After days of negotiation, the legislation failed to make it out of committee. But an additional day of talk still did not produce a hate crimes bill on which senators could agree. We couldn't quite get there. The hate crimes bill was named after James Byrd Jr, the victim of a racially motivated murder in Jasper, Texas last summer. CSHB 938 would enhance the penalties for crimes motivated by race, ethnicity, gender, disability, religion or sexual preference.
Supporters say it was needed because Texas' existing hate crimes statute is too vague.
The proposal debated Friday includes specific categories such as ethnicity and sexual preference which supporters say they need in order for the bill to be of any use. Opponents say the Legislature should not decide who should be protected under the bill. Democratic Senators say all they want is to debate and vote on the legislation on the Senate floor. Laredo Senator Judith Zaffirini says they are not giving up hope yet. Where there is a will there is a way and if the leadership truly wants to pursue this bill I ensure that we can suspend the rules and pursue the bill.