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Two key committees considered bills this week on Lt. Governor Dan Patrick’s priority issue list, measures that deal with freedom of speech, freedom of religion and right to visitation. Monday, the Senate State Affairs Committee took up a bill that would prevent government at any level from imposing restrictions on religious activities or worship services. Though Governor Greg Abbott classified houses of worship as essential services early in the pandemic, government-imposed limits on religious gatherings in some other states encouraged some Texas lawmakers to ensure that never happens here. “It is certainly at the center of what it means to be an American and to be a Texan – regardless of any specific person’s faith – that we protect everyone’s freedom to assemble in places of worship, to engage in religious activities and to worship together,” said McKinney Senator Angela Paxton.