Grew up in a small town, and when the rain would fall down...I would pray. Sorry, we couldn't help but think of Burleson's own American Idol Kelly Clarkson as we continued reading HB 1212.

In Section 34.101 (subchapter C) the bill says the application to get around parental consent (if you're abused or mature enough, etc) may be filed in "minor's county of residence or for a county that borders the minor's county of residence." The current law allows her to file her application and have her hearing in ANY COUNTY.

We think the any county part works because we grew up in a small town where everybody knew everybody and all they had to talk about was our 'bidness'.

By the way, there are abortion providers in only about 17 counties. (Texas has 254 Counties. Guess who called an old high school teacher today? We did! We did!)

edited to add: we just phoned Representative King's office and asked them to provide a statement on this legislation, the originating idea, why this is a crisis now, and how this bill will benefit the people that we see it hurts the most. So far, no comment. The Chief of Staff has promised us an email...we'll be holding our breath while we continue drinking waiting for his reply. Caleb, you got our email, right?

A minor has to go to clinic for a sonogram and certain info (as required by case law and by HB 15 passed in 03) before she is ready for her hearing.

Imagine being from someplace like Callahan County, Texas If you go to Lubbock and get your sonogram and info, go back to Callahan County, where your uncle's cousin is the bailiff in the one court in the courthouse and you are in deep shit. So maybe you can go to Jones or Coleman County and file, but that still is logistically
difficult and you will probably be found out anyway.....

And then further, the Judge in Callahan County has never heard one of these cases before and he doesn't want abortion in his courthouse and so he is really ornery (as well he should be because if they find out he followed the law and granted the damn thing, his name will be MUD)