Blog #3 Ballot Access Initiatives under attack!

Wednesday, March 18th, 2009

SB 690 - Senator Wentworth

SB 690 would increase the number of signatures of citizens that would be required to place a charter amendment on the local ballot in home rule cities – from 5% to 10% of likely/registered voters.  The full text of SB 690 can be found:   http://tinyurl.com/cln9bu 

Fortunately for me, I was preceded in giving my testimony by Brian Rodgers of Change Austin.org (http://changeaustin.org/Blog/ ) and Mr. Mike Ford - both eloquent and persuasive speakers - (Note for future blogs:  I was able to use my mini voice recording device and could use some help to figure out how I can post recordings on the blog.  Brian Rodgers creatively posts on his blog the Senate RealMedia Video Archives reference for this committee (http://www.senate.state.tx.us/avarchive/):  

"You democracy junkies might get some entertainment watching the actual testimony here (go to Intergovernmental Relations Committee, Part II, 56 minutes 12 seconds in to the tape).  You’ll see Republican Roger Borgelt, Green parttime lobbyist Bill Stout, and a gal who came in from Bryan, Texas, to beg Wentworth not to make this more difficult for citizen activists there and in 345 other Home Rule cities.)"  

In his testimony Brian Rodgers pointed out that the main reason this bill has surfaced is that the Real Estate lobby got their feathers twisted over last year's Domain Subsidies fight, a high-end shopping mall receiving $60 Million in tax break subsidies from the City of Austin, because of a citizen referendum to change the city charter, Proposition 2.  Over 500 local businesses supported the referendum including the Travis County Democrats, Republicans, Libertarian Party and the Green Party, The referendum was beaten by a small margin, 48% to 52% because of a last minute $400,000 media blitz by the Mall owner and RECA (Real Estate Council of Austin - and supported by the Mayor by advertising "Keep your word Austin"; the Mayor is a noted friend of the chamber of commerce).  The good news, Brian notes, was that because of this battle there have been a series of ordinances passed to increase transparency in the process.  

In regards to the cost of an election being more if a citizen initiative is on the ballot, he pointed out that there is no additional net cost, just that the cost would be spread out over several government entities; if for example the city and the county both have an election at the same time the cost is shared, not added in addition to, because the same number of machines or ballots have to be used.

Mr. Rodgers also made the point that the 5% of signatures collected actually had to be much higher because in the vetting process some signatures are thrown out; so in reality it was more like 27,000 that had to be gathered instead of the 18,000 that was required - with the proposed increase to 10% the number of signatures would double!  

In my testimony I read the quote from The City of Austin’s manual for petition review which states that the 10% requirement that exists today for some initiatives is virtually impossible to meet: "... it would be difficult for citizens to get enough signatures prior to the effective date of an ordinance to qualify for a referendum.  Therefore, it is unlikely [the office of the city clerk] will ever receive a referendum petition.” 

Senator Wentworth asked me a question that not only seemed like a curve-ball but his questioning in general sounded like he had not researched the bill himself:  Referencing an past City of Austin initiative that was an amendment to the city charter which would, something to the effect to, require city council members and the mayor to report on-line their meetings and (lunch) expenditures within a short window of time, the Senator was wondering whether I knew about this referendum, but then shifted to his concern being that one wealthy individual would be able to finance a citizen referendum.  In retrospect, I would have liked to have told him that by raising the bar to 10% you essentially are doing that - taking the process out of the hands of the 'grass-roots' and forcing the need for the services of a signature gathering company!  Instead I suggested that in our present democratic process that the deck is already stacked in favor of those with money to spend on (elections) ballot initiatives - after which, Senator Patrick chimed in (in support against the bill) that he was less concerned about the financial origins of a citizen initiative but that he was concerned that additional barriers or impediments should not be put in place to make it more difficult to obtain signatures.

Brian Rodgers also noted that reaching the current 5% requirement has become more difficult since the S.O.S. Ordinance got 10% of the voting population's signatures:  Many groups fail to collect enough signatures because private property owners refuse to allow petition gatherers on their property (liability reasons) and petitioners instead are limited to places like Congress Avenue or the hike-and-bike trails while public property managers will limit signature gatherers to parts of the property where there is no pedestrian traffic. 

