The Dallas Star-Telegram posted an editorial on July 7th, 2013 discussing the need for a legislative break following the conclusion of the abortion bill. There is no specific author identified for having written the editorial, but he brings about some interesting points. His audience, in my opinion, is the general public, even though he writes the editorial as though he's sending it to Governor Perry within the next few days. The reason I believe his audience is the general public is because he wants Texas citizens, whether Republican or Democrat, or whether for or against the controversial abortion bill, to take a step back and realize how hard the legislative body has been working these past few months. It's clear that the author's claim is that Governor Perry allow the legislative body a break and not add any more bills or topics to the special session. The authors provides evidence for this claim by informing us as readers that the legislative's have worked on and even passed controversial and important bills such as abortion restrictions, transportation funding, and sentencing for 17-year-old murderers. The author goes on to say that there are a number of bills that could be added to the special session, some that are worthy of action, but some that are "stinkers". His main point can be seen when he states, "...send them home for some rest. They're stressed and cranky enough as it is." Although I think the author uses some worthy evidence, I think his logic is quite incorrect. I understand that the legislative body is tired and stressed, especially from all the state and national media they received over the abortion bill. However, just because you're tired and stressed doesn't constitute a reason to go rest when there's things to be done. I think of his argument and try to relate it to any hard-working job. Let's use a construction worker for our example. Construction workers work all day in the Texas heat, grinding away at their daily duties. Now I'm sure they'd love to pack up and head home every time they got stressed and tired, but they can't because there's a job to be done. And they don't get to stay in fancy hotels and have fancy dinners when they go home after work. That's where I think this author's logic is off. I like his evidence, but the logic just doesn't fit. One of the bills the author describes as being worthy, is a bill for bond revenues to help colleges and universities fund their upcoming projects. I think with school starting back up in a month this bill is extremely important and should be looked at by the legislature before "taking a break". A person who gets involved in the legislative body knows what they're getting into; long hours, controversial topics, national and local media, stress, etc. However, they get paid pretty well to do it. As a student at Texas State University, who pays an extreme amount of money to receive the best education possible, I don't enjoy reading the statement "it can wait" in reference to the bill that would fund capitol projects at state colleges and universities. As a student, I want the best education possible. That's what I'm paying for. If the legislature waits on this bill, delaying funding to state universities, then obviously I'm not receiving the best education possible. The author goes on to write that the legislative body couldn't get the recent bills passed in the regular 140 day session, nor the latter 30 day special session that followed. Check my math, but that's 170 days which is roughly half a year. It took six months for the government to pass these most recent 3 bills (probably a few others too), which is all the more reason to NOT take a break. While the legislature is in session, most of the representatives or senators just get to sit there and listen to an argument because there already know which way they're going to vote on the issue. Now, I'll be reasonable and compromise with this author. The legislature has worked hard the past few months to pass these recent bills into action. Since in the education system, we get a month off of school for roughly every four months of hard work, I'll allow the legislature some time off. However, since college students pay to go to school and the legislative body gets paid to do their job, I think the legislature should only be given a week off before it's time for Governor Perry to call another special session so our government can get back to work. As the author states in the conclusion of his article, "Fine. Call another special session later if it’s required. For now, it’s time for a break." The only reason I'll agree with the author (if the "break" is only a week) is because I think it's important for the legislature to have time to decompress, relax, and gather their thoughts after this hectic abortion bill so that they feel fresh and re-energized when they start the debate on future bills and policies. I'll conclude with the fact that I was embarrassed for this author when he used the logic of our legislature being "stressed and cranky" and therefore they needed a break. Let's not forget our soldiers fighting overseas who endure 6-12 month tours of stress, fighting, and being away from their families. Yet, when they return home, they go right back to work. But who's staying in fancy hotels, eating nice meals, getting escorted around town in luxury cars, and getting paid more at the same time? Our legislative officials. They're hard work is appreciated, but let's not start feeling sorry for them.
Thanks for reading! You can find the article here:
Dallas Star-Telegram: Editorials
After this, it's time for a legislative break
No author. Posted on 07/09/2013
http://www.star-telegram.com/2013/07/09/4991687/after-this-its-time-for-a-legislative.html
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