Texas Morality Before Education

The latest edition of THE ADVOCATE (July 5, 2005) gives a brief look at the 2005 Texas legislative session. Here's some of the results:
Passed:
*A proposal to put before voters a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage
*A bill requiring parental consent for unmarried girls under 18 to get an abortion
*A bill strenghtening the rights of parents to use corporal punishment on children
*A bill declaring the chuck wagon the state's official vehicle
Failed:
*A ban on gay and lesbians becoming foster parents
*A ban on "overtly sexually suggestive" routines by cheerleaders
*A pro-medical marijuana bill
*A much-needed school funding reform bill
Also in the article is a quote from Senfronia Thompson, a representative from Houston, just before the legislature passed the marriage amendment:
"I thought we would be debating economic development, property tax relief, protecting
seniors' pensions, and stem cell research to save lives of Texans who are waiting for a
more abundant life. Instead we are wasting this body's time with this political stunt
that is nothing more than constitutionalizing discrimination. The prejudice exhibited
by members of this body disgust me."
Thank God I do NOT live in Texas!