New sonogram law struck down

On Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Sam Sparks struck down key provisions of a sonogram law passed during the legislative session last spring, according to The Associated Press. The law, which would have taken effect today, requires women seeking an abortion to view a sonogram and listen to the heartbeat of the fetus at least 24 hours before the procedure.

“[It] is difficult to avoid the troubling conclusion the Texas Legislature either wants to permanently brand women who choose to get abortions, or views these certifications as potential evidence to be used against physicians and women.”
— Sparks in his decision, which issued a preliminary injunction against the sonogram law.

“Every life lost to abortion is a tragedy and today’s ruling is a great disappointment to all Texans who stand in defense of life.”
—Gov. Rick Perry in a statement released Tuesday in response to Sparks’ decision.

“We look at this ruling as a huge victory for women in Texas and an important signal that the Legislature went too far when it passed this law.”
—Julie Rikelman, a lawyer with the New York-based Center for Reproductive Rights, which sought the injunction, in response to the decision, according to the Austin American-Statesman.

And it’s goodbye to A&M

Texas A&M announced Wednesday in a press release that it will leave the Big 12 Conference effective next summer if accepted by another conference.

“After much thought and consideration, and pursuant to the action of the [Texas A&M University System] Board of Regents authorizing me to take action related to Texas A&M University’s athletic conference alignment, I have determined it is in the best interest of Texas A&M to make application to join another athletic conference.”
— Texas A&M President R. Bowen Loftin in a letter Wednesday to conference commissioner Dan Beebe on A&M’s decision to leave the Big 12.

“There is no question as to which conference offers a better long-term outlook for A&M.”
—The editorial board of The Battalion, the student newspaper of Texas A&M, in an editorial last week suggesting A&M should leave the Big 12 and join the Southeastern Conference.

“As Texas’ third largest school and one of only three of the state’s Tier One public universities, it makes absolutely no sense that [the University of Houston] is not part of a major athletic conference.”
—Rep. Garnet Coleman, D-Houston, in a post on his blog last week pushing for the inclusion of the University of Houston in the Big 12 Conference.