One-on-One With Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick

One week after the 84th Legislature ended, Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick was in North Texas.

Patrick sat down with NBC 5 Political Reporter Julie Fine Monday afternoon.

He spoke about passing one of his priority bills, grading schools A-F, and says it’s fair to rate the senate, where he is president. He says lawmakers get an A-, and that senators did a great job. Patrick says 30 of 31 senators voted for the budget. He says senators passed 20 of his 22 key priorities.

Both open and campus carry passed the session.

One week after the 84th Legislature ended, Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick was in North Texas. Patrick sat down with NBC 5 Political reporter Julie Fine this afternoon.

The chancellor of the University of Texas System said he is against it. There have been concerns from some parents.

“I remind folks sometimes people who don’t know about CHL (concealed handgun licenses) they think some freshman from high school is going to be carrying a gun. You have to be 21 in the state of Texas,” said Patrick. He added, “Campus carry you have to remember is for 21 and older students. It is for the professors. It is also for the employees. They should have a right to defend themselves in the workplace.”

One bill that did not pass the senate prohibited government employees from issuing marriage licenses to same sex couples. This month, the supreme court is expected to rule on whether a state can ban same-sex marriage.

We asked Patrick about that.

“We are a nation of laws and whether I agree or disagree with the supreme court, we have to follow those laws, but within those laws there are many things we can do. For example, yes, abortion is legal in America, but in Texas, we are one of the most pro-life states. I have helped to be a leader on that, of any state. So, even if they legalize gay marriage, there may be something we can do within the confines of whatever their decision is,” said Patrick.

Patrick has seen the video of a McKinney Police officer that is making national headlines.[[306559591,C]]

”I don’t have all the facts. I’m not a jury. I don’t think it’s fair to judge someone on a 30 second clip on television. I’m not going to prejudice the case one of the other,” said Patrick.
“I just don’t know. If he did something wrong, he will be held accountable. Law enforcement officers and their department heads want to be held accountable, but we are at a time in this country when too many people are anti-law enforcement,” he added.

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