Just in time, too. The 77th Texas Legislature convenes Jan. 9. Some form of parental consent legislation is expected in this session, noted Phil Strickland, director of the Texas Baptist Christian Life Commission. Parental consent laws stipulate a parent of a minor girl must provide permission before she can have an abortion. The previous Legislature passed a parental notification bill, insisting parents must be told before abortions are performed.
Reform is sure to be a national issue.
And, given the excesses of many 2000 campaigns, it will be a state issue. New proposals to provide government funds to pervasively sectarian organizations are expected. Of course, both government and charitable organizations are needed to combat many of our state's ills and provide a safety net for our most vulnerable residents. However, government funding inevitably leads to government regulation. Freedom-loving Texans will want to prevent government intrusion into religious affairs.