Rep. Hupp had to stand up in opposition to Amendment 60(.pdf) that would prohibit homosexual or bisexual couples from being foster parents, even if they are a relative. Hupp said it, "pained her" to oppose Talton's amendment. She opposed the amendment because it has a HUGE packagefiscal note. This single provision would add about $8million in state expenses to investigate homosexual couples and would take kids out of 1,200 homes where they are now. This would also mean that if an employee of a group home center was gay or bisexual, potentially the entire group home would be closed and the children moved. (Uhm, there aren't enough foster parents to care for the children in the system today, without this amendment)
You can watch the 4/19/05 archived debate. It begins at 4:25 in the archived broadcast.
Villareal proposed an amendment that basically would include a 'don't as, don't tell' provision to prevent the CPS becoming the sexual orientation police. (Amendment to the Amendment FAILED, d'uh)
So, just so we are clear...Texas legislature does not care about what is best for a child, they care about making sure no faggot can be a selfless Texan citizen. So far: Hate 2, Good Legislation 0--Yes, we are keeping score.
Update: LGRL Statement in the comments.
Villareal asked Rep. Zedler how the state could investigate his sexuality? How could the state determine if Zedler went to a gentlemen's club or goes back to his office and looks at nasty porn? HAHA
We could answer that. We suspect: watersports.
Senfronia Thompson steps up to say, hate is a learned behavior. Correctamundo. Talton is first in the class.
The vote was recorded so whenever the House gets around to it you'll be able to check and see who needs a call. There were 81 Ayes 58 Nayes.
Thanks Randall, We added a link to the LGRL Blog post and Updated the post to note your statement. Let us know when the record vote is posted.
Umm... isn't this unconstitutional?
Radical Legislator Deals Major Blow to Texas Children
AUSTIN, TX- Texas families, particularly children, took a potentially devastating hit today from the Texas House of Representatives. Legislators voted to approve an extremely controversial, expensive, and damaging amendment to SB6, the bill designed to overhaul the child protective services system in our state. The amendment, filed by Rep. Robert Talton (R-Pasadena), bans same-sex couples from serving as foster parents.
Experts say the move will cost the state millions of dollars and seriously limit the pool of eligible foster parents, which is already grossly inadequate to deal with the number of children in the system.
Randall Ellis, Executive Director of the Lesbian/Gay Rights Lobby of Texas, said Texas children are being used as political pawns. âThis amendment is bad policy, plain and simple,â Ellis said. âItâs bad for Texas children. Itâs bad for Texas families, and itâs bad for the hard-working LGBT people of this state. Mr. Talton has taken aim at the LGBT community of Texas, and thousands of children are now caught in the crosshairs.â
Studies consistently show that the children of LGBT parents grow up to be just as healthy and stable as children raised in heterosexual homes.