,” Heflin told the judge in the court hearing, as he and his wife fought for custody of the American-born son of African immigrant parents.
Heflin’s Houston House colleague, Democrat Garnet Coleman, who is African-American, said he felt for the parents and the child, and the Heflins – to a point.
“I hate to see anyone go through an emotionally wrenching situation like the one that the Heflins and their former employee are dealing with,” Coleman said in a press release. “Clearly, everyone involved cares deeply for the child.
“However, Rep. Helfin’s paternalistic remarks about black males clearly contradict his record as a legislator. If he truly wants to do something to keep young people out of prison, why did he pass a budget that cuts at-risk youth prevention programs by more than $27 million? Rep. Heflin’s actions do not match his words and his testimony can only be viewed as hypocritical grandstanding.”
Coleman went on to list a litany of other programs that had been cut as a result of the tight budget overseen by Heflin, in the face of Gov. Perry saying he’d veto any new taxes.
Typical Republican hypocrisy. They do a lot of talk about the problems that the poor, the downtrodden, racial minorities and working class families face, but their votes don't back up their talk.
Give the people of House District 149 representation in the state house that will back up the talk. Donate to Hubert Vo today.
Posted by Byron LaMasters at August 25, 2004 06:19 PM
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Yep, Heflin is your typical Republican, writ large. The guy has balls big as a Texas sunset. Now the question is how quickly will the Harris County DA, a conservative Republican, get around to investigating and prosecuting Heflin for perjury while testifying, and refer to the U.S.Attorney charges of harboring and employing an illegal and failure to pay the required taxes on her wages. I'm not holding my breath.
