Voter Identification in Texas

Today was one of the more embarrassing days of watching debate in the Texas Lege, as members of the House debated a voter identification proposal. You can watch it here, but you’ll need Real Player.

The arguments from both camps were some of the most specious and disingenuous loads of bull ever spewed from the mouths of men. If it weren’t for the attempts by both sides to score political points and create some soundbites for their campaign ads, then we could create a proposal which was more than just a diluted delusion of addressing voter fraud.

The fact of the matter is that voter id does not significantly reduce voter fraud, nor does it disenfranchise the elderly, minorities or the poor, especially as watered down as HB 218 is. It also does not reduce voter turnout in Texas (aside from the fact that Texas has historically had low turnout, turnout is also dependent on a combination of factors).

There are constructive ways of addressing this issue, but as long as petty politics stands in the way, I doubt such ideas will be given an honest and fair hearing.

Bad Bills Parading as Good Policy

The Houston Chronicle is reporting that the Texas Senate has passed legislation which would make the legal age for purchasing cigarettes 19, rather than 18.

There were a few ignorant comments made by a couple of Senators with regards to the benefits of this legislation.

We’ll start with Senator Carlos Uresti, D-San Antonio:

“The further you can put this (legal age) off, there’s a much better chance that people will not start to smoke.”

Right Carlos, making the age 19 rather than 18 is going to ensure that fewer people smoke. What’s that? Is that a monkey flying out of my ass?

And then there’s Senator Jane Nelson, R- Lewisville:

She called the measure the “best bill of the session.”

This is the best bill of the session? The Lege is restoring cuts to CHIP, passing tougher sentencing on sex offenders, addressing border security, and addressing the crisis in the Texas Youth Commission, but this is the best bill of session? Give me a break. Hey Jane, if you believe that, you need to pull your head out, because you’re starting to swallow your own bullshit. We wouldn’t want you to choke.

Senator Uresti offered this comparison:

Uresti compared his proposal to the minimum drinking age of 21, a threshold he’d like to achieve for tobacco.

Had they done their homework, they would see that underage drinking has not fallen in response to increasing the legal age for alcohol consumption. From most reports I’ve seen, it’s actually increased. Rather than prohibitive policies, perhaps state and local governments should look into the reasons for teen drinking and address those issues.

And speaking of prohibition, the Lege is apparently attempting to stop people from “abusing” Salvia divinorum. I’ve tried this stuff. If there is anyone who is hard up enough for a high to use this shit, then we should probably just shoot them and put them out of their misery.

These legislators really need to get a life and focus on the real problems of this state.

Drunk Boating Checkpoints

Sobriety checkpoints on Texas lakes seem to be the next step, according the Dallas Morning News‘ blog Capitol Letters:

The measure by Sen. Chris Harris, R-Arlington, would authorize law enforcement agencies that patrol public waters in Texas to set up temporary checkpoints to determine whether some boating operators are illegally intoxicated.

The logistics of this seem incredibly impractical. Not to mention the law – SB 233 - makes the checkpoint virtually worthless. According to the bill analysis, this is what would be required:

Officers operating the checkpoint must try to inform oncoming watercraft of the checkpoint as well as process each watercraft in a timely manner. The checkpoint must be less than 10 minutes unless there is reasonable suspicion to detain the watercraft further. The checkpoint may not operate for more than four hours and not more than twice at the same location in a seven-day period.

They “must try” to inform oncoming boats of the checkpoint? And if they aren’t successful?

Perhaps if the author of the legislation – Chris Harris – weren’t one of the biggest booze hounds in the Texas Senate, they might be able to come up with some effective legislation that was logistically and practically functionable. As it is, I don’t see how you can put this legislation into action, and I suspect you won’t see too many sobriety checkpoints on Texas lakes. Enforcement of boating laws will continue as it has.

The legislation passed 31-0 on a voice vote; a perfect of example of legislation based on sentiment rather than functionality and enforceability.