Perry, Hutchison back law

STAFF REPORT

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Tucked into a defense appropriations bill was an amendment that will fine, punish and even jail critics of federally protected classes of people.

U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, who is currently running for governor against Rick Perry, voted for the amendment but supported the overall bill due to support for the military.

However, Perry, himself the signer of a state hate crimes law, has not made the vote an issue in his campaign against Hutchison and Debra Medina, who is backed by U.S. Congressman Ron Paul.

David Hunnicutt, a Republican precinct chairman from Ennis, said his criticism of a Muslim-owned slaughterhouse in Ennis Monday night could, according to the legislation, land him in jail.

The Ellis County Press went to press before the slaughterhouse vote was taken.

For updates, see elliscountypress.com