UPDATE, 5:15 p.m.: Equality Texas reports that HB 1538 has been removed for consideration from the House Public Education Committee. However, the bill could come back up for discussion or a vote at a later date.
ORIGINAL POST: Equality Texas is asking people to contact lawmakers and urge them to vote against advancing an anti-gay education bill the House Public Education Committee is expected to vote on later today.
HB 1568 by Republican Rep. Drew Springer of Muenster would cut state funding for school districts that offer domestic partner benefits to employees. Pflugerville and Austin ISD are the only school districts in Texas that have decided to offer DP benefits.
Six Republicans and five Democrats sit on the committee, which left the bill pending after a hearing last week.
Jonathan Saenz, president of anti-gay group Texas Values, told Dallas Voice he expects the bill to pass through committee and be signed into law.
Contact info for House Public Education Committee members is below.
Chairman Jimmie Don Aycock, R-Killeen, 512-463-0684
Marsha Farney, R-Georgetown, 512-463-0309
John Davis, R-Houston, 512-463-0734
Bennett Ratliff, R-Coppell, 512-463-0468
Dan Huberty, R-Houston, 512-463-0520
Ken King, R-Canadian, 512-463-0736
Joe Deshotel, D-Beaumont, 512-463-0662
Harold Dutton, D-Houston, 512-463-0510
Justin Rodriguez, D-San Antonio, 512-463-0669
Rep. Alma Allen, D-Houston, 512-463-0744
Mike Villarreal, D-San Antonio, 512-463-0532
