senate

OPINION: Upcoming Legislative Session Poses Threat for LGBTQ Texans

The Texas Legislative session for 2023 began on Jan. 10 and runs through May 29, 2023. Republicans control both chambers. Some bills on the agenda threaten LGBTQ Texans and women’s reproductive rights.

by Foster Milburn

Every two years, Texas representatives meet for a consecutive 140-day period. The sessions include the discussion and passing of bills that affect all Texans. We, as Texans, vote for these representatives to represent us from all 150 Texas House districts across the state, but most people need to understand how these bills pass. Understanding this element is crucial as voting is more than just who is elected governor.

After a bill is passed in both the House and Senate, it is sent to the governor for signing. The last legislative session took place in 2021 and brought much attention to itself.

During this time, two bills passed directly affecting women and critical race theory, such as House Bill 1280 after the overturn of Roe v. Wade and the “critical race theory bill” that severely restricted the teaching of current and past events.

History won’t be erased, but we must learn and move forward from mistakes made and committed in the past. You can track these and more bills on the Equality Texas website, the official state LGBTQ advocacy organization.

This upcoming session will directly attack LGBTQ Texans with laws similar to the ones passed in 2021 that restrict transgender individuals and their access to essential healthcare such as hormone therapy.

In November 2022, Texas Representative Tony Tinderholt (R-Arlington) hired 22-year-old Jake Neidort as his office’s legislative director. Jake was a UNT student who advocated against transgender equality alongside his twin sister, who was seen in a TikTok video designing fliers, stating, “Criminalize Child Transitions.”

In 2021, videos emerged on social media showcasing the harassment of local drag queens in Dallas, Texas. One was of a man who was driven by a queen who had just left a family-friendly drag brunch held at Mr. Mister, located in Oaklawn. Protests and harassment followed suit. Protesters suggested that drag exposure to children is “abusive, pedophilic, and confuses children.” Dallas police showed up and helped those with children out of the area. A day to celebrate LGBTQ pride disrupted diversity with violence.

Now, in 2023, a bill on the agenda opens the discussion regarding children being in the presence of drag queens and LGBTQ culture in general. House Bill 643 states that any establishment, serving alcohol or not, would have to acquire a license that would require a registration fee and annual renewal. If a venue is found to violate this would be fined $4,000 and sentenced to a year in jail. In short, no more drag brunches for the inclusion of youth to be exposed to LGBTQ culture, even if family-friendly. This bill also brings up the fear of Pride festivals/parades becoming 21 years or older.

Pride parades are a time for all ages of the queer community and allies to celebrate diversity. It is a space where people come to feel safe to celebrate the queer community. This exposure is vital, especially for Texas youth, as being a minor can feel very isolating for younger queer people. I know this because that was me, as a native Texan.

Rain, a gay bar on 4th St., holds drag shows throughout the week. At Rain, Tuesdays and Wednesdays are 18 and up, according to Scott Percifull, a partner and general manager of Rain. “So there’s no opportunity for anyone under that age to get in,” he said, “it would be very challenging to enforce.”

The bill states that any business classified as a sexually oriented business would have to be a certain distance from any school or church in the area. When asked his thoughts, Percifull said, “It is restrictive. It is two steps shy of getting into private businesses and saying you can’t do that because we disagree with the culture.” Restrictions similar to HB 643, alongside other enforcements, foreshadow the hypocrisy as Texas is a state that dislikes rules concerning small businesses.

Parents assert that children should be able to make their own choices, yet when parents who do support the LGBTQ community want to expose their children to all things Pride, it’s wrong? Unfortunately, a brick wall divides the state of Texas into two sides. The side that wants to celebrate diversity and move to a more inclusive world, and the ones who want to bully the LGBTQ community out of the state.

Opinion: Democrats Had The Best Midterm in Decades…Thanks to Generation Z

Nov. 8 midterm elections were predicted to be a “red wave” of Republicans taking the House and Senate. Instead, we saw more of a trickle due to a record turnout in several key states from youths under 30.

Opinion by Ky Duffey

The U.S. midterm elections occur every two years and are often seen as a referendum of the current President’s performance. And for the past 80 years, Americans have sent a clear message that the President’s performance has sucked at the point of midterms.

Since 1934, every President except two have lost members of their own party in the House and/or Senate. Only two Presidents have defeated the odds by retaining or gaining seats in both chambers: Presidents George W. Bush and now Joe Biden.

During the 2002 midterm elections, President Bush received a bi-partisan rally behind him in the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks. His response to the attacks conjoined with one of the few times in history when we became a united nation bringing both political parties together to not only help him gain seats in the House and Senate, but also overwhelmingly get re-elected two years later.