Mr. Mike Ford is 'a 77 year old citizen from Austin', speaking for himself he made the point that very few citizen initiatives have made it to the ballot because the requirements are already difficult, he estimated something like 2 in twenty years, and that it would be unfair to allow developers to continue to reap $100's of Millions of dollars in subsidies, the use of public money, while citizens find it harder if not impossible to exercise the little direct democracy they have available to them!  Mike provides many excellent references on his website http://InitiativeforTexas.org/

Note the bi-partisan political coalition:  Republicans, Independent Texans, Libertarians, Greens, other independents.   

It is also pretty clear which organizations are not interested in citizen involvement in the democratic process; the list of witnesses was forwarded via e-mail as part of communications in which the coalition is drafting a resolution opposing any diminishment toward utilizing Ballot Access Initiatives:

http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/witlistmtg/html/C5202009031809301.HTM

 

SB  690 FOR: Douglas, Craig   (Real Estate Council of Austin),  Austin, TX AGAINST: Borgelt, Robert   (Self),  Austin, TX Ford, Mike   (Self),  Austin, TX Hall, Karen   (Self),  Bryan, TX Rodgers, Brian   (Changeaustin.org),  Austin, TX Stout, Bill   (Green Party of Texas),  Austin, TX Venable, Peggy   Director  (Americans for Prosperity),  Austin, TX Registering, but not testifying: For: Barksdale, Jay   VP Government Relations  (Dallas Regional Chamber),  Dallas, TX Carter, Janis   (Dallas Citizens Council),  Austin, TX Girard, Chuck   Consultant  (San Antonio Real Estate Council),  Austin, TX Martin, Jeremy   Senior Vice President, Government Relations  (Austin Chamber of Commerce),  Austin, TX Savio, Harry   (Home Builders Association Greater Austin),  Austin, TX Weist, Jon   VP Government Relations  (Arlington Chamber of Commerce),  Arlington, TX Against: Blythe, Sharon   (Self),  Austin, TX Bradberry, Timothy   President  (Central Texas Republican Assembly),  Pflugerville, TX Campbell, Sue Ann   (Self),  Round Rock, TX Cannon, Edee   (Self),  Houston, TX Curtis, Linda   Director  (Independent Texans),  Austin, TX Davis, Paul   (Texans for Accountable Government),  Austin, TX Doyle, Russell   (Self),  Austin, TX Edwards, Rosemary   Travis County Rep. Party Chair  (Travis County Rep. Party),  Austin, TX Gerstenschlager, Merrylynn   Education Liaison  (Texas Eagle Forum),  Dallas, TX Heckler, Jeff   (Greater Edwards Aquifer Association),  Austin, TX

Hentschel, Nancy   (Self, Texas HOA Reform),  Sugar Land, TX Krenek, Mary   (Citizens/Humans),  Austin, TX Lentz, Michael   (Changeaustin.org),  Austin, TX McClure, Darilynn   (Self),  San Marcos, TX McDonald, Craig   (Texans for Public Justice),  Austin, TX

Blog #2 Lobbying for Election Reforms

March 13, 2009

Meetings with Legislative Directors - Election Committee bills, filed & re-filed?

Since my last posting, over the past two weeks, I have primarily been lobbying legislators to support election reform bills that will allow third parties easier access to participate in a democratic process.   Two bills that were filed in the 80th legislative session which I have been 'shopping' to be re-filed by 'friendly' Representatives were HB 2209 Proportional Voting (re. instant runoff voting - filed in Elections Committee but did not receive a hearing) and HB 2280 Primary Screen-out (ability for a registered voter to sign a petition for a third party candidate - this bill was left pending in the Elections Committee after receiving a hearing);  I lobbied the original authors themselves, Eddie Rodriguez and Mark Strama, as well as the offices of Representatives Dr. Alma Allen, Elliott Naishtat,  Donna Howard, Valinda Bolton, Solomon Ortiz, Rafael Anchia, Mike Villarreal, and Garnet Coleman.  The deadline for filing bills is today, Friday the 13th, and for all the meetings with friendly legislative staff the final response/reason for not filing these bills has been the  overwhelming number of bills already filed by each Representative.  This was quite disappointing, especially given the fiscal merits of the proportional voting bill to save money for municipalities by not having to hold a runoff election!   

It is clear that the process for gaining support, in action toward re-filing or co-sponsoring not just their thoughtful consideration, needs to start prior to the beginning of the legislative session - back in November - especially for those bills focused on election reform:  Holding public forums (both electronic and in person) and stimulating a movement built on commitment from individual constituents lined up and ready with a communication system for easily contacting legislators to take action - the eyes and "I's" of Texas.

