The Texas Senate last week passed a bill to allow school districts to set aside time for in-school prayer and gave initial approval to requiring all schools to post a copy of the Ten Commandments in every classroom.

The Austin American-Statesman reported that the two measures were priorities of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who presides over that chamber.

“Religious freedom is a bedrock principle upon which America was founded, recognizing our rights come directly from God, not the government,” Patrick said in a statement.

SB11 would give districts the option to schedule time each day for employees and students to pray or read “the Bible and other religious texts.” Anyone who participates would have to sign a waiver that they are taking part voluntarily and would not sue the district.
State Sen. Sarah Eckhardt, D-Austin, questioned whether the bill violates the U.S. Constitution’s First Amendment, which states that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion.” 
SB10 would require a copy of the Ten Commandments to be displayed in every classroom. A similar measure in Louisiana has been temporarily blocked by a federal judge. 

Bill filed to abolish Texas Parks and Wildlife Dept.

A Waco lawmaker has filed a bill to abolish the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and transfer its duties to the Texas General Land Office, Department of Agriculture, and Department of Public Safety, the Houston Chronicle reported.

State Rep. Pat Curry, R-Waco, filed the bill to disperse TPWD’s various duties but did not respond to requests for comment on what spurred filing the bill. 

Under his proposal, the land office would take over parks, natural areas, wildlife management areas, fish hatcheries, historic sites, and other public land. The agriculture department would be in charge of conservation and management of native plants and wildlife, as well as hunting and fishing. DPS would manage all law enforcement duties, such as game wardens.

Employees of TPWD would be transferred to the agencies overseeing the new duties. 

TPWD sent an emailed statement, saying in part: “Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is proud of the important role our agency plays in managing Texas land and waters in coordination with our partners and private landowners to provide for hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation. Our 89 state parks welcome more than 9 million visitors each year.”

Measles cases now top 300 in state

The number of confirmed measles cases in Texas now totals 309 as of Friday, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services, with 40 hospitalizations and one fatality.

Of that number, 211 have been in Gaines County, in West Texas. All but two of those contracting the disease were not vaccinated,  according to DSHS.

Declining childhood vaccination rates have left parts of the state vulnerable to a measles outbreak, Dr. Peter Hotez told the Chronicle last week. Hotez is the co-director of the Center for Vaccine Development at Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston. He said he expects the outbreak will continue to grow due to an increase in non-medical vaccine exemptions among Texas children over the past decade.

“It’s like a hurricane passing over warm Caribbean waters,” Hotez said. “As long as there’s warm Caribbean waters — in this case, large populations of unvaccinated kids — this epidemic is going to continue.”

Two-thirds of the reported cases are in children under the age of 17.

Case against state

immigration law dropped by DOJ, but others continue their suit

The U.S. Justice Department has dropped its lawsuit against a 2023 state law that allowed local and state law enforcement to arrest and deport undocumented migrants, The Dallas Morning News reported. However, El Paso County and two migrant advocacy groups are continuing their case, which is set for trial on July 8.

The law has been blocked from being enforced by multiple rulings until the trial is concluded. 
Under former President Joe Biden, the Justice Department sued Texas, arguing the federal government is solely responsible for enforcing federal immigration laws.

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