| From | Fran's Friday Message <[email protected]> |
| Subject | Do We Have Speech Police in the Capitol? |
| Date | November 29, 2024 1:21 PM |
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=20
WE INTERRUPT YOUR REGULARLY SCHEDULED HOLIDAY WEEKEND FOR THIS IMPORTANT CA=
LL TO ACTION
For some time, the Texas Ethics Commission (TEC) has wielded power over pr=
ivate citizens while allowing intended targets of ethics oversight to go un=
noticed, or face minor consequences. The TEC is now undergoing the sunset =
review process with the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission and we have a chan=
ce to weigh in. =20
The Texas Sunset Commission will be reviewing the TEC during a set of meeti=
ngs on December 11 and 12, and making recommendations to the 89th Legislatu=
re for reforms. We need your help in asking the Sunset Commission to refor=
m the TEC to its original intent.=20
Key Concerns:
=C2=B7 Sworn Complaint Process- procedurally cumbersome, punishes m=
inor errors related to free speech with severe fines
=C2=B7 Mismanagement and Misplaced Priorities- outdated website, mi=
s-allocated resources, huge fines for grassroots activists while rich, well=
-connected violators face minimal consequences
=C2=B7 Sunset Staff Report Failures- staff reports multiple failure=
s but recommends less oversight, proposed changes would undermine constitut=
ional free speech rights & political participation
=C2=B7 Constitutional Overreach- violating separation-of-powers, re=
cent court decisions expand TEC power with exclusive jurisdiction over elec=
tion related violations
For more information and details on the TEC=E2=80=99s staff report and issu=
es that concern grassroots activists, please see this article from Brandon =
Waltens with Texas Scorecard. Brandon summarizes it nicely (as always!)
Conclusion:
The TEC=E2=80=99s punitive practices discourage civic participation and ero=
de public trust. The Sunset Advisory Commission must recommend reforms that=
restore fairness, transparency, and a citizen-centered approach to ethics =
enforcement.
Action:
The Sunset Commission will meet on Dec 11 and 12, 2024 in a public hearing =
to consider public comments about the TEC. We encourage all grassroots act=
ivists to contact the members of the Ethics Commission to express concerns,=
attend the hearing and testify if possible, and/or submit on line comments=
to the Commission.
Sample Message: (please use your own words)
To Chairman Bell and Members of the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission,
I urge you to make strong recommendations to the 89th Legislature to reform=
the Texas Ethics Commission. At a minimum,=20
=C2=B7 fix the TEC=E2=80=99s broken website
=C2=B7 maintain robust judicial oversight
=C2=B7 prioritize accountability for public officials, not grassroo=
ts activists
The citizens of Texas are counting on you and the legislature to restore tr=
ansparency and fairness to the Ethics Commission, and ensure that citizens =
have access to government without fear of retribution.
Three ways to take Action:
1) Contact Members of the Sunset Advisory Commission by mail, phone or ema=
il.
Click on the link above for mailing address and phone numbers. =20
Below are Email Addresses to contact members by email:=20
(if 2 addresses listed, send to both email addresses)
Chairman Keith Bell, [email protected], [email protected]
Rep. Terry Canales, [email protected]
Rep. Lacy Hull, [email protected], [email protected]
Rep. Stan Kitzman, [email protected], [email protected]=
v
Rep. Matt Shaheen, [email protected], [email protected]
Senator Tann Parker, [email protected], [email protected]
Senator Cesar Blanco, [email protected]
Senator Mayes Middleton, [email protected]
Senator Angela Paxton, [email protected], [email protected].=
gov
Senator Kevin Sparks, [email protected]
Insider Tip: The very best way to contact elected representatives (besides=
in person) is paper! Letter or post card in the mail or hand delivered is=
the best. If you email, use campaign emails if you have them. =20
2) Use this On-line form to submit comments to the Sunset Commission
Click on the link, fill out the form, and submit.
3) Testify In Person at the Hearing, December 11 or 12.
Click on the link above for meeting details and frequently asked questions.
NOTE: The Dec 11 and 12 meeting dates are tentative and subject to change.=
Check the TEC website for updated information.
We need the Ethics Commission to hold our lawmakers accountable to the law.=
We don't need free speech police. Contact the Sunset Advisory Commission=
today.
Stay Engaged!
Fran Rhodes, President
=20
=20
True Texas Project works hard to train and engage activists.
Can you help?
We are 100% donation-based.
Click here to donate to our movement. =20
TrueTexasProject.com
=20
=20
To update your profile with a new email address, satellite location, or oth=
er details, or to adjust your recurring donations, please click here.
BONUS TIP: remove the "unsubscribe" line at the bottom of your email before=
you forward it! Otherwise the recipient may unsubscribe YOU!
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<p class=3D"MsoNoSpacing" style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helve=
tica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-a=
lign: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-=
bottom: 10px;"><span style=3D"font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif;"> </spa=
n><span style=3D"font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif;">For some time, the Texas=
Ethics Commission (TEC) has wielded power over private citizens while allo=
wing intended targets of ethics oversight to go unnoticed, or face minor co=
nsequences.<span style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The TEC is now =
undergoing the <a title=3D"sunset review process" href=3D"[link removed]
mails.com/emails/tracking/click-link/Pu4h-nkSnb4xJPuaeWO_xQgJ_zTAX2igFRfRH0=
zWb4o=3D/lY2mYIpq1ZR8SH3hzqxYK5-gzUc4LIibb_NNYlDE2Tg=3D" target=3D"_blank" =
rel=3D"noopener" style=3D"color: #0074d9; text-decoration: none; font-weigh=
t: inherit; padding: 0; text-align: left; line-height: 1.5;">sunset review =
process</a> with the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission and we have a chance =
to weigh in.<span style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p> <p=
class=3D"MsoNoSpacing" style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helveti=
ca,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-ali=
gn: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bo=
ttom: 10px;"><span style=3D"font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif;">The Texas Sun=
set Commission will be reviewing the TEC during a set of meetings on Decemb=
er 11 and 12, and making recommendations to the 89<sup>th</sup> Legislature=
for reforms.<span style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><strong>We ne=
ed your help in asking the Sunset Commission to reform the TEC to its origi=
nal intent. </strong></span></p> <p class=3D"MsoNoSpacing" style=3D"co=
lor: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; pa=
dding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-hei=
ght: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;"><strong><span style=3D=
"font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman=
'; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Key Concerns</span></strong=
><span style=3D"font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: '=
Times New Roman'; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">:</span></p>=
<p class=3D"MsoNoSpacing" style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helv=
etica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-=
align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin=
-bottom: 10px; margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.25in; mso-list: l1 level1 =
lfo1;"><!-- [if !supportLists]--><span style=3D"font-family: Symbol; mso-fa=
reast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-font-kerning: =
0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style=3D"mso-list: Ignore;">=C2=B7<span st=
yle=3D"font: 7.0pt 'Times New Roman';"> =
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style=3D"font-family:=
'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-font-k=
erning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Sworn Complaint Process- procedurally cu=
mbersome, punishes minor errors related to free speech with severe fines</s=
pan></p> <p class=3D"MsoNoSpacing" style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: ar=
ial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: =
0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px=
; Margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.25in; mso-list: l1=
level1 lfo1;"><!-- [if !supportLists]--><span style=3D"font-family: Symbol=
; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-font-k=
erning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style=3D"mso-list: Ignore;">=C2=B7=
<span style=3D"font: 7.0pt 'Times New Roman';"> &nbs=
p; </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style=3D"font=
-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; ms=
o-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Mismanagement and Misplaced Prio=
rities- outdated website, mis-allocated resources, huge fines for grassroot=
s activists while rich, well-connected violators face minimal consequences<=
/span></p> <p class=3D"MsoNoSpacing" style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: =
arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin=
: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10=
px; Margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.25in; mso-list: =
l1 level1 lfo1;"><!-- [if !supportLists]--><span style=3D"font-family: Symb=
ol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-font=
-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style=3D"mso-list: Ignore;">=C2=
=B7<span style=3D"font: 7.0pt 'Times New Roman';"> &=
nbsp; </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style=3D"f=
ont-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';=
mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Sunset Staff Report Failures-=
staff reports multiple failures but recommends less oversight, proposed ch=
anges would undermine constitutional free speech rights & political par=
ticipation</span></p> <p class=3D"MsoNoSpacing" style=3D"color: #3c4144; fo=
nt-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin=
: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin=
-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.25in;=
mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1;"><!-- [if !supportLists]--><span style=3D"font-f=
amily: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbo=
l; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style=3D"mso-list: Ig=
nore;">=C2=B7<span style=3D"font: 7.0pt 'Times New Roman';"> &nb=
sp; </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span =
style=3D"font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times N=
ew Roman'; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Constitutional Over=
reach- violating separation-of-powers, recent court decisions expand TEC po=
wer with exclusive jurisdiction over election related violations</span></p>=
<p class=3D"MsoNoSpacing" style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helv=
etica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-=
align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin=
-bottom: 10px;"><span style=3D"font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast=
-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none=
;">For more information and details on the TEC=E2=80=99s staff report and i=
ssues that concern grassroots activists, please see <strong><a title=3D"thi=
s article" href=3D"[link removed]
4h-nkSnb4xJPuaeWO_xQgJ_zTAX2igFRfRH0zWb4o=3D/5GDhjEbmkJcYKkEJT3KzwmaDfORS8A=
0IB-1HSkzZOFs=3D" target=3D"_blank" rel=3D"noopener" style=3D"color: #0074d=
9; text-decoration: none; font-weight: inherit; padding: 0; text-align: lef=
t; line-height: 1.5;">this article</a></strong> from Brandon Waltens with T=
exas Scorecard. Brandon summarizes it nicely (as always!)<br></span></p> <p=
class=3D"MsoNoSpacing" style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helveti=
ca,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-ali=
gn: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bo=
ttom: 10px;"><strong><span style=3D"font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif;">Concl=
usion:</span></strong><span style=3D"font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif;"><br>=
The TEC=E2=80=99s punitive practices discourage civic participation and ero=
de public trust. The Sunset Advisory Commission must recommend reforms that=
restore fairness, transparency, and a citizen-centered approach to ethics =
enforcement.</span></p> <p class=3D"MsoNoSpacing" style=3D"color: #3c4144; =
font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; marg=
in: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; marg=
in-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;"><strong><span style=3D"font-family: =
'Arial',sans-serif;">Action:</span></strong></p> <p class=3D"MsoNoSpacing" =
style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weig=
ht: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12p=
t; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;"><span style=
=3D"font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif;">The Sunset Commission will meet on De=
c 11 and 12, 2024 in a public hearing to consider public comments about the=
TEC.<span style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We encourage all gras=
sroots activists to <span style=3D"background-color: rgb(251, 238, 184);">c=
ontact the members of the Ethics Commission to express concerns, attend the=
hearing and testify if possible, and/or submit on line comments to the Com=
mission.</span></span></p> <p class=3D"MsoNoSpacing" style=3D"color: #3c414=
4; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; m=
argin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; m=
argin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;"><strong><span style=3D"font-famil=
y: 'Arial',sans-serif;">Sample Message: (please use your own words)</span><=
/strong></p> <p class=3D"MsoNoSpacing" style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family=
: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Marg=
in: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: =
10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;"><em><span style=3D"font-family: 'Arial',sans-se=
rif;">To Chairman Bell and Members of the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission,=
</span></em></p> <p class=3D"MsoNoSpacing" style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-fa=
mily: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; =
Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bott=
om: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;"><em><span style=3D"font-family: 'Arial',san=
s-serif;">I urge you to make strong recommendations to the 89<sup>th</sup> =
Legislature to reform the Texas Ethics Commission.<span style=3D"mso-spacer=
un: yes;"> </span>At a minimum, </span></em></p> <p class=3D"MsoNoSpa=
cing" style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; fon=
t-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-siz=
e: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px; margin=
-left: .5in; text-indent: -.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2;"><!-- [if !supp=
ortLists]--><span style=3D"font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Sy=
mbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span sty=
le=3D"mso-list: Ignore;">=C2=B7<span style=3D"font: 7.0pt 'Times New Roman'=
;"> </span></span></span><!=
--[endif]--><em><span style=3D"font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif;">fix the TE=
C=E2=80=99s broken website</span></em></p> <p class=3D"MsoNoSpacing" style=
=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 4=
00; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; li=
ne-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: .5in=
; text-indent: -.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2;"><!-- [if !supportLists]--=
><span style=3D"font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-b=
idi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style=3D"mso-l=
ist: Ignore;">=C2=B7<span style=3D"font: 7.0pt 'Times New Roman';"> &n=
bsp; </span></span></span><!--[endif]--=
><em><span style=3D"font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif;">maintain robust judic=
ial oversight</span></em></p> <p class=3D"MsoNoSpacing" style=3D"color: #3c=
4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0=
; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5=
; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: .5in; text-indent:=
-.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2;"><!-- [if !supportLists]--><span style=
=3D"font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-fam=
ily: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style=3D"mso-list: Ignore;=
">=C2=B7<span style=3D"font: 7.0pt 'Times New Roman';"> &n=
bsp; </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><em><span s=
tyle=3D"font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif;">prioritize accountability for pub=
lic officials, not grassroots activists</span></em></p> <p class=3D"MsoNoSp=
acing" style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; fo=
nt-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-si=
ze: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;"><em>=
<span style=3D"font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif;">The citizens of Texas are =
counting on you and the legislature to restore transparency and fairness to=
the Ethics Commission, and ensure that citizens have access to government =
without fear of retribution.</span></em></p> <p class=3D"MsoNoSpacing" styl=
e=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: =
400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; l=
ine-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;"><span style=3D"=
font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif;"><strong>Three ways to take Action:</stron=
g><br></span></p> <p class=3D"MsoNoSpacing" style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-f=
amily: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0;=
Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bot=
tom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;"><strong><span style=3D"font-family: 'Arial=
',sans-serif;">1) <a title=3D"Contact Members of the Ethics Commissio=
n" href=3D"[link removed]
4xJPuaeWO_xQgJ_zTAX2igFRfRH0zWb4o=3D/5GDhjEbmkJcYKkEJT3Kzwk9vjW5_MaQ96FBB-9=
gzXyo=3D" target=3D"_blank" rel=3D"noopener" style=3D"color: #0074d9; text-=
decoration: none; font-weight: inherit; padding: 0; text-align: left; line-=
height: 1.5;">Contact Members of the Sunset Advisory Commission</a> </span>=
</strong><span style=3D"font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif;">by mail, phone or=
email.</span></p> <p class=3D"MsoNoSpacing align-center" style=3D"color: #=
3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding:=
0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom:=
10px; Margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;"><span style=3D"font-family=
: 'Arial',sans-serif;">Click on the link above for mailing address and phon=
e numbers. </span></p> <p class=3D"MsoNoSpacing align-center" style=
=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 4=
00; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; ma=
rgin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;"><span style=3D=
"font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif;">Below are Email Addresses to contact mem=
bers by email: </span></p> <p class=3D"MsoNoSpacing align-center" styl=
e=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: =
400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; m=
argin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;"><span style=
=3D"font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif;">(if 2 addresses listed, send to both =
