Lutheran Legislative Agenda 2015

There are three synods of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) in Texas. At their
annual legislative conference, members from all of Texas ELCA synods adopt a consensus
legislative agenda reflecting their priority legislative concerns.
As Lutherans, we affirm the dedication of every member of the Texas Legislature. We thank you for your service to
our state and we look forward to thanking you for your good work in the 84th legislative session. We particularly
look forward to thanking you for your action on the following issues, which we believe are crucial to our states
wellbeing:

Health: Providing Reliable Access for Every Body

We call on the Legislature to provide reliable access to health care for all Texans. We urge lawmakers to correct
inadequacies in our states health insurance system, which leaves behind many of the least of our brothers and sisters,
whom we are called especially to serve. We encourage lawmakers to maximize Texas federal health care funding,
especially through expansion of health insurance to low-income adults using federal Medicaid funds.

Public Education: Developing Gifts for the Common Good

The Legislature should affirm its constitutional obligation to provide high quality public education for the benefit of all
children in our state. We oppose legislation that would shift funding designated for public education to private schools,
including the establishment of any voucher programs. Current arguments for vouchers serve to highlight systemic
inadequacies in Texas public education; we prefer to see these inadequacies addressed so that every Texas child can
receive an excellent education, for their own benefit and the benefit of our whole state.

Immigration: Welcoming Sojourners Within Our Borders

We advocate for fair, humane policies toward immigrants in Texas. We call on lawmakers to leave off consideration of
abolishing the Texas DREAM Act. We entreat Texas legislators to advocate with our Congressional delegation for
federal policies that prioritize family unification, due process and hospitable accommodation of those who find
themselves sojourning within our borders.

Criminal Justice: Embodying Gods Grace

We call on legislators to guarantee fair treatment for all Texans caught up in the states criminal justice system. We
urge legislators to remove barriers to successful reentry into the community after incarceration; in particular, we call
for an end to Texas draconian restrictions on SNAP and other important benefits for former drug felons. We
encourage lawmakers to consider the frequent co-occurrence of mental illness with criminal behavior, especially
substance abuse, and to ensure those in the criminal justice system with mental health needs receive appropriate,
timely and effective care.

Water: Conserving and Preserving Life-Giving Resources

We urge lawmakers to prioritize our states water infrastructure investments around the primary principle of fair access
to clean water for all Texans. We affirm the inherent worth of all creation and call on lawmakers to protect all of
Texas natural resources. We applaud legislators focus on conservation, and pledge our active support and
participation in a strong state planning process to ensure a radiant water future for Texas.

For more information about Lutheran Legislative Event or this legislative agenda, contact:
Brenda Krueger
Ashley Dellagiacoma
Lissy Bethmann

Brenda.krueger25@yahoo.com
vicarashley@christbrenham.org
lbethmann@birchwoodresultants.com

210-385-3639
512-940-3202
817-714-6461

Southwestern Texas Synod

Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod
North Texas-Northern Louisiana Synod