SB730 - Emloyer parking lot bill being debated now

[Charles L. Cotton]

The hearing is going very will for our side. Senator Dan Patrick has done a great job cross examining the lobbyist for an association of manufacturers. He has really gone to bat for gun owners!

Chas.

[will381796]

Thank god. Are transcripts of these hearings released to the public so we can read them at their conclusion?

[Charles L. Cotton]

Thank god. Are transcripts of these hearings released to the public so we can read them at their conclusion?

To my knowledge, the audio is not transcribed, but you can watch the video at any time.

Chas.

[will381796]

Thank god. Are transcripts of these hearings released to the public so we can read them at their conclusion?

To my knowledge, the audio is not transcribed, but you can watch the video at any time.

Chas.

Where's the video?

[Keith B]

Thank god. Are transcripts of these hearings released to the public so we can read them at their conclusion?

To my knowledge, the audio is not transcribed, but you can watch the video at any time.

Chas.

Where's the video?

Archived video is here http://www.senate.state.tx.us/avarchive/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Committee on Criminal Justice is here http://www.senate.state.tx.us/75r/Senat ... 0/c590.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

You will need RealPlayer to view or listen

[TrueFlog]

You will need RealPlayer to view or listen

Or Real Alternative.

[tornado]

You will need RealPlayer to view or listen

Or Real Alternative.

A great big for Real Alternative & Media Player Classic. And free software in general.

[CWOOD]

I watched the hearing video as it related to SB730. FYI it begins at 8:20 minutes into the archive video and concludes about 1hour 7:30 minutes, when they begin to discuss other matters. I kept getting timed out but it was easy to restart...just remember the time code where it stops, to make it easy to slide the cursor to the correct time on the video.

Sen. Hegar and Sen. Patrick did and excellent job of questioning the anti witnesses. Sen. Patrick pointed out a very basic argument and very much on point.

The discussion began discussing the proverbial disgruntaled fired employee getting a gun from a car for evil purposes and coming into the workplace. His comment was that this was not affected by the bill as it is the EMPLOYER'S responsibility to protect the workers in the actual workplace. He then noted that if that same disgruntled ex-employee were to start his rampage in the parking lot, wouldn't it be better to to have the good guys with the ability to protect themselves there...unless the EMPLOYER planned to escort each employee safely off of the parking lot...and was the business willing to do that? The reply was obviously not.

Then Sen Patrick asked, then who IS ultimately responsible for the safety of that employee after they leave the premisis of the workplace. The "anti" witness refused to answer. The answer was, obviously, the individual, but the business group witness could never say that as it would invalidate his entire position. Sen. Patrick said he was not being "reasonable" in addressing the issue. I think that was a generous characterization.

Good on Sen. Patrick and Sen. Hegar!!

[KC5AV]

Oh.my.goodness. After watching this video, I have got a serious man-crush on Senator Patrick. That was great.

[TrueFlog]

Did I understand Sen. Hegar correctly in saying that he wants to amend this bill to exempt school parking lots? Do we know why he wants to add such an amendment? I support the bill as it stands and would still support it if amended, but I hate to see teachers denied equal protection.

[KD5NRH]

So, which, if any, committee members are expected to oppose it?

[tfrazier]

Suggestion:
Regardless of whether these bills pass or fail, follow up with letters, emails, phone calls, etc to those legislators who supported them and represented us well to say "Thank You".

There will be many more sessions to come, and many more bills proposed. Let's remind them that our appreciation for them doing the right thing continues beyond the initial fight, win or lose.

[will381796]

I am very disappointed to hear that Hegar wants to exempt schools. Do schools have some lobbying force that out-powers even the petrochemical industry?!?!

I guess I'd still support this bill even if it would no longer benefit me directly. :(

I sent an email to him anyway thanking him for authoring the bill and requesting that he reconsider this proposed amendment or specifically state that it only apply to primary and secondary educational institutions (exempting higher education).

[Charles L. Cotton]

So, which, if any, committee members are expected to oppose it?

This is just a guess, but Senator Rodney Ellis earned his "F" rating, so I suspect he'll oppose it. He even made a joke about scoring some points with the business lobby by opposing it.

Chas.

[will381796]

Was there any discussion of this bill in the Committee meeting today?