Legislative involvement: How you can take an active role
There’s more to teaching than what you do in the classroom. You’re subject to state laws and you benefit from state funding, so not only should you keep up with state issues, it’s in your best interest to take an active role in influencing them.
After the chaotic and eventful legislative sessions of early 2011, it is more important than ever that educators and supporters of public education become politically active.
The best way to make teaching more effective, more attractive and more professional is to partner with TCTA in maintaining relationships with your state lawmakers. Helping the “good guys” get elected, keeping them in office, and making sure they know what teachers are thinking are all crucial aspects to making sure you have the tools you need to give your students the best possible education.
This fall teachers should start by contacting their current lawmakers to establish or maintain relationships. But soon elections will be the focus; the filing deadline for the 2012 elections is in January, with primaries in March and the general election in November.
Contacting your legislators now
The best time to make contact with your state senators and representatives is during the months after a legislative session and before campaign season gears up. Whether you write, call or visit in person, it’s always best to start with a thank you (even if you can’t honestly thank them for supporting education/teachers, you can thank them for their public service), tell a little about yourself, then get to the point of the communication.
Map out the issues you’d like to cover and do your homework. Legislators expect you to be an expert on classroom issues, not state law, but having some familiarity with the basics is a must. Always be professional; try to relate all issues, including those concerning teacher pay and benefits, back to your students; and be concise. If you’ve scheduled a face-to-face visit, be sure to follow up with a thank you note.
The “GAIN” section of the TCTA website (tcta.org/politics_government/gain) can help you determine who your legislators are and find additional contact information for them.
TCTA avoids providing form letters or petitions for our members – extensive research and many years of experience tell us that such communications are routinely ignored by policymakers. Individual communications (phone call, letter, email or in-person visit) relating personal experiences are the best way to get a point across. TCTA provides you with the background information you need to get started, and we’re happy to answer any specific questions you may have before you make those legislative contacts.
Importance of primary elections
There are few “swing” districts in the Texas Legislature; most legislative districts are drawn to be solidly Republican or Democrat. This means that often the most important choices are made in the primaries – the March elections that determine which Republicans or Democrats will move on to represent their party in the November general election.
Texas does not have “registered” Republican or Democrat voters. Any registered voter, even one with a long history of voting for a certain party, can vote in either party’s primary (though not both).
There is a spectrum of beliefs on education issues within the political parties, and the differences between candidates on crucial subjects (such as teacher rights, salaries, private school vouchers and more) can be significant. Educators can make a big impact in the Legislature by doing the homework and voting in primary elections to help ensure a more teacher-friendly Legislature.
Campaign season
Campaign season will start as early as this fall, before the official filing period for elections even begins. If you’re aware of a candidate you would like to support, getting involved in the campaign early is a great way to become known and establish the groundwork for a long-term working relationship. Be sure to cover all of “the basics” outlined below; if you would like to help a particular candidate get elected, take at least three of the actions listed in the “what’s next” section which also follows.
The basics
Know your election dates. The primary elections will take place Tuesday, March 6, 2012; the general election is Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012. Early voting takes place for a two-week period prior to the election date.
Identify the candidates. Go to TCTA’s TexasTeachersVote.org website for information on the candidates in your legislative districts. This information will be available after the January 2012 filing deadline.
Check the voting record and/or education positions of the candidates. Again, TCTA’s TexasTeachersVote.org is the place to go. Prior to the elections, the site will include voting records of incumbent candidates and survey responses for candidates who chose to fill out our questionnaire on key education issues.
What’s next?
Now that you’ve determined there is a teacher-friendly candidate you would like to support, here’s how you can help:
Contact the candidate to offer your assistance with his/her campaign. Since TCTA does not endorse candidates, you will need to offer assistance as an individual, not as a TCTA representative. Options for working on campaigns are numerous, and include block-walking, phone calls, help with organizing fundraising events, stuffing envelopes, and much more.
Spread the word. Tell your friends and family, church acquaintances, etc., about the candidate and urge them to vote. Inform them of his/her pro-education positions, and direct them to the candidate’s website.
Get local teachers excited and involved. Talk to your colleagues about how they can help the candidate’s campaign. Plan to carpool to your voting location and then proudly wear your “I VOTED!” sticker.
Hold a candidate forum. The TexasTeachersVote.org website includes an information sheet on planning a candidate forum that can help you get started.
Check to see if the candidate has requested a contribution and/or mailing labels from ACT For TCTA (TCTA’s political action committee). Since TCTA does not endorse candidates, campaign contributions and mailing labels allow us to provide support for pro-education candidates.
Take advantage of early voting. Teachers (and other busy people) often find it very difficult to get to polling places on Election Day. Early voting provides an easy opportunity to vote at a convenient time.
Make a financial contribution - even a small one. As little as $25 can help pay for yard signs, bumper stickers, phone calls, and other tools that allow a candidate to carry on a conversation with voters. For example, a $25 donation will cover at least two yard signs, and just a few signs on a single street can have a positive impact. Or it can pay for an hour’s worth of time from a couple of block-walkers. Consider becoming a fundraiser yourself by convincing a few friends or colleagues to match your own contribution. Your $25 can become $100 or $200, and make a big difference in any campaign.
NOTE: School employees should use personal, rather than work, e-mail for communications regarding campaigns or elections.
Contact information
Gov. Rick Perry
The Honorable Rick Perry
Governor’s Office
P. O. Box 12428, Austin, TX 78711
Citizen’s Opinion Hotline - (800) 252-9600
Web-based e-mail form: www.governor.state.tx.us/contact
Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst
The Honorable David Dewhurst
Lt. Governor’s Office
P. O. Box 12068, Austin, TX 78711
512-463-0001
Web-based e-mail form: www.ltgov.state.tx.us/contact.php
All state senators
The Honorable (Full Name)
Texas Senate
P. O. Box 12068, Austin, TX 78711-2068
E-mail address: firstname.lastname@senate.state.tx.us
NOTE: Some senators prefer to receive e-mail through a web-based form available via the Senate website at www.senate.state.tx.us
All state representatives, including speaker
The Honorable (Full Name)
Texas House of Representatives
P. O. Box 2910, Austin, TX 78768-2910
E-mail address: firstname.lastname@house.state.tx.us
NOTE: Some House members prefer to receive e-mail through a web-based form available via the House website at www.house.state.tx.us
