Commentary is thinking that this is more of a campaign and political tactic heading into the HERO election. You know, a lot of folks didn’t like the idea of the clergy getting served with subpoenas, so this is more of a reminder. I am talking about Deborah Wrigley’s lead story about the pastors suing the Mayor and the City that ran last night on the 10 pm news. Here it is:
HOUSTON (KTRK) — The fight over Houston’s Equal Rights Ordinance, or HERO, goes on, despite a Texas Supreme Court decision that ruled the anti-discrimination initiative has to either be repealed by city council, or go to the voters.
A lawsuit is preparing to be filed, claiming religious freedoms and the right to vote by the ordinance, approved last year by council. The objection by various pastors, and the Houston Pastors’ Council was that gays were included as protected classes in the ordinance, which bans discrimination in housing, employment and other areas.
Mayor Annise Parker is named in the lawsuit. It claims that the pastors’ religious freedoms were “trampled” when their sermons were subpoenaed by the city. It later withdrew the subpoena.
The lawsuit also claims that civil rights were violated when voters were not allowed to cast ballots on the measure in a referendum.
We attempted to contact a member of the mayor’s staff for comment. Our call has not yet been returned.
The lawsuit asks for damages. If the lawsuit succeeds, any money awarded would go toward paying legal costs generated by the pastors and the pastors’ council, which are said to be several hundred thousand dollars.
In a statement released this evening by Rev Dave Welch, of the No Unequal Rights group, he writes, “The Mayor of Houston violated the law, attempted to use raw intimidation and trampled on the rights of one million Houston citizens.”
The group, including pastors of several small congregations whose sermons were subpoenaed by the city, will hold a news conference Monday, the same day the lawsuit will be filed.
Serving subpoenas was a bonehead play by the City so these folks will score some points on this.
The ‘Stros lead MLB with 148 team dingers. How many ‘Stros players have 10 or more dingers to date.
It looks like we will have a vote on term limits this November. On the H-Town City Council agenda for this week:
36. ORDINANCE repealing Ordinance No. 2014-530, also known as the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance or “HERO”
37. [If Ordinance No. 2014-530 is not repealed]: ORDINANCE ordering a Special Election to be held on November 3, 2015, for the purpose of submitting to the qualified voters of the City of Houston, Texas, Ordinance No. 2014-530, also known as the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance or “HERO”
38. ORDINANCE ordering a Special Election to be held on November 3, 2015, for the purpose of submitting to the qualified voters of the City of Houston, Texas, a proposition to amend the City Charter to reduce the number of terms of elective offices to no more than two terms in the same office and limit the length for all terms of elective office to four years, beginning in January 2020; and provide for transition; containing findings and other provisions related to the foregoing subject; providing for severability
The ballot language for the HERO has not been posted in the backup materials.
Texas Attorney General Paxton appears to be in hot water. Don’t blame this one on the Dems and politics. Last I heard, the Texas Rangers – not our AL West rivals – are not a partisan bunch.
If Vice-President Joe Biden wants to run, I am OK with that. Here is this tweet from this morning:
TODAY @TODAYshow 1h1 hour ago
Would @DavidAxelrod advise @VP Biden to run for president? “I would not,” he tells @SavannahGuthrie.
The Chron ran a piece yesterday on the H-Town mayoral candidates and “Game of Thrones” characters. Commentary is not a Throne fella so I had no idea what the Chron was talking about.
How about this tweet from Tags:
Brian McTaggart ⚾️ @brianmctaggart 8m8 minutes ago
Astros gained five games on the Angels this week and lead the AL West by four games. Last Monday, they trailed by one.
We got informed on Friday that the price of our ‘Stros tickets will go up next season. Thanks.
We have seven players with 10 or more dingers of course: Valbuena (19), Carter (17), Gattis (17), Rasmus (13), Spinger (13), Correa (12), and Tucker (10).
We have a four game lead with 56 games remaining including 25 at The Yard. It is too early to be talking playoffs but we can still be scoreboard watching. We begin a nine game roadie tonight in Arlington. We are contending so Go ‘Stros!
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