As our legislature in the great state of Texas proceeds with their 2015 session, there are many bills that are presented for them to review. Quite predictable, one of the bills that is getting a lot of attention is the open-carry bill.  The Dallas Morning News issued an editorial titled, “Texas Bills to expand ‘campus carry’ are misguided.” It is clear that the author of this editorial is against the bill. The author argues that campus carry is highly unfavored by both law enforcement and campus administrators. He quotes William McRaven who is UT’s new systems chancellor and strengthens his opinion that open carry would be a catastrophe instead of helping with the safety of faculty and students. I find it interesting how quick the author was to call out State Sen. Brian Birdwell, State Rep. Allen Fletcher, and Gov. Greg Abbott and their support for open carry. It gives me a feeling that he is trying to convince his audience that they are the so-called “bad guys” that want to bring us to our demise. This is a hard editorial to write in my opinion because there isn’t much evidence to back your argument up. The only real evidence there is are the opinions other people have. Therefore, you’re using opinions as evidence for your own opinion. Texas will be the guinea pig with this campus carry law if it is passed. Seeing that Texas is a very conservative state, and a state that likes its guns, I wouldn’t be surprised that this editorial and others like it will be overlooked. While the author does a very good job at providing his claim and evidence to back it up, there aren’t any substantial facts that will catch the readers’ eyes. Both sides have decent arguments on why this bill should or shouldn’t be passed. As a college student, I know that campus is an environment filled with stress. Although I can handle stress well, I can’t say the same for my peers. With that being said, if campus carry is passed, I will definitely be on high alert as I walk around campus. Having your CHL only licenses you on the handling of a firearm and not the handling of your actions under extenuating circumstances.

Today, Joe Straus spoke at the University of Texas at Austin regarding a bill that lets illegal students pay in-state tuition at state schools. Straus thinks that Texas shouldn't repeal the law that put this into effect. He spoke out saying that Texas should stay as "a place of opportunity." He defends the students that fall under this category by making the public and political eye aware that these students are trying to better themselves by getting a higher education. Straus believes that these students could be a pivotal part of our society by boosting our economy and helping pay taxes. There will be more on the interview on the Dallas Morning News on Thursday February 12, 2015. Although I can see Mr. Straus' view on this topic, I have to ask myself, "what are these students supposed to do after college?" They may have a higher education, but they still don't have their citizenship. Until they are able to obtain their U.S. citizenship, how are they going to help our economy and pay taxes if it is illegal to hire illegal immigrants? This is a topic that has ad the spotlight for some time now. I am curious as to see how this all will play out.