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  • 2017-10-24 (xsd:date)
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  • Did a City in Texas Require Harvey Aid Recipients to Promise Not to Boycott Israel? (en)
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  • With communities in Texas attempting to recover and rebuild from the devastating effects of Hurricane Harvey in late 2017, an administrative measure taken by one Texas city has attracted national attention. Texas Monthly reported: The Houston Chronicle wrote: We received several inquiries from readers wondering about the veracity of these reports. As of 24 October 2017, the city of Dickinson, Texas, does indeed require anyone applying for a Hurricane Harvey Repair Grant to promise not to boycott Israel. Those seeking a grant are required to sign an agreement with the city of Dickinson for the purpose of providing funds to assist in rebuilding a home or a business impacted by Hurricane Harvey within the City in a timely manner that will maintain the City’s ad valorem and sales tax revenues, along with other benefits for the City as a whole. One of the terms of the application is: Dickinson Mayor Julie Masters told local TV news channel KHOU that the city was required to include that condition on the release of the funding by a recently-passed Texas state law - House Bill 89, which Governor Greg Abbott signed in May, and which came into effect on 1 September 2017. The law states: Speaking to KHOU, Mayor Masters said: H.B. 89 does not appear to require that any release of public funds come with a commitment by the recipient not to boycott Israel. Rather, it states that Texas (or cities and towns within Texas) cannot enter into a contract with anyone for goods or services without adding the no boycott clause. Under Dickinson's repair grant application and agreement, the city would provide financial assistance directly to the recipient for the purpose of repairing and rebuilding private homes and businesses. So it's unclear how the city receives goods or services in return for the grant. However, the agreement also defines the grant recipient as an independent contractor. According to KHOU, Masters is set to consult with Texas state officials over the wording of the law. The American Civil Liberties Union has criticized both the Dickinson agreement and the state law, saying it was reminiscent of McCarthy-era loyalty oaths. In a statement, ACLU of Texas Legal Director Andre Segura said: (en)
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