Americans' right to speak their minds is con- sidered sacred, which is why we must fight to pro - tect the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and the Texas Citizens Participation Act. Both measures were carefully written with protection of the individual — the “little guy" - in mind. They're designed to give a David a fighting chance if he finds himself in a legal duel with a Goliath.
Unfortunately, the Texas Citizens Participa - tion Act is under attack once again. The Legis - lature is being lobbied fiercely by well-heeled business interests and law firms who want the law either repealed or gutted. On Wednesday the Texas House Committee on Ju - diciary and Civil Jurispru - dence will conduct a hear - ing to consider whether to gut the TCPA or stand up for a good law that's been giving David a fair shot since legislators passed it 13 years ago.
It appears that Com- mittee Chairman Jeff Leach, R-Plano, who has taken aim at the TCPA over the last several leg - islative sessions, wants to make sure Goliath’s side gets multiple shots at Da - vid. The panel of witness - es Leach invited to testify at his Wednesday hearing includes three witnesses from business and legal interests who have been opposed to the TCPA and one lonely First Amend ment attorney.
