Texas Legislative Black Caucus 1108 Lavaca St, Suite 110-PMB 171, Austin, TX 78701-2172

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Texas Legislative Black Caucus 1108 Lavaca St, Suite 110-PMB 171, Austin, TX 78701-2172 Texas Legislative Black Caucus 1108 Lavaca St, Suite 110-PMB 171, Austin, TX 78701-2172 Chairman, About Us Sylvester Turner The Texas Legislative Black Caucus was formed in 1973 and consisted of eight members. These founding District 139- Houston members were: Anthony Hall, Mickey Leland, Senfronia Thompson, Craig Washington, Sam Hudson, Eddie 1st Vice Chair Bernice Johnson, Paul Ragsdale, and G.J. Sutton. The Texas Legislative Black Caucus is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, Ruth McClendon non-partisan organization composed of 15 members of the Texas House of Representatives committed to District 120- San Antonio addressing the issues African Americans face across the state of Texas. Rep. Sylvester Turner is Chairman of the Texas Legislative Black Caucus for the 81st Session. State Senators Rodney Ellis and Royce West, the two 2nd Vice Chair Marc Veasey members who comprise the Senate Legislative Black Caucus, are included in every Caucus initiative as well. District 95- Fort Worth African American Legislative Summit Secretary In April 2009, the Texas Legislative Black Caucus, in conjunction with Prairie View A&M University and Texas Helen Giddings Southern University, hosted the 10th African American Legislative Summit in Austin at the Texas Capitol. District 109- Dallas Themed “The Momentum of Change,” the 2009 summit examined issues that impact African American Treasurer communities in Texas on a grassroots level and provided a forum for information-sharing and dialogue. The next Alma Allen African American Legislative Summit is set for February 28th – March 1st, 2011. District 131- Houston Recent Initiatives Parliamentarian Joe Deshotel Institute for Critical Urban Policy and Department of African & African Diaspora Studies District 22- Beaumont Chairman Turner spearheaded an effort with The University of Texas at Austin to establish the Institute for Critical Urban Policy and Black Studies Department, which will both launch in the fall of General Counsel 2010. The Institute will work closely with the Texas Legislature and serve to address and study issues Harold Dutton, Jr. District 142- Houston affecting the African-American and rapidly growing urban population in the state. African American Higher Ed Initiative Under the leadership of Senator Royce West, the Caucus is working with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and others to increase and retain the number of African-American students in colleges and universities in the state. U.S. Census 2010 Partnership The Texas Legislative Black Caucus is an official partner of the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau to reach minority and hard-to-count populations. As a part of this initiative, Caucus members promoted a variety of outreach events to educate their respective districts. Events included Census Sunday, which encouraged pastors and religious leaders to speak to their congregation about participation in the Census, and Community Leadership Meetings to empower other local leaders to spread the word about the Census. Paul Quinn College In July 2009, the TLBC began working with Paul Quinn College in Dallas, the state’s oldest historically black college, in efforts to ensure the college would stay open after the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) preliminarily removed its accreditation. Working with various stakeholders and helping to raise over $1 million for the college, the TLBC helped to ensure the school remained financially stable and viable. In August, Paul Quinn College’s accreditation was restored and in October the Caucus held a reception to welcome students to the new academic year on campus. E.O. Smith Middle School In June 2009, TLBC members teamed up with community leaders and parents to ensure the historical middle school in Houston’s fifth ward would stay open to serve the community after a decision by the Houston ISD Board to close the school due to low enrollment. A month later, the Board overturned the decision to close the school, working with the community and parents on a plan to increase enrollment and on long-term educational quality improvement goals. Minority Business Forum & Workshop In September 2009, the Caucus hosted a forum in Houston for historically underutilized businesses to discuss their experiences applying for contracts with the state. Prompted by concerns raised by a number of constituents, the forum began a dialogue between community leaders, businesses, and state agencies to ensure minority businesses receive full and equal access to state contracting opportunities. In October 2009, the Caucus hosted a workshop with the Texas Department of Housing & Community Affairs to inform businesses currently contracting with the department on best practices to increase minority business subcontracting opportunities. For more information on the Texas Legislative Black Caucus, call Rep. Turner’s office at 512-463-0554. Members: Barbara Mallory Caraway (District 110- Dallas), Garnet Coleman (District 147- Houston), Yvonne Davis (District 111- Dallas), Dawnna Dukes (District 46- Austin), Al Edwards (District 146- Houston), Senfronia Thompson (District 141-Houston) .
