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    <TD class=3DTextSmall><A class=3DTextSmall=20
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      <DIV class=3DSection1>
      <P class=3DMsoNormal><A name=3Da3><B><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt">Affirmed</SPAN></B></A><B><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt"> and Opinion filed October 30,=20
2007.</SPAN></B></P>
      <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"TEXT-INDENT: 4in"><B><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt"></SPAN></B>&nbsp;</P>
      <P class=3DMsoNormal><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: =
13pt"></SPAN>&nbsp;</P>
      <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"TEXT-ALIGN: center" =
align=3Dcenter><B><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt">In The</SPAN></B></P>
      <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"TEXT-ALIGN: center" =
align=3Dcenter><B><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt"></SPAN></B>&nbsp;</P>
      <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"TEXT-ALIGN: center" =
align=3Dcenter><B><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 18pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'EngrvrsOldEng Bd =
BT'">Fourteenth=20
      Court of Appeals</SPAN></B></P>
      <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"TEXT-ALIGN: center" =
align=3Dcenter><B><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">____________</SPAN></B></P>
      <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"TEXT-ALIGN: center" =
align=3Dcenter><B><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti"></SPAN></B>&nbsp;</P>
      <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"TEXT-ALIGN: center" =
align=3Dcenter><B><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; FONT-FAMILY: Shruti">NO. <A=20
      name=3Da4>14-06-00303-CV</A></SPAN></B></P>
      <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"TEXT-ALIGN: center" =
align=3Dcenter><B><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">____________</SPAN></B></P>
      <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"TEXT-ALIGN: center" =
align=3Dcenter><B><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti"></SPAN></B>&nbsp;</P>
      <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"TEXT-ALIGN: center" =
align=3Dcenter><A=20
      name=3Da5><B><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">JOSEPHINE S.=20
      ALOBAIDI</SPAN></B></A><B><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; FONT-FAMILY: Shruti">, =
Appellant</SPAN></B></P>
      <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"TEXT-ALIGN: center" =
align=3Dcenter><B><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti"></SPAN></B>&nbsp;</P>
      <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"TEXT-ALIGN: center" =
align=3Dcenter><B><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; FONT-FAMILY: Shruti">V.</SPAN></B></P>
      <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"TEXT-ALIGN: center" =
align=3Dcenter><B><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti"></SPAN></B>&nbsp;</P>
      <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"TEXT-ALIGN: center" =
align=3Dcenter><A=20
      name=3Da6><B><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">THE=20
      UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER AT=20
      HOUSTON</SPAN></B></A><B><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; FONT-FAMILY: Shruti">, =
Appellee</SPAN></B></P>
      <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"TEXT-ALIGN: center" =
align=3Dcenter><B><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti"></SPAN></B>&nbsp;</P>
      <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"LINE-HEIGHT: 2.85pt; TEXT-ALIGN: =
center"=20
      align=3Dcenter><SPAN=20
      style=3D"MARGIN-TOP: 0px; Z-INDEX: -2; LEFT: 0px; MARGIN-LEFT: =
96px; WIDTH: 624px; POSITION: absolute; HEIGHT: 4px"><IMG=20
      height=3D4 src=3D"" width=3D624></SPAN></P>
      <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"TEXT-ALIGN: center" =
align=3Dcenter><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; FONT-FAMILY: Shruti"></SPAN>&nbsp;</P>
      <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"TEXT-ALIGN: center" =
align=3Dcenter><B><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; FONT-FAMILY: Shruti">On Appeal from the =
<A=20
      name=3Da7>190th District Court</A></SPAN></B></P>
      <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"TEXT-ALIGN: center" =
align=3Dcenter><A=20
      name=3Da8><B><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">Harris</SPAN></B></A><B><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; FONT-FAMILY: Shruti"> County, =
Texas</SPAN></B></P>
      <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"TEXT-ALIGN: center" =
align=3Dcenter><B><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; FONT-FAMILY: Shruti">Trial Court Cause =
No. <A=20
      name=3Da9>05-39746</A></SPAN></B></P>
      <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"TEXT-ALIGN: center" =
align=3Dcenter><B><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti"></SPAN></B>&nbsp;</P>
      <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"LINE-HEIGHT: 2.85pt; TEXT-ALIGN: =
center"=20
      align=3Dcenter><SPAN=20
      style=3D"MARGIN-TOP: 0px; Z-INDEX: -1; LEFT: 0px; MARGIN-LEFT: =
96px; WIDTH: 624px; POSITION: absolute; HEIGHT: 4px"><IMG=20
      height=3D4 src=3D"" width=3D624></SPAN></P>
      <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"TEXT-ALIGN: center" =
align=3Dcenter><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; FONT-FAMILY: Shruti"></SPAN>&nbsp;</P>
      <P class=3DMsoNormal=20
      style=3D"MARGIN-BOTTOM: 7.35pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; TEXT-ALIGN: =
center"=20
      align=3Dcenter><B><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 14pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">O P I N I=20
      O N</SPAN></B></P></DIV><B><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti"><BR=20
      style=3D"PAGE-BREAK-BEFORE: auto" clear=3Dall></SPAN></B>
      <DIV class=3DSection2>
      <P class=3DMsoNormal=20
      style=3D"MARGIN-BOTTOM: 6.8pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; TEXT-ALIGN: =
justify"><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
      In this retaliatory-discharge case, a former employee challenges =
the trial=20
      court</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">=3D</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">s order=20
      granting the plea to the jurisdiction filed by her former =
employer, a=20
      university center. The former employee contends that (1) the =
university=20
      center waived sovereign immunity by previously having pursued an =
appeal of=20
      her workers</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">=3D</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: Shruti"> =

      compensation award and (2) prohibiting her from using the state =
courts to=20
      pursue her Labor Code chapter 451 retaliatory discharge claim<A =
title=3D""=20
      =
href=3D"http://www.14thcoa.courts.state.tx.us/opinions/htmlopinion.asp?Op=
inionId=3D83970#_ftn1"=20
      name=3D_ftnref1><SPAN class=3DMsoFootnoteReference><SUP><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Shruti"><SPAN =
class=3DMsoFootnoteReference><SUP><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">[1]</SPAN></SUP></SPAN></SPAN></SUP></SPAN></A>=20
      against that institution violates the state and federal equal =
protection,=20
      due process, and due course of law clauses.&nbsp; We =
affirm.</SPAN></P>
      <P class=3DMsoNormal=20
      style=3D"MARGIN-BOTTOM: 6.8pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; TEXT-ALIGN: =
center"=20
      align=3Dcenter><B><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; TEXT-TRANSFORM: uppercase; LINE-HEIGHT: =
150%; FONT-FAMILY: Shruti">I.&nbsp;=20
      Factual and Procedural Background</SPAN></B></P>
      <P class=3DMsoNormal=20
      style=3D"MARGIN-BOTTOM: 6.8pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; LINE-HEIGHT: =
150%; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">In the=20
      fall of 2001, appellant Josephine Alobaidi filed a =
workers</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">=3D</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: Shruti"> =

      compensation claim alleging she had sustained a =
chemical-inhalation injury=20
      while working at The University of Texas Health Science Center at =
Houston,=20
      which is part of The University of Texas System.&nbsp; <I>See</I> =
<SPAN=20
      style=3D"TEXT-TRANSFORM: uppercase">Tex. Educ. Code Ann.</SPAN> =
</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">'</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: Shruti"> =

