Week 13: 89th Texas Legislature

Dear Friends,

This week's Friday message is going to be brief and I hope you'll grant some mercy.  I was at the Capitol both Tuesday and Wednesday this week, and Thursday in San Antonio as their speaker for the monthly meeting.  And as you know, tonight is Texas Tough (which is requiring just a tiny bit of attention from all of us).  So - I'm going to give you a very brief update with a hope and a prayer for doing better next week.

THIS WEEK

We had a great group of folks to do the work on Tuesday.  We testified at hearings on 4 different bills, delivered position papers on 3 bills to committee members, wrote post cards to committee members for about 20 different bills that need a hearing, and registered at kiosks for or against about 15 bills being heard in committee.  Thanks to everyone who came on Tuesday - many hands make light work.

AND... the chicken bill was voted favorably out of committee!

You probably have heard by now that on Tuesday, Rep. Brian Harrison filed a motion to vacate the Speaker of the House.  It was not met with favor, to put it mildly.  Rep Cody Harris speaking against the motion, moved to table, which passed 141 to 2.  Rep David Lowe voted with Harrison, but he was the only one.

We support and appreciate Rep Harrison and Rep Lowe for their effort.  But I need to caution you about being too harsh with those who did not support it.  They all had their reasons, and we can be with Harrison without being against the others.  As Julie said in an X post:  "The petty jealousies, inflated egos, hurt feelings and any other personal emotions MUST be set aside for the greater good.  You are servants of the people, and it's hard to die to self, but everyone needs to suck it up and work together.  For Texas!"

We worked hard to get some really good representatives elected and they are doing some really good work.  So I would urge caution in throwing them under the bus just because they take one position you don't agree with.  That applies to ANY issue. We are never going to agree 100% with anyone, and we should be looking beyond single issues or single votes to the bigger picture of making Texas better.

NEXT WEEK

I just have not had time to pour through the bills that are moving and in committee next week to put together an intelligent plan for Tuesday the 15th (and not much has been posted yet).  But trust me - come Tuesday morning I will have one.

Please meet up in the Seal Court (Extension Level 2) at 10:00 am and I will have work for you to do.  If you need a ride from DFW area, we have seats available, just email me.

Looking Forward to April 22

Speaking of the good work those reps are doing - here's an example for you.  Rep. Brent Money has filed HB2197, which provides that unborn babies be treated the same as any born person under the law.  Current Texas law recognizes unborn babies as persons, and provides for murder charges to be brought if an unborn baby is killed, EXCEPT if the mother chooses to kill it.  HB2197 would close the loopholes in law that excuse the mother from killing her baby.

HB2197 will be heard in the Criminal Jurisprudence Committee on Tuesday April 22.  The Committee notice has not been published yet, but we have inside information that it will be heard that day.  We will include details in the Friday message on the 18th.  Please plan to go to the Capitol that day and testify in favor of this bill.  HB2197 would be a huge step forward in protecting the unborn and would truly put an end to abortion in Texas.

Be safe and stay engaged!

Fran Rhodes, President.

[email protected]

SAVE THE DATES!

Tuesday Apr 22 - TTP Tuesdays at the Capitol

Tuesday Apr 29 - TTP Tuesdays at the Capitol

Tuesday May 6 - TTP Tuesdays at the Capitol - PLUS Bus from Cypress/Brenham  (final bus for this session)

Bus Registrations can be found on the TTP Website

Tuesday May 13 - TTP Tuesdays at the Capitol

Tuesday May 20 - TTP Tuesdays at the Capitol

Tuesday May 27 - TTP Tuesdays at the Capitol

Our weekly visits to the Capitol focus on legislation, but the primary work is training up people to continuously be engaged in government.  Every week, we have new people who have never done it before and are happy to learn.  We are training up an army of grassroots activists, but we need your help to do it.  Can you chip in?