Legislative Update-Fall 2004

“Make Your Voice Heard”

On November 5, 2004, Kathy Hutto spoke to the Hou-Met Conference. The most important part of her message was to “make your voice heard.” She spoke to us about the upcoming session in January and reminded us that we still have time before then to contact our State Senators and Representatives before they get started again. She encouraged all of us to call, write, or visit with them; tell them what we do, and that we want to be put into Statute and not Rule. Don’t pass up this opportunity. It only takes a few minutes out of your day and it can help our profession so much. So as Kathy said, find the time in your busy schedule to make contact with your legislators and “make your voice heard”.

Not Too Late

On the National front, it’s still not too late to contact your congressman in Washington to let them know that you support the Social Security Fairness Act (The Fairness Act, HR 594). The Lame Duck Session begins on November 16 and there are 7 Texas House members that have not signed the discharge petition to allow this bill to come to a vote. Those 7 are:

Henry Bonilla, Rep. of San Antonio
Michael Burgess, Rep. of Highland Village
John Carter, Rep. of Georgetown
Ralph Hall, Rep. of Round Rock
Randy Neugebauer, Rep. of Lubbock
Ron Paul, Rep. Of Clute
Pete Sessions, Rep. Of Dallas

No matter where in Texas you live, you can reach all 7 by way of 1-800-839-5276. Just ask the operator to connect you to their offices. All calls help, but the ones that make the biggest impact are the ones from voters that live in their districts. So if you live in one of these districts or know someone who does, take a minute to make that call. The Social Security Fairness Act is very important to the educators of Texas. Please give this your support.