Recommended publications
  • Texas Association of Freestanding Emergency Centers
    Statewide Health Care Costs, Select Committee: The Honorable Greg Bonnen MD, Chair The Honorable Senfronia Thompson, Vice Chair The Honorable Garnet Coleman The Honorable Philip Cortez The Honorable James B. Frank The Honorable Cody Harris The Honorable Cole Hefner The Honorable Stephanie Klick The Honorable Eddie Lucio III The Honorable Christina Morales The Honorable Tom Oliverson MD October 1, 2020 Honorable Members of the Statewide Health Care Costs Select Committee, On behalf of The Texas Association of Freestanding Emergency Centers (TAFEC), we would like to submit the following information for the interim charges related to the information on health care costs in Texas. TAFEC is a member-based association representing more than 100 freestanding emergency centers and an industry which employs nearly five thousand Texans. As you may know, Freestanding Emergency Centers (FECs) are fully equipped emergency departments staffed by board-certified, emergency medicine-trained physicians and registered nurses who are on-site 24 hours a day, seven days a week. These facilities are fully equipped for all medical emergencies, are highly regulated by the state and comply with all state EMTALA requirements, which mandate treatment of all patients regardless of their ability to pay. FECs have been a valuable resource during this national health crisis in treating Texans as well as helping relieve pressure on overburdened hospitals. Many healthcare facilities first opted not to offer COVID-19 assessments, leaving FECs, hospitals, and government entities as the lone providers willing or able to take the risk. As the demand grew, it was not uncommon to see patients waiting for many of the government and community testing centers’ appointments for 7- 14 days after exposure or onset of symptoms, which put pressure on FECs for those patients seeking immediate care.
    [Show full text]
  • School Profile 2014-2015 Our Mission: About Us: Demographics
    MICKEY LELAND COLLEGE PREPARATORY ACADEMY FOR YOUNG MEN ACHIEVING SUCCESS THROUGH LEADERSHIP School Profile 2014-2015 Contact Us: 1510 Jensen Drive. Houston, TX 77020 · (713) 226-2668 · (713) 226-2680 · [email protected] Administrative Team: Dameion Crook, Principal · [email protected]; Sukhdeep Kaur, Dean of Instruction · [email protected]; Ali Abdin, Magnet · [email protected]; Ketina Willis, Administrator · [email protected]; Bonnie Salinas, Registrar · [email protected] Our Mission: Curriculum: To develop the full potential of every student by All our students participate in a rigorous college fostering an educational environment that encourages preparatory curriculum. This translates to 100% of critical thinking; inspires student confidence; and our students taking Pre-AP/AP classes every year. nurtures both the intellectual and social development AP Courses Offered: necessary to graduate college and become successful US History, Statistics, Us Gov, Macro Econ, Eng leaders in the global community. Lang, Eng Lit, Chem, Span Lang, Calc (AB and BC) New AP Courses for the ‘14-‘15 school year: About Us: Human Geo, World History The Mickey Leland College Preparatory Academy (MLCPA) for Young Men is a magnet school in the Student Success: Houston Independent School District currently STAAR 6-8/EOC Data for First Time Test-Takers Spring 2014 serving grades 6-12. MLCPA offers a high quality, Level 2 Advanced rigorous, education, modeled after single-gender Subject/Test MLCPAYM HISD TEXAS MLCPAYM HISD TEXAS private schools, for a public school fee. Our students 6th Reading 87% 68% 77% 17% 12% 15% not only develop academically but also foster 6th Math 83% 73% 79% 20% 16% 17% leadership skills, and the ability to make healthy and 7th Reading 85% 67% 75% 24% 16% 19% responsible decisions.
