URGENT ACTION: CAMPUS-CARRY

[RLC603]

I spoke with Senator Duncans office and was transfered to his State Affairs office concerning SB1164. A member of his staff told me he was working with Senator Wentworth to "find common ground" as he (Duncan) was opposed to the bill in its original form. I was told by his staff that Senator Duncan fealt that the Board of Regents, the faculty and students should ultimately determine whether or not to allow campus carry. I expressed my concern that the Senator would defer his authority as an elected representative of the people of Texas to university officals that had no representatie authority. I reminded them that the Republican platform called for support of Campus Carry and that currently the bill had the support of 13 other Senators. I also expressed my concern that the bill seemed to be languishing in committee to which she responded that the House and Senate followed different procedures and that the bill would not suffer defeat because of Senate deadlines. In fact, they stated the Senate had no such deadlines. Strange!!!!

[ELB]

RLC,

Thanks for the info -- this is more than I got when I called.

This...

... that Senator Duncan fealt that the Board of Regents, the faculty and students should ultimately determine whether or not to allow campus carry.

...would essentially gut the bill.

This...

I expressed my concern that the Senator would defer his authority as an elected representative of the people of Texas to university officals that had no representatie authority. I reminded them that the Republican platform called for support of Campus Carry and that currently the bill had the support of 13 other Senators.

...was exactly the right answer.

[ELB]

As posted in the other Campus Carry thread, SB1164 was voted out of the Senate Affairs committee 6-3 with one amendment. The amendment postpones implementation of the law until 1 Sep 2010 to give universities/colleges time to change their regulations. Grrr. I realize that overall this is a big step forward, but it just seems so unnecessary to postpone an important legal protection for over a year just so some administrations can get their paperwork in order.

I suppose if the House version passes with the original implementation date, then the implementation dates will have to be reconciled.

[Greybeard]

Phone calls again this morning to local Senators Harris (co-sponsor) and Nelson. Then for good measure, Senators Duncan, Van de Putte and Ogden.