Dear Public School Advocate,
Some people in Austin are trying to silence your voices. They are calling for an end to “taxpayer-funded lobbying.” But it is nothing short of community censorship.
The Senate State Affairs Committee will consider Senate Bill 12 at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, July 22—yes, in less than a day. View the posting here.
This bill would prohibit political subdivisions—such as school districts, cities, and counties—from using public funds to hire individuals who lobby or to join associations that lobby on their behalf. The bill does not include charter schools and other taxpayer-funded groups like law enforcement associations.
Even more surprisingly, senators will be taking up this legislation, which failed to pass during the regular session, before considering important issues like relief for victims of recent Central Texas floods or emergency warning systems to mitigate future tragedies. In fact, senators had to vote to suspend their own rules related to posting meeting agendas to schedule the hearing so soon.
SB 12 would drastically limit the ability of school leaders to advocate for what’s best for your schools and communities by requiring you to closely follow the legislative process and travel to Austin on a weekly basis to testify on legislation or visit legislators who are not in your community if you want to be involved in the legislative process.
As if to highlight the reason why school leaders seek help with the legislature, the committee posted the hearing at 9 a.m. tomorrow—less than 24 hours after language of the bill was even available to the public. This gives locally elected officials almost no notice on a bill that seeks to limit their ability to advocate at the Capitol.
Texas public schools should have the same right as charter and private schools and all other industries, issues, and causes that employ people to advocate for them at the Texas Capitol.
Community censorship is bad for local taxpayers. Tell your legislators and the members of the Senate State Affairs Committee that you oppose community censorship!
Here’s how to take action:
- Call or email your senator and the members of the Senate State Affairs Committee tonight or tomorrow morning and tell them how this bill would impact your ability to advocate on behalf of your students.
- If you are able, attend the hearing and consider submitting written or oral testimony to the committee.
- Share this information with others who will stand up for Texas public schools.
Email Your Senator on the Senate State Affairs Committee
Charles Perry, District 28
512-463-0128
charles.perry@senate.texas.gov
Please be respectful in your advocacy. Also, remember that some committee and Senate members are supportive of your right to seek help in advocating on behalf of your students and schools, so be sure to ask where they stand on the issue.
You can learn more in this TASB document on community censorship.
Your Friends,
Texans for Strong Public Schools