    [Show full text]
  • 82Nd Leg Members
    Representative Party District Phone Number Jose Aliseda R HD35 512-463-0645 Alma Allen D HD131 512-463-0744 Roberto Alonzo D HD104 512-463-0408 Carol Alvarado D HD145 512-463-0732 Rafael Anchia D HD103 512-463-0746 Charles (Doc) Anderson R HD56 512-463-0135 Rodney Anderson R HD106 512-463-0694 Jimmie Don Aycock R HD54 512-463-0684 Marva Beck R HD57 512-463-0508 Leo Berman R HD6 512-463-0584 Dwayne Bohac R HD138 512-463-0727 Dennis Bonnen R HD25 512-463-0564 Dan Branch R HD108 512-463-0367 Fred Brown R HD14 512-463-0698 Cindy Burkett R HD101 512-463-0464 Lon Burnam D HD90 512-463-0740 Angie Chen Button R HD112 512-463-0486 Erwin Cain R HD3 512-463-0650 Bill Callegari R HD132 512-463-0528 Stefani Carter R HD102 512-463-0454 Joaquin Castro D HD125 512-463-0669 Warren Chisum R HD88 512-463-0736 Wayne Christian R HD9 512-463-0556 Garnet Coleman D HD147 512-463-0524 Byron Cook R HD8 512-463-0730 Tom Craddick R HD82 512-463-0500 Brandon Creighton R HD16 512-463-0726 Myra Crownover R HD64 512-463-0582 Drew Darby R HD72 512-463-0331 John Davis R HD129 512-463-0734 Sarah Davis R HD134 512-463-0389 Yvonne Davis D HD111 512-463-0598 Joe Deshotel D HD22 512-463-0662 Joe Driver R HD113 512-463-0574 Dawnna Dukes D HD46 512-463-0506 Harold Dutton D HD142 512-463-0510 Craig Eiland D HD23 512-463-0502 Rob Eissler R HD15 512-463-0797 Gary Elkins R HD135 512-463-0722 Joe Farias D HD118 512-463-0714 Jessica Farrar D HD148 512-463-0620 Allen Fletcher R HD130 512-463-0661 Sergio Munoz, Jr.
    [Show full text]
  • Notable Alphas Fraternity Mission Statement
    ALPHA PHI ALPHA NOTABLE ALPHAS FRATERNITY MISSION STATEMENT ALPHA PHI ALPHA FRATERNITY DEVELOPS LEADERS, PROMOTES BROTHERHOOD AND ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE, WHILE PROVIDING SERVICE AND ADVOCACY FOR OUR COMMUNITIES. FRATERNITY VISION STATEMENT The objectives of this Fraternity shall be: to stimulate the ambition of its members; to prepare them for the greatest usefulness in the causes of humanity, freedom, and dignity of the individual; to encourage the highest and noblest form of manhood; and to aid down-trodden humanity in its efforts to achieve higher social, economic and intellectual status. The first two objectives- (1) to stimulate the ambition of its members and (2) to prepare them for the greatest usefulness in the cause of humanity, freedom, and dignity of the individual-serve as the basis for the establishment of Alpha University. Table Of Contents Table of Contents THE JEWELS . .5 ACADEMIA/EDUCATORS . .6 PROFESSORS & RESEARCHERS. .8 RHODES SCHOLARS . .9 ENTERTAINMENT . 11 MUSIC . 11 FILM, TELEVISION, & THEATER . 12 GOVERNMENT/LAW/PUBLIC POLICY . 13 VICE PRESIDENTS/SUPREME COURT . 13 CABINET & CABINET LEVEL RANKS . 13 MEMBERS OF CONGRESS . 14 GOVERNORS & LT. GOVERNORS . 16 AMBASSADORS . 16 MAYORS . 17 JUDGES/LAWYERS . 19 U.S. POLITICAL & LEGAL FIGURES . 20 OFFICIALS OUTSIDE THE U.S. 21 JOURNALISM/MEDIA . 21 LITERATURE . .22 MILITARY SERVICE . 23 RELIGION . .23 SCIENCE . .24 SERVICE/SOCIAL REFORM . 25 SPORTS . .27 OLYMPICS . .27 BASKETBALL . .28 AMERICAN FOOTBALL . 29 OTHER ATHLETICS . 32 OTHER ALPHAS . .32 NOTABLE ALPHAS 3 4 ALPHA PHI ALPHA ADVISOR HANDBOOK THE FOUNDERS THE SEVEN JEWELS NAME CHAPTER NOTABILITY THE JEWELS Co-founder of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity; 6th Henry A. Callis Alpha General President of Alpha Phi Alpha Co-founder of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity; Charles H.
