State representative explains position on school counseling, voting rights
STATE REP. CHUCK HOPSON D-Jacksonville

STATE REP.CHUCK HOPSON

AUSTIN - State Rep. Harvey Hilderbran and I successfully amended House Bill 2136 which directs school counselors to report student referrals to the school districts administration. The school district would then have to make that i n f o r m a tion public. The Hopson amendment e x e m p t e d school districts

that have an enrollment under 5500 students, which includes all the school districts in my legislative district.

Texas school counselors tell me that up to one-third of their time is spent filling out paperwork, not helping our students. Many of the counselors in my district called me on this one and told me that the bill, as written, would prevent them from spending needed time with students and would cause some students not to seek help based on fear.

That fear is one that my wife, Billie, a former school counselor expressed Monday afternoon.

"Unfortunately, there is still a stigma about getting counseling. This bill would continue that stigma and stop families and their children from seeking valuable help," she said. "In small towns and communities, it is likely that everybody knows what everybody else is doing. Or at least, they think they do."

The Texas House also heard House Bill 218 requiring a voter to present certain forms of identification in order to vote. This bill would make it more difficult for Texas senior citizens to vote. Our office joined leaders from the AARP, the League of Women Voters, and other groups Monday in opposition to an assault on Texans' voting rights.

Let's be clear about this: there is no voter impersonation problem or voter fraud epidemic in this state. This is an effort by a small group of legislators to keep seniors from voting. I voted against House Bill 218 in order to protect the rights of thousands of voters in East Texas.

Unfortunately, the voter suppression bill passed the House last week. If it passes the Senate, it will require voters to present a photo ID card at the polls, in addition to a valid voter registration card, in order to vote. As a practical matter, this requirement would disenfranchise thousands of elderly Texans by denying them the right to cast a ballot because they no longer have a valid drivers license. The Senate has pledged to keep the bill from final passage if changes are not made.

In 2006, the non-partisan Brennan Center for Justice found that 18 percent of seniors over 65, do not have a government-issued photo identification. For many seniors and even working families, getting a photo ID takes time, money and mobility that others may take for granted.

HB 218 is a poll tax- photo IDs are not free. This bill will particularly hurt seniors, but it will also place an extra burden on many Texans, effectively limiting their right to vote.

Please contact our offices at (866) 33-5100 or (512) 463-0592 should you have any questions or concerns regarding issues or a particular piece of legislation.