Kat Swift's latest GreenWire clearly and succinctly listed the Election Committee bills that require immediate constituent action (calls / e-mails / personal visits to your Representatives) especially in response to this Wednesday's vote in the Senate in favor of the Voter I.D. bill, which could be voted in the House as early as this coming Monday.

We also need support for HB 820, especially for your legislator to co-sponsor the bill, so that it can get some traction toward receiving a hearing in the Elections Committee:  This bill will greatly reduce the number of required signatures necessary to get a candidate on the ballot, from 1% of those who voted for the Governor (40,000 +) down to 500! 

Other Election Committee bills include HB 282/SB 138 which would designate election day as a state-wide holiday; additionally, there is a bill which would eliminate straight-party voting, HB135 (referred to Elections) and companion in the Senate, SB317 (left pending in Committee, 3/9/09).  Note that this bill along with the entire list of bills under consideration, other than those already posted on the http://txgreens.org website, both positive and negative to the Green Party core values are being reviewed by the Legislative Committee and the State Executive Committee to determine how best to use our energy at the Legislature.  If you have identified a bill or bills that we should lobby support or be concerned about please write me at billstout@txgreens.org

Lastly, I will endeavor to post this blog at least once a week rather than every two weeks in order to shorten the amount of material to cover and the length of these posts!

Coming up:  Public Hearings this week

Monday, 3/16

HCR 75   Urging congress to explore alternatives to border securty in South Texas other than th fencing described in the Secure Fence Act.

Tuesday, 3/17

HB 595

Relating to a restriction on permits authorizing discharges of sewage effluent into any water in the contributing or recharge zone of the San Antonio or Barton Springs segment of the Edwards Aquifer.

HB 1508

Relating to a restriction on permits authorizing direct discharges of waste or pollutants into water in certain areas associated with the Barton Springs segment of the Edwards Aquifer.

Equality Texas Lobby Day

Monday, March 2

Kat Swift, Nick Payne Freeman and I attended this very well organized event and teamed up with a student from Texas A&M to lobby Representatives Farrabee, Cook, Turner and Villarreal promoting support for HB 538 prohibition of employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity or expression.  Issues important to the LGBT community include:  Foster Care/Adoption, employment non-descrimination, safe schools, anti-hate crimes and transgender inclusion/gender I.D.  

Bills in this session that Equality Texas is monitoring and lobbying for include HB 353 allowing for Domestic partners medical and funeral decisions, HB 1455 Legal power of attorney, HB 861 University benefits for employees and faculty and their dependents, HB 197 Insurance discrimination, HB 1323 relating to bullying and harassment in public schools, HB 616 Relating to a study regarding the effectiveness of the James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Act.

Texas Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty Lobby Day

Wednesday, March 10

Christine Morshedi and Art Browning from the State Executive Committee attended this well organized event.  They met with Rep. Alan Fletcher and also had the great fortune while meeting with the staff of Representative Al Edwards in that Rep. Edwards met with them personally and after hearing their case for supporting HB 682 he agreed on the spot to co-sponsor the bill!  Many congratulations to this very effective lobbying team.  

The public hearing for HB 682 and HB 297 were held on Thursday March 12, with both bills left pending in the Criminal Jurisprudence Committee.

Planned Parenthood Lobby Day, 

Thursday, March 12

I was not able to meet with representatives of Planned Parenthood on this lobby day (nor attend the public hearings on this morning for the bills supporting the Abolition of the Death Penalty) because of a recurring back injury.  However, I have a personal friend who is an Assistant Director for Planned Parenthood and will follow up with her as to how the lobby day went and those bills the organization is both for and against.

Rainwater Harvesting Legislation Roundtable Discussion Group

Tuesday, March 3

Representative Patrick Rose invited water conservation stake holders to join a Roundtable Discussion Group, to discuss possible changes/additions to his filed House Bill 1818  - relating to rainwater harvesting and other water conservation initiatives.

The bill seeks to provide additional rainwater harvesting (RWH) incentives, tax breaks, research, and water conservation brush control tax incentives.  The meeting included approximately 50+ members of the academic, public policy, municipal and commercial interests promoting RWH in Texas - I was very pleased to be invited to this meeting and made a point of recommending three new ideas for incentives during the speak-out segment of the meeting; I have identified these in ITALIC below.

