1. MESSAGE FOR THE MASSES: the election reform bill is NOT voter suppression. The bill increases early voting hours and the number of polling locations. It also prevents dead people and non-citizens from voting. To be against this bill is to be in favor of illegal voting activity because it makes it easy to vote and hard to cheat. The only reason to oppose these measures would be a desire to cheat on elections.

 

2. MESSAGE FOR SPEAKER PHELAN:

     A. Pull the Chairmanships from all Democrats not there to do their jobs.

     B. Arrest those who are still in Texas.

     C. Fine them.

 

3. MESSAGE FOR STATE REPS:

     A. Since Speaker Phelan has turned off the back mic on the House floor to prevent you from questioning his handling of this situation, do what Rinaldi and Stickland used to do when he pulled this stunt: yell really loudly and disrupt the floor until he turns it back on.

     B. Why did you not change the rules when you had a chance so that the Speaker could not appoint Democrats as Chairs? Why did you vote for the Speaker who said he would do this in the first place? It's too late now, but in the future, be more wise in who you support. Other states are looking at Texas, questioning why we would be in this situation. No state lege does this anymore (putting minority party in key seats). The Dems sincerely believe they are fighting a civil war with us, and you allowed them to be appointed to chair positions. We expect more, and we will be watching next session to see how you fix this.

 

3. MESSAGE FOR ABBOTT:

     A. Declare the Dem seats vacant and call for a special election to fill them. The Dems would need to return and prove their return to the Sargent at Arms to maintain their spots.

     B. You trusted Phelan to get the job of election reform done during the regular session, and that was a mistake. You treated the situation in too lax of a manner and it didn't get us over the finish line. We want to believe you truly want this reform. Declare the seats vacant and call a special election. That would be super impressive.

 

SIDENOTE:

Lt Gov Dan Patrick suggested Gov Abbott should change the requirements so that work can be conducted with a simple majority plus one, instead of the 2/3 now required which makes us dependent on the Dems showing up. My understanding is that this would require a Constitutional Amendment. Abbott does not have that power (though that didn't stop him the past year in doing anything). However, there's a chance that the rule that allows the House members to fashion penalties on the body could somehow finagle something? This is beyond my knowledge level of the House rules and Texas Constitution, but there are experts that could tackle this!

 

Thank you for taking action!  This is what sets True Texas Project apart from nearly every other group! 

All for the cause,

Julie McCarty

True Texas Project CEO (volunteer)