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Keys to Unlocking Capitol Doors

Tips for School Officials3rd Annual TACS Annual ConferenceSan Antonio – September 7-9, 2014

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Very few legislative offices have the resources to hire staff dedicated solely to education issues.

Legislative offices have limited budgets to run their Capitol and District offices:Senators receive $38,000 month or $456,000 year.House members receive $13,250 a month or $159,000 a year.

SDs: 811,150 vs. HDs: 167,600 residents. Many offices use unpaid or low-paid interns as session

only employees – typically college/law/public affairs students building their résumés.

Time demands on legislators & staff – 140-day regular session to get it all done; however, internal rules & deadlines crunch time demands even further.

Background & Things to keep in mind:

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All new statewide office holders; first time since 2002.

Large turnover in Senate – at least 7 (23%) new members; could be 9 (29%).

20-year average turnover rates: 27 (18%) in House; 3 (9.6%) in Senate.

Averaged over last two election cycles, higher turnover: 38 (25%) in House; 4 (13%) in Senate.

Majority of House members (76 – 51%) are currently either freshmen or sophomores.

28% of Senate & 24% of House Committees – their Chairs are not returning including Finance, HAC & Senate Ed.

Why the 84th will be different:

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Senate changes – at least 7 new Senators; 5 drew two-year terms after redistricting in 2011 and drawing for terms in the 2013 session:

John Carona (R, Dallas – SD 16) – lost primary election; first session was in 1991 Wendy Davis (D, Fort Worth – SD 10) – candidate for governor; first session was in

2009 Robert “Bob” Deuell (R, Greenville – SD 2) – lost primary election; first session

was in 2003 Dan Patrick (R, Houston – SD 7) – candidate for lieutenant governor; first session

was in 2007 Ken Paxton (R, McKinney – SD 8) – candidate for attorney general; first session

was in 2003

The following Senators drew four-year terms; two have resigned to go to work for systems of higher education and two have four-year terms but are running for higher office: Tommy Williams (R, The Woodlands – SD 4) – Vice-Chancellor for Federal and

State Relations for the Texas A&M University System; first session was in 1997 Robert Duncan (R, Lubbock – SD 28) – Chancellor for the Texas Tech University

System; first session was in 1993 Glenn Hegar (R, Katy – SD 18) – candidate for comptroller of public accounts; first

session was 2003 Leticia Van de Putte (D, San Antonio – SD 26) – candidate for lieutenant governor;

first session was 1991

Why the 84th will be different: Senate

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Current partisan balance: 19 – Republicans (61%) 12 – Democrats (39%) Senate rules currently require a 2/3 “vote” or 21

votes to bring up bills for floor debate. Things could affect this balance:If Senator Patrick chosen as lieutenant governor, he’s

vowed to eliminate or change the 2/3 rule. Opponents to its elimination say it forces the members to work together.

SD 10 (currently a “D,” could switch to an “R”) Potentially, the Senate could be losing 126 years of

experience.

Will the 84th Senate really be different?

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103 (69%) out of 150 of House races already decided.

47 contested races; however, incumbents should easily win about 37 races.

There are only about 10 seats that are truly contested with Ds & Rs on ballot and no clear victor at this point.

Balance of power between Rs (95 – 63%) & Ds (55 – 37%) won’t change much.

At least 23 freshmen; loss of 230 years of experience.

Will the 84th House of Representatives be different?

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Lack of experience:83rd: 41 (27%)House & 5 (16%) Senate freshmen.82nd: 35 (23%)House & 2 (6%) Senate freshmen.Currently, a majority (76 – 50.6%) of House

members are in first or second term.Currently, 7 (22.5%) of Senators are in first or

second term.New Lieutenant Governor.

House Speaker Joe Straus (R-San Antonio, HD 121) will be the “elder” statesman going in to his 4th term as Speaker.

