Official English Legislation Remains Popular in Texas, Survey Finds

[Harold Schiffman]

Official English Legislation Remains Popular in Texas, Survey Finds
78 percent of likely voters favor common language legislation

Last update: 11:45 a.m. EDT Aug. 5, 2008

WASHINGTON, Aug 05, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- More than three-in-four
Texans supports making English the official language of the state
according to a new poll from Zogby International. The survey found
that 78 percent of Lone Star State residents favor legislation that
would limit government multilingualism and unite the state under the
common language of English. The poll, which was conducted from July
21-23, indicated that just 20 percent of Texans oppose such a bill,
with the remaining two percent undecided.

The poll found strong support for an official English policy in every
region of the state, including 79 percent support in the Houston
metropolitan area and 77 percent support in Dallas. More than
nine-in-ten Republicans favored making English the official language
of the state, as did three-in-four Independents and six-in-ten
Democrats. The survey of 803 likely voters had a margin of error of
plus or minus 3.5 percentage points.
During the 2007 legislative session, two measures were introduced to
make English the official language of Texas, H.J.R. 83 and H.B. 2205.
These bills, the first official English-related measures to be
introduced in the Lone Star State in more than a decade, did not pass
out of committee before the session expired. Proponents have vowed to
re-introduce official English legislation when the legislature
convenes in early 2009. Currently, 30 states have adopted English as
the official language of the state.

"The strong support for official English legislation demonstrates that
Texas residents are looking for measures that bring people together,
not separate them along language lines," said Mauro E. Mujica,
Chairman of U.S. English, Inc. "I look forward to working with
legislators to pass a bill that will promote sensible government and
English acquisition for the benefit of all Texans."

http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/official-english-legislation-remains-popular/story.aspx?guid=%7B807A25E9-BAB2-481A-A787-B13CE411A95C%7D&dist=hppr
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