Here we are now, 20 years later, at the country’s most critical midterm election in recent years. But this time, there is no national event rallying the country behind the President. As a matter of fact, in the week prior to Election Day, Biden’s approval rating was 42%. Even Trump had a 45% approval rating during his midterm at which he lost 40 House seats.

Instead of a terrorist attack, all eyes were on inflation and rising prices this year. That was, until June 24 of this year, when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that abortion was not a constitutional right during the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization proceedings. The overturn of abortion rights allowed several states to initiate near or total bans on abortion, resulting in outcries from a majority of Americans – over 60%, in fact, who didn’t support the bans.

While abortion was able to propel Democrats ahead in the polls, most Americans had inflation and new talks of crime by Republicans on their mind. It showed in the polls and by election experts that Democrats had a 13% chance of retaining the Senate and an 8% chance of retaining the House. Things started to look grim for Democrats as election night drew near with some Republicans already setting up speeches and stage decorations to announce the new Republican majority in Congress.

Then election night sent a shockwave throughout the country.

A sudden record breaking turnout of a certain demographic of early voters rapidly swung the pendulum in the Democrats favor: young voters.

Yes, people under 25 or Generation Z (GenZ) were the loudest voices in the midterms, placing over a million more votes than other groups and surpassing their turnout record in any previous midterm as well as the 2020 presidential elections. According to dozens of political pundits, GenZ, who normally votes in favor of Democrats, placed more interest in the 2022 midterm election than any prior election.

Due to those turnouts in key states, Democrats were able to defy the odds and not only retain a majority in the Senate, but retain and pick up more seats in the House, narrowing the gap of their minority in the House by just seven votes as of today – a far cry from the 45 or more seat net loss that was predicted just a day before.

In the end, Democrats did manage to lose their majority in the House, but overall, they won the midterms. And they have young voters to thank for this unique achievement.

But why this midterm? Some experts believe abortion rights was a bigger issue among young voters than inflation and high gas prices. Teenage women are more likely to have late abortions than adults, and abortion limits have much more of an impact on a young person than an adult.

Other experts point to the looming shadow of Donald Trump and his influence on the current Republican Party. Trump left quite a stain on voters, especially young voters, as they turned out in record numbers to oust the former president in 2020.

With that being said, has the power dynamics shifted in terms of voter demographics? Will more polls pursue GenZ answers? Will this surge of growing young voters be a continuing trend, or simply a one time rebuttal of certain policies and candidates?

As Republicans scramble with how to approach voters and rebrand themselves before 2024, I recommend Democrat leadership listen to the youth and their needs – they may be the lifeline of the Democrat Party for the foreseeable future.

How To Register To Vote

It’s 2022 which means another midterm election is upon us. While President Biden won’t be on the ballot this year, his ability to further his plans and agenda will be at stake. It is our responsibility as engaged citizens to ensure our voices are heard at the ballot box.

Story by Ky Duffey

Edited by Pete Ramirez

How Do I Register to Vote?

Voter registration is simple for those who have not yet registered. All you need to do is:

Meet the requirements listed below
Complete a voter registration application
Submit your completed application to your county election office no later than 30 days prior to the election date.

However, if you want to vote in the Texas state primary elections for statewide positions on March 1, 2022, you will need to submit the application by Monday, January 31, 2022.

In order to register to vote in the State of Texas, you have to meet the following requirements:

Be a United States citizen
Be a resident of the county where you submit the application
You are at least 17 years and 10 months old, and you are 18 years of age on Election Day.
You are not a convicted felon (you may be eligible to vote if you have completed your sentence, probation and parole)
You have not been declared by a court exercising probate jurisdiction to be either totally mentally incapacitated or partially mentally incapacitated without the right to vote.

People casting their ballots in a row, each covered by privacy cubicles. — Voters casting their votes on Election Day. (Photo: Paul J. Richards/AFP/Getty Images)

What Are Midterm Elections?

They are called “midterm” because they happen in the middle of a presidential term.

Apart from the general and special elections, the midterm election refers to the type of election where the people are given an opportunity to elect their congressional representatives and other subnational officeholders such as the governor and members of the local council.

Every two years, every seat in the U.S. House of Representatives is up for re-election. In the Senate, Senators serve 6-year terms. This year, a little over a third of the Senate is up for re-election, with 14 Democratic Senators as well as 20 Republican Senators.

Both Texas Senators, Ted Cruz and John Cornyn will not be up for re-election this year.

Because most states schedule state elections along the same lines as Congressional elections, Texas’ governor, Greg Abbott, and members of the state Legislature will be on the ballot this year.

It is essential that you research more on which members at the state level will be seeking re-election as well as the state laws that will be up for a public vote at the ballot box.

***Governor Greg Abbott is up for re-election this year. His primary challenger is former US Representative, Beto O’Rourke* *SOURCE***

Why are Midterm Elections Important?

