Texas

TexasTowelie

(112,211 posts) Fri Feb 20, 2015, 11:42 PM Feb 2015

Bill would mandate official state business in English only

Despite several failed attempts in recent years to establish English as the official state language, Republican lawmakers are trying again this year.

Senate Bill 447, filed by state Sen. Bob Hall, R-Edgewood, earlier this month, would mandate that official state business be conducted in English. State Rep. Angie Button, R-Richardson, filed a similar bill, House Bill 1326, in the Texas House.

Read more: http://www.statesman.com/news/news/state-regional-govt-politics/bill-would-mandate-official-state-business-in-engl/nkF8Y/ (subscription required).

“We are working to bring this unity back to our state,” says state Sen. Bob Hall, the bill’s sponsor.

State Sen. Judith Zaffirini: “Our goals for Texas should not be English-only but English-plus other languages.”

10 replies

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Bill would mandate official state business in English only (Original Post) TexasTowelie Feb 2015 OP

Hummm, so if a witness for a trial does not speak english then the criminals can get away with Thinkingabout Feb 2015 #1

As strongly as I feel that newcomers need to learn English, SheilaT Feb 2015 #2

No Latin? Downwinder Feb 2015 #3

Even worse, TexasTowelie Feb 2015 #4

No prescriptions. Downwinder Feb 2015 #6

Going to be an awfully bland diet. Downwinder Feb 2015 #5

As long as they pay for translators on every street corner... freshwest Feb 2015 #7

Not to mention, Downwinder Feb 2015 #8

The Texas GOP really hates Hispanics Gothmog Feb 2015 #9

No fajitas? TexasTowelie Feb 2015 #10

Thinkingabout

(30,058 posts)

1. Hummm, so if a witness for a trial does not speak english then the criminals can get away with

Reply to TexasTowelie (Original post)

Sat Feb 21, 2015, 12:12 AM

Feb 2015

Murder because the only language would be English. Now, who does this help.

SheilaT

(23,156 posts)

2. As strongly as I feel that newcomers need to learn English,

Reply to TexasTowelie (Original post)

Sat Feb 21, 2015, 12:16 AM

Feb 2015

I recognize that the process takes time, and some don't learn a new language as easily as others. We need to be able to provide translation services as needed.

However, I do believe that ballots should be in English only. If you're a voting citizen, you need to know English well enough to read a ballot.