      65.02(a)(9) (Vernon 2002).&nbsp; The University of Texas System =
was the=20
      party against whom Alobaidi asserted her workers</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">=3D</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: Shruti"> =

      compensation claim, but Alobaidi named only The University of =
Texas Health=20
      Science Center at Houston as the defendant in this =
anti-retaliation=20
      suit.&nbsp; Because the difference between these two entities does =
not=20
      affect the outcome in this case, we refer to both entities as =
</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">A</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">the=20
      Center</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">@</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: Shruti"> =
in this=20
      opinion.</SPAN></P>
      <P class=3DMsoNormal=20
      style=3D"MARGIN-BOTTOM: 6.8pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; LINE-HEIGHT: =
150%; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">The Center=20
      contested Alobaidi</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">=3D</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">s=20
      workers</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">=3D</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: Shruti"> =

      compensation claim, and Alobaidi subsequently prevailed in a=20
      contested-benefit hearing before the Hearings Division of the =
Texas=20
      Workers</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">=3D</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: Shruti"> =

      Compensation Commission.&nbsp; The Center next sought relief in=20
      administrative proceedings before the Commission, and the =
Commission also=20
      denied relief.&nbsp; The Center then filed suit for judicial =
review in the=20
      Harris County District Court, alleging Alobaidi had not sustained =
a=20
      compensable injury.&nbsp; Following a bench trial, the district =
court=20
      rendered judgment against the Center and ordered it to pay =
Alobaidi=20
      attorney</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">=3D</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">s fees of=20
      $23,075.&nbsp; The trial court announced its decision in early =
August=20
      2004.&nbsp; A few days thereafter, the Center terminated=20
      Alobaidi</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">=3D</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">s=20
      employment.</SPAN></P></DIV><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti"><BR=20
      style=3D"PAGE-BREAK-BEFORE: auto" clear=3Dall></SPAN>
      <DIV class=3DSection3>
      <P class=3DMsoNormal=20
      style=3D"MARGIN-BOTTOM: 6.8pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; LINE-HEIGHT: =
150%; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">Alobaidi=20
      sued the Center in this case alleging she had been wrongfully =
discharged=20
      because of her workers</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">=3D</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: Shruti"> =

      compensation claim.&nbsp; The Center responded with a plea to the=20
      jurisdiction and a motion to dismiss, alleging =
Alobaidi</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">=3D</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">s claims=20
      were barred by the doctrine of sovereign immunity.&nbsp; The trial =
court=20
      granted the Center</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">=3D</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">s plea to=20
      the jurisdiction and dismissed the case.</SPAN></P>
      <P class=3DMsoNormal=20
      style=3D"MARGIN-BOTTOM: 6.8pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; TEXT-ALIGN: =
center"=20
      align=3Dcenter><B><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">II.&nbsp;=20
      <SPAN style=3D"TEXT-TRANSFORM: uppercase">Standard of=20
      Review</SPAN></SPAN></B></P>
      <P class=3DMsoNormal=20
      style=3D"MARGIN-BOTTOM: 6.8pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; LINE-HEIGHT: =
150%; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">In this=20
      appeal, Alobaidi challenges the trial court</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">=3D</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">s grant of=20
      the Center</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">=3D</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">s plea to=20
      the jurisdiction and dismissal of her case.&nbsp; She also =
challenges the=20
      constitutionality of the statutes on which the trial =
court</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">=3D</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">s decision=20
      rests.&nbsp; In filing a plea to the jurisdiction, a litigant =
challenges=20
      the trial court</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">=3D</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">s=20
      subject-matter jurisdiction.&nbsp; <I>Bland Indep. Sch. Dist. v. =
Blue,</I>=20
      34 S.W.3d 547, 554 (Tex. 2000).&nbsp; Because subject-matter =
jurisdiction=20
      is a question of law, we conduct a de novo review of the trial=20
      court</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">=3D</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">s ruling=20
      on the plea.&nbsp; <I>See Mayhew v. Town of Sunnyvale</I>, 964 =
S.W.2d 922,=20
      928 (Tex. 1998).&nbsp; Likewise, we also apply de novo review to =
questions=20
      raising constitutional concerns.&nbsp; <I>See State v. Hodges</I>, =
92=20
      S.W.3d 489, 494 (Tex.=20
      2002).&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; =
</SPAN></P>
      <P class=3DMsoNormal=20
      style=3D"MARGIN-BOTTOM: 6.8pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; TEXT-ALIGN: =
center"=20
      align=3Dcenter><B><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">III.</SPAN></B><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">&nbsp;=20
      <B><SPAN style=3D"TEXT-TRANSFORM: uppercase">Issues and=20
      Analysis</SPAN></B></SPAN></P>
      <P class=3DMsoNormal=20
      style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 4.55pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.5in; =
TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><B><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; FONT-FAMILY: Shruti">A. =
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
      Did the trial court err by holding the university center did not =
waive=20
      sovereign immunity by filing its district court petition to set =
aside the=20
      award of the Texas Workers</SPAN></B><B><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">=3D</SPAN></B><B><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; FONT-FAMILY: Shruti"> Compensation=20
      Commission?</SPAN></B></P>
      <P class=3DMsoNormal=20
      style=3D"MARGIN-BOTTOM: 1.55pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 34%; TEXT-ALIGN: =
center"=20
      align=3Dcenter><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 34%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti"></SPAN>&nbsp;</P>
      <P class=3DMsoNormal=20
      style=3D"MARGIN-BOTTOM: 6.8pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; LINE-HEIGHT: =
150%; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">In her=20
      first issue, Alobaidi argues the trial court erred in granting the =