    [Show full text]
  • Joe Represents the 22Nd Legislative District, Which Includes Parts Of
    Representative Joe Deshotel represents the 22nd Legislative District, which includes parts of Jefferson and Orange Counties. He is a successful attorney, businessman and life-long resident of Beaumont. At the end of his first Session, the Legislative Study Group (LSG), the largest caucus in the state, presented Representative Deshotel with the Rising Star Award. He was also elected Caucus Chairman by his colleagues in the Texas Legislative Black Caucus. In the 78th Legislative Session, Representative Deshotel served on the House Appropriations Committee, which is the budget writing arm of the House. He also served as the Vice Chair of Local & Consent Calendars, Chairman of Budget Oversight (CBO) for the House Elections Committee, and on the Select Committee on State Health Care Expenditures. In the 79th Legislative Session, Representative Deshotel was appointed to the House Committees on Economic Development, Transportation, and Redistricting. Representative Deshotel's tenure on the House Committee on Economic Development has helped bring in much needed investment dollars to Southeast Texas. In the 80th Legislative Session, Representative Deshotel was appointed to serve as Chairman of the House Economic Development Committee. "Being named chairman of Economic Development Committee is important for East Texas," Deshotel said. "This committee assignment ensures that job creation and the increased vitalization of the local technology industry receive proper attention during the legislative process," Chairman Deshotel stated. In the 81st Legislative
    [Show full text]
  • Legislative Staff: 86Th Legislature
    HRO HOUSE RESEARCH ORGANIZATION Texas House of Representatives Legislative Staff 86th Legislature 2019 Focus Report No. 86-3 House Research Organization Page 2 Table of Contents House of Representatives ....................................3 House Committees ..............................................15 Senate ...................................................................18 Senate Committees .............................................22 Other State Numbers...........................................24 Cover design by Robert Inks House Research Organization Page 3 House of Representatives ALLEN, Alma A. GW.5 BELL, Cecil Jr. E2.708 Phone: (512) 463-0744 Phone: (512) 463-0650 Fax: (512) 463-0761 Fax: (512) 463-0575 Chief of staff ...........................................Anneliese Vogel Chief of staff .............................................. Ariane Marion Legislative director .....................................Jaime Puente Policy analyst ...........................................Clinton Harned Legislative aide....................................... Jennifer Russell Legislative aide.............................................Brian Aldaco ALLISON, Steve E1.512 BELL, Keith E2.702 Phone: (512) 463-0686 Phone: (512) 463-0458 Chief of staff .................................................Rocky Gage Fax: (512) 463-2040 Legislative director ...................................German Lopez Chief of staff .................................... Georgeanne Palmer Scheduler ...............................................Redding Mickler
    [Show full text]
  • The Legacy of Leland by Jacob N
    The Legacy of Leland By Jacob N. Wagner ickey Leland. Houstonians with traveling experience ing guard at the school, decided to take matters into his own Mwill recognize the name of the international terminal hands. He snatched one of the boys chasing Mickey and at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH). Houston beat him up and then walked Mickey home. From that day residents familiar with downtown will recall the forward, the two remained friends.3 name on the federal building. Even though the Supreme Alumni from the University Court’s 1954 Brown decision of Houston or Texas Southern Understanding Mickey Leland’s declared school segregation University will also know the legacy is almost like putting unconstitutional, Houston name. Unfortunately many “ schools still had not deseg- Houston residents, especially together pieces of a puzzle, and new regated by the early 1960s. those who are new to the city Mickey and other African or too young to remember him, pieces come up all the time.” American students had to will recognize Mickey Leland’s –Alison Leland deal with outdated textbooks name but lack a thorough understanding of the former and inferior facilities because black schools did not receive Houston lawmaker’s contributions. Leland dedicated his the same level of funding as white schools. Since Mickey political career to caring for his fellow man at home and attended schools made up primarily of African American abroad, demonstrating the importance of helping those in and Hispanic students, the school district did not give them need. In the process, he left a legacy of humanitarianism much attention.4 that remains a model for us today.
