Life, Liberty, and Property Kicks off the 84th #TXLEGE

"and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel"
Ephesians 6:19

The Life, Liberty, and Property coalition held their first "First Amendment Tuesday" this morning prior to Greg Abbott's inauguration; it is a FANTASTIC primer for citizen lobbying:

Michael Quinn Sullivan (Empower Texans):



Highlights:

• Learn the rules for petitioning government.

Tony McDonald (Empower Texans):

Highlights:

• House rule 1; section 5
• No signs or disruptive behavior (doesn't apply to Wendy Davis).
• Our opponents will use failure to practice decorum to silence us.

• Lobbying:
• "A lobbyist is a hired gun."
• There are rules about giving gifts.

• In a couple of weeks, committees will be assigned.

• How a bill moves out of the House (at least in theory): First reading -- > Committee -- > Calendars -- > Floor

• "Points of Order" can cut both ways.

• 2/3rds rule -- Senate is supposed to consider bills in the order they come out of committee.

John Seago (Texas Right to Life)

Highlights:

• Every pro-life victory is due to gubernatorial leadership and strong grassroots activism.\

• Legislators care more about what constituents think than "lobbying" groups.

• Remember, they work for us.

• Be respectful.

• Tell the what bills you support.

• Before you leave the office, have them respond.
• "Does this sound like a good bill to you?!?"
• There's all kinds of stalling techniques elected officials use:
• Office Tours
• Life Stories
• Asking a frillion questions about your life story.

Jeremy Newman (Texas Homeschool Coalition)

Highlights:

• Mostly parental rights stuff.

• Tim Tebow bill - Allow homeschoolers to participate in extra-cirriculars

• In laws can sue parents for "access" to children.

Ann Hettinger (Concerned Women for America)

Highlights:

• Tuesday 2/24 lobby day.

• Plano bathroom bill got enough signatures.

• Restoring SBOE authority.

Cathie Adams (Texas Eagle Forum)

Highlights:

• American laws for American courts.

More Harmony schools popping up.

• Defund
• Put their checkbooks online.
• Author's Note: Good grief, there are at least 5 in Austin alone.

• CSCOPE: The whack-a-mole continues.

JoAnn Fleming (Grassroots America: We the People)

Highlights:

• Interstate compacts for Border Enforcement.

• With GOP control of Congress, forces them on record.

• Interstate compacts bypass the President; only require congressional approval.

• Start with the 25 states suing Obama over Executive Amnesty.

• "The state of Texas spends too much, borrows too much, and relies too heavily on the Federal government."

• Restore state spending to it's core functions.