      Center</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">=3D</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">s plea to=20
      the jurisdiction because that institution waived sovereign =
immunity when=20
      it initially filed suit seeking judicial relief against her in the =

      workers</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">=3D</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: Shruti"> =

      compensation case.&nbsp; Alobaidi bore the burden of alleging =
facts that=20
      affirmatively showed the trial court had subject-matter=20
      jurisdiction.&nbsp; <I>See Tex. Ass</I></SPAN><I><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">=3D</SPAN></I><I><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">n of Bus.=20
      v. Tex. Air Control Bd.</SPAN></I><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">, 852=20
      S.W.2d 440, 446 (Tex. 1993).&nbsp; Absent the State</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">=3D</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">s consent=20
      to suit, a trial court lacks subject-matter jurisdiction.&nbsp; =
<I>Tex.=20
      Dep</I></SPAN><I><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">=3D</SPAN></I><I><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">t of=20
      Transp. v. Jones</SPAN></I><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">, 8 S.W.3d=20
      636, 638 (Tex. 1999).</SPAN></P></DIV><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti"><BR=20
      style=3D"PAGE-BREAK-BEFORE: auto" clear=3Dall></SPAN>
      <DIV class=3DSection4>
      <P class=3DMsoNormal=20
      style=3D"MARGIN-BOTTOM: 6.8pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; LINE-HEIGHT: =
150%; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">Immunity=20
      from suit prohibits suits against the State unless the State =
expressly=20
      consents to the suit.&nbsp; <I>Wichita Falls State Hosp. v. =
Taylor</I>,=20
      106 S.W.3d 692, 696 (Tex. 2003).&nbsp; A state agency, such as the =
Center,=20
      shares this immunity.&nbsp; <I>See Lowe v. Tex. Tech. Univ.</I>, =
540=20
      S.W.2d 297, 298 (Tex. 1976); <I>Clark v. Univ. of Tex. Health Sci. =
Ctr. at=20
      Houston</I>, 919 S.W.2d 185, 187 (Tex. App.</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">C</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">Eastland=20
      1996, writ denied).&nbsp; For the legislature to waive the=20
      State</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">=3D</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">s=20
      sovereign immunity, a statute or resolution must contain a clear =
and=20
      unambiguous expression of the legislature</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">=3D</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">s waiver=20
      of immunity.&nbsp; <I>Taylor</I>, 106 S.W.3d at 696; <I>see</I> =
<SPAN=20
      style=3D"TEXT-TRANSFORM: uppercase">Tex. Gov</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; TEXT-TRANSFORM: uppercase; LINE-HEIGHT: =
150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP TypographicSymbols'">=3D</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; TEXT-TRANSFORM: uppercase; LINE-HEIGHT: =
150%; FONT-FAMILY: Shruti">t=20
      Code Ann.</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: Shruti"> =

      </SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">'</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: Shruti"> =
311.034=20
      (Vernon Supp. 2006).</SPAN></P>
      <P class=3DMsoNormal=20
      style=3D"MARGIN-BOTTOM: 6.8pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; LINE-HEIGHT: =
150%; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">Alobaidi=20
      concedes the legislature has not consented to workers</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">=3D</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: Shruti"> =

      compensation anti-retaliation suits against the Center.&nbsp; =
<I>See</I>=20
      <SPAN style=3D"TEXT-TRANSFORM: uppercase">Tex. Lab. Code =
Ann.</SPAN>=20
      </SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">''</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: Shruti"> =
451.001,=20
      451.002 (Vernon 2006) (providing remedies for persons discharged =
for=20
      having filed a workers</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">=3D</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: Shruti"> =

      compensation suit); </SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">'</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: Shruti"> =

      501.024(6) (excluding persons University of Texas employees who =
are=20
      covered under Chapter 503); </SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">'</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: Shruti"> =

      503.002(a) (not including sections 451.001 and 451.002 as general=20
      workers</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">=3D</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: Shruti"> =

      compensation laws applicable to The University of Texas =
employees); <I>see=20
      also</I> <I>Clark</I>, 919 S.W.2d at 187</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">B</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">88=20
      (holding the Center immune from workers</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">=3D</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: Shruti"> =

      compensation anti-retaliation suits).&nbsp; Instead, relying on =
<I>Reata=20
      Construction Corp. v. City of Dallas,</I> she argues the Center =
waived its=20
      sovereign immunity by seeking district court review of her=20
      workers</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">=3D</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: Shruti"> =

      compensation award.&nbsp; <I>See</I> 197 S.W.3d 371 (Tex.=20
2006).</SPAN></P>
      <P class=3DMsoNormal=20
      style=3D"MARGIN-BOTTOM: 6.8pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; LINE-HEIGHT: =
150%; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">In=20
      <I>Reata Construction</I>, </SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%">the Texas Supreme =
Court held=20
      that a governmental entity that brings an action waives immunity =
from suit=20
      for claims that are germane to, connected with, and properly =
defensive to=20
      its action, to the extent of an offset</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">.&nbsp;=20
      <I>Id.</I> at 373; <I>see</I> </SPAN><I><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%">State v. Fid. &amp; =
Deposit Co.=20
      of Md.</SPAN></I><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%">,</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: Shruti"> =
223=20
      S.W.3d 309, 310 (Tex. 2007) (summarizing <I>Reata</I> holding); =
<I>Tex.=20
      Dep</I></SPAN><I><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">=3D</SPAN></I><I><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">t of=20
      Transp. v. Precision Solar Controls, Inc.</SPAN></I><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">, 220=20
      S.W.3d 494, 494 (Tex. 2007) (per curiam) (same).&nbsp; Thus, =
<I>Reata=20
      Construction</I> provides for a waiver of immunity only =
</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">A</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">to the=20
      extent [a party</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">=3D</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">s] claims=20
      offset those asserted by [the state entity].</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">@</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">&nbsp; 197=20
      S.W.3d at 373.&nbsp; </SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">A</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">Once it=20
      asserts affirmative claims for monetary recovery, the [state =
entity] must=20
      participate in the litigation process as an ordinary litigant, =
save for=20
      the limitation that the [state entity] continues to have immunity =
from=20
      affirmative damage claims against it for monetary relief exceeding =
amounts=20
      necessary to offset the [state entity</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">=3D</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">s]=20
      claims.</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">@</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">&nbsp;=20
      <I>Id.</I> at 377.</SPAN></P></DIV><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti"><BR=20
      style=3D"PAGE-BREAK-BEFORE: auto" clear=3Dall></SPAN>
      <DIV class=3DSection5>
      <P class=3DMsoNormal=20
      style=3D"MARGIN-BOTTOM: 6.8pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; LINE-HEIGHT: =
150%; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">In the=20
      workers</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">=3D</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: Shruti"> =

