I see people on the streets all the time and wonder how life can take them from being secure and with a home to wandering and wondering if they will survive. I understand that there are those people who do take advantage of other's generosity, I've even fallen victim to that myself before, but there are those that are in desperate need of help and instead of helping them, Mr. Badon is trying to pass a law that criminalizes begging for money/panhandling. I do not feel this is right. The poor have voices, Mr. Badon and they WILL NOT be silenced. You cannot cast them aside. They are here and they are real and people and they need YOUR HELP. If this law passes, then these people's chances of survival will plummet. Please, sign the petition to help stop this bill from passing and help protect the people who don't have the means to protect themselves.

HB 1158 would criminalize solicitation, making it a misdemeanor punishable with a maximum fine of $200 and up to six months in jail. The bill is targeted not just at panhandlers, but hitchhikers and those engaged in prostitution as well.