Below are my questions and suggestions for additions to the bill.  Please reference the bill to compare with my recommendations:

http://www.legis.state.tx.us/BillLookup/Text.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=HB1818

Questions:

SECTION 1 (2)  Reasoning behind limiting scope to rainwater harvesting technology addressed under this bill to "...that is located in an area of this state in which the average annual rainfall is at least 28 inches" - 

This would eliminate sections of west texas which average annual rainfall is 12" or less.

SECTION 3.  PROPERTY CODE

As written in:

(d) This section does not:

(1) restrict a property owners' association from regulation th requirements, including size, type, shielding, and materials, ...if the restriction does not prohibit the economic installation of the device on the property owner's property where there is reasonably sufficient area to install the device:

?Who/what agency or governmental entity will have the responsibility to regulate or make this determination in situ (on the ground/in practice)?

Suggested additions:

SECTION 4. (3) (B)  Exemption ad valorem taxes for fire protection (plumbing) fixtures/devices used to connect/coupleing to the standard fire hose (i.e. Fire Department plumbing requirements/code)  for existing and new residential, commercial, industrial rainwater storage tanks - 

WINDOW ON STATE GOVT. TAX BREAKS:

http://www.window.state.tx.us/taxinfo/taxpubs/tx96_237_4_02.html#waterequip

SECTION 4. (3) Amend Sales Tax Exemptions for Water Related Equipment to ADD the tax exemption to include a collection surface area THAT CAN ALSO BE used as a roof of a structure or storage area.  An additional incentive could be added for roof materials that are superior for rainwater harvesting such as metal or tile vs. asphalt shingles.

SECTION 4. (3) Amend Tax Code to allow the Texas Department of Insurance to allow for changes (rate reduction incentives) to municipal fire code ratings to include/take into consideration rainwater harvesting (system) equipment to buildings.

SECTION 6.  TWDB  to study and make proposals to finance RWHS, by issuing low interest debt to water utilities (cities, counties, river authorities, private utilities, underground water districts, etc.) which in turn would provide low interest financing to individual residences, commercial, and industrial customers.

SECTION 2 - RAINWATER HARVESTING

Include a section "Directing a cooperative effort by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners to develop a certification program on rainwater harvesting and provide associated training in their continuing education programs.  Additionally, encourage Texas institutions of higher education and technical colleges to develop curricula and provide instruction on rainwater harvesting technology." 

(Sited:  Texas Rainwater Harvesting Evaluation Committee, Report to the 80th Legislature, TWDB, November 2006:  Chapter 6 - Recommendations for Promoting Rainwater Harvesting in Texas, # 8 and # 10)

Additionally, include a section "Directing the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and other state agencies to continue to exempt homes that use rainwater harvesting as their sole source of water supply from water quality regulations that may be required to public water systems. Guidelines provided in the above sited Texas Rainwater Harvesting Evaluation Committee Report, recommendation # 4). 

SECTION 4. (1).  Request to strike "...and ashe juniper" from Brush Control "removal, or reduction from watershed rangelands..."

Recent and continuing research on the functions of Ashe Juniper species in ecosystems is showing not only that this species provides preferred habitat for endangered bird species but that it serves as a soil "producer" in environments where other plants cannot survive.

Additionally, brush control (land clearing) creates the potential for soil erosion (loss of topsoil, aggravating sediment clogging of rivers, creeks, streams and aquifers), and also contributes to the release of carbon into the atmosphere contributing to global warming. 

Therefore, consider adding tax incentives to the purchase and planting of NATIVE REGIONAL PLANT SPECIES that are low-water users and can function in/as soil erosion abatement and carbon sequestration.  Examples are many, regionally specific, and can include desert willow or native grass species like big-bluestem, buffalo grass and side-oats gramma prairie grass (State grass species of Texas).

SECTION 4. (2)

Request the removal of the category of "Desalination" of water for drinking water purposes from being considered to receive beneficial tax incentives as included in this legislation.  Desalination may be a viable source of creating drinking water, however it is extremely energy intensive and by the necessity of recent practice of burning fossil fuels as the energy source for this process/procedure it is therefore an additional cause of air pollution and carbon to the atmosphere.

Additionally, desalination of water produces large quantities of 'brine' which also needs a useful commercial use, other than in the extraction of petroleum, creating another waste stream.  

Given these 'externalities' please consider providing tax incentives to desalination of water when/after 'clean' energy technology becomes available and ecologically or commercially beneficial uses are found.