email addresses)<br></span></p> <p class=3D"MsoNoSpacing" style=3D"color: #=
3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding:=
0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1=
.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;"><span style=3D"font-family: =
'Arial',sans-serif;">Chairman Keith Bell, <a title=3D"[email protected]=
m" href=3D"mailto:[email protected]" target=3D"_blank" rel=3D"noopener=
" style=3D"color: #0074d9; text-decoration: none; font-weight: inherit; pad=
ding: 0; text-align: left; line-height: 1.5;">[email protected]</a>, <=
a title=3D"[email protected]" href=3D"mailto:[email protected]=
s.gov" target=3D"_blank" rel=3D"noopener" style=3D"color: #0074d9; text-dec=
oration: none; font-weight: inherit; padding: 0; text-align: left; line-hei=
ght: 1.5;">[email protected]</a></span></p> <p class=3D"MsoNoSpaci=
ng" style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-=
weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size:=
12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;"><span s=
tyle=3D"font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif;">Rep. Terry Canales, <a title=3D"t=
erry.canales@house,texas.gov" href=3D"mailto:terry.canales@house,texas.gov"=
target=3D"_blank" rel=3D"noopener" style=3D"color: #0074d9; text-decoratio=
n: none; font-weight: inherit; padding: 0; text-align: left; line-height: 1=
.5;">[email protected]</a></span></p> <p class=3D"MsoNoSpacing"=
style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-wei=
ght: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12=
pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;"><span styl=
e=3D"font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif;">Rep. Lacy Hull, <a title=3D"campaign=
@lacyhull.com" href=3D"mailto:[email protected]" target=3D"_blank" rel=
=3D"noopener" style=3D"color: #0074d9; text-decoration: none; font-weight: =
inherit; padding: 0; text-align: left; line-height: 1.5;">campaign@lacyhull=
.com</a>, <a title=3D"[email protected]" href=3D"mailto:lacy.hull@h=
ouse.texas.gov" target=3D"_blank" rel=3D"noopener" style=3D"color: #0074d9;=
text-decoration: none; font-weight: inherit; padding: 0; text-align: left;=
line-height: 1.5;">[email protected]</a></span></p> <p class=3D"Ms=
oNoSpacing" style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-seri=
f; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; fo=
nt-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;"=
><span style=3D"font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif;">Rep. Stan Kitzman, <a tit=
le=3D"[email protected]" href=3D"mailto:[email protected]=
om" target=3D"_blank" rel=3D"noopener" style=3D"color: #0074d9; text-decora=
tion: none; font-weight: inherit; padding: 0; text-align: left; line-height=
: 1.5;">[email protected]</a>, <a title=3D"stan.kitzman@hous=
e.texas.gov" href=3D"mailto:[email protected]" target=3D"_blank"=
rel=3D"noopener" style=3D"color: #0074d9; text-decoration: none; font-weig=
ht: inherit; padding: 0; text-align: left; line-height: 1.5;">stan.kitzman@=
house.texas.gov</a></span></p> <p class=3D"MsoNoSpacing" style=3D"color: #3=
c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: =
0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.=
5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;"><span style=3D"font-family: '=
Arial',sans-serif;">Rep. Matt Shaheen, <a title=3D"[email protected]" hr=
ef=3D"mailto:[email protected]" target=3D"_blank" rel=3D"noopener" style=
=3D"color: #0074d9; text-decoration: none; font-weight: inherit; padding: 0=
; text-align: left; line-height: 1.5;">[email protected]</a>, <a title=
=3D"[email protected]" href=3D"mailto:[email protected]=
ov" target=3D"_blank" rel=3D"noopener" style=3D"color: #0074d9; text-decora=
tion: none; font-weight: inherit; padding: 0; text-align: left; line-height=
: 1.5;">[email protected]</a></span></p> <p class=3D"MsoNoSpacin=
g" style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-w=
eight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: =
12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;"><span st=
yle=3D"font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif;"> Senator Tann Parker, <a titl=
e=3D"[email protected]" href=3D"mailto:[email protected]" target=3D"_blank"=
rel=3D"noopener" style=3D"color: #0074d9; text-decoration: none; font-weig=
ht: inherit; padding: 0; text-align: left; line-height: 1.5;">tan@tanparker=
.com</a>, <a title=3D"[email protected]" href=3D"mailto:tan.parke=
[email protected]" target=3D"_blank" rel=3D"noopener" style=3D"color: #007=
4d9; text-decoration: none; font-weight: inherit; padding: 0; text-align: l=
eft; line-height: 1.5;">[email protected]</a><br></span></p> <p c=
lass=3D"MsoNoSpacing" style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica=
,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align=
: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bott=
om: 10px;"><span style=3D"font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif;">Senator Cesar B=
lanco, <a title=3D"[email protected]" href=3D"mailto:cesar.blan=
[email protected]" target=3D"_blank" rel=3D"noopener" style=3D"color: #00=
74d9; text-decoration: none; font-weight: inherit; padding: 0; text-align: =
left; line-height: 1.5;">[email protected]</a></span></p> <p cl=
ass=3D"MsoNoSpacing" style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,=
sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align:=
left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-botto=
m: 10px;"><span style=3D"font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif;">Senator Mayes Mi=
ddleton, <a title=3D"[email protected]" href=3D"mailto:mayes=
[email protected]" target=3D"_blank" rel=3D"noopener" style=3D"co=
lor: #0074d9; text-decoration: none; font-weight: inherit; padding: 0; text=
-align: left; line-height: 1.5;">[email protected]</a></span=
></p> <p class=3D"MsoNoSpacing" style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial=
,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; =
text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; M=
argin-bottom: 10px;"><span style=3D"font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif;">Senat=
or Angela Paxton, <a title=3D"[email protected]" href=3D"mailto:angel=
[email protected]" target=3D"_blank" rel=3D"noopener" style=3D"color: #007=
4d9; text-decoration: none; font-weight: inherit; padding: 0; text-align: l=
eft; line-height: 1.5;">[email protected]</a>, <a title=3D"angela.pax=
[email protected]" href=3D"mailto:[email protected]" target=
=3D"_blank" rel=3D"noopener" style=3D"color: #0074d9; text-decoration: none=
; font-weight: inherit; padding: 0; text-align: left; line-height: 1.5;">an=
[email protected]</a></span></p> <p class=3D"MsoNoSpacing" style=
=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 4=
00; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; li=
ne-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;"><span style=3D"f=
ont-family: 'Arial',sans-serif;">Senator Kevin Sparks, <a title=3D"kevin.sp=
[email protected]" href=3D"mailto:[email protected]" target=
=3D"_blank" rel=3D"noopener" style=3D"color: #0074d9; text-decoration: none=
; font-weight: inherit; padding: 0; text-align: left; line-height: 1.5;">ke=
[email protected]</a></span></p> <p class=3D"MsoNoSpacing" style=
=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 4=
00; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; li=
ne-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;"><em><span style=
=3D"font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif;">Insider Tip: The very best way =
to contact elected representatives (besides in person) is paper! Lett=
er or post card in the mail or hand delivered is the best. If you ema=
il, use campaign emails if you have them. </span></em></p> <p class=
=3D"MsoNoSpacing" style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,san=
s-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: le=
ft; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: =
10px;"><strong><span style=3D"font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif;">2) <a=
title=3D"Use this On-line form" href=3D"[link removed]
tracking/click-link/Pu4h-nkSnb4xJPuaeWO_xQgJ_zTAX2igFRfRH0zWb4o=3D/5GDhjEbm=
kJcYKkEJT3KzwpusyIlVUC6DUC3onGKgK1k=3D" target=3D"_blank" rel=3D"noopener" =
style=3D"color: #0074d9; text-decoration: none; font-weight: inherit; paddi=
ng: 0; text-align: left; line-height: 1.5;">Use this On-line form</a> </spa=
n></strong><span style=3D"font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif;">to submit comme=
nts</span><strong><span style=3D"font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif;"> </span>=
</strong><span style=3D"font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif;">to the Sunset Com=
mission</span></p> <p class=3D"MsoNoSpacing" style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-=
family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0=
; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bo=
ttom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;"><span style=3D"font-family: 'Arial',sans-=
serif;">Click on the link, fill out the form, and submit.<br></span></p> <p=
class=3D"MsoNoSpacing" style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helveti=
ca,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-ali=
gn: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bo=
ttom: 10px;"><span style=3D"font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif;"><strong>3)</s=
trong> <strong><a title=3D"Testify In Person at the Hearing" href=3D"=
[link removed]
QgJ_zTAX2igFRfRH0zWb4o=3D/5GDhjEbmkJcYKkEJT3KzwqInmdyh6PDt65uk00wZRPk=3D" t=
arget=3D"_blank" rel=3D"noopener" style=3D"color: #0074d9; text-decoration:=
none; font-weight: inherit; padding: 0; text-align: left; line-height: 1.5=
;">Testify In Person at the Hearing</a></strong>, December 11 or 12.</span>=
</p> <p class=3D"MsoNoSpacing" style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,=
helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; t=
ext-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Ma=
rgin-bottom: 10px;"><span style=3D"font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif;">Click =
on the link above for meeting details and frequently asked questions.</span=
></p> <p class=3D"MsoNoSpacing" style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial=
,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; =
text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; M=
argin-bottom: 10px;"><em><span style=3D"font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif;"><=
strong>NOTE</strong>: The Dec 11 and 12 meeting dates are tentative a=
nd subject to change. Check the <a title=3D"TEC website" href=3D"http=
s://api.neonemails.com/emails/tracking/click-link/Pu4h-nkSnb4xJPuaeWO_xQgJ_=
zTAX2igFRfRH0zWb4o=3D/5GDhjEbmkJcYKkEJT3KzwhYWsybcN2M_1xr3iNooh70=3D" targe=
t=3D"_blank" rel=3D"noopener" style=3D"color: #0074d9; text-decoration: non=
e; font-weight: inherit; padding: 0; text-align: left; line-height: 1.5;">T=
EC website</a> for updated information.</span></em></p> <p class=3D"MsoNoSp=
acing" style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; fo=
nt-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-si=
ze: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;"><spa=
n style=3D"font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif;"><span style=3D"background-colo=
r: rgb(251, 238, 184);">We need the Ethics Commission to hold our lawmakers=
accountable to the law. We don't need free speech police. Cont=
act the Sunset Advisory Commission today.</span><br></span></p> <p class=3D=
"MsoNoSpacing" style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-s=
erif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left;=
font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10p=
x;"><span style=3D"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Stay Engaged=
!</span></p> <p class=3D"MsoNormal" style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: a=
rial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin:=
0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10p=
x; Margin-bottom: 10px;"><span style=3D"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans=
-serif;">Fran Rhodes, President</span></p> <p class=3D"MsoNormal" style=3D"=
color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; =
padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-h=
eight: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;"><span style=3D"font-=
family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></p></th>=20
</tr>=20
</tbody>
</table>=20
<table class=3D"row end-row-footer" style=3D"border-spacing: 0; =
border-collapse: collapse; vertical-align: top; text-align: left; padding: =
0; position: relative; width: 100%; display: table; margin: 0; Margin: 0; b=
ackground-color: #ffffff; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">=20
<tbody>
<tr style=3D"padding: 0; vertical-align: top; text-align: left=
;">=20
<th class=3D"columns small-12 large-12 first last default" st=
yle=3D"vertical-align: top; color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sa=
ns-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; =
line-height: 1.5; margin: 0 auto; Margin: 0 auto; word-break: break-word; o=
verflow-wrap: break-word; width: 564px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: =
24px; border-collapse: collapse; padding-top: 12px; padding-bottom: 24px;">=
<p style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-w=
eight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; font-size: 12pt; line-height:=
1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;"><span =
style=3D"font-size: 14px;"> </span></p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144; fo=
nt-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin=
: 0; Margin: 0; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Mar=
gin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;"><strong><span style=3D"color: #cc000=
0;">True Texas Project works hard to train and engage activists.<br>Can you=
help?<br>We are 100% donation-based.</span><br><span style=3D"color: #0000=
55;">Click </span><a href=3D"[link removed]
ck-link/Pu4h-nkSnb4xJPuaeWO_xQgJ_zTAX2igFRfRH0zWb4o=3D/5GDhjEbmkJcYKkEJT3Kz=
wv5OCfqK-EM9ae9oMMtQkWE=3D" style=3D"color: #0074d9; text-decoration: none;=
font-weight: inherit; padding: 0; text-align: left; line-height: 1.5;"><sp=
an style=3D"color: #cc0000;">here</span></a><span style=3D"color: #000055;"=
> to donate to our movement. <br><a href=3D"h=
ttps://api.neonemails.com/emails/tracking/click-link/Pu4h-nkSnb4xJPuaeWO_xQ=
gJ_zTAX2igFRfRH0zWb4o=3D/5GDhjEbmkJcYKkEJT3KzwuT89SBsuF6D5hX1d7h7eu4=3D" st=
yle=3D"color: #0074d9; text-decoration: none; font-weight: inherit; padding=
: 0; text-align: left; line-height: 1.5;">TrueTexasProject.com</a></span></=
strong></p>=20
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ext-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; border-collapse: collap=
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it; padding: 0; text-align: left; line-height: 1.5;"><img style=3D"outline:=
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WE INTERRUPT YOUR REGULARLY SCHEDULED HOLIDAY WEEKEND FOR THIS IMPORTANT CALL TO ACTION
For some time, the Texas Ethics Commission (TEC) has wielded power over private citizens while allowing intended targets of ethics oversight to go unnoticed, or face minor consequences. The TEC is now undergoing the sunset review process with the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission and we have a chance to weigh in.
The Texas Sunset Commission will be reviewing the TEC during a set of meetings on December 11 and 12, and making recommendations to the 89th Legislature for reforms. We need your help in asking the Sunset Commission to reform the TEC to its original intent.
Key Concerns:
· Sworn Complaint Process- procedurally cumbersome, punishes minor errors related to free speech with severe fines
· Mismanagement and Misplaced Priorities- outdated website, mis-allocated resources, huge fines for grassroots activists while rich, well-connected violators face minimal consequences
· Sunset Staff Report Failures- staff reports multiple failures but recommends less oversight, proposed changes would undermine constitutional free speech rights & political participation
· Constitutional Overreach- violating separation-of-powers, recent court decisions expand TEC power with exclusive jurisdiction over election related violations
For more information and details on the TEC’s staff report and issues that concern grassroots activists, please see this article from Brandon Waltens with Texas Scorecard. Brandon summarizes it nicely (as always!)
Conclusion:
The TEC’s punitive practices discourage civic participation and erode public trust. The Sunset Advisory Commission must recommend reforms that restore fairness, transparency, and a citizen-centered approach to ethics enforcement.
Action:
The Sunset Commission will meet on Dec 11 and 12, 2024 in a public hearing to consider public comments about the TEC. We encourage all grassroots activists to contact the members of the Ethics Commission to express concerns, attend the hearing and testify if possible, and/or submit on line comments to the Commission.
Sample Message: (please use your own words)
To Chairman Bell and Members of the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission,
I urge you to make strong recommendations to the 89th Legislature to reform the Texas Ethics Commission. At a minimum,
· fix the TEC’s broken website
· maintain robust judicial oversight
· prioritize accountability for public officials, not grassroots activists
The citizens of Texas are counting on you and the legislature to restore transparency and fairness to the Ethics Commission, and ensure that citizens have access to government without fear of retribution.
Three ways to take Action:
1) Contact Members of the Sunset Advisory Commission by mail, phone or email.
Click on the link above for mailing address and phone numbers.
Below are Email Addresses to contact members by email:
(if 2 addresses listed, send to both email addresses)
Chairman Keith Bell, [email protected], [email protected]
Rep. Terry Canales, [email protected]
Rep. Lacy Hull, [email protected], [email protected]
Rep. Stan Kitzman, [email protected], [email protected]
Rep. Matt Shaheen, [email protected], [email protected]
Senator Tann Parker, [email protected], [email protected]
Senator Cesar Blanco, [email protected]
Senator Mayes Middleton, [email protected]
Senator Angela Paxton, [email protected], [email protected]
Senator Kevin Sparks, [email protected]
Insider Tip: The very best way to contact elected representatives (besides in person) is paper! Letter or post card in the mail or hand delivered is the best. If you email, use campaign emails if you have them.
2) Use this On-line form to submit comments to the Sunset Commission
Click on the link, fill out the form, and submit.
3) Testify In Person at the Hearing, December 11 or 12.
Click on the link above for meeting details and frequently asked questions.
NOTE: The Dec 11 and 12 meeting dates are tentative and subject to change. Check the TEC website for updated information.
We need the Ethics Commission to hold our lawmakers accountable to the law. We don't need free speech police. Contact the Sunset Advisory Commission today.
Stay Engaged!
Fran Rhodes, President
True Texas Project works hard to train and engage activists.
Can you help?
We are 100% donation-based.
Click here to donate to our movement.
TrueTexasProject.com
To update your profile with a new email address, satellite location, or other details, or to adjust your recurring donations, please click here.
BONUS TIP: remove the "unsubscribe" line at the bottom of your email before you forward it! Otherwise the recipient may unsubscribe YOU!
This email was sent to [email protected]. Click here to [link removed].
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[Are these emails too small? Is half of it clipped? At the very top of this=
email, click the link that says "see it online". It will open in normal si=
ze and with full content!]
=20
WE INTERRUPT YOUR REGULARLY SCHEDULED HOLIDAY WEEKEND FOR THIS IMPORTANT CA=
LL TO ACTION
For some time, the Texas Ethics Commission (TEC) has wielded power over pr=
ivate citizens while allowing intended targets of ethics oversight to go un=
noticed, or face minor consequences. The TEC is now undergoing the sunset =
review process with the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission and we have a chan=
ce to weigh in. =20
The Texas Sunset Commission will be reviewing the TEC during a set of meeti=
ngs on December 11 and 12, and making recommendations to the 89th Legislatu=
re for reforms. We need your help in asking the Sunset Commission to refor=
m the TEC to its original intent.=20
Key Concerns:
=C2=B7 Sworn Complaint Process- procedurally cumbersome, punishes m=
inor errors related to free speech with severe fines
=C2=B7 Mismanagement and Misplaced Priorities- outdated website, mi=
s-allocated resources, huge fines for grassroots activists while rich, well=
-connected violators face minimal consequences
=C2=B7 Sunset Staff Report Failures- staff reports multiple failure=
s but recommends less oversight, proposed changes would undermine constitut=
ional free speech rights & political participation
=C2=B7 Constitutional Overreach- violating separation-of-powers, re=
cent court decisions expand TEC power with exclusive jurisdiction over elec=
tion related violations
For more information and details on the TEC=E2=80=99s staff report and issu=
es that concern grassroots activists, please see this article from Brandon =
Waltens with Texas Scorecard. Brandon summarizes it nicely (as always!)
Conclusion:
The TEC=E2=80=99s punitive practices discourage civic participation and ero=
de public trust. The Sunset Advisory Commission must recommend reforms that=
restore fairness, transparency, and a citizen-centered approach to ethics =
enforcement.
Action:
The Sunset Commission will meet on Dec 11 and 12, 2024 in a public hearing =
to consider public comments about the TEC. We encourage all grassroots act=
ivists to contact the members of the Ethics Commission to express concerns,=
attend the hearing and testify if possible, and/or submit on line comments=
to the Commission.
Sample Message: (please use your own words)
To Chairman Bell and Members of the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission,
I urge you to make strong recommendations to the 89th Legislature to reform=
the Texas Ethics Commission. At a minimum,=20
=C2=B7 fix the TEC=E2=80=99s broken website
=C2=B7 maintain robust judicial oversight
=C2=B7 prioritize accountability for public officials, not grassroo=
ts activists
The citizens of Texas are counting on you and the legislature to restore tr=
ansparency and fairness to the Ethics Commission, and ensure that citizens =
have access to government without fear of retribution.
Three ways to take Action:
1) Contact Members of the Sunset Advisory Commission by mail, phone or ema=
il.
Click on the link above for mailing address and phone numbers. =20
Below are Email Addresses to contact members by email:=20
(if 2 addresses listed, send to both email addresses)
Chairman Keith Bell, [email protected], [email protected]
Rep. Terry Canales, [email protected]
Rep. Lacy Hull, [email protected], [email protected]
Rep. Stan Kitzman, [email protected], [email protected]=
v
Rep. Matt Shaheen, [email protected], [email protected]
Senator Tann Parker, [email protected], [email protected]
Senator Cesar Blanco, [email protected]
Senator Mayes Middleton, [email protected]
Senator Angela Paxton, [email protected], [email protected].=
gov
Senator Kevin Sparks, [email protected]
Insider Tip: The very best way to contact elected representatives (besides=
in person) is paper! Letter or post card in the mail or hand delivered is=
the best. If you email, use campaign emails if you have them. =20
2) Use this On-line form to submit comments to the Sunset Commission
Click on the link, fill out the form, and submit.
3) Testify In Person at the Hearing, December 11 or 12.
Click on the link above for meeting details and frequently asked questions.
NOTE: The Dec 11 and 12 meeting dates are tentative and subject to change.=
Check the TEC website for updated information.
We need the Ethics Commission to hold our lawmakers accountable to the law.=
We don't need free speech police. Contact the Sunset Advisory Commission=
today.
Stay Engaged!
Fran Rhodes, President
=20
=20
True Texas Project works hard to train and engage activists.
Can you help?
We are 100% donation-based.
Click here to donate to our movement. =20
TrueTexasProject.com
=20
=20
To update your profile with a new email address, satellite location, or oth=
er details, or to adjust your recurring donations, please click here.
BONUS TIP: remove the "unsubscribe" line at the bottom of your email before=
you forward it! Otherwise the recipient may unsubscribe YOU!
This email was sent to [email protected]. Click here to [link removed]
exasproject.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/truetexasproject/unsubscribeEmail.js=
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ns-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; =
line-height: 1.5; margin: 0 auto; Margin: 0 auto; word-break: break-word; o=
verflow-wrap: break-word; width: 564px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: =
24px; border-collapse: collapse; padding-top: 12px; padding-bottom: 12px;">=
<p class=3D"MsoNoSpacing" style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helve=
tica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-a=
lign: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-=
bottom: 10px;"> </p> <p class=3D"MsoNoSpacing" style=3D"color: #3c4144=
; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; ma=
rgin: 0; Margin: 0; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px;=
Margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;" align=3D"center"><strong><span s=
tyle=3D"font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif;">WE INTERRUPT YOUR REGULARLY SCHED=
ULED HOLIDAY WEEKEND FOR THIS IMPORTANT CALL TO ACTION</span></strong></p> =
<p class=3D"MsoNoSpacing" style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helve=
tica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-a=
lign: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-=
bottom: 10px;"><span style=3D"font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif;"> </spa=
n><span style=3D"font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif;">For some time, the Texas=
Ethics Commission (TEC) has wielded power over private citizens while allo=
wing intended targets of ethics oversight to go unnoticed, or face minor co=
nsequences.<span style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The TEC is now =
undergoing the <a title=3D"sunset review process" href=3D"[link removed]
mails.com/emails/tracking/click-link/Pu4h-nkSnb4xJPuaeWO_xQgJ_zTAX2igFRfRH0=
zWb4o=3D/lY2mYIpq1ZR8SH3hzqxYK5-gzUc4LIibb_NNYlDE2Tg=3D" target=3D"_blank" =
rel=3D"noopener" style=3D"color: #0074d9; text-decoration: none; font-weigh=
t: inherit; padding: 0; text-align: left; line-height: 1.5;">sunset review =
process</a> with the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission and we have a chance =
to weigh in.<span style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p> <p=
class=3D"MsoNoSpacing" style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helveti=
ca,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-ali=
gn: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bo=
ttom: 10px;"><span style=3D"font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif;">The Texas Sun=
set Commission will be reviewing the TEC during a set of meetings on Decemb=
er 11 and 12, and making recommendations to the 89<sup>th</sup> Legislature=
for reforms.<span style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><strong>We ne=
ed your help in asking the Sunset Commission to reform the TEC to its origi=
nal intent. </strong></span></p> <p class=3D"MsoNoSpacing" style=3D"co=
lor: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; pa=
dding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-hei=
ght: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;"><strong><span style=3D=
"font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman=
'; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Key Concerns</span></strong=
><span style=3D"font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: '=
Times New Roman'; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">:</span></p>=
<p class=3D"MsoNoSpacing" style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helv=
etica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-=
align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin=
-bottom: 10px; margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.25in; mso-list: l1 level1 =
lfo1;"><!-- [if !supportLists]--><span style=3D"font-family: Symbol; mso-fa=
reast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-font-kerning: =
0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style=3D"mso-list: Ignore;">=C2=B7<span st=
yle=3D"font: 7.0pt 'Times New Roman';"> =
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style=3D"font-family:=
'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-font-k=
erning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Sworn Complaint Process- procedurally cu=
mbersome, punishes minor errors related to free speech with severe fines</s=
pan></p> <p class=3D"MsoNoSpacing" style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: ar=
ial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: =
0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px=
; Margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.25in; mso-list: l1=
level1 lfo1;"><!-- [if !supportLists]--><span style=3D"font-family: Symbol=
; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-font-k=
erning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style=3D"mso-list: Ignore;">=C2=B7=
<span style=3D"font: 7.0pt 'Times New Roman';"> &nbs=
p; </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style=3D"font=
-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; ms=
o-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Mismanagement and Misplaced Prio=
rities- outdated website, mis-allocated resources, huge fines for grassroot=
s activists while rich, well-connected violators face minimal consequences<=
/span></p> <p class=3D"MsoNoSpacing" style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: =
arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin=
: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10=
px; Margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.25in; mso-list: =
l1 level1 lfo1;"><!-- [if !supportLists]--><span style=3D"font-family: Symb=
ol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-font=
-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style=3D"mso-list: Ignore;">=C2=
=B7<span style=3D"font: 7.0pt 'Times New Roman';"> &=
nbsp; </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style=3D"f=
ont-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';=
mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Sunset Staff Report Failures-=
staff reports multiple failures but recommends less oversight, proposed ch=
anges would undermine constitutional free speech rights & political par=
ticipation</span></p> <p class=3D"MsoNoSpacing" style=3D"color: #3c4144; fo=
nt-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin=
: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin=
-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.25in;=
mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1;"><!-- [if !supportLists]--><span style=3D"font-f=
amily: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbo=
l; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style=3D"mso-list: Ig=
nore;">=C2=B7<span style=3D"font: 7.0pt 'Times New Roman';"> &nb=
sp; </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span =
style=3D"font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times N=
ew Roman'; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Constitutional Over=
reach- violating separation-of-powers, recent court decisions expand TEC po=
wer with exclusive jurisdiction over election related violations</span></p>=
<p class=3D"MsoNoSpacing" style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helv=
etica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-=
align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin=
-bottom: 10px;"><span style=3D"font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast=
-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none=
;">For more information and details on the TEC=E2=80=99s staff report and i=
ssues that concern grassroots activists, please see <strong><a title=3D"thi=
s article" href=3D"[link removed]
4h-nkSnb4xJPuaeWO_xQgJ_zTAX2igFRfRH0zWb4o=3D/5GDhjEbmkJcYKkEJT3KzwmaDfORS8A=
0IB-1HSkzZOFs=3D" target=3D"_blank" rel=3D"noopener" style=3D"color: #0074d=
9; text-decoration: none; font-weight: inherit; padding: 0; text-align: lef=
t; line-height: 1.5;">this article</a></strong> from Brandon Waltens with T=
exas Scorecard. Brandon summarizes it nicely (as always!)<br></span></p> <p=
class=3D"MsoNoSpacing" style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helveti=
ca,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-ali=
gn: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bo=
ttom: 10px;"><strong><span style=3D"font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif;">Concl=
usion:</span></strong><span style=3D"font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif;"><br>=
The TEC=E2=80=99s punitive practices discourage civic participation and ero=
de public trust. The Sunset Advisory Commission must recommend reforms that=
restore fairness, transparency, and a citizen-centered approach to ethics =
enforcement.</span></p> <p class=3D"MsoNoSpacing" style=3D"color: #3c4144; =
font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; marg=
in: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; marg=
in-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;"><strong><span style=3D"font-family: =
'Arial',sans-serif;">Action:</span></strong></p> <p class=3D"MsoNoSpacing" =
style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weig=
ht: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12p=
t; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;"><span style=
=3D"font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif;">The Sunset Commission will meet on De=
c 11 and 12, 2024 in a public hearing to consider public comments about the=
TEC.<span style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We encourage all gras=
sroots activists to <span style=3D"background-color: rgb(251, 238, 184);">c=
ontact the members of the Ethics Commission to express concerns, attend the=
hearing and testify if possible, and/or submit on line comments to the Com=
mission.</span></span></p> <p class=3D"MsoNoSpacing" style=3D"color: #3c414=
4; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; m=
argin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; m=
argin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;"><strong><span style=3D"font-famil=
y: 'Arial',sans-serif;">Sample Message: (please use your own words)</span><=
/strong></p> <p class=3D"MsoNoSpacing" style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family=
: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Marg=
in: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: =
10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;"><em><span style=3D"font-family: 'Arial',sans-se=
rif;">To Chairman Bell and Members of the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission,=
</span></em></p> <p class=3D"MsoNoSpacing" style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-fa=
mily: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; =
Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bott=
om: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;"><em><span style=3D"font-family: 'Arial',san=
s-serif;">I urge you to make strong recommendations to the 89<sup>th</sup> =
Legislature to reform the Texas Ethics Commission.<span style=3D"mso-spacer=
un: yes;"> </span>At a minimum, </span></em></p> <p class=3D"MsoNoSpa=
cing" style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; fon=
t-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-siz=
e: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px; margin=
-left: .5in; text-indent: -.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2;"><!-- [if !supp=
ortLists]--><span style=3D"font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Sy=
mbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span sty=
le=3D"mso-list: Ignore;">=C2=B7<span style=3D"font: 7.0pt 'Times New Roman'=
;"> </span></span></span><!=
--[endif]--><em><span style=3D"font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif;">fix the TE=
C=E2=80=99s broken website</span></em></p> <p class=3D"MsoNoSpacing" style=
=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 4=
00; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; li=
ne-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: .5in=
; text-indent: -.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2;"><!-- [if !supportLists]--=
><span style=3D"font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-b=
idi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style=3D"mso-l=
ist: Ignore;">=C2=B7<span style=3D"font: 7.0pt 'Times New Roman';"> &n=
bsp; </span></span></span><!--[endif]--=
><em><span style=3D"font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif;">maintain robust judic=
ial oversight</span></em></p> <p class=3D"MsoNoSpacing" style=3D"color: #3c=
4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0=
; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5=
; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: .5in; text-indent:=
-.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2;"><!-- [if !supportLists]--><span style=
=3D"font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-fam=
ily: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style=3D"mso-list: Ignore;=
">=C2=B7<span style=3D"font: 7.0pt 'Times New Roman';"> &n=
bsp; </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><em><span s=
tyle=3D"font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif;">prioritize accountability for pub=
lic officials, not grassroots activists</span></em></p> <p class=3D"MsoNoSp=
acing" style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; fo=
nt-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-si=
ze: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;"><em>=
<span style=3D"font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif;">The citizens of Texas are =
counting on you and the legislature to restore transparency and fairness to=
the Ethics Commission, and ensure that citizens have access to government =
without fear of retribution.</span></em></p> <p class=3D"MsoNoSpacing" styl=
e=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: =
400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; l=
ine-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;"><span style=3D"=
font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif;"><strong>Three ways to take Action:</stron=
g><br></span></p> <p class=3D"MsoNoSpacing" style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-f=
amily: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0;=
Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bot=
tom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;"><strong><span style=3D"font-family: 'Arial=
',sans-serif;">1) <a title=3D"Contact Members of the Ethics Commissio=
n" href=3D"[link removed]
4xJPuaeWO_xQgJ_zTAX2igFRfRH0zWb4o=3D/5GDhjEbmkJcYKkEJT3Kzwk9vjW5_MaQ96FBB-9=
gzXyo=3D" target=3D"_blank" rel=3D"noopener" style=3D"color: #0074d9; text-=
decoration: none; font-weight: inherit; padding: 0; text-align: left; line-=
height: 1.5;">Contact Members of the Sunset Advisory Commission</a> </span>=
</strong><span style=3D"font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif;">by mail, phone or=
email.</span></p> <p class=3D"MsoNoSpacing align-center" style=3D"color: #=
3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding:=
0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom:=
10px; Margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;"><span style=3D"font-family=
: 'Arial',sans-serif;">Click on the link above for mailing address and phon=
