2015-2016 PUBLIC POLICY PRIORITIES
2015-2016 PUBLIC POLICY PRIORITIES CLC commissioners have reviewed and approved the following public policy priorities for 2015-2016. While not exhaustive or fully inclusive of all the advocacy work done by the CLC, these priorities will serve as a guide for the work of the CLC public policy staff for 2015-2016. In January 2015, we will have a new governor, lieutenant governor, as many as 5 new state senators and more than 20 representatives. Because of the large number of new state officials, part of the CLC’s work will be establishing new relationships and educating them on our history. During the 84th Legislative Session, state lawmakers will face a diverse array of issues including: funding for state services, access to healthcare, transportation infrastructure, expansion of gambling, regulation of payday loan companies and funding enrollment growth for public education. The complexity of the issues, the experience gap, and the shifting political environment will make our work more challenging, but we are committed to working in a non-partisan manner to promote the general welfare of Texas citizens, with special attention given to protecting the marginalized, through biblically sound public policy objectives. Working to promote the general welfare of Texas citizens will also require working at the federal level with our US Representatives and Senators. To that end, these public policy priorities are meant to guide our work at the federal level as well.
The CLC will monitor bills and take appropriate action on these legislative priorities. Additionally, throughout the session the CLC will send regular updates on the status of issues and will periodically send time-sensitive alerts to let people know when their voice can have the greatest impact with lawmakers.
Alcohol and Addiction •
Support raising the excise tax on beer, wine and spirits in order to reduce under-age drinking and raise funds for both public education and the General Revenue Fund.
Criminal Justice •
Support the adoption of additional safeguards to detect and protect the innocent throughout Texas criminal justice proceedings.
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Support continued improvements in the juvenile justice system, including measures that promote rehabilitation and community-based treatment.
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Support efforts to assist in the transition of ex-offenders back into society through the development and expansion of re-entry programs, including access to basic safety-net services for those who have completed their sentence.
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Support funding for the prison chaplaincy program within the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) and ensure access to chaplain services by all inmates.
Education •
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Support access to quality public education for all Texas students, including the provision of adequate funds for the “general diffusion of knowledge” as required by the Texas Constitution. Oppose the diversion of funds from public schools to fund attendance at private sectarian schools. Support funding to expand dropout prevention and dropout recovery programs. Support state funding for quality, full-day universal pre-kindergarten for all Texas children. Support access and availability of adult education and ESL classes for all adults.
Energy and Environment • •
Support clean and efficient energy policies to address Texas’ rising energy needs. Support water planning, conservation, and efficiency to ensure sufficient resources for the growing population of Texas.
Gambling Expansion •
Oppose legislation for the introduction and expansion of predatory gambling enterprises including casinos, “racinos,” Internet gambling, slot machine-like devices, sweepstakes machines, and instant racing machines in order to generate state revenue.
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Support legislation to enhance regulation, prosecution, and penalties for illegal game rooms that operate eight-liners, sweepstakes machines, or other illegal gambling activities.
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Support legislation to abolish the Texas Lottery Commission by using data to demonstrate the predatory nature of the lottery.
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Support legislation to restrict state agencies' rule-making authority to introduce electronic versions of instant scratch lottery tickets, instant pulltab bingo tickets, sweepstakes, and pari-mutuel wagering.
Health Care •
Support expanding access to quality, affordable health care for all Texans.
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Encourage a Texas solution to provide affordable health care through state and federal partnerships.
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Support programs that encourage primary care physicians to practice in medically underserved areas.
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Support programs that help more families access services and supports that help children with serious mental health issues be successful at home, in school, and in their communities.
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Support programs that incentivize mental health professionals to practice with medically underserved populations.
Hunger and Nutrition •
Strengthen programs to prevent hunger among high-need populations including children, homeless, rural, and elderly Texans.
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Improve access to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) through outreach and technology to help eligible families avoid food insecurity and afford a nutritious diet.
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Support local and fresh food access for all Texans by supporting community gardens, urban agriculture programs, and farmer’s markets across the state.
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Support continued funding for the Health and Humans Services Commission’s pilot project that provides for the use of WIC and SNAP benefits at farmer’s markets.
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Support legislation to strengthen accountability in SNAP and TANF administration to ensure needed assistance is available to participants for intended purposes and not siphoned by fraudulent behavior or predatory industries.
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Support nutrition education designed to decrease obesity among Texans, especially those who rely on social safety-net programs.
Human Trafficking and Immigration •
Support efforts to protect and care for victims of human trafficking, including adjustments in the regulatory structure to accommodate best practices for victim services.
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Support efforts to provide training for law enforcement regarding human trafficking and encourage law enforcement to pursue those who trade in and profit from human trafficking.
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Support border security and law enforcement policies consistent with humanitarian values.
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Support efforts to make immigration policy more consistent with the needs of American businesses and immigrant workers.
Predatory Lending •
Support legislation to reduce the cost of small dollar lending in Texas and limit fees charged on payday and auto title loans that increase the likelihood of a person getting caught in a cycle of debt.
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Support legislation that exempts participants in public assistance programs from the exorbitant fees associated with the predatory payday and auto title loan industry.
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Support legislation to strengthen and clarify local data reporting requirements of payday and auto title businesses.
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Support legislation to protect the right of local municipalities to enact ordinances stronger than state consumer protections.
Religious Liberty •
Support efforts to protect the right of churches and religious non-profits to make employment decisions, facility use determinations, and doctrinal statements consistent with their religious convictions and beliefs.
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Support the separation of church and state by opposing the use of public funds for tuition at private religious schools.