    [Show full text]
  • Yale/New Haven-University of Houston Institute
    Historical Overview of Texas Southern University and Its Impact Ozzell Taylor Johnson This curriculum briefly discusses why Texas southern University was established, its funding, and why it should remain an open, independent institution. It explores programs offered at Texas Southern University, and introduces some insight into how the university has survived in spite of the many attempts to merge or close it. The unit also identifies outstanding faculty members and successful graduates and their respective contributions to our community and the world. This curriculum unit may be utilized by History Teachers to teach regular or special education students who are in grades 9-12. I. WHY WAS TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY ESTABLISHED? The state of Texas was still operating under the “separate but equal” education philosophy during the forties when Heman Sweatt, a graduate of Wiley College in Austin, applied for admittance to the University of Texas Law School. He had been accepted by the University of Michigan School of Law, however, he wanted to remain in Texas to study. He was denied admission, thusly, he sued in the 126th District court in Austin. No law school in Texas admitted blacks at that time. In the state of Texas, there were 7,724 lawyers and only 23 were black. Sweatt was denied admission on the basis of the “separate but equal” doctrine of Plessy vs. Ferguson, and the court determined that the state had six months to set up a law school for blacks. Texas A & M Regents hired two black Houston lawyers to teach law in rented rooms. Sweatt refused to enroll in the “law school,” although the court declared that the arrangement satisfied the “separate but equal” test.
    [Show full text]
  • Congressional Record—House H4021
    May 14, 2003 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H4021 stand, especially those heroes from CELEBRATING FUNNY CIDE’S RUN ate and the Texas House, I know the south Texas: Kino Flores, Jim Solis, (Mr. STEARNS asked and was given value that the 53 Texas Democrats who Rene Oliveira, Aaron Pena, Miguel permission to address the House for 1 are in Ardmore, Oklahoma, today place Wise, Ryan Guillen and Juan Escobar. minute.) on the proud tradition of placing prin- We support them. Mr. STEARNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to ciple above partisanship. When the Re- applaud the accomplishments of a man publican leader of the Texas House f from my hometown in Marion County, agreed to the political handiwork of Florida, the Sixth Congressional Dis- the majority leader of the U.S. House, ARMED FORCES DAY trict, because Tony Everard has been he abandoned a tradition that has (Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas asked training horses in Marion County for served Texas well. and was given permission to address over 35 years. When Texas House Republicans drew the House for 1 minute and to revise He purchased a remarkable horse, a a redistricting map without public and extend his remarks.) gelding, in 2001 in Saratoga, New York, hearings, behind closed doors, a map Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. This and he trained it, but on May 3, this handed to them by Washington, they weekend is Armed Forces Day, and are horse became champion at the pinnacle trampled on a tradition in Texas, and not our men and women in uniform of horse racing, the Kentucky Derby.
    [Show full text]
  • IDEOLOGY and PARTISANSHIP in the 87Th (2021) REGULAR SESSION of the TEXAS LEGISLATURE
    IDEOLOGY AND PARTISANSHIP IN THE 87th (2021) REGULAR SESSION OF THE TEXAS LEGISLATURE Mark P. Jones, Ph.D. Fellow in Political Science, Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy July 2021 © 2021 Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy This material may be quoted or reproduced without prior permission, provided appropriate credit is given to the author and the Baker Institute for Public Policy. Wherever feasible, papers are reviewed by outside experts before they are released. However, the research and views expressed in this paper are those of the individual researcher(s) and do not necessarily represent the views of the Baker Institute. Mark P. Jones, Ph.D. “Ideology and Partisanship in the 87th (2021) Regular Session of the Texas Legislature” https://doi.org/10.25613/HP57-BF70 Ideology and Partisanship in the 87th (2021) Regular Session of the Texas Legislature Executive Summary This report utilizes roll call vote data to improve our understanding of the ideological and partisan dynamics of the Texas Legislature’s 87th regular session. The first section examines the location of the members of the Texas Senate and of the Texas House on the liberal-conservative dimension along which legislative politics takes place in Austin. In both chambers, every Republican is more conservative than every Democrat and every Democrat is more liberal than every Republican. There does, however, exist substantial ideological diversity within the respective Democratic and Republican delegations in each chamber. The second section explores the extent to which each senator and each representative was on the winning side of the non-lopsided final passage votes (FPVs) on which they voted.
