Return to “Did we get shut out this year”
doncb wrote:If you listen closely you can here the plaintive sound of the LTC. "Maybe in 2 years. Maybe in 2 years." You can hear it every 2 years for some reason.powerboatr wrote:wow...2 more years and not much was done.
I agree. This wasn't a Superbowl year, and SB16 is a low impact win tactically. Strategically, however, I think it is big. 2 years, 4 years from now the number of LTC holders could make a big difference in a HB560 type bill's chances. And other big win bills.TexasJohnBoy wrote:This is good, just remember to be tactful and polite. Sugar over vinegar and such...chasfm11 wrote:My Texas House representative has been a vocal supporter of Joe Strauss. I've written USPS type letters to him, saying that he owns the results of bills that concern me not passing because of their dying in committees just as much as Strauss does. In addition, I've called his office and even visited his office in Austin in person. None of my phone calls were returned and the in person visit (because he was not in the building at the time and the interns in his office couldn't provide any information) was for naught.
Yesterday, his local administrative assistance returned my phone call. She and I talked about some of my concerns. I must have made enough of an impression on her that my concerns were on going that she offered a sit-down meeting among me, the representative and herself over coffee in the coming weeks.
She claims that 2015 was the best session ever for Republican legislation. I'm sure that she has information to back that up. That is not my perspective, given all of the gun related bills that didn't pass. In preparation for the meeting, I would like to have a score card about the important bills and their status, especially the gun bills that didn't pass. I have an uphill battle on the gun bill front from the last session because of Campus Carry and Open Carry.
I have no illusions about having any impact but I believe that the potential for influence in 2019 is greater if I have the meeting and am prepared than if I don't. I want to do all that I can to keep us from getting mostly stifled again.
I do agree that we got a lot in 2015, so maybe we got a bit spoiled. But I don't think that's any reason for us to be OK with bills like 560 not seeing the light of day. And it's not a complete loss, SB16 will add to our ranks so our voices are louder for 2019.
Good job