1. Legislation: What’s Important and What to Do

2. What’s Important? General Election on November 8, 2016
Early voting October 24-November 4, 2016
Last day to apply for ballot by mail – October 28, 2016
85th Session of the Texas Legislature in 2017
What’s Important?

3. The next regular session will be January 10, 2017 through May 29, 2017
During the year prior to each legislative session each standing committee meets to discuss important topics called “charges.” The Lt. Governor and the Speaker assign these topics. The charges are named the 84th Legislature Interim Committee Charges
Texas Legislature

4. What Are the Issues? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Bullying STEM Funding
Preparing for Tomorrow’s Workforce
STEM
Funding ? ? ?
Testing Calendar
Affordability of Health Care for Active and Retired Public School Employees
Long-term Fiscal impact of TRS ? ?
What Are the Issues? ?

5. Contacting Your Senator or Representative
Determine who represents you
Decide how to contact
Letter via snail mail
Phone call
Proper salutation:
To the Honorable (State Representative’s Name)
or Dear Representative (State Representative’s Name)
Contacting Your Senator or Representative

6. Contacting Your Senator or Representative
Be courteous and concise - covering one topic is best
Conclude you letter with Sincerely (Your Name)
Include your mailing address, address and phone number if possible
Search for examples and further information via the Internet
Contacting Your Senator or Representative

7. Now - Months before the legislative session
Encourage legislation on issues that are important
Try to target one issue such as TRS-Care
Briefly explain your interest
Stay positive – try not to complain
When the bills are actually identified – reference the bill from the beginning of the letter/
When there is news of a close vote – tell your senator or representative to vote for or against a particular bill
This is when a phone call would be appropriate
When to Contact

8. Connect through Social Media
Connect with Social Media such as Facebook and Like the pages of Professional Organizations including
(but not limited to)
TSTA, Texas AFT, ATPE, AAUW, TRTA
They will post information on the most recent happenings on educational issues
Connect through Social Media

9. Chapter Activities Program on legislation
Frequent updates on issues such as education
Articles or blips in the chapter newsletter
Voter registration campaign
Remind others to vote
Chapter Activities

10. Get involved in government on the local level
Get out the vote in your own neighborhood
Stay informed
Vote!
What Else Can I Do?