    [Show full text]
  • Amicus Brief of Former Speakers of the House
    No. 21-0538 In the Supreme Court of Texas IN RE CHRIS TURNER, IN HIS CAPACITY AS A MEMBER OF THE TEXAS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND HIS CAPACITY AS CHAIR OF THE HOUSE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS; TEXAS AFL-CIO; HOUSE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS; MEXICAN AMERICAN LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS; TEXAS LEGISLATIVE BLACK CAUCUS; LEGISLATIVE STUDY GROUP; THE FOLLOWING IN THEIR CAPACITIES AS MEMBERS OF THE TEXAS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES: ALMA ALLEN, RAFAEL ANCHÍA, MICHELLE BECKLEY, DIEGO BERNAL, RHETTA BOWERS, JOHN BUCY, ELIZABETH CAMPOS, TERRY CANALES, SHERYL COLE, GARNET COLEMAN, NICOLE COLLIER, PHILIP CORTEZ, JASMINE CROCKETT, YVONNE DAVIS, JOE DESHOTEL, ALEX DOMINGUEZ, HAROLD DUTTON, JR., ART FIERRO, BARBARA GERVIN-HAWKINS, JESSICA GONZÁLEZ, MARY GONZÁLEZ, VIKKI GOODWIN, BOBBY GUERRA, RYAN GUILLEN, ANA HERNANDEZ, GINA HINOJOSA, DONNA HOWARD, CELIA ISRAEL, ANN JOHNSON, JARVIS JOHNSON, JULIE JOHNSON, TRACY KING, OSCAR LONGORIA, RAY LOPEZ, EDDIE LUCIO III, ARMANDO MARTINEZ, TREY MARTINEZ FISCHER, TERRY MEZA, INA MINJAREZ, JOE MOODY, CHRISTINA MORALES, EDDIE MORALES, PENNY MORALES SHAW, SERGIO MUÑOZ, JR., VICTORIA NEAVE, CLAUDIA ORDAZ PEREZ, EVELINA ORTEGA, LEO PACHECO, MARY ANN PEREZ, ANA-MARIA RAMOS, RICHARD RAYMOND, RON REYNOLDS, EDDIE RODRIGUEZ, RAMON ROMERO, JR., TONI ROSE, JON ROSENTHAL, CARL SHERMAN, SR., JAMES TALARICO, SHAWN THIERRY, SENFRONIA THOMPSON, JOHN TURNER, HUBERT VO, ARMANDO WALLE, GENE WU, AND ERIN ZWIENER; AND THE FOLLOWING IN THEIR CAPACITIES AS LEGISLATIVE EMPLOYEES: KIMBERLY PAIGE BUFKIN, MICHELLE CASTILLO, RACHEL PIOTRZKOWSKI, AND DONOVON RODRIGUEZ, Relators. Brief of Amici Curiae Former Speakers of the Texas House of Representatives and former Lieutenant Governor of the State of Texas in Support of Petition for Writ of Mandamus Jessica L. Ellsworth Blayne Thompson (pro hac vice application forthcoming) State Bar No.
    [Show full text]
  • Qmfice of Tfp! !Zlttornep
    QMficeof tfp! !zlttornepQhneral Wate of Z!kxae DAN MORALES ATTORNEYOENERAI. November 10, 1998 The Honorable Al Edwards Opinion No. DM-486 Chair, Committee on Rules and Resolutions Texas House of Representatives Re: Whether an individual convicted of a prior P.O. Box 2910 federal offense may apply for restoration of civil Austin, Texas 78768-2910 rights forfeited in the state as a result of the federal conviction if the individual has also been convicted ofamisdemeanor offense (RQ- 1072) Dear Representative Edwards: You request an opinion from this office about restoration of civil rights for an individual convicted of a federal offense. Specifically, you ask whether such an individual may apply for restoration of civil rights forfeited in the state as a result of the federal conviction if the individual has also been convicted of a misdemeanor.’ We conclude in the negative for the following reasons. We start with some background. Texas Constitution article XVI, section 2 directs the legislature to enact laws “to exclude from office, serving on juries, and from the right of suffrage, those who may have been or shall hereafter be convicted of bribery, perjury, forgery, or other high crimes.“z Pursuant to this constitutional authority, the legislature has enacted laws disqualifying an individual convicted of a felony from holding a public office, serving on juries, and voting in elections, among others things.j Article 48.05(a) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, enacted in 1993: provides that an individual convicted of a federal offense other than an offense involving violence, threat ofviolence, or drugs may, except as provided by subsection (b), apply for restoration of any civil rights forfeited ‘You do not specify the misdemeanor offense.
    [Show full text]