      compensation case, the Center sought judicial review of the =
appeals=20
      panel</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">=3D</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">s decision=20
      regarding compensability of Alobaidi</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">=3D</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">s=20
      injury.&nbsp; <I>See</I> <SPAN style=3D"TEXT-TRANSFORM: =
uppercase">Tex. Lab.=20
      Code Ann.</SPAN> </SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">'</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: Shruti"> =
410.301=20
      (Vernon 2006).&nbsp; The Center never asserted a claim for =
monetary=20
      relief.&nbsp; In its district court petition, the Center sought a =
take=20
      nothing judgment against Alobaidi and the costs it expended in the =

      suit.&nbsp; In the present case, the Center is the defendant and =
has not=20
      asserted any claim for relief against Alobaidi.&nbsp; Therefore, =
there can=20
      be no offset and no waiver of sovereign immunity.&nbsp; <I>See =
Bexar=20
      Metro. Water Dist. v. Educ. &amp; Econ. Dev. Joint Venture</I>, =
220 S.W.3d=20
      25, 32 (Tex. App.</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">C</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">San=20
      Antonio 2006, pet. filed) (holding city water district</SPAN><SPAN =

      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">C</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">which had=20
      prayed for judgment and costs and filed a plea in abatement but =
had not=20
      made affirmative claims for monetary relief in suit brought by =
purchaser=20
      seeking specific performance</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">C</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">did not,=20
      by its conduct, waive governmental immunity to suit).&nbsp; =
Accordingly,=20
      we overrule Alobaidi</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">=3D</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">s first=20
      issue.</SPAN></P>
      <P class=3DMsoNormal=20
      style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 4.55pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.5in; =
TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><B><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; FONT-FAMILY: Shruti">B.&nbsp; =
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
      Do sections 501.024 and 503.002(a) of the Texas Labor Code violate =
the=20
      state and federal equal protection clauses?</SPAN></B></P>
      <P class=3DMsoNormal=20
      style=3D"MARGIN-BOTTOM: 1.55pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 34%; TEXT-ALIGN: =
justify"><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 34%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti"></SPAN>&nbsp;</P></DIV><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 34%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti"><BR=20
      style=3D"PAGE-BREAK-BEFORE: auto" clear=3Dall></SPAN>
      <DIV class=3DSection6>
      <P class=3DMsoNormal=20
      style=3D"MARGIN-BOTTOM: 6.8pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; LINE-HEIGHT: =
150%; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">In her=20
      second issue, Alobaidi argues that prohibiting her from using the =
state=20
      courts to sue the Center under the Texas Labor Code violates the =
equal=20
      protection clauses of the state and federal constitutions, =
particularly=20
      because that institution was able to maintain its earlier action =
in the=20
      district court.<A title=3D""=20
      =
href=3D"http://www.14thcoa.courts.state.tx.us/opinions/htmlopinion.asp?Op=
inionId=3D83970#_ftn2"=20
      name=3D_ftnref2><SPAN class=3DMsoFootnoteReference><SUP><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Shruti"><SPAN =
class=3DMsoFootnoteReference><SUP><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">[2]</SPAN></SUP></SPAN></SPAN></SUP></SPAN></A>&nbsp;=20
      Alobaidi complains of (1) Texas Labor Code section 501.024, which =
excludes=20
      The University of Texas and Texas A&amp;M University employees =
from=20
      coverage under workers</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">=3D</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: Shruti"> =

      compensation law applicable to state employees and (2) section =
503.002(a),=20
      which does not incorporate sections 451.001 and 451.002 =
(authorizing=20
      anti-retaliation suits) as general workers</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">=3D</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: Shruti"> =

