Every week, well give you the honest take on the news that impacts you without pretending it doesnt. WHEREAS, The Medina County Republican Party, at its February 2023 Executive Committee meeting, passed a "Resolution of Censure of United States Congressman Tony Gonzales" which identified, among other grievances, the following five actions taken during the current biennium (which began on June 18, 2022, when the 2022 Republican Party of . U.S. senator John Cornyn, the longest-serving statewide elected official in Texas, was booed and shouted down during his speech, while attendees denounced his role leading Senate negotiations and helping craft an agreement for modest measures that might help prevent school shootings. No-one could say that the Texas GOP is lacking in ambition. And even the partys pragmatic center right conservatives lack the ability to argue, as they did successfully in 2020, that an ultra conservative platform could cost the GOP its majority status in the Lone Star State. Christopher Hooks writes mostly about Texas politics and occasionally about more serious subjects. Considering hate crime rates are higher than they have been in over a decade, we think otherwise. In a recent poll, Texans said the top priority of the Texas Legislature should be lowering the cost of health care. But in 2018 and 2020, the platform still called it an abnormal lifestyle choice, just in a polite way, writing that homosexual sex was not part of Gods biblical design and is contrary to the foundation for all great nations in Western Civilization. That softened language was the aberration: prior to 2018, the platform condemned homosexuality as an aberration and insult to God that tears at the fabric of society and spreads communicable diseases.. The platform process begins at the precinct level where grassroots delegates introduce resolutions and planks which are passed to the Senate or County District Convention. Dan Patrick, who effectively controls the state Senate, addressed the convention, but House Speaker Dade Phelan only spoke at a luncheon, not to the main body of delegates. From Steve Bannon to Newt Gingrich to Matt Gaetz to Marjorie . They. Cars Spun Doughnuts in Austin, And Greg Abbott Got Furious, Fast, Wendy Davis Returns to the Texas Capitol and a Whole New Political Landscape. The group rebuked the party's decision to bar it from participating, calling on the state's GOP to "expand the tent. It will also curb federal funding for the debunked practice of conversion therapy, whichnearly every leading U.S. medical association has condemned, and ask the Federal Trade Commission to consider whether the practice constitutes an unfair or deceptive act. Photo: Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call via Getty Images. In searching for a mythic past that never was, the delegates at the convention promise to take us to places weve never been. Donald Trump Jr. put out a statement in support of the Log Cabin Republicans getting a booth. Were meant to be alive, at this time, right now, and here in this state.. Greg Abbott directed the Department of Family and Protective Services to investigate parents who provide gender-affirming care to their transgender children as child abuse. They want to get to the point where we can say, Well, no, this is a person. Period. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. We, the 2022 Republican Party of Texas, believe in this platform and expect our elected leaders to uphold these truths through acknowledgment and action. Why it matters: The revised platform is likely to preview some of the GOP's . 94 - Why Texas Cities Need YOU To Run For Office: Steven Monacelli of The Texas Observer, Ep. At a time when newsroom resources and revenue across the country are declining, The Texas Tribune remains committed to sustaining our mission: creating a more engaged and informed Texas with every story we cover, every event we convene and every newsletter we send. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune's journalism. The Texas Republican Party finished its 2022 platform priorities over the weekend at the Republican National Convention and gave a glimpse into some of the most powerful minds in power. They also voted on a platform that declares homosexuality an abnormal lifestyle choice and calls for Texas schoolchildren to learn about the humanity of the preborn child.. There simply arent limits now on what the base might ask for.. "This is not surprising, but it certainly is painful for LGBTQ people who live here in Texas. They: 7. (1) "The laws of nature and nature's God," and we support the strict adherence to the original A more muscular ideological platform eventually leads to a more conservative legislature as challengers knock off more moderate members.. LGBTQ+ advocates rally at the Texas State Capitol in Austin, Texas on May 4, 2021. Back then, speakers would describe it as the largest gathering of its kind in a free country, or some such boast. And at a time where enthusiasm among more moderate voters of both parties is sagging, these voters could play a disproportionate role in deciding who holds power especially in lower-level offices that wield substantial influence over many Texans everyday lives. The only thing impairing Texas is our Republican leadership. Over eight years as governor, hes carefully catered to, and sought acceptance from, the kinds of folks who attend these conventionsadopting many right-wing issues of the day as his own, from Jade Helm to his attempt to build a Texas border wall. And yet he cant show his face on stage at the partys premier biennial party without being booed and heckled.Cornyn and Abbott werent the only politicians at the convention who had reason to fear the state partys activists. "I think the convention overall was a great success," said State Sen. Brandon Creighton (R-Conroe, Dist. 2022 Parties Platforms. Texas Republicans, who hold a majority of both chambers, want to do the exact opposite. Oppose all efforts to classify carbon dioxide as a pollutant.. They approved measures declaring that President Joe Biden was not legitimately elected and rebuking Sen. John Cornyn for taking part in bipartisan gun talks. Oct. 29, 2021. In 2022, the Texas GOP still says President Joe Biden didnt legitimately win the 2020 election, and the new platform supports the Texas Attorney Generals continued investigation of voter