This week, Governor Abbott called a Special Session for the Texas Legislature to reconvene after the 4^th of July; July 8, 2021.  No legislative priorities were included on the agenda, but the Governor has hinted about certain topics that concern him leading up to  this special session: strengthening restrictions on teaching of critical race theory, restricting the practice of social media companies from banning subscribers based on their viewpoints, bail reform priorities, and election integrity. Each side of the prospective aisle have additional legislative priorities, but it will be the Governor who sets the agenda before the legislature meets.  

For my vote, election integrity tops the list.  COVID-19 and the emergency responses that were created during 2020 need to be addressed.  Liberals used this pandemic as an excuse to transition from one person - one vote to a tenuous space where our elections and their results could be compromised.  No matter how loud the left screams nationally and locally about election laws being racist; it simply isn’t true.  American citizens overwhelming believe that showing an ID to vote is the best way to ensure election integrity.  In Texas, SB7 is standardizing voting times; not limiting the rights of people to vote.  The liberal contention is that 24-hour voting centers and drive-thru voting were disproportionately used by voters of color during the 2020 election. SB7 still includes Sunday voting starting at 1 p.m.- which is when most church folks go to the polls after Sunday services and allows for 12 hour voting during the weekday.  If the early voting hours do not meet the needs of the community, registered voters can request to extend hours.   

So, since the bill doesn’t change anything, but clarifies many issues - why the big fuss coming from the left? What does the bill do? Simply put - SB7 puts teeth into election fraud, which from a prosecutors standpoint has been needed.  Punishment for election wrongdoing may be what is bothering the opponents of the bill; and that makes the bill race neutral.    

My dad, Homer L. Norville, picture here at this last birthday party.  He turned 94.  He passed last December.  I think about him everyday.  I miss him.  Not the same Father’s Day without him.