      compensation laws applicable to University of Texas employees.<A =
title=3D""=20
      =
href=3D"http://www.14thcoa.courts.state.tx.us/opinions/htmlopinion.asp?Op=
inionId=3D83970#_ftn3"=20
      name=3D_ftnref3><SPAN class=3DMsoFootnoteReference><SUP><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Shruti"><SPAN =
class=3DMsoFootnoteReference><SUP><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">[3]</SPAN></SUP></SPAN></SPAN></SUP></SPAN></A></SPAN></P>
      <P class=3DMsoNormal=20
      style=3D"MARGIN-BOTTOM: 6.8pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; LINE-HEIGHT: =
150%; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">The=20
      federal constitution provides: </SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">A</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">No State=20
      shall . . . deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal=20
      protection of the laws.</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">@</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">&nbsp;=20
      <SPAN style=3D"TEXT-TRANSFORM: uppercase">U.S. Const.</SPAN> =
amend. XIV,=20
      </SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">'</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: Shruti"> =
1.&nbsp;=20
      Similarly our state constitution provides:&nbsp; </SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">A</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">All free=20
      men, when they form a social compact, have equal rights, and no =
man, or=20
      set of men, is entitled to exclusive separate public emoluments, =
or=20
      privileges, but in consideration of public services.</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">@</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">&nbsp;=20
      <SPAN style=3D"TEXT-TRANSFORM: uppercase">Tex. Const.</SPAN> art. =
I,=20
      </SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">'</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: Shruti"> =
3.&nbsp;=20
      The federal analytical approach applies to equal protection =
challenges=20
      under the Texas Constitution.&nbsp; <I>Bell v. Low Income =
Women</I>, 95=20
      S.W.3d 253, 266 (Tex. 2002).</SPAN></P>
      <P class=3DMsoNormal=20
      style=3D"MARGIN-BOTTOM: 6.8pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; LINE-HEIGHT: =
150%; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">We presume=20
      the constitutionality of the statutes challenged in this =
case.&nbsp;=20
      <I>See</I> <I>Edward J. DeBartolo Corp. v. Fla. Gulf Coast Bldg. =
&amp;=20
      Constr. Trades Council</I>, 485 U.S. 568, 575, 108 S. Ct. 1392,=20
      1397</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">B</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">98, 99 L.=20
      Ed. 2d 645 (1988).&nbsp; Alobaidi bears the burden of proving the =
statutes=20
      unconstitutional.&nbsp; <I>Edgewood Indep. Sch. Dist. v. Meno</I>, =
917=20
      S.W.2d 717, 725 (Tex. 1995).&nbsp; If the classifications in the =
statutes=20
      do not impinge on a fundamental right or distinguish between =
persons on a=20
      suspect basis, the statutes need only be rationally related to a=20
      legitimate governmental purpose to survive Alobaidi</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">=3D</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">s=20
      equal&#8209;protection challenge.&nbsp; <I>Ford Motor Co. v. =
Sheldon</I>, 22=20
      S.W.3d 444, 451 (Tex. 2000).</SPAN></P></DIV><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti"><BR=20
      style=3D"PAGE-BREAK-BEFORE: auto" clear=3Dall></SPAN>
      <DIV class=3DSection7>
      <P class=3DMsoNormal=20
      style=3D"MARGIN-BOTTOM: 6.8pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; LINE-HEIGHT: =
150%; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">&nbsp;=20
      Alobaidi concedes this case does not involve a suspect =
class.&nbsp;=20
      Instead, she argues it involves a fundamental right, the =
</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">A</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">right to=20
      access the courts,</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">@</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: Shruti"> =
grounded=20
      in the open-courts provision of the Texas Constitution.&nbsp; =
<I>See</I>=20
      <SPAN style=3D"TEXT-TRANSFORM: uppercase">Tex. Const.</SPAN> art. =
I,=20
      </SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">'</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: Shruti"> =
13.&nbsp;=20
      She then urges this court to apply a strict-scrutiny =
analysis.&nbsp;=20
      <I>See</I> <I>City of Cleburne v. Cleburne Living Ctr.</I>, 473 =
U.S. 432,=20
      440, 105 S. Ct. 3249, 3254, 87 L. Ed. 2d 313 (1985) (plurality=20
      op.).</SPAN></P>
      <P class=3DMsoNormal=20
      style=3D"MARGIN-BOTTOM: 6.8pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; LINE-HEIGHT: =
150%; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">The=20
      open-courts provision, however, does not apply to =
Alobaidi</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">=3D</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">s claim=20
      because her claim is a statutory, rather than a common-law,=20
      claim.&nbsp;&nbsp; <I>See Horizon/CMS Healthcare Corp. v. =
Auld</I>, 34=20
      S.W.3d 887, 902</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">B</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">03 (Tex.=20
      2000).&nbsp; Additionally, although statutes depriving any relief =
to=20
      medical-malpractice plaintiffs who fail to file a cost bond and an =
expert=20
      report arguably deprive such plaintiffs of </SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">A</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">access to=20
      the courts,</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">@</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: Shruti"> =
this=20
      court has applied a rational-basis test to those statutes.&nbsp; =
<I>See=20
      Andress v. MacGregor Med. Ass</I></SPAN><I><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">=3D</SPAN></I><I><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">n,=20
      P.A.</SPAN></I><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">, 5 S.W.3d=20
      855, 859</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">B</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">60 (Tex.=20
      App.</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">C</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">Houston=20
      [14th Dist.] 1999, no pet.) (responding to due process challenge =
and=20
      looking only to whether the legislature acted arbitrarily or =
irrationally=20
      in attempting to achieve its stated purposes).&nbsp; Were this =
court to=20
      hold that a fundamental right is involved every time a statute =
deprives=20
      any person of the right to bring a statutory claim, many statutes =
would be=20
      subject to strict scrutiny and likely invalidation.&nbsp; We =
decline=20
      Alobaidi</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">=3D</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">s=20
      invitation to apply a strict-scrutiny analysis and instead apply =
the=20
      rational-basis test.</SPAN></P></DIV><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti"><BR=20
      style=3D"PAGE-BREAK-BEFORE: auto" clear=3Dall></SPAN>
      <DIV class=3DSection8>
      <P class=3DMsoNormal=20
      style=3D"MARGIN-BOTTOM: 6.8pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; LINE-HEIGHT: =
150%; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">A</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">Under=20
      rational-basis review, where a group possesses </SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">&gt;</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">distinguishing=20
      characteristics relevant to interests the State has the authority =
to=20
      implement,</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">=3D</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: Shruti"> =
a=20
      State</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">=3D</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">s decision=20
      to act on the basis of those differences does not give rise to a=20
      constitutional violation.</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">@</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">&nbsp;=20
      <I>Bd. of Trustees v. Garrett</I>, 531 U.S. 356, 366</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">B</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">67, 121 S.=20
      Ct. 955, 963, 148 L. Ed. 2d 866 (2001) (quoting <I>City of =
Cleburne</I>,=20
      473 U.S. at 441, 105 S. Ct. at 3255).&nbsp; </SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">A</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">&gt;</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">Such a=20
      classification cannot run afoul of the Equal Protection Clause if =
there is=20
      a rational relationship between the disparity of treatment and =
some=20
      legitimate governmental purpose.</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">=3D</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">@</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">&nbsp;=20
      <I>Id</I>. at 367, 121 S. Ct. at 969 (quoting </SPAN><I><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%">Heller v. =
Doe</SPAN></I><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%">, 509 U.S. 312, 320, =
113 S. Ct.=20
      2637, 2642, 125 L. Ed. 2d 257 (1993))</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">.&nbsp; In=20
      other words, legislation survives an equal&#8209;protection =
challenge so long as=20
      the legislation is rationally related to a legitimate state=20
      interest.&nbsp; <I>Pennell v. City of San Jose</I>, 485 U.S. 1, =
14, 108 S.=20
      Ct. 849, 859, </SPAN><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: =
150%">99=20
      L. Ed. 2d 1 </SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">(1988).&nbsp;=20
      A state interest is legitimate so long as it does not </SPAN><SPAN =

