Patrick rolls out series of upcoming red meat priorities
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick rolled out a series of conservative red meat priorities he wants to pass in the next three months that would place new restrictions on abortions, forbid transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports and force the playing of “The Star-Spangled Banner” before sporting events.
While Patrick, a Montgomery County Republican, also listed addressing problems with the Texas power grid, expanding broadband access and passing a balanced budget, he made clear Tuesday he wants conservative values to take a prominent role.
“I have also prioritized legislation that reflects the principles and values of the Texas conservative majority,” Patrick said in a statement to the media.
That list also includes bills to “stop corporate gun boycotts,” block proposals to cut police funding and “protect our freedom to worship.”
What exactly those bills look like is unclear as many have not been released to the public yet.
Patrick said the events of the last couple of weeks have caused him to change his list of priorities — a nod to the fact that millions of Texas were left without power for days during a deep freeze that led to dozens of deaths. Besides calling for reliability in the Texas electric grid, Patrick is specifically calling for reforms to the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, the public entity that monitors it.
As lieutenant governor, Patrick presides over the Texas Senate, giving him power to set the agenda for what legislation will ultimately pass or even get to the floor for a vote. But history shows Patrick’s priority list is no shoo-in. In years past he made property tax reforms, anti-labor union legislation and the so-called bathroom bill priorities but some of that legislation never passed.
In 2020, Republicans lost a seat in the 31-seat Texas Senate, but still maintain an 18-13 majority. In the Texas House, Republicans have an 82-67 majority with one vacant seat.
The abortion restrictions Patrick outlined include fetal heartbeat legislation that other states have passed over the last eight years, even though they have been ruled unconstitutional. That legislation would bar abortions when a heartbeat can be detected, as early as six weeks after a woman has become pregnant. Louisiana, Missouri and South Carolina are among Republican-led states that passed similar legislation in 2019, only to have it blocked by the courts.
Similar fetal heartbeat bills were filed in the Texas Legislature in 2019 but failed to pass.
Abortion rights advocates were quick to criticize Patrick for trying to push anti-abortion restrictions as Texas tries to recover from the winter storms.
“Dan Patrick putting abortion restrictions high on his legislative priority list while Texans are dealing with the compounded consequences of failed leadership during the ongoing pandemic and our recent energy crisis is a new low — even for Dan Patrick — and he must be held accountable,” said Aimee Arrambide, executive director of Avow — formerly known as NARAL Pro-Choice Texas.
In 2017, Patrick was among the leaders of an attempt to bar transgender children from using bathrooms they are most comfortable with. That legislation failed. At one point, the authors of the bill tried to include a provision to address transgender children competing in girls’ and women’s sports in Texas.
Patrick didn’t say what exactly he has in mind for this session, but said Senate Bill 29 would be about “fair sports for women and girls.”
Arkansas officials rolled out a similar proposal this week that would make it illegal for student-athletes who are identified as male on their birth certificate to play on women’s teams.
The renewed focus on the issue comes a month after President Joe Biden signed an executive order in support of transgender students.
“Children should be able to learn without worrying about whether they will be denied access to the restroom, the locker room or school sports,” that order signed in January said.
Patrick called for the mandatory playing of the Star-Spangled Banner at sporting events earlier this month after the Dallas Mavericks experimented with not playing the anthem. Patrick blasted that decision.
“In this time when so many things divide us, sports are one thing that bring us together — right, left, black, white and brown,” Patrick said.
“This legislation already enjoys broad support. I am certain it will pass, and the Star Spangled Banner will not be threatened in the Lone Star State again.”
The Legislature went into session in January and has until May 30 to complete the regular session.
“I have also prioritized legislation that reflects the principles and values of the Texas conservative majority.” Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick