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Hello, True Texan friends!
Yay! It's that crazy time of month again when we cram 19 meetings all across the state on just 6 different nights! How do we do that??? We do it with the help of around 175 volunteers! Simply amazing. I love the TTP community, and if I'm lucky, I'll get to see YOU at your next meeting. Here's where Fran, Susan and I will be this month:
May 8 - Hill Country (Fran); Erath County (Susan)
May 9 - Brazos Valley (Julie); Rockwall/Kaufman (Susan)
May 11 - Dallas County (Susan)
May 15 - Bay Area (Julie); Collin County (Susan)
May 16 - Williamson County (Fran); Denton (Susan)
May 18 - Katy Area launch w/ TEXIT's Daniel Miller! (Julie & Fran); Longview Area (Susan)
Of course, that's only 11 of the 19 meetings... we'll get to the rest soon! And you know we do more than just meetings, right? We have a ton of social activities and activist assignments as well, and we hope to see you at those too. Keep reading for more details!
Last Week In Pictures
There's always SOMEthing going on with our True Texan patriots!
Denton County had dozens turnout for their Sunday afternoon happy hour. This is a big part of why the Denton County group is growing! See more pics here, but you have to join the Denton Chat Group first!
If you're in the Bay Area, jump into this dining club!
Check out this stunning dish from their menu. Wow!
Again, you can see more pics of the food and fun by joining the Bay Area Chat Group!
We made it to the Top of Texas! Watch this video of us staking our claim!
40 True Texas Adventurers had a great trip to Guadalupe Peak. Click the image above to watch the video, or click here to see all the fun pics from our True Texas Adventure.
Did you know...? All of our locations have their own chat groups on Facebook where you can talk about local issues and elections, share memes, see event pics, and build community. That's why we're here -- to be with like-minded people! It feels good to know you're not alone. Join the group near you!
Fran's Legislative Update
The big news from this week is the chaos that happened on Tuesday when the House tried to debate and vote on SB14 - the bill to ban gender mutilation of children. The ugly protesters and trans supporters won the day by shouting and disrupting the proceedings, and eventually, the House gallery was cleared of all spectators.
The bill was back on the schedule for Friday May 5. But we were disappointed again when 3 points of order were filed and withdrawn, but then the bill was re-committed to the Committee. AGAIN! Now we wait for it to be scheduled, hopefully this week, where we will do it all again. But remember our Citizen Advocate motto - NEVER GIVE UP! NEVER SURRENDER!
In other news, there are a bunch of election integrity bills stuck somewhere in the swamp that is Austin. Read the detailed report about it here, and take action where you can.
There are several important bills that need a push or a shovel that are discussed in Fran's Friday message. Please take a look. Action items are spelled out with links to information needed.
Next week, as usual, we'll meet up at the Capitol on Tuesday May 9, to continue the work. Meet us at 9:00 am in front of Hearing room E2.036.
We will register for some bills being heard in committee that day & possibly testify
We have papers to deliver to ALL legislators (181 of them!)
We can drop green or red cards in calendars committee
We will have TTP position papers that can be delivered to key committees.
Join us if you can! And if you can't, there are always other things you can do. Contact lawmakers, make on-line comments, share information on social media, and pray for our efforts.
Big thanks to our regular Tuesday activists who are wearing out shoes running around the Capitol every week!
Local Elections
I sure hope you voted yesterday! Watch your email this week to see a review on how well things turned out...
Volunteers hope for victory at the GCISD watch party.
This week at True Texas Project...
You can always see our upcoming events by checking the Events page at this link but below is a complete list of the week ahead. Click on the images to enlarge them, or right click to save them for sharing! And remember, no matter where you live, you are welcome at any meeting or event.
Last 3 Capitol Visits - May 9, 16, 23
If you haven't made it to Austin yet for a visit to the Capitol during session, you better hurry! We have 3 True Texan trips left: May 9, 16, and 23. Email [email protected] for details on how you can jump in. No experience necessary!
How close are you to Robertson County? We are offering our Citizen Activist Training there on May 13. It's free. Sign up!
Worth Your Time...
Our friend Terri Hall is the expert on all things Transportation in Texas. She's written a great commentary: How Democrats Are Passing Radical Climate Policies In The Republican House. Sadly, since she's written that commentary, the bill passed the House, which means you need to contact your State Senator and ask them not to support it.
At Texas Scorecard they did a great review of how things tend to play out in the legislature to kill bills... unless of course it's a bad bill they WANT to pass. Read it here.
While the House just passed a bill to lower property taxes for new corporations, they couldn't care less about lowering them for you and me. Rep Slaton tried to at least get some transparency so we'd know what businesses are being offered these sweet deals, but the State Reps didn't want it. Read it and weep.
Thanks for reading! If you have questions, tips, or encouragement for us, just reply to this email.
For Texas, Julie McCarty, CEO on behalf of the True Texas team
PS. This week I got an email from a County GOP Chair asking me why we are so mean all the time. I about spit my drink out! I love that question! It's often asked at this time of session in various round-about ways, but she was pretty direct, wasn't she?
Of course, you know Texas is only in session for 5 months every other year. Thank God for that! I have to agree with the wisdom of Mark Twain...
If ever there was a time to raise a stink, it's during the Texas legislative session. Like it or not, the loudest side often wins. Yes, I suppose there's a time and place for decorum and playing nice, but frankly, that hasn't worked for Texas for the past 20+ years when we've had a Republican majority in the House AND Senate AND held all statewide positions, and yet cannot ever seem to move the ball forward. Oh, they throw us a bone or two and then chant in unison about giving us "the most conservative session ever," but when we look at what was actually accomplished, they get a big, fat F. As we teach in our TTP 101 class, the most intolerant wins. We cannot sit back, play nice, open the birthday card our rep sends us, and expect to save Texas. We must learn to get a little uncomfortable. We must want our goals more than the Left wants theirs, and we must prove it. When a State Rep has power to act and doesn't, why would I smile and pretend it's ok? What kind of mom would I be to shrug my shoulders in hopes of keeping the peace? My daughter's future is worth having someone call me a big meanie (or worse). I can take it! We are fighting a fight that should have been fought long ago, but Texans were too busy playing nice back then. Now it's too late. Now we must be bold, and we must win. We have no alternative. If you are more concerned about being friends with the elected people who refuse to deliver on their campaign promises, well... you're probably in the wrong group. At True Texas Project, we will hold people accountable. We will fight for Texas. We will avoid emotion and look at impartial results. We will push back and engage in tough conversations -- even for those who won't do it for themselves.
Hey... here's an idea... Instead of asking me why TTP is so mean, why not ask your Reps why they are so unproductive?
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