      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">A</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">run afoul=20
      of some specific federal constitutional prohibition, or of some =
valid=20
      federal law.</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">@</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">&nbsp;=20
      <I>See&nbsp; Lincoln Fed. Labor Union v. N.W. Iron &amp; Metal =
Co.</I>,=20
      335 U.S. 525, 536, 69 S. Ct. 251, 257, 93 </SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%">L. Ed.</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: Shruti"> =
212=20
      (1949).</SPAN></P>
      <P class=3DMsoNormal=20
      style=3D"MARGIN-BOTTOM: 6.8pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; LINE-HEIGHT: =
150%; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%">The legislative =
record need not=20
      show the legislature</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">=3D</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%">s reasons.&nbsp; =
<I>See=20
      Garrett</I>, 531 U.S. at 367, 121 S. Ct. at 964.&nbsp; Instead, =
the party=20
      challenging the constitutionality of legislation has the burden to =
negate=20
      </SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">A</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">&gt;</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%">any reasonably =
conceivable=20
      state of facts that could provide a rational basis for the=20
      classification.</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">=3D</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">@</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%">&nbsp; <I>Id</I>. =
(quoting=20
      <I>Heller</I>, 509 U.S. at 320, 113 S. Ct. at 2643) (internal =
quotation=20
      omitted).&nbsp; The rational basis a reviewing court envisions =
need not be=20
      the one that actually motivated the legislature.&nbsp; <I>See FCC =
v. Beach=20
      Commc</I></SPAN><I><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">=3D</SPAN></I><I><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%">ns, =
Inc</SPAN></I><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%">., 508 U.S. 307, 315, =
113 S.=20
      Ct. 2096, 2102, 124 L. Ed. 2d 211&nbsp; (1993).</SPAN></P>
      <P class=3DMsoNormal=20
      style=3D"MARGIN-BOTTOM: 6.8pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; LINE-HEIGHT: =
150%; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">In=20
      <I>Richards v. Texas A&amp;M University System</I>, the Waco Court =
of=20
      Appeals explained one possible rationale:</SPAN></P>
      <P class=3DMsoNormal=20
      style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0.5in 4.55pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; FONT-FAMILY: Shruti">The A &amp; M and =
UT systems=20
      are the only state educational institutions for whose employees =
the State=20
      has not waived sovereign immunity from suit under the =
Anti&#8209;Retaliation=20
      Law.&nbsp; Those institutions also share the distinction of being =
the only=20
      state educational institutions that are authorized to meet their=20
      workers</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">=3D</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; FONT-FAMILY: Shruti"> compensation =
obligations by=20
      self&#8209;insurance. <I>&nbsp;See</I> <SPAN=20
      style=3D"TEXT-TRANSFORM: uppercase">Tex. Lab. Code Ann</SPAN>. =
</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">''</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; FONT-FAMILY: Shruti"> 502.022, 503.022 =
(Vernon=20
      1996).&nbsp; The distinction between insured and =
self&#8209;insuring entities=20
      can constitute a valid rational basis for a distinction between=20
      them.&nbsp; For example, the Supreme Court of Mississippi has held =
that a=20
      statute that waived sovereign immunity for municipalities that=20
      participated in an insurance plan, but did not waive it for =
municipalities=20
      that self&#8209;insured, did not deny equal protection.&nbsp; =
<I>Mosby v.=20
      Moore</I>, 95&#8209;CA&#8209;00672&#8209;SCT, </SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">&amp;</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; FONT-FAMILY: Shruti">&nbsp; </SPAN><SPAN =

      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">&amp;</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; FONT-FAMILY: Shruti"> 17&#8209;21 (Miss. =
1998), 716=20
      So.2d 551, 555</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">B</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">56.</SPAN></P></DIV><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; FONT-FAMILY: Shruti"><BR=20
      style=3D"PAGE-BREAK-BEFORE: auto" clear=3Dall></SPAN>
      <DIV class=3DSection9>
      <P class=3DMsoNormal=20
      style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0.5in 4.55pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; TEXT-ALIGN: =
justify"><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; FONT-FAMILY: Shruti">The costs of=20
      workers</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">=3D</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; FONT-FAMILY: Shruti"> compensation =
insurance=20
      claims and suits can be high and unpredictable.&nbsp; A =
self&#8209;insuring=20
      entity, of course, does not enjoy the primary benefits of =
insurance, which=20
      are to limit the entity</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">=3D</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; FONT-FAMILY: Shruti">s exposure by =
distributing=20
      liability over many insureds.&nbsp; <I>Cf. Reed Tool Co. v. =
Copelin</I>,=20
      689 S.W.2d 404, 407 (Tex. 1985).&nbsp; The Legislature may have =
believed=20
      that it was necessary to protect the A &amp; M and UT systems from =
the=20
      additional risks and burdens of potentially large =
anti&#8209;retaliation=20
      lawsuits.&nbsp; Although we have no reason to believe that those=20
      institutions discharge employees for filing workers</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">=3D</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; FONT-FAMILY: Shruti"> compensation =
claims or=20
      suits, the costs of defending against or settling employment =
suits, even=20
      suits that the defendant believes are groundless, can be=20
      substantial.</SPAN></P>
      <P class=3DMsoNormal=20
      style=3D"MARGIN-BOTTOM: 1.55pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 34%; TEXT-ALIGN: =
justify"><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 34%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti"></SPAN>&nbsp;</P>
      <P class=3DMsoNormal=20
      style=3D"MARGIN-BOTTOM: 6.8pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; TEXT-ALIGN: =
justify"><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">131 S.W.3d=20
      550, 559</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">B</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">60 (Tex.=20
      App.</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">C</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">Waco 2004,=20
      pet. denied).</SPAN></P>
      <P class=3DMsoNormal=20
      style=3D"MARGIN-BOTTOM: 6.8pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; LINE-HEIGHT: =
150%; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">The Waco=20
      court further observed that protection of the public treasury =
</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">A</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">is one of=20
      the prime reasons for modern sovereign immunity.</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">@</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">&nbsp;=20
      <I>Id.</I> at 560.&nbsp; In the present case, Alobaidi prayed for =
loss of=20
      past earnings, loss of future earnings and benefits, pain and =
suffering,=20
      emotional distress, loss of reputation, and </SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">A</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">similar=20
      damage,</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">@</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: Shruti"> =

