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A state senator who feels he was harassed during a routine traffic stop is now trying to get the laws changed. Dashboard video from a police cruiser showed a conversation between State Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa (D-Mission) and an officer with the South Texas Specialized Crimes and Narcotics Task Force. The officer said he stopped Hinojosa because his window tinting was too dark and because the senator’s car swerved out of his lane. Hinojosa received a warning for the window tint. He also had an expired insurance card, but was not cited for it. Task force commander Jaime Garza said he was surprised about Hinojosa’s push for the new bill. “I was quite shocked,” Garza said, “and to be responsible for a bill that’s being passed that going to have statewide impact, that’s devastating.” Members of the task force said the senator is using the traffic stop to push through legislation they feel would have a negative impact on law enforcement. The law would make it tougher for officers to search vehicles during routine traffic stops. Hinojosa told the Associated Press the bill is necessary to stop police intimidation. He said he also believes he was stopped because he is Hispanic, and was driving a nice SUV. [more]