In order for a President to enact an agenda, they need a majority vote in both the House and Senate. Without a majority, much of a President’s agenda can be stalled or blocked completely, which can affect the administration’s standing among the public.

If a President has a majority of members of their own party in the House and Senate, that President has a better chance of delivering on their campaign promises.

Unlike the President, the House and Senate are voted in by popular vote. Depending on which party you support, your participation in midterm elections can determine which laws make it to the President’s desk or not.

When Are The Midterm Elections?

The midterms will take place on November 8, 2022.

As a resident of Texas, you’ll be able to vote for your respective House Representative, the Governor and certain state Legislature members as well as any laws that may be up for a public vote in your area.

Use this link to find who represents you in the House of Representatives.

Use this link to find out who represents you in the state Legislature.

Call your county election office for further questions or concerns about this year’s elections.

The late civil rights activist and Congressman John Lewis once said, “The right to vote is precious, almost sacred. It is the most powerful non-violent tool or instrument in a democratic society. We must use it.”

Beto O’Rourke Gaining Popularity

Written by Sean Anchondo

Like a Rockstar, an anxious crowd of onlookers bursts into cheers as the El Paso Congressman, Beto O’Rourke, takes the stage. With sleeves rolled up and tie slightly pulled ajar, O’Rourke was set to deliver his message. He spoke with a sense of purpose, preaching togetherness and hope. The audience chomping at the bit.

Beginning at midnight, a packed venue was clamoring for photos with the U.S. Senate hopeful. After a rousing speech, Austinites of all ages stayed to take pictures with the candidate, despite it being in the wee hours of the morning.

Starting off, just 18-hours earlier, O’Rourke ended his night with one more speech at the Kerbey Lane restaurant right off the University of Texas Campus. Greeted with a near capacity restaurant, supporters anxiously waited to hear O’Rourke speak or to just take pictures.

After the event, O’Rourke said he was very “encouraged” and “grateful” by the outcome and support of all the events.

In Houston, O’Rourke was greeted with a rock and roll show and a huge turnout. He’s hosted town halls in a variety of places like Lubbock and Sugarland.

“Do more of the listening, and less of the talking,” O’Rourke says.

In the town hall format, O’Rourke has been able to hear many of the issues that are consistent around the state. Residents of the panhandle, Beaumont and Austin speak on health-related issues.

“[People want] healthcare and the ability to see a doctor,” says O’Rourke. ”

Manny Texans are buying into his message.

Currently, Beto O’Rourke is outraising incumbent Senator Ted Cruz. The campaign has raised about $2.4 million in the last few months. O’Rourke has made it clear he is not taking PAC (Political Action Committee) money, as to be seen as an authentic and a transparent representative.

Many young people have been deeply involved with this campaign, due to having access to the politician via social media. This has contributed to the large turnouts at the town halls throughout the state and other events. Donations to his website BetoforTexas.com is gaining steam as the election day nears.

Many see O’Rourke having a tough road ahead. A Democrat hasn’t won a Senate seat since 1994. The senate race in Texas in November is crucial if the Democrats want to flip the Senate this fall. Young Democratic Texan voters could cause the biggest upset in the upcoming Senate race.

Student Government Association Serves ACC

Written by Wes Eng

Since this past semester, the Student Government Association (SGA) has been working for you. SGA hosts events such as the talent show, DACA events, the Constitution Debate Day Celebration, book drives and more. The success of these events has been due to student contribution.

This semester brings some change to the structure of SGA. There will be a new Senate, promoting more student outreach to draw in more students. The new structure calls for Town Hall meetings on every campus. This will allow anyone to voice their opinions directly to SGA members. The intent of these meetings is to make easier for anyone at ACC to have their ideas heard. These ideas will then become the responsibility of the SGA.

This means SGA will take these ideas through the appropriate channels to make it a reality. The job of SGA has always been to ensure that every person at ACC has a voice and these Town Hall meetings will allow those who have not been heard to have their opportunity.

An ongoing project for SGA is the Open Education Resources. This project is working with the administration to supply classes with materials such as books and study materials, at no cost to the students. Several classes already offer this. “It’s still in the process, but every semester they add more classes,” says SGA President Richard Vega. “I’ve even taken one of these classes. It was a chemistry class where they used an open stacks chemistry textbook; which saves me $200 to $300. If you put this into the grand scheme of every student, that teacher might teach 4 or 5 sections, all those students are saving so much money. Those students
aren’t stuck working to pay off their textbooks, but instead, they are able to spend that time home studying instead. ”

Another ongoing project is opening of a 24-hour facility on the main ACC campuses. SGA hopes this will allow students an area where they can meet and study. SGA plans find how much an interest this has among the student population through a survey. The committee will also seek suggestions on what the students would like to be provided in these
24-hour facilities, if they do become a reality.