      prejudgment and postjudgment interest, attorney</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">=3D</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">s fees,=20
      costs, and </SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">A</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">such other=20
      and further relief, at law or in equity.</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">@</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">&nbsp; A=20
      rational basis exists for the legislature not to waive sovereign =
immunity=20
      for such suits directed against a self-insuring state educational=20
      institution.&nbsp; <I>See id.</I>; <I>see also</I> <I>Clark</I>, =
919=20
      S.W.2d at 188.<A title=3D""=20
      =
href=3D"http://www.14thcoa.courts.state.tx.us/opinions/htmlopinion.asp?Op=
inionId=3D83970#_ftn4"=20
      name=3D_ftnref4><SPAN class=3DMsoFootnoteReference><SUP><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Shruti"><SPAN =
class=3DMsoFootnoteReference><SUP><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">[4]</SPAN></SUP></SPAN></SPAN></SUP></SPAN></A>&nbsp;=20
      Accordingly, we overrule Alobaidi</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">=3D</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">s second=20
      issue.</SPAN></P>
      <P class=3DMsoNormal=20
      style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 4.55pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.5in; =
TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><B><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; FONT-FAMILY: Shruti">B.&nbsp; =
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
      Do sections 501.024 and 503.002(a) of the Texas Labor Code violate =
the=20
      federal due process clause and the state due course of law=20
      provision?</SPAN></B></P>
      <P class=3DMsoNormal=20
      style=3D"MARGIN-BOTTOM: 1.55pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 34%; TEXT-ALIGN: =
justify"><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 34%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti"></SPAN>&nbsp;</P></DIV><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 34%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti"><BR=20
      style=3D"PAGE-BREAK-BEFORE: auto" clear=3Dall></SPAN>
      <DIV class=3DSection10>
      <P class=3DMsoNormal=20
      style=3D"MARGIN-BOTTOM: 6.8pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; LINE-HEIGHT: =
150%; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">In her=20
      third issue, Alobaidi argues that prohibiting her from using the =
state=20
      courts to sue the Center under the Texas Labor Code violates the =
federal=20
      due process clause and the state due course of law =
provision.&nbsp; The=20
      federal constitution provides: </SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">A</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">No State=20
      shall . . . deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, =
without due=20
      process of law . . . .</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">@</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">&nbsp;=20
      <SPAN style=3D"TEXT-TRANSFORM: uppercase">U.S. Const.</SPAN> =
amend. XIV,=20
      </SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">'</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: Shruti"> =
1.&nbsp;=20
      Our state constitution provides: </SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">A</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">No citizen=20
      of this State shall be deprived of life, liberty, property, =
privileges or=20
      immunities, or in any manner disfranchised, except by the due =
course of=20
      the law of the land.</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">@</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">&nbsp;=20
      <SPAN style=3D"TEXT-TRANSFORM: uppercase">Tex. Const.</SPAN> art. =
I,=20
      </SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">'</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: Shruti"> =
19.&nbsp;=20
      Because Alobaidi has not asserted or briefed an argument that the=20
      substantive due process analysis under the Texas Constitution is =
different=20
      from that under the United States Constitution, we apply the =
analysis=20
      under the United States Constitution.&nbsp; Under the federal =
guarantee of=20
      substantive due process, legislation not affecting a fundamental =
right or=20
      interest is valid if it bears a rational relationship to a =
legitimate=20
      state interest.&nbsp; <I>Williamson v. Lee Optical</I>, 348 U.S. =
483, 491,=20
      75 S. Ct. 461, 466, 99 L. Ed. 563 (1955).</SPAN></P>
      <P class=3DMsoNormal=20
      style=3D"MARGIN-BOTTOM: 6.8pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; LINE-HEIGHT: =
150%; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">Presuming,=20
      without deciding, that a state entity</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">=3D</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">s immunity=20
      from suit can ever implicate due process or due course of law =
concerns, we=20
      conclude the immunity at issue in this case does not.<A title=3D"" =

      =
href=3D"http://www.14thcoa.courts.state.tx.us/opinions/htmlopinion.asp?Op=
inionId=3D83970#_ftn5"=20
      name=3D_ftnref5><SPAN class=3DMsoFootnoteReference><SUP><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Shruti"><SPAN =
class=3DMsoFootnoteReference><SUP><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">[5]</SPAN></SUP></SPAN></SPAN></SUP></SPAN></A>&nbsp;=20
      As discussed in Section III. A., above, the present case does not =
affect a=20
      fundamental right, and as explained in Section III. B., above, =
declining=20
      to waive a self-insuring university system</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">=3D</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">s immunity=20
      from workers</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">=3D</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: Shruti"> =

      compensation anti-retaliation suits bears a rational relationship =
to the=20
      State</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">=3D</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">s=20
      legitimate interest in conserving the university</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">=3D</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">s=20
      resources.&nbsp; Accordingly, we overrule Alobaidi</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">=3D</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">s third=20
      issue.</SPAN></P>
      <P class=3DMsoNormal=20
      style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 6.8pt 0.5in; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; =
TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">We affirm=20
      the trial court</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">=3D</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">s=20
      judgment.</SPAN></P>
      <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; FONT-FAMILY: Shruti"></SPAN>&nbsp;</P>
      <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; FONT-FAMILY: Shruti"></SPAN>&nbsp;</P>
      <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"TEXT-INDENT: 3.5in; TEXT-ALIGN: =
justify"><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; FONT-FAMILY: Shruti"></SPAN>&nbsp;</P>
      <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"TEXT-INDENT: 3in; TEXT-ALIGN: =
justify"><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
      Kem Thompson Frost</SPAN></P>
      <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"TEXT-INDENT: 3.5in; TEXT-ALIGN: =
justify"><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; FONT-FAMILY: Shruti">Justice</SPAN></P>
      <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; FONT-FAMILY: Shruti"></SPAN>&nbsp;</P>
      <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; FONT-FAMILY: Shruti"></SPAN>&nbsp;</P>
      <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; TEXT-ALIGN: =
justify"><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">Judgment=20
      rendered and Opinion filed October 30, 2007.</SPAN></P>
      <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; TEXT-ALIGN: =
justify"><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">Panel=20
      consists of Justices Anderson, Frost, and Mirabal.*</SPAN></P>
      <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; TEXT-ALIGN: =
justify"><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti"></SPAN>&nbsp;</P>
      <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; TEXT-ALIGN: =
justify"><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti"></SPAN>&nbsp;</P>
      <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; TEXT-ALIGN: =
justify"><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti"></SPAN>&nbsp;</P>
      <P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; TEXT-ALIGN: =
justify"><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">*=20
      </SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: =
Shruti">Senior=20
      Justice Margaret Garner Mirabal, sitting by =
assignment.</SPAN></P></DIV>
      <DIV><BR clear=3Dall>
      <HR align=3Dleft width=3D"33%" SIZE=3D1>

