URGENT!
Committee Hearing scheduled for HCR 49, Thursday April 9
Need People at the Capitol
and calling Committee Members
HCR 49 will have a hearing on Thursday, April 9, in the State & Federal Power & Responsibility, Select Committee.
We need to ACT QUICKLY.
What is HCR 49?
HCR 49, authored by Rep. Senfronia Thompson, calls for a constitutional amendment to address the effects of the Citizen United and other Supreme Court decisions. This is similar to resolutions passed all over the country on state and local levels. It would establish that money is NOT speech and corporations do not have Constitutional rights of people. Texas, to date, has only passed such a resolution in the city of Austin, but efforts are underway to pass similar resolutions at both city and county levels.
You can be most effective:
Come to the Capitol on Thursday, April 9 at 10:30, to attend the hearing in E2.036. Just attending and filling the room with supporters can make a difference. Also you can sign up in support of the resolution and give testimony about why you feel it's important to pass this resolution.
Contact Peggy Henger at pjhenger@verizon.net for information about parking, finding the kiosk for signing up to speak or leave an opinion, where to meet other supporters, and any other questions. We really need to have a lot of people there!! Additional Information about Coming to the Capitol
You can be very effective:
Even if you cannot come to the Capitol you can make a critical contribution to this effort by contacting ALL Committee members. Use your own message along with the suggested messages below. Please call and email BOTH. Always be polite. We want them to engage with us and consider passing our resolution. If we antagonize we alienate.
Members of the State & Federal Power & Responsibility, Select Committee
Rep Phil King CHR (512) 463-0738 phil.king@house.state.tx.us
Rep. Paul Workman(512) 463-0652 paul.workman@house.state.tx.us
Rep Charles "Doc" Anderson (512) 463-0135 charles.anderson@house.state.tx.us
Rep. Travis Clardy (512) 463-0592 travis.clardy@house.state.tx.us
Rep Borris Miles (512) 463-0518 borris.miles@house.state.tx.us
Rep. Tan Parker (512) 463-0688 tan.parker@house.state.tx.us
Rep Armando Walle (512)463-0924 armando.walle@house.state.tx.us
Making the Call:
Call each representative. Ask for the aide for the State and Federal Power & Responsibility, Select Committee, or just talk with the person who answers. *You can call after hours/the weekend and leave a voicemail. This ensures your message is heard clearly in your own words. Identify yourself, give your address and zip code. IF you are a constituent, please say so - this is very important. Not sure if one of the Committee members is your representative? Check here. Then let them know you want them to vote YES on HCR 49, and why, then use points from the list of suggested messages.
Messaging examples:
We want to make 3 points, with everybody using similar language, mixed with your own personal reason for supporting the bill. You message can be quite short.
1. Texans, like all Americans, are fed up with unlimited money in elections taking away their political power and drowning out their voices.
2.Our elections are turning into shouting matches between billionaires. We need common sense limits on big money so ALL of our voices can be heard.
3. Our democracy should be "one person, one vote" - not "one dollar, one vote."
4. We need our elected officials to listen to their voters, not just rich donors.
5. Amending the Constitution is a clear, permanent solution. "We the People" have to curb the undue influence of big money on our democracy.
6. The Democracy-for-All Amendment puts the power of our democracy back in the hands of "We the People" instead of concentrating so much power with wealthy special interests.
7. Amending the Constitution is not supposed to be easy. But before you dismiss this movement, look at what it has already accomplished. 16 states and nearly 600 local governments have passed a similar resolution. Clearly this approach touches something in the minds of voters:
8. Or just say.... I support HCR 49 because our democracy should be "one person, one vote" - not "one dollar, one vote.""
* REMEMBER to always be polite. We are asking them to vote YES for this nonpartisan issue.
We have said this before, but please note: contact from constituents is very important, but so is any call from Texans-- so few people ever call! Please, whether you live in Alpine or Amarillo, Marshall or Houston, Wichita Falls or Corpus Christi, Texarkana or El Paso -- your voice is needed and appreciated.,
Your participation is vital!
Here is the letter to Representative Senfronia Thompson urging her to resubmit resolution from previous session