Gov. Abbott Rules Out Special Session Over Marriage Equality Fallout

As Americans wait for the Supreme Court’s ultimate ruling on Marriage Equality, there’s been one question looming in the distance… how will we handle states fallout?

For Texas especially, this question has been quite unclear.  With a new Governor and much legislative turnover, some have wondered if a ruling in favor of Marriage Equality would cause the Governor Abbott to call a Special Session to rebuke the nation’s highest legal authority.

But today in a radio interview with WOAI San Antonio, the Governor essentially put those questions to rest…

The Texas Legislative Session is over, but several social conservative groups are calling on Gov. Greg Abbott to call a special session for lawmakers to consider exceptions to same sex marriage, as the U.S. Supreme Court is expected to rule this month that Texas must either allow same sex marriages to be performed, or to recognize same sex marriages performed in other states as valid, News Radio 1200 WOAI reports.

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The social conservative groups, including the Texas Eagle Forum, Texas Values, and a group called Americans for Truth About Homosexuality, specifically want Abbott to recall lawmakers to consider a bill that would prohibit county clerks from issuing same sex marriage licenses.

[…]

But Abbott says it won’t happen.

“I do not anticipate any special session,” he told News Radio 1200 WOAI.  “They got their job done on time, and don’t require any overtime.”

Governor Abbott’s statement may cause fury among some fringe Right groups, but for the majority of Texans, right and left, this is the correct stance to take.  If the state ban is struck down and no Special Session is called, legal marriage would be able to take place for nearly 2 years before the legislature could reconvene.  That’s 2 years of marriage equality taking place across the state, and 2 years of Texans getting used to it.

Of course even in today’s climate, many GOP activists have moved past this issue.

Houston area Representative Sarah Davis (HD 134) recently became Texas’ first Republican state-level office holder to publicly support marriage equality.  She also earned the endorsement of Equality Texas back in 2014.

Christopher Busby, chair of Harris County Republican Party Precinct 34, had this to say…

I’m glad that Governor Abbott decided to forgo wasting taxpayer money on a special session on a law that would have very likely been ruled unconstitutional at the end of the month. I look forward to the day when Republicans across the state are not only making sound judgment, but championing legal equality for lgbt citizens.

Try as they may, a few loud-mouthed, anti-equality fringe groups cannot stop the evolution of the Texas GOP.  We’ll wait to see if the Governor remains true to his word.

 

Houston Visitors Center Moves to Convention District

For many years, the official Houston Visitors Center has been a mainstay at City Hall, welcoming tourists and residents alike.

But on June 1st, the center opened its doors at a new location in the George R. Brown Convention Center, just steps away from the rapidly rising Marriott Marquis hotel. Here’s the information from Houston First Corporation, via Houston First News…

…Something new this week in our Downtown Convention District. The Houston Visitors Center… quietly opened its new doors on Monday June 1st. A grand opening is planned for July. The Visitors Center is housed just across from the George R. Brown.

The now vacated space at City Hall will be converted into event facilities.

The relocation is the latest in a sweeping transfiguration of the Convention District.  When complete in 2016, the George R. Brown will be the only convention center in the state connected to 2 1,000-room premium hotels.  Also under renovation, the GRB will feature a new promenade with at least 7 street-level restaurants facing Discovery Green, a flagship Starbucks Coffee shop at the Hilton Americas and a whole host of other signature amenities.

With all of these big moves aimed at improving the Downtown tourism experience, it only makes sense that the Houston Visitors Center be near all of the action, and closer to tourists hungry for Bayou City Swag.

HVC City Hall

The Houston Visitors Center in its former location at City Hall.  The new address is 1300 Avenida de Las Americas.  

(Photo credit:  Waymarking.com)