e numbers. </span></p> <p class=3D"MsoNoSpacing align-center" style=
=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 4=
00; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; ma=
rgin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;"><span style=3D=
"font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif;">Below are Email Addresses to contact mem=
bers by email: </span></p> <p class=3D"MsoNoSpacing align-center" styl=
e=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: =
400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; m=
argin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;"><span style=
=3D"font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif;">(if 2 addresses listed, send to both =
email addresses)<br></span></p> <p class=3D"MsoNoSpacing" style=3D"color: #=
3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding:=
0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1=
.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;"><span style=3D"font-family: =
'Arial',sans-serif;">Chairman Keith Bell, <a title=3D"[email protected]=
m" href=3D"mailto:[email protected]" target=3D"_blank" rel=3D"noopener=
" style=3D"color: #0074d9; text-decoration: none; font-weight: inherit; pad=
ding: 0; text-align: left; line-height: 1.5;">[email protected]</a>, <=
a title=3D"[email protected]" href=3D"mailto:[email protected]=
s.gov" target=3D"_blank" rel=3D"noopener" style=3D"color: #0074d9; text-dec=
oration: none; font-weight: inherit; padding: 0; text-align: left; line-hei=
ght: 1.5;">[email protected]</a></span></p> <p class=3D"MsoNoSpaci=
ng" style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-=
weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size:=
12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;"><span s=
tyle=3D"font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif;">Rep. Terry Canales, <a title=3D"t=
erry.canales@house,texas.gov" href=3D"mailto:terry.canales@house,texas.gov"=
target=3D"_blank" rel=3D"noopener" style=3D"color: #0074d9; text-decoratio=
n: none; font-weight: inherit; padding: 0; text-align: left; line-height: 1=
.5;">[email protected]</a></span></p> <p class=3D"MsoNoSpacing"=
style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-wei=
ght: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12=
pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;"><span styl=
e=3D"font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif;">Rep. Lacy Hull, <a title=3D"campaign=
@lacyhull.com" href=3D"mailto:[email protected]" target=3D"_blank" rel=
=3D"noopener" style=3D"color: #0074d9; text-decoration: none; font-weight: =
inherit; padding: 0; text-align: left; line-height: 1.5;">campaign@lacyhull=
.com</a>, <a title=3D"[email protected]" href=3D"mailto:lacy.hull@h=
ouse.texas.gov" target=3D"_blank" rel=3D"noopener" style=3D"color: #0074d9;=
text-decoration: none; font-weight: inherit; padding: 0; text-align: left;=
line-height: 1.5;">[email protected]</a></span></p> <p class=3D"Ms=
oNoSpacing" style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-seri=
f; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; fo=
nt-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;"=
><span style=3D"font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif;">Rep. Stan Kitzman, <a tit=
le=3D"[email protected]" href=3D"mailto:[email protected]=
om" target=3D"_blank" rel=3D"noopener" style=3D"color: #0074d9; text-decora=
tion: none; font-weight: inherit; padding: 0; text-align: left; line-height=
: 1.5;">[email protected]</a>, <a title=3D"stan.kitzman@hous=
e.texas.gov" href=3D"mailto:[email protected]" target=3D"_blank"=
rel=3D"noopener" style=3D"color: #0074d9; text-decoration: none; font-weig=
ht: inherit; padding: 0; text-align: left; line-height: 1.5;">stan.kitzman@=
house.texas.gov</a></span></p> <p class=3D"MsoNoSpacing" style=3D"color: #3=
c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: =
0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.=
5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;"><span style=3D"font-family: '=
Arial',sans-serif;">Rep. Matt Shaheen, <a title=3D"[email protected]" hr=
ef=3D"mailto:[email protected]" target=3D"_blank" rel=3D"noopener" style=
=3D"color: #0074d9; text-decoration: none; font-weight: inherit; padding: 0=
; text-align: left; line-height: 1.5;">[email protected]</a>, <a title=
=3D"[email protected]" href=3D"mailto:[email protected]=
ov" target=3D"_blank" rel=3D"noopener" style=3D"color: #0074d9; text-decora=
tion: none; font-weight: inherit; padding: 0; text-align: left; line-height=
: 1.5;">[email protected]</a></span></p> <p class=3D"MsoNoSpacin=
g" style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-w=
eight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: =
12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;"><span st=
yle=3D"font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif;"> Senator Tann Parker, <a titl=
e=3D"[email protected]" href=3D"mailto:[email protected]" target=3D"_blank"=
rel=3D"noopener" style=3D"color: #0074d9; text-decoration: none; font-weig=
ht: inherit; padding: 0; text-align: left; line-height: 1.5;">tan@tanparker=
.com</a>, <a title=3D"[email protected]" href=3D"mailto:tan.parke=
[email protected]" target=3D"_blank" rel=3D"noopener" style=3D"color: #007=
4d9; text-decoration: none; font-weight: inherit; padding: 0; text-align: l=
eft; line-height: 1.5;">[email protected]</a><br></span></p> <p c=
lass=3D"MsoNoSpacing" style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica=
,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align=
: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bott=
om: 10px;"><span style=3D"font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif;">Senator Cesar B=
lanco, <a title=3D"[email protected]" href=3D"mailto:cesar.blan=
[email protected]" target=3D"_blank" rel=3D"noopener" style=3D"color: #00=
74d9; text-decoration: none; font-weight: inherit; padding: 0; text-align: =
left; line-height: 1.5;">[email protected]</a></span></p> <p cl=
ass=3D"MsoNoSpacing" style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,=
sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align:=
left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-botto=
m: 10px;"><span style=3D"font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif;">Senator Mayes Mi=
ddleton, <a title=3D"[email protected]" href=3D"mailto:mayes=
[email protected]" target=3D"_blank" rel=3D"noopener" style=3D"co=
lor: #0074d9; text-decoration: none; font-weight: inherit; padding: 0; text=
-align: left; line-height: 1.5;">[email protected]</a></span=
></p> <p class=3D"MsoNoSpacing" style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial=
,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; =
text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; M=
argin-bottom: 10px;"><span style=3D"font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif;">Senat=
or Angela Paxton, <a title=3D"[email protected]" href=3D"mailto:angel=
[email protected]" target=3D"_blank" rel=3D"noopener" style=3D"color: #007=
4d9; text-decoration: none; font-weight: inherit; padding: 0; text-align: l=
eft; line-height: 1.5;">[email protected]</a>, <a title=3D"angela.pax=
[email protected]" href=3D"mailto:[email protected]" target=
=3D"_blank" rel=3D"noopener" style=3D"color: #0074d9; text-decoration: none=
; font-weight: inherit; padding: 0; text-align: left; line-height: 1.5;">an=
[email protected]</a></span></p> <p class=3D"MsoNoSpacing" style=
=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 4=
00; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; li=
ne-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;"><span style=3D"f=
ont-family: 'Arial',sans-serif;">Senator Kevin Sparks, <a title=3D"kevin.sp=
[email protected]" href=3D"mailto:[email protected]" target=
=3D"_blank" rel=3D"noopener" style=3D"color: #0074d9; text-decoration: none=
; font-weight: inherit; padding: 0; text-align: left; line-height: 1.5;">ke=
[email protected]</a></span></p> <p class=3D"MsoNoSpacing" style=
=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 4=
00; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; li=
ne-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;"><em><span style=
=3D"font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif;">Insider Tip: The very best way =
to contact elected representatives (besides in person) is paper! Lett=
er or post card in the mail or hand delivered is the best. If you ema=
il, use campaign emails if you have them. </span></em></p> <p class=
=3D"MsoNoSpacing" style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,san=
s-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: le=
ft; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: =
10px;"><strong><span style=3D"font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif;">2) <a=
title=3D"Use this On-line form" href=3D"[link removed]
tracking/click-link/Pu4h-nkSnb4xJPuaeWO_xQgJ_zTAX2igFRfRH0zWb4o=3D/5GDhjEbm=
kJcYKkEJT3KzwpusyIlVUC6DUC3onGKgK1k=3D" target=3D"_blank" rel=3D"noopener" =
style=3D"color: #0074d9; text-decoration: none; font-weight: inherit; paddi=
ng: 0; text-align: left; line-height: 1.5;">Use this On-line form</a> </spa=
n></strong><span style=3D"font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif;">to submit comme=
nts</span><strong><span style=3D"font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif;"> </span>=
</strong><span style=3D"font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif;">to the Sunset Com=
mission</span></p> <p class=3D"MsoNoSpacing" style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-=
family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0=
; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bo=
ttom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;"><span style=3D"font-family: 'Arial',sans-=
serif;">Click on the link, fill out the form, and submit.<br></span></p> <p=
class=3D"MsoNoSpacing" style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helveti=
ca,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-ali=
gn: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bo=
ttom: 10px;"><span style=3D"font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif;"><strong>3)</s=
