Workers across Texas are regularly exposed to extreme environmental heat on the job. In these types of working conditions, basic safety provisions such as rest breaks, protective equipment, clean drinking water, and emergency first aid are critical provisions to ensure safe workplaces. For a significant portion of the state’s workforce, these protections remain out of reach. 

Currently, no state or federal law protects workers laboring in extreme weather conditions or gives them the right to take a break when they need to drink water or rest for a moment in the shade. In response, Texas cities implemented protections. Cruelly, these local rules were rescinded on Sept. 1 as a result of HB 2127, putting more workers in danger. 

At least 42 construction workers died in Texas between 2011 and 2021 from environmental heat exposure, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Multiple workers have died from heat exposure in Texas this summer alone. All of these deaths were preventable. Even though Texas workers are dying and we had record-breaking heat this summer, political leaders in Texas have chosen to ignore calls to address statewide protections. Workers' lives remain at risk because of this inaction.

As members of a faith community that cares about the life and dignity of every person, we demand that our state act NOW and add legislation that requires rest and water breaks to the next special session call – because no worker deserves to die on the job. Sign the petition below to get just conditions for workers on the agenda for Texas' next special legislative session call. 
 

Sign the Petition! 

The migrant shelter bill, HB 5000, is dead as it was voted on too late to be set on the House calendar and it lacks a Senate companion. Last week HB 20 died on a point of order. The Texas Conference of Catholic Bishops opposed HB 20 because it does not recognize the responsibility of the government to morally ascertain the difference among traffickers, victims, and legitimate refugees, and it allows for civilian activity in law enforcement.

HB 7, the border community support bill (on which the TCCB shifted its stance to neutral after it was corrected in committee) was amended on the floor with some of the provisions of HB 20. The final version of HB 7 that passed the House contained more amendments to lessen the negative impact of the HB 20 amendment. The TCCB is still reviewing HB 7 to determine its impact at the border, but there are provisions included to provide economic assistance to the cities and counties whose resources are strained by the surge of migrants as Title 42 ends.  

Our border bishops reminded us on May 13, “Daily, we witness the human consequences of migration, both its blessings and its challenges. As pastors of border communities, we minister to migrants and native-born persons alike. Our congregations include asylum seekers, enforcement officers, landowners, and elected officials, who come together, not as strangers or adversaries but as sisters and brothers, equal in dignity and worth before the Lord.”  In our evaluation of immigration legislation this session we are mindful of the importance of the duty and responsibility for collaboration for the common good. Our humanitarian ministry will continue in full cooperation with local, state, and federal officials during this challenging time at the border and in our communities. 

The April 17 issue of the Texas Catholic Voice begins with a longer explanation of the reasons behind why the Texas Bishops support or oppose some of the bills that are currently being considered in the Texas Legislature. Knowing why the Bishops take these stances and encourage us to do so as well helps us be grounded in our faith as we take political action. 

Supporting Parental Choice in Education
The bishops support empowering families to secure the best education possible for their children. Some of the bills they support create pathways to ease the financial burden for parents who decide that an alternative to public education is the best option for their child. See March 26 below for criteria the bishops' criteria for supporting parental choice legislation, including a preferential option for the poor and vulnerable, or check out their Myths vs. Facts page. Among the parental choice in education bills that the bishops support is HB 4340.

Opposing Anti-Immigration Bills
Our Texas bishops support the right and responsibility of the federal government to address immigration, including just border security. Unfortunately, the decades-long failure of Congress and multiple executive administrations to adequately secure our international border has resulted in the state seeking to step in with legislation that also fails to strike a balance of protecting the vulnerable while preventing the entry of those who seek to harm, like cartels and smugglers, who should be held accountable for their immoral and inhumane actions. The bishops oppose anti-immigration bills HB 7, HB 20, and HB 82.

Opposing High-Cost Lending Abuses

As followers of Jesus Christ, we care for every person who experiences poverty. The Texas bishops support prioritizing the poor and vulnerable when addressing social and economic needs through public policy. They seek to assist those who are in the greatest need through various means, and that includes opposing usurious loans such as payday and auto title lending, and certain cash advance loans. The Texas bishops support setting reasonable limits on fees and interest rates whenever possible. Their efforts to curtail these predatory loans this legislative session have led them to oppose several broad pre-emption bills that would undo the 49 city and county ordinances around the state that put reasonable limits on payday and auto title lenders. Thankfully some changes have been made to these pre-emption bills to protect the poor, but none of the prospective bills have yet been listed as supported by the bishops (per their bill positions page). They do still oppose HB 2127, SB 149, and SB 814 because they would unfairly harm the poor.

Read more about bills related to these topics and other bills being supported or opposed in the April 17 issue of the Texas Catholic Voice.

Then Call your legislators to let them know your stance on bills based on your Catholic values!

After the recent hearing on HB 2127*, the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops (TCCB) is pleased to report promising conversations with the author and other legislators. The TCCB believes improvements are being made to the bill. TCCB currently opposes this bill. However, their position could change based on improvements to the bill.

When a bill is formally changed such that the TCCB position changes, they will announce it in an action alert and on their Facebook and/or Twitter accounts after they verify the new bill text in a committee sub or accepted amendment. We'll keep you posted!

*HB 2127 precludes municipalities or counties from adopting or enforcing an ordinance in a field occupied by provisions of certain codes unless explicitly authorized by statute. Read more under March 19, 2023. 

The first hearing for bills on parental choice in education was Wednesday, March 22, at 9:00 am. The TCCB testified in support of SB 8 and SB 2354 as well as registered their support for SB 176 and SJR 29.   

The bishops' criteria for supporting parental choice legislation includes the following:  

• a preferential option for the poor and vulnerable, ensuring students with the greatest academic and financial need are first in line; 

• academic accountability which requires accreditation and the administration of a norm- or criterion-referenced assessment each year (current practice at accredited schools); 

• financial accountability through random audits of ESAs (Education Savings Account) by a third party; and 

• protections for the privacy, autonomy and religious freedom of participating schools ensuring that educators are not required to modify their creed, practices, admissions policies, curriculum, performance standards, or assessments to serve ESA students. 

On Thursday, the TCCB testified in support of HB 12, which extends coverage for postpartum women receiving Medicaid to 12 months. Last December the Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee reported 118 women died from causes related to pregnancy and childbirth in 2019, and that 90% of those deaths were preventable. This data is alarming and tragic and demonstrates how vulnerable women are during pregnancy and after giving birth, especially those who lack comprehensive healthcare. The bishops support HB 12 because it will save lives and help create healthy families. 

Advocacy begins with knowing who to contact. Use the button below to find your representatives' contact information. It's as easy as typing your address. The next step is simple: pick up your phone, keyboard, or pen to deliver your message! Your voice makes an important difference to those in dire need.

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According to Catholic teaching, the family is "the most basic form of human community," and therefore is "intimately linked" to the long-term future of our nation. Therefore, "economic and social policies as well as the organization of the work world should be continually evaluated in light of their impact on the strength and stability of family life," (Economic Justice For All no. 93). The Child Tax Credit is an economic and social policy that supports the strenth and stability of family life. Last year, more than 36 million families received a monthly payment through the expanded Child Tax Credit program to help make ends meet. December marked the last monthly payment until Congress acts to extend the expanded Child Tax Credit. The expanded credit has been an extremely effective anti-poverty program, lifting 3.8 million children above the poverty line.