SECTION 5 Public Policy.

Add the legal protection of rainwater capture as a PRIVATE WATER RIGHT:   Whereby no permit is needed to capture rainwater given the productive use for outdoor irrigation or indoor non-potable water uses.  Note that the Right will NOT prevent municipalities from setting health and safety regulations.  The inclusion of this will eliminate the potential 'blind-siding' of the public if at some point amended legislation is added to create restrictive rules similar to those in place in the State of Colorado and the State of Washington (which are presently under review). 

(see: http://www.hcn.org/issues/40.18/a-good-idea-2013-if-you-can-get-away-with-it 

 http://www.martenlaw.com/news/?20080723-rainwater-harvesting)

Note:  Given the intent and actions of SB 2 (2001) it seems unlikely that the capture of rainwater would be deemed illegal in the State of Texas; however, this was a concern I heard voiced several times by proponents and practitioners of rainwater harvesting systems in that this threat exists and therefore needs to be clearly stipulated in Texas law.

Thank you for the opportunity to participate and add comments to the drafting of this legislation.  Sincerely,

Bill Stout

Water Quality Specialist / Environmental Educator

Legislative Liaison

Green Party of Texas

billstout@txgreens.org

512.589.8048

Blog Report #1 - Jumping into the 81st Legislative Session

Green Party of Texas 

March 1, 2009

I spent the day Thursday, February 26th, 2009 introducing myself to the legislative staff of eight legislators that I had identified as friendly to the issues Greens feel strongly about, given the legislation they have introduced in this session and previous sessions.  I also made a point of stopping by the Legislative Reference Library in preparation for research on Ballot Access Initiatives.

Rep. Elliott Naishtat 

HJR 24 Proposing a constitutional amendment relating to a moratorium on the execution of persons convicted of capital offenses.

HB 877  The creation of a commission to study capital punishment in Texas.

HB 164  Relating to the medical use of marijuana. 

A suggestion was made to "Testify as an individual because of potential knee jerk reaction from some legislators who may think 'GREEN PEACE';  Written testimony could have a proviso/note = "We're not Green Peace", and "Think Dr. Mahatma Ghandi with a laptop!")

HJR 23 = Change recorded vote for Second Reading (because 2nd read is most important - fist is compulsory, third is most often a fait accompli or done deal).

Dallas Morning News took this up in the last session 80th, Rep. Dan Branch - It got to second reading and thougt it would have passed = one vote shy:  The bill asks for a simple hook up of a wire to the vote board that already exists.

http://www.legis.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=HJR23

Rep. Lon Burnham

HB 682  Abolishing the death penalty

http://www.legis.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=HB682

Rep. Eddie Rodriguez 

Ballot Access   http://www.legis.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=HB820

Proportional Voting  http://www.legis.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=80R&Bill=HB2209

Petition Screen-out  http://www.legis.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=80R&Bill=HB2280

Rep. Dr. Alma Allen 

HB 741 Sex Education in schools = based on fact and accuracy

http://www.legis.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=HB741

Rep. Solomon Ortiz Jr. 

HB 820 Ballot Access  http://www.legis.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=HB820

Proportional Screen-out = possible amendments

 

Sen. Kirk Watson  

(meeting with Senator scheduled), 

Rep. Valinda Bolton 

(Introduce myself to legislative aids, discussed Ballot Access bill and relayed interest in county issues - 

Rep. Bolton is my legislator!), 

Rep. Rafael Anchia 

(meeting with Legislative Director Damien Brockmann Monday March 2nd) 

Rep. Mark Strama 

(meeting with Legislative Director James Deaver Wednesday March 4th).

    -     Certainly expect this list will continue to expand as I make my rounds, stumping for support of the bills            the Greens plan to both support and lobby against. 

 

Discussions:

Rep. Solomon Ortiz Jr. is the author of HB 820, so yesterday I met with Rep. Ortiz Jr.'s General Counsel, Jose' "Chito" Vela, to talk about the bill and how the Green Party can assist with its passage:  

 

We agreed that 500 signatures for a ballot initiative was/has been considered too low; therefore, What is a reasonable number?  One thousand? 5,000?  Mr. Vela stated that he had heard/discussed with other progressive third partys that ten thousand was a reasonable number - a far cry from the 40,000+/- needed (if I have that number right).  However, the time window for getting these signatures has not been debated or considered for change (should it be?).

