During our June 2012 state convention, the Texas Democratic Party adopted a platform that called for the decriminalization of marijuana. Make no mistake. This action was not meant to condone or promote drug use. It does however recognize that archaic laws that incarcerate thousands of Texans – disproportionately African Americans and Latinos – for the possession of marijuana must be changed. These arrests do nothing to promote public safety or fiscal responsibility. Instead they crowd our jails, ruin the futures of thousands of young Texans, and are a drain on our state budget. Estimates show that Texas could save more than $75 million per year by decriminalizing marijuana. Continuing to incarcerate people for possession of marijuana is a failed policy. The Texas Democratic Party understands that we need to look forward and end fiscally stupid policies that put a scarlet letter on thousands of young people.
Republicans on the other hand, are scrambling to respond. Republicans want to continue an expensive system that ruins lives.
But that should come as no surprise to us. Republicans are doing everything they can to consistently remain on the wrong side of history.
Just last week, President Obama made a historic announcement on immigration. Our President announced that young immigrants who have stayed out of trouble and studied in our schools would not be deported and be given work permits. These provisions are similar to those in the federal DREAM Act, which the TDP platform also supports. It didn’t take long for Texas Republicans to attack our President and young immigrants. Republicans like Rick Perry, David Dewhurst and Ted Cruz all said they opposed the President’s measure to help kids who grew up in this country. These Republican elected officials, who are more committed to investing in incarceration than education, are endangering our state’s economic future.
Whether it’s on women’s issues, equality, immigration, or education, Republicans are on the wrong side. The message is clear. Democrats represent progress and equality; Republicans are doing everything they can to grasp on to the past.
America is taking note of our stances. For your reference, we’ve included some of the national coverage the Texas Democratic Party has received on our plank to decriminalize marijuana.
Yours,
Gilberto Hinojosa
Chair