trong> <strong><a title=3D"Testify In Person at the Hearing" href=3D"=
[link removed]
QgJ_zTAX2igFRfRH0zWb4o=3D/5GDhjEbmkJcYKkEJT3KzwqInmdyh6PDt65uk00wZRPk=3D" t=
arget=3D"_blank" rel=3D"noopener" style=3D"color: #0074d9; text-decoration:=
none; font-weight: inherit; padding: 0; text-align: left; line-height: 1.5=
;">Testify In Person at the Hearing</a></strong>, December 11 or 12.</span>=
</p> <p class=3D"MsoNoSpacing" style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,=
helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; t=
ext-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Ma=
rgin-bottom: 10px;"><span style=3D"font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif;">Click =
on the link above for meeting details and frequently asked questions.</span=
></p> <p class=3D"MsoNoSpacing" style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial=
,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; =
text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; M=
argin-bottom: 10px;"><em><span style=3D"font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif;"><=
strong>NOTE</strong>: The Dec 11 and 12 meeting dates are tentative a=
nd subject to change. Check the <a title=3D"TEC website" href=3D"http=
s://api.neonemails.com/emails/tracking/click-link/Pu4h-nkSnb4xJPuaeWO_xQgJ_=
zTAX2igFRfRH0zWb4o=3D/5GDhjEbmkJcYKkEJT3KzwhYWsybcN2M_1xr3iNooh70=3D" targe=
t=3D"_blank" rel=3D"noopener" style=3D"color: #0074d9; text-decoration: non=
e; font-weight: inherit; padding: 0; text-align: left; line-height: 1.5;">T=
EC website</a> for updated information.</span></em></p> <p class=3D"MsoNoSp=
acing" style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; fo=
nt-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-si=
ze: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;"><spa=
n style=3D"font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif;"><span style=3D"background-colo=
r: rgb(251, 238, 184);">We need the Ethics Commission to hold our lawmakers=
accountable to the law. We don't need free speech police. Cont=
act the Sunset Advisory Commission today.</span><br></span></p> <p class=3D=
"MsoNoSpacing" style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-s=
erif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left;=
font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10p=
x;"><span style=3D"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Stay Engaged=
!</span></p> <p class=3D"MsoNormal" style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: a=
rial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin:=
0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10p=
x; Margin-bottom: 10px;"><span style=3D"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans=
-serif;">Fran Rhodes, President</span></p> <p class=3D"MsoNormal" style=3D"=
color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; =
padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-h=
eight: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;"><span style=3D"font-=
family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></p></th>=20
</tr>=20
</tbody>
</table>=20
<table class=3D"row end-row-footer" style=3D"border-spacing: 0; =
border-collapse: collapse; vertical-align: top; text-align: left; padding: =
0; position: relative; width: 100%; display: table; margin: 0; Margin: 0; b=
ackground-color: #ffffff; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">=20
<tbody>
<tr style=3D"padding: 0; vertical-align: top; text-align: left=
;">=20
<th class=3D"columns small-12 large-12 first last default" st=
yle=3D"vertical-align: top; color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sa=
ns-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; =
line-height: 1.5; margin: 0 auto; Margin: 0 auto; word-break: break-word; o=
verflow-wrap: break-word; width: 564px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: =
24px; border-collapse: collapse; padding-top: 12px; padding-bottom: 24px;">=
<p style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-w=
eight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; font-size: 12pt; line-height:=
1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;"><span =
style=3D"font-size: 14px;"> </span></p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144; fo=
nt-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin=
: 0; Margin: 0; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Mar=
gin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;"><strong><span style=3D"color: #cc000=
0;">True Texas Project works hard to train and engage activists.<br>Can you=
help?<br>We are 100% donation-based.</span><br><span style=3D"color: #0000=
55;">Click </span><a href=3D"[link removed]
ck-link/Pu4h-nkSnb4xJPuaeWO_xQgJ_zTAX2igFRfRH0zWb4o=3D/5GDhjEbmkJcYKkEJT3Kz=
wv5OCfqK-EM9ae9oMMtQkWE=3D" style=3D"color: #0074d9; text-decoration: none;=
font-weight: inherit; padding: 0; text-align: left; line-height: 1.5;"><sp=
an style=3D"color: #cc0000;">here</span></a><span style=3D"color: #000055;"=
> to donate to our movement. <br><a href=3D"h=
ttps://api.neonemails.com/emails/tracking/click-link/Pu4h-nkSnb4xJPuaeWO_xQ=
gJ_zTAX2igFRfRH0zWb4o=3D/5GDhjEbmkJcYKkEJT3KzwuT89SBsuF6D5hX1d7h7eu4=3D" st=
yle=3D"color: #0074d9; text-decoration: none; font-weight: inherit; padding=
: 0; text-align: left; line-height: 1.5;">TrueTexasProject.com</a></span></=
strong></p>=20
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ext-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; border-collapse: collap=
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it; padding: 0; text-align: left; line-height: 1.5;"><img style=3D"outline:=
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WE INTERRUPT YOUR REGULARLY SCHEDULED HOLIDAY WEEKEND FOR THIS IMPORTANT CALL TO ACTION
For some time, the Texas Ethics Commission (TEC) has wielded power over private citizens while allowing intended targets of ethics oversight to go unnoticed, or face minor consequences. The TEC is now undergoing the sunset review process with the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission and we have a chance to weigh in.
The Texas Sunset Commission will be reviewing the TEC during a set of meetings on December 11 and 12, and making recommendations to the 89th Legislature for reforms. We need your help in asking the Sunset Commission to reform the TEC to its original intent.
Key Concerns:
· Sworn Complaint Process- procedurally cumbersome, punishes minor errors related to free speech with severe fines
· Mismanagement and Misplaced Priorities- outdated website, mis-allocated resources, huge fines for grassroots activists while rich, well-connected violators face minimal consequences
· Sunset Staff Report Failures- staff reports multiple failures but recommends less oversight, proposed changes would undermine constitutional free speech rights & political participation
· Constitutional Overreach- violating separation-of-powers, recent court decisions expand TEC power with exclusive jurisdiction over election related violations
For more information and details on the TEC’s staff report and issues that concern grassroots activists, please see this article from Brandon Waltens with Texas Scorecard. Brandon summarizes it nicely (as always!)
Conclusion:
The TEC’s punitive practices discourage civic participation and erode public trust. The Sunset Advisory Commission must recommend reforms that restore fairness, transparency, and a citizen-centered approach to ethics enforcement.
Action:
The Sunset Commission will meet on Dec 11 and 12, 2024 in a public hearing to consider public comments about the TEC. We encourage all grassroots activists to contact the members of the Ethics Commission to express concerns, attend the hearing and testify if possible, and/or submit on line comments to the Commission.
Sample Message: (please use your own words)
To Chairman Bell and Members of the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission,
I urge you to make strong recommendations to the 89th Legislature to reform the Texas Ethics Commission. At a minimum,
· fix the TEC’s broken website
· maintain robust judicial oversight
· prioritize accountability for public officials, not grassroots activists
The citizens of Texas are counting on you and the legislature to restore transparency and fairness to the Ethics Commission, and ensure that citizens have access to government without fear of retribution.
Three ways to take Action:
1) Contact Members of the Sunset Advisory Commission by mail, phone or email.
Click on the link above for mailing address and phone numbers.
Below are Email Addresses to contact members by email:
(if 2 addresses listed, send to both email addresses)
Chairman Keith Bell, [email protected], [email protected]
Rep. Terry Canales, [email protected]
Rep. Lacy Hull, [email protected], [email protected]
Rep. Stan Kitzman, [email protected], [email protected]
Rep. Matt Shaheen, [email protected], [email protected]
Senator Tann Parker, [email protected], [email protected]
Senator Cesar Blanco, [email protected]
Senator Mayes Middleton, [email protected]
Senator Angela Paxton, [email protected], [email protected]
Senator Kevin Sparks, [email protected]
Insider Tip: The very best way to contact elected representatives (besides in person) is paper! Letter or post card in the mail or hand delivered is the best. If you email, use campaign emails if you have them.
2) Use this On-line form to submit comments to the Sunset Commission
Click on the link, fill out the form, and submit.
3) Testify In Person at the Hearing, December 11 or 12.
Click on the link above for meeting details and frequently asked questions.
NOTE: The Dec 11 and 12 meeting dates are tentative and subject to change. Check the TEC website for updated information.
We need the Ethics Commission to hold our lawmakers accountable to the law. We don't need free speech police. Contact the Sunset Advisory Commission today.
Stay Engaged!
Fran Rhodes, President
True Texas Project works hard to train and engage activists.
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Message Analysis
- Sender: True Texas Project
- Political Party: n/a
- Country: United States
- State/Locality: Texas
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