Dear Friends:
Independence Day is time to celebrate our freedom. We must honor those who have fought and continue to fight for our right of free speech, our right to bear arms and most importantly our right to vote.
However, Republicans in over 35 states have proposed legislation to limit the amount of people eligible to vote in 2012 by requiring each voter to present identification including a photo. Unfortunately Governor Perry signed into law on May 27th this expensive piece of legislation even though the fiscal note does not allocate funds to adequately reach the most effected populations.
Republicans are slashing necessary programs like Medicare but continue to enact laws that deny citizens rights guaranteed by the constitution. Indiana was the first state to require photo identification and in last four years has spent over $10 million on providing identification cards. However, funds for the free identification cards have not been designated in the legislation Texas passed.
Now that the bill has already been signed, my main concern is to prepare the community to implement all the requirements for voting. A week ago in Dallas, I hosted a meeting with community leaders from all over the 30th district. Some of the organizations that attended the meeting were The Urban League of Greater Dallas, The Deaf Action Center, Oak Cliff Community Development Corporation, Progressive Center of Texas, League of Women Voters and The Senior Source. I invited these organizations and several churches to be a part of a coalition to implement the best strategies to ensure every citizen is able to exercise their right to vote.
These attempts to reduce “voter fraud” are just excuses to keep the elderly, the youth, low-income and minority populations from voicing their opinion.
Sincerely your Congresswoman,
www.ebj2012.com
