Saturday, May 19, 2001

Hate crimes bill may hurt GOP backers

AUSTIN - Gov. Rick Perry squashed a potential campaign issue for the Democrats in next year's governor's race by signing the hate-crimes bill. But in doing so, Perry created problems within his own Republican party - and acting Lt. Gov. Bill Ratliff and other Republican senators who supported the bill may suffer the most for it.
   Perry will likely run unopposed in the GOP primary for governor. But Ratliff, also a Republican, won't be so lucky if he runs for lieutenant governor. He will have a challenger and his vote in favor of the hate-crimes bill may hurt him.
   Ratliff was one of five Republican lawmakers who voted for the measure, which the Senate passed 20-10. The Senate killed the bill two years ago and spared George W. Bush from making a decision that could have hurt his presidential bid. Bush opposed the bill because he said all crimes were hate crimes.
   Perry, however, was forced to make a decision and he signed the bill, despite heavy objection from some conservatives. Perry had little choice because the Senate backed him into a corner - and he either had to sign it or hand the Democrats a campaign issue on a silver platter.
   It would have been tough for Perry to campaign for the Hispanic and black vote in next year's general election if he vetoed the hate-crimes bill. During an emotional debate in the Senate, it was obvious this bill meant a lot to minorities.
   The law will strengthen penalties for crimes motivated by hate or prejudice over a victim's race, ancestry, national origin, sexual preference, religion, disability, age or gender. Many conservatives object to the inclusion of sexual preference in the bill.
   Perry, who previously opposed the hate-crimes bill, seemed to have his doubts about the legislation - even as he was signing it into law.
   "I still continue to have questions about the eventual wisdom of dividing people when your energy should be dedicated to bringing them together," Perry said. "But I also believe that as governor . . . I have an obligation to see issues from another person's perspective, to walk in another person's shoes."
   Praise and criticism
   Perry faces criticism from groups that usually support him and praise from his critics.
   ''All crimes of violence are hate crimes and justice should be equally applied,'' said Norm Mason, chairman of the Texas Christian Coalition, which generally supports Perry. ''This hate-crimes bill is not the even-handed approach to legislating that Texans want from their governor.''
   The Lesbian/Gay Rights Lobby of Texas saw it differently. ''This is a proud moment for Texas,'' said Dianne Hardy-Garcia, executive director of the group. ''I commend Gov. Perry for signing the James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Act.''
   As presiding officer of the Senate, Bill Ratliff has voted just a few times this session and he could have avoided this contentious issue. Instead, he took a stand and voted in favor of it - a move that could cost him conservative support if he runs for lieutenant governor.
   Unlike Perry's free ride in the primary, Ratliff is expected to face a candidate - possibly Land Commissioner David Dewhurst - who will attract considerable support. Ratliff has defended his position by saying his hate-crimes bill vote was the right thing to do.
   Ratliff is right and conservatives should not punish him for taking a stand on an issue that means so much to so many. Instead, Texans should laud Ratliff for his courage and for doing what he believes is best for the state.
   Ty Meighan is chief of the Scripps Howard Austin Bureau and can be reached at 512-334-6640 or at meighant@scripps.com
  
  

---

Ty Meighan is chief of the Scripps Howard Austin Bureau. You can reach him by phone at (512) 334-6640 or by email at meighant@scripps.com.

| Discuss about birdwatching | | Home |

---

---

[ Printer-friendly version ]
[ Subscribe to newspaper ]

SEND THIS PAGE TO A FRIEND

---

2000 Caller-Times Publishing Company, a Scripps Howard newspaper. All rights reserved.