Bill Blotter: Prostitutes Cannot Teach in Oregon
June 6, 2005 — -- In this week's Bill Blotter, Oregon students will not have prostitutes for teachers; the governor of Texas is accused of fudging the line between church and state; and New York women can expect shorter lines for the restroom.
It is still illegal for prostitutes, former or current, to teach in Oregon after a bill to change that policy died in the state Senate.
Under Oregon law, the commission that issues teaching licenses must turn down applicants who were convicted of prostitution at any time in their life, regardless of any special circumstances.
The bill would have allowed school districts to hire a former prostitute if more than seven years had passed since their conviction and they had not since been convicted of any other crime. It would have allowed the Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission to evaluate each circumstance on a case-by-case basis.
The bill's sponsor, Sen. Margaret Carter, D-Portland, says she will resubmit the bill in 2007.
Texas Gov. Rick Perry is raising some eyebrows with his plan to sign anti-abortion legislation and a resolution banning gay marriage at Forth Worth's Calvary Christian Academy this Sunday.
Inside the parochial school's gymnasium, the governor will sign a bill requiring parental consent for girls requesting an abortion and a resolution calling for a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage.
While his signature on the resolution is merely ceremonial since the measure must be approved by voters to become a law, critics are questioning the political motives.
"I think it's wrong," said Kathy Miller, president of the Texas Freedom Network, which describes itself as a mainstream voice to counter the religious right.
"As I recall, Jesus threw the money changers out of the temple,and I wonder how long it will be before people of faith get fed upwith opportunistic political campaigning in their houses ofworship," she said.
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