fraud claims. Have fun, kids! 2022 Republican Primary Ballot Propositions, 88th Session Legislative Priorities Talking Points, Republican Party of Texas Officially Censures Rep. Tony Gonzales, Resolution Urging Support for the Keep Nine Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, Texas Republican wins state House seat in runoff election - KYMA, Republican Gary Gates Wins Texas House District 28 Special Election Runoff, Texas Republican wins state House seat in runoff election - KVIA, Texas Republican wins state House seat in runoff election - KRDO, Update from Chairman Dickey, December 2019 James Dickey, Update from Chairman Dickey, December 2019, Update from Chairman Dickey, November 2019 James Dickey, Update from Chairman Dickey, November 2019. It is rare for a plank to be rejected, Texas GOP party spokesperson James Wesolek said. They want any teacher who brings up LGBTQ+ topics to be prosecuted and have their teaching certification revoked. The Texas Republican Party finished its 2022 platform priorities over the weekend at the Republican National Convention and gave a glimpse into some of the most powerful minds in power. because there are already plenty of other laws covering crimes against other persons on the books. But their platform calls for the Texas Legislature to put secession up for vote in 2023. Elsewhere, the GOP platform also added that Texas students should learn about the dignity of the preborn human and that life begins at fertilization. The party chair, Matt Rinaldi, ruled that a motion to defend the due process rights of those who rioted at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, and to reject the narrative that the riot was an insurrection was out of order and could not be voted on. Politics Texas Republican Party includes anti-LGBT ideology in its new platform Two themes are clear this year: conspiracy and regression. Texas Republicans did well in the 2020 elections even though Biden won 46.5% of the Texas vote, the highest proportion for a Democrat since 1976 and this year, culture-war issues were once again at front and center. Link to 2020 Platform. Patricia Sharpe writes a regular restaurant column, Pats Pick, for Texas Monthly. when he took the floor for even proposing it. Oh, and why not regress even further by repealing all hate crime laws? A Right-wing Cabal Took Over Odessas Municipal Government. Nevertheless, the platform corresponds with the partys constant policy attacks against the LGBTQ community, including Texas Gov. A total repeal would be disastrous, dumpster-fire for our democracy. Lt. Gov. Texas Lt. Gov. Mon 20 Jun 2022 11.28 EDT Last modified on Mon 20 Jun 2022 17.35 EDT The Republican party in Texas has officially adopted a series of extreme-right positions that includes claims Joe. We believe in: 83 3. To save you the queasiness that comes from reading all 40 pages of hateful text, heres a brief rundown of their 2022 platform: 1. The Log Cabin Republicans, a group that backs LGBTQ rights, had been banned from placing a booth in the convention hall. ), The platform, meanwhile, always contains ludicrously extreme planks and is mostly irrelevant when it comes to actually passing bills. Linda Coffee Argued Roe v. Wade. Patrick is from Baltimore, of course, and his childhood home probably saw more delivery vans than pickup trucks. Texas Republicans ended a three-day convention Saturday with votes on a swath of proposed changes to their platform that would pull the party further right. Rejecting the LGBTQ+ community is nothing new for the Republican Party, but Texas recent streak of translating harmful rhetoric into law brings cause for worry. They benefit from causing us to question the foundations that this country was built upon. 90 - Texas Rep. Salman Bhojani and Nicole Golden of Texas Gun Sense. The actions capped a convention that highlighted how adamantly opposed the partys most active and vocal members are to compromising with Democrats or moderating on social positions, even as the state has grown more diverse and Republicans margins in statewide elections have shrunk slightly in recent years. Whether or not it was true, it was possible to believe. Party platforms are mission statements rather than legal doctrines and, in Texas, they have long reflected the opinions of the most activist wings of the parties. A political party platform (US English), party program, or party manifesto (preferential term in British & often Commonwealth English) is a formal set of principal goals which are supported by a political party or individual candidate, in order to appeal to the general public, for the ultimate purpose of garnering the general public's support and votes about complicated topics or issues. 2:01. However, Republican leaders said repeatedly on Saturday that it was the other side that was a threat to fair elections. Finally, the platform committee presents a draft document to the entire State Convention, and delegates are given the opportunity to vote yes or no on each individual plank. The Texas Republican Party isnt just ignoring science, theyre pushing against it. Texas Republicans did well in the 2020 elections even though Biden won 46.5% of the Texas vote, the highest proportion for a Democrat since 1976 and this year, culture-war issues were once. However, the hardline nature of the platform is nonetheless indicative of where the states Republican base stands. If not for the rise of Trump , some of the discriminatory language used by the Republican Party may have receded. According to the proposal, the Texas GOP declared homosexuality an abnormal lifestyle choice, opposes same-sex marriage, and believes in repealing the Obergefell v. Hodges Supreme Court decision. CALL FOR TEXAS TO SECEDE FROM THE U.S. Yeah, theyre on this bullshit again. The proceedingsclarified how party grandees feel about the platform. We oppose any identification of citizens by race, origin, creed, sexuality, or lifestyle choices, and oppose use of any such identification for purposes of creating voting districts. The mood of this convention was not hopeful. Consider donating today to help us stay in this fight. This and similar moves in other states spurred the Biden administration and top Democrats to try and pass a bill strengthening the Voting Rights Act, an effort that failed when two of their own senators refused to join an effort to reform the Senate filibuster.