I have shifted strategic gears and along with following the short list of bills on the Green Party's initial list I have started to review the upcoming bills in each committee hearing coming up each day and finding those that are in line with the Green Party's core values.
My purpose for running from committee to committee to witness for good bills and against lame bills is to give coverage for the wide array of core Green values. I'll see how it goes, as many of the public and environmental policy wonks focus on one or two bills and seek support from a wide array of allies.
Legislation witnessed For:
Urban Affairs
HB 722 Donna Howard - Relating to the authority of certain municipalities to regulate the location of facilities to supply drinking water.
Water is and will continue to be a contentious issue, especially with the deepening drought. Allowing more local input into where and how these expensive to build and maintain drinking water and wastewater facilities brings attention and public involvement into the debate/discussions (bond elections mean increased taxes. Pumping water means increased electrical use).
Human Services Committee.
HB 892 Villarreal, Naishtat - Relating to the Women's Health Program. Pending in Committee. SB 594 Van de Putte, identical
HB 1627 Naishtat, Walle - Relating to Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program payments to assist certain households receiving food stamp benefits. Pending in Committee.
Additional connections for coalition building:
Met with La Fe Policy Research and Education Center staff - http://www.lafepolicycenter.org
Policy Analyst Amy Casso from San Antonio is primarily working on legislation that effects the Latino Community throughout Texas, though much of the health and human services legislation in universal for all communities. The Green Party has much in common in support of extended and universal healthcare, advocacy and education opportunities for minority populations.
Contact with Planned Parenthood colleagues - Leslie Nicole Ramsey. Leslie received the largest percentage of votes for a Green Party candidate when she ran for State Board of Education in 2002 and garnered 21.7% with 63,871 votes! Among many citizen advocacy positions she has worked for the Texas National Organization for Women, and the Texas Fair Trade Coalition. She is now working for P.P. as their Legislative Director.
Charlotte Flynn - Activist/Agitator for justice and human rights, past Austin Chair for the Gray Panthers: Another Austin Local Living Legend! Charlotte was recognized by the Austin City Council and the Mayor for her work with the Gray Panthers as a citizen advocate on public health issues, on this her 90th Birthday! I have not heard her take credit solely, always recognizing the partnership she shared in her work with her husband Bill, who served as Treasurer for many years. They are both loved and admired as warriors for public justice.
Sundays through May, 2009: DavidHasIssues.com
Rep. Anchia relayed that this legislation is a complete partisan power issue - if it was truly about voter fraud then the statistical data and anecdotal evidence showing the well documented fraudulent use of mail-in ballots, not the one or two cases of identity fraud at the polling place, and the other systemic voting issues would have been addressed!
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