      <DIV id=3Dftn1>
      <P class=3DMsoNormal=20
      style=3D"MARGIN-BOTTOM: 12pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; TEXT-ALIGN: =
justify"><A=20
      title=3D""=20
      =
href=3D"http://www.14thcoa.courts.state.tx.us/opinions/htmlopinion.asp?Op=
inionId=3D83970#_ftnref1"=20
      name=3D_ftn1><SPAN class=3DMsoFootnoteReference><SUP><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><SPAN =
class=3DMsoFootnoteReference><SUP><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: =
11pt">[1]</SPAN></SUP></SPAN></SPAN></SUP></SPAN></A><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt">&nbsp; <I>See</I> <SPAN=20
      style=3D"TEXT-TRANSFORM: uppercase">Tex. Lab. Code Ann.</SPAN> =
</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">''</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt"> 451.001</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">B</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt">.003 (Vernon 2006).</SPAN></P></DIV>
      <DIV id=3Dftn2>
      <P class=3DMsoNormal=20
      style=3D"MARGIN-BOTTOM: 12pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; TEXT-ALIGN: =
justify"><A=20
      title=3D""=20
      =
href=3D"http://www.14thcoa.courts.state.tx.us/opinions/htmlopinion.asp?Op=
inionId=3D83970#_ftnref2"=20
      name=3D_ftn2><SPAN class=3DMsoFootnoteReference><SUP><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><SPAN =
class=3DMsoFootnoteReference><SUP><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: =
11pt">[2]</SPAN></SUP></SPAN></SPAN></SUP></SPAN></A><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt">&nbsp; Alobaidi states, </SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">A</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Here, the equal protection issue is one =
of the=20
      government versus a citizen.</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">@</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt">&nbsp; She then asks whether the =
government can=20
      provide itself a particular right, that is, access to the courts, =
against=20
      one of its citizens while at the same time denying that citizen an =

      identical right of access to the courts in an action against the =
same=20
      government.&nbsp; To the extent we have addressed that aspect of =
her=20
      argument in Section III. A., above, we do not revisit it =
here.&nbsp;=20
      Moreover, Alobaidi</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">=3D</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt">s characterization of her equal =
protection issue=20
      rests on the unwarranted assumption that an action seeking review =
of a=20
      workers</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">=3D</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt"> compensation award concerns the same =
statutory=20
      right as an action for retaliatory discharge.</SPAN></P></DIV>
      <DIV id=3Dftn3>
      <P class=3DMsoNormal=20
      style=3D"MARGIN-BOTTOM: 12pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; TEXT-ALIGN: =
justify"><A=20
      title=3D""=20
      =
href=3D"http://www.14thcoa.courts.state.tx.us/opinions/htmlopinion.asp?Op=
inionId=3D83970#_ftnref3"=20
      name=3D_ftn3><SPAN class=3DMsoFootnoteReference><SUP><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><SPAN =
class=3DMsoFootnoteReference><SUP><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: =
11pt">[3]</SPAN></SUP></SPAN></SPAN></SUP></SPAN></A><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt">&nbsp; An identical provision applies to =
employees=20
      of The Texas A&amp;M University System.&nbsp; <I>See</I> <SPAN=20
      style=3D"TEXT-TRANSFORM: uppercase">Tex. Lab. Code Ann.</SPAN> =
</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">'</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt"> 502.002(a) (Vernon 2006). The =
legislature enacted=20
      the predecessor to chapter 451 (the anti-retaliation provisions) =
in=20
      1971.&nbsp; <I>See</I> Act of April 22, 1971, 62d Leg., R.S., ch.=20
      115,&nbsp; </SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">''</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt"> 1</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">B</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt">3,&nbsp; 1971 Tex. Gen. Laws 884, =
884</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">B</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt">85 (previously codified as Rev. Civ. =
Stat. Art.=20
      8307c, </SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">''</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt"> 1</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">B</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt">3) (repealed and recodified 1993).&nbsp; =
In 1981,=20
      the legislature included the anti-retaliation provisions in a list =
of=20
      provisions applicable to state employees.&nbsp; <I>See</I> Act of =
May 31,=20
      1981, 67th Leg. R.S., ch. 352, </SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">''</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt"> 1</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">B</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt">2, 1981 Tex. Gen. Laws 937, 937 =
(repealed and=20
      recodified 1993).&nbsp; The 1981 legislation did not refer to the=20
      provisions covering The University of Texas System or Texas =
A&amp;M System=20
      employees.&nbsp; <I>See id. </I></SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">''</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt"> 1</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">B</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt">4.&nbsp; The legislature</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">=3D</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt">s first post-1971 amendment of the =
predecessor to=20
      section 503.002(a) did not include the anti-retaliation provisions =
as=20
      sections applicable to University of Texas employees.&nbsp; =
<I>See</I> Act=20
      of Dec. 12, 1989, 71st Leg., 2d C.S., ch 1, </SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">'</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt"> 15.39, 1989 Tex. Gen. Laws 1, =
109</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">B</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt">10 (repealed and recodified 1993).=20
      </SPAN></P></DIV>
      <DIV id=3Dftn4>
      <P class=3DMsoNormal=20
      style=3D"MARGIN-BOTTOM: 12pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; TEXT-ALIGN: =
justify"><A=20
      title=3D""=20
      =
href=3D"http://www.14thcoa.courts.state.tx.us/opinions/htmlopinion.asp?Op=
inionId=3D83970#_ftnref4"=20
      name=3D_ftn4><SPAN class=3DMsoFootnoteReference><SUP><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><SPAN =
class=3DMsoFootnoteReference><SUP><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: =
11pt">[4]</SPAN></SUP></SPAN></SPAN></SUP></SPAN></A><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt">&nbsp; Alobaidi distinguishes =
<I>Richards</I> and=20
      <I>Clark</I> because those cases did not involve situations in =
which the=20
      university was the first party to avail itself of the =
courts.&nbsp; In a=20
      similar vein, she also argues she was not given the same right as =
the=20
      Center in this case.&nbsp; The Center</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">=3D</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt">s petition under Texas Labor section =
410.301 did=20
      not involve the same type of action or statutory right as a suit =
under=20
      sections 451.001 and 451.002.&nbsp; <I>See</I> Section III. A., =
and&nbsp;=20
      n.2, <I>supra</I>.</SPAN></P></DIV>
      <DIV id=3Dftn5>
      <P class=3DMsoNormal=20
      style=3D"MARGIN-BOTTOM: 12pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; TEXT-ALIGN: =
justify"><A=20
      title=3D""=20
      =
href=3D"http://www.14thcoa.courts.state.tx.us/opinions/htmlopinion.asp?Op=
inionId=3D83970#_ftnref5"=20
      name=3D_ftn5><SPAN class=3DMsoFootnoteReference><SUP><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><SPAN =
class=3DMsoFootnoteReference><SUP><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: =
11pt">[5]</SPAN></SUP></SPAN></SPAN></SUP></SPAN></A><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt">&nbsp; In <I>Federal Sign v. Texas =
Southern=20
      University</I>, the Texas Supreme Court opined, </SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">A</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt">The State</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">=3D</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt">s immunity to suit is, purely as a =
matter of=20
      sovereignty, impervious to due process concerns.</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'WP =
TypographicSymbols'">@</SPAN><SPAN=20
      style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 11pt">&nbsp; 951 S.W.2d 401, 411 (Tex.=20
      =
1997).</SPAN></P></DIV></DIV></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></BODY></HTML>

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