Rick Balances Respect for Life with Respect for Abortion Rights

A commenter here (a first) mistakenly refers to Rick as "abortion loving" and cites to a New York Times editorial entitled "Why Pro-Choice Is a Bad Choice for Democrats" and some random polling to suggest that 60% of Texans favor abortion restrictions and only 37% of Texans are entirely in favor of abortion rights.

This is so badly mistaken that I have to respond.

Back in 2003, the Texas Legislature passed Senate Bill 319, which redefined what a person is under Texas criminal and civil law so that crimes against an unborn child count as crimes against a child who has already been born. Under SB 319, an unborn child counts legally as a person from the moment of conception.

Representative Jessica Farrar (a liberal Democrat from Houston) offered a pro-choice amendment to change SB 319 so that an unborn child gained status as a person only when the baby became viable apart from the mother instead of from the moment of conception.

On May 26, 2003, Rick Noriega voted against the Farrar amendment to SB 319.

In light of this vote, no one can possibly say that Rick is “abortion loving.”

Rick Saves In-State Tuition and Financial Aid for Immigrants

Lawmakers revisit tuition discounts for illegal immigrants - Opponents say people who break the law shouldn't get tuition break.

By Juan Castillo for the AMERICAN-STATESMAN

Julieta graduated with honors from Anderson High School, overcoming limited English skills .... On Thursday at a hearing before state lawmakers, the 26-year-old Austin woman joined a parade of speakers testifying on proposals to repeal a Texas law allowing certain illegal immigrants to receive cheaper in-state tuition rates at state universities.... She said she pays about $4,000 a semester in tuition for three classes, the same amount she would have to pay for just one class under the out-of-state rates.

"And even that's a lot for me," said Julieta, who asked that only her first name be used because she's not a legal resident....

"It's probably one of the most heralded things that our state has done in the area of higher ed" said Rep. Rick Noriega, D-Houston, who authored the 2001 tuition measure.

... Riddle's House Bill 104 would stipulate that only legal residents be eligible for in-state tuition. It was among a handful of similar proposals considered late Thursday by the House State Affairs Committee.

Before the hearing, Noriega disagreed with Riddle's contention that in-state tuition burdens taxpayers. He said Texas invests $100,000 per student to provide a primary and secondary education. "When you have students that we know have a higher degree of education, they're able to contribute back to the economy," Noriega said. "It just makes sense for us to protect our economic investment."

Rick Noriega Needs Your Money Now!

We need to back up our support for Rick with our $$$! Please help get this word out.

Barbara Radnofsky was an excellent candidate, and she got into the race early and worked her tail off for almost 2 years raising campaing funds. She raised just short of $1.5 million. Barbara's campaign finance link.

This is MORE THAN TEN TIMES GREATER than what Rick raised in his last election. Rick's campaign finance link.

Cornyn says he's going to have $20 million, and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee estimates that a competative Democratic campaign will need at least $15 million to avoid being buried by Cornyn's money. Cornyn's fund raising plan link. This $15 million threshold is how much we will need to get national Democratic Party attention focused on our race for Senate.

Even though Rick hasn't announced yet and hasn't done the paperwork to raise funds, you can raise funds for him now by contributing to Texas Netroots Against Cornyn.

Please contribute generously and please help get the word out that we need your votes and your financial support!