Mr. Vela suggested that the most significant requirement for this bill to take life (be taken seriously) is that the bill needs co-sponsors, and he suggested that this is the effort organizations like the Greens could be of greatest assistance.

Action needed:  Suggestions as to specific legislators to approach for co-sponsoring including a legislative sponsor on the Senate side. 

HB 820 (Ballot Access) is filed in the Election Committee. 

http://www.legis.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=HB820

I also met with Rep. Eddie Rodriguez's staff to discuss his re-filing of his authored HB 2209 from the 80th Legislative Session on Proportional Voting and whether the Rep. was considering filing it again:  

The answer I was given was No, that the draft filing date has passed (I have a hard time with this explanation given this is a bill already written up; plus the final date for filing bills is Mar. 13th) and that this bill could be included later as an amendment - Rep. Rodriguez's staff stated that he had checked with the Election Committee Chair, Rep. Todd Smith's office to confirm this.

Similar response was given by Rep. Mark Strama's office concerning his previously authored HB 2280 in the 80th, the Primary Screen-Out bill, that it could be included as an amendment in committee or on the House floor.  

Suggested Action:  Continue to lobby for re-filing these bills, finding co-sponsors and identify FAVORED bills that could serve as an attachment for an amendment.  

My argument given, in these brief meetings, for Proportional Voting was that it saves taxpayer money and decides immediately an outcome rather than forcing a run-off which typically has low voter turnout.

Chance meetings:

In my wanderings around the Capitol Extension, I met a group of University students lobbying for several student tuition bills, sporting blue shirts with golden-yellow lettering "Tuition Relief Now".

Met the vice President of the University of Texas Democrats, Ms. Mellissa Rodriguez who referred me to:

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=48045508405

SB 105 - Freezing Tuition  

http://www.legis.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=SB105

HB 215 by Guillen, Identical

Read the story at http://www.burntorangereport.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=7968

Also had the good fortune to run into Robin Schneider, Director of Texas Campaign for the Environment: 

Check out their focus on legislation involving E-Waste

http://www.texasenvironment.org/ewaste_rules.cfm

And Landfills 

http://www.texasenvironment.org/landfill_rules.cfm

Rainwater Harvesting Legislation:

I have been asked by Rep. Patrick Rose's office to review and comment on a Rain Water Harvesting bill, HB 1818 during a roundtable discussion this Tuesday at the Capitol!

http://www.legis.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=HB1818

This bill has several references that defer to the homeowners associations as well as providing tax breaks to those who are interested in investing in desalination and brush clearing, which I am not in favor of given the amount of energy it takes to desalinize saltwater and the 'waste' of the brine.  Though I am for the clearing of non-native plants that are water hogs but I'm not against ash juniper given it can be a creator of soil and serves as wildlife habitat for several endangered bird species! 

Also This Week/Month:

Equality Texas Lobby Day - Monday March 2nd

http://eqfed.org/eqtx/events/lobbyday09/details.tcl

Texas Coalition Abolish the Death Penalty, Lobby Day - March 10th

http://www.tcadp.org/

Planned Parenthood, Lobby Day - March 12th

http://www.plannedparenthood.org/ppaustin/lobby-day-2009-21607.htm

Texas Moratorium Network, Lobby Day - March 24th

http://stopexecutions.blogspot.com/

Additional Legislation to Watch:

HB 1107  Relating to licensing of advanced practice registered nurses and the authority of those nurses to prescribe and order prescription drugs.

http://www.legis.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=HB1107

SB 619  Exemption from the sales tax for certain solar energy devices.

http://www.legis.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=SB619

HB 282  The designation of certain election days as state holidays = Election Day Holiday!

http://www.legis.state.tx.us/BillLookup/BillStages.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=HB282

For more Green supported Legislation check out the www.txgreens.org website

and to reference the additional information about legislation and the legislative process at 

http://www.legis.state.tx.us

Lastly, in the form of explanation/disclaimer as to why I have taken this appointment on:  I am new to this lobbying activity and consider myself a student to politics.  I am Green, idealistic, yet realistic in that I am keeping this whole exercise under perspective as a crap shoot, recognizing both the gamble and theatre involved, with some educated approaches to the process.  

I am certainly interested in results but am taking the long view for third parties, wanting to provide the Greens and our allies with an additional set of progressive energy toward positive and meaningful change.  I look forward to working with you and creating strong coalitions. 

Contact me at billstout-AT-txgreens.org