Institutional Knowledge vs. Fresh Ideas

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The outgoing 7 Senators were either Chairs (C) or Vice-Chairs (V-C): 

John Carona (R, Dallas – SD 16) – C - Business & Commerce Wendy Davis (D, Fort Worth – SD 10) – V-C - Economic Development Robert “Bob” Deuell (R, Greenville – SD 2) – C - Eco-Devo; V-C -

HHS Dan Patrick (R, Houston – SD 7) – C - Education Ken Paxton (R, McKinney – SD 8) – V-C - Transportation Tommy Williams (R, The Woodlands – SD 4) – C – Finance Robert Duncan (R, Lubbock – SD 28) – C – State Affairs

If these Senators (candidates for higher office) lose their races, they return to the Senate next year:

Glenn Hegar (R, Katy – SD 18) – C – Nominations; running for CPA Leticia Van de Putte (D, San Antonio – SD 26) – C – Veterans Affairs

& Military Installations; running for Lt. Gov.

Loss of Leadership - Senate

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23 House members not returning:6 ran for higher office; 3 lost their primary race for higher office; 2

advanced: Creighton won special election to replace Senator Williams; Taylor running to replace Senator Paxton who is running for AG; and, Perry is on the ballot today (09/09) to replace Senator Duncan and has withdrawn his name from the general election ballot.

7 retired 9 defeated in primary elections 1 resigned

9 were Committee chairs 5 were Committee vice-chairs Additionally, Mike Villarreal (D-San Antonio) will resign

after November election to run for mayor in May 2015. Lois Kolkhorst (R-Brenham) has announced she will run for SD 18 if Senator Hegar wins race for comptroller of public accounts.

Loss of Leadership – House of Representatives

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General Appropriations Act – state budget School finance –

System declared unconstitutional by state district judge; Order stayed until July 1, 2015; State will appeal to the Texas Supreme Court; Hearing will probably be after November elections and

start of 84th session in January (01/13/2015 – 19 weeks);Attitude among most legislators will be “let’s not do

anything until directed to by the Supremes.” Possible ruling mid-session – if ruling upheld, will there be

time to craft new system? (Hint: don’t plan any June vacations.)

Others: accountability, assessments, ESCs, expansion of charters/choice/vouchers.

Challenging Issues

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Tips on How to Open The Capitol’s Doors

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Tips to keep in mind:

You are the education professional.They need you to share your experience & expertise.Often, legislators & staff “don’t know what they don’t know.”Share critical information about the district: finance status; student

body; growth or no growth; accountability ratings; trends and projections; education associations the district belongs to; key personnel & contact information; give them info packet or flash drive with key information included.

When providing information, don’t overwhelm with education jargon and acronyms.

Invite them to your district – bring out the dogs & ponies. Tell your story (warts & all); save surprises for birthdays.

Don’t threaten with future electoral challenges if the legislators vote differently than you wanted – agree to disagree on issues if necessary.

Pledge to work together to find common ground on other issues.

How to become legislators’ & staffers’ new BFF

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Tips to keep in mind:

Visit District and Capitol offices regularly – before, during and after legislative session; however, don’t “camp out” in their offices while you wait for a hearing to begin or bill to be heard.

Don’t wait to make special requests: local bills; resolutions; flags; visits. Be flexible, if possible. Keep them informed about the affect of proposed legislation & finance

proposals will have on your district – base your position on what is best for your school district. Be specific on how proposals will affect your district – either positively or negatively – backup with facts and data.

Inform them of your position before proposed legislation comes up in a hearing or is scheduled for a vote. Alert them if you are testifying and your position, particularly if you are testifying against a bill filed by your legislator.

Remember that legislators, for the most part, only want to hear from their own constituents.

Do not send form letters, petitions, robo-calls or form “e-mail blasts.” Remember to say “thank you” to members & staff.

How to become legislators’ & staffers’ new BFF

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Texas Legislature On-line – track bills & listen to hearings: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/

Legislative Budget Board – Public Education – http://www.lbb.state.tx.us/TeamPage.aspx?Team=PubEd

LBB Fiscal Notes - how much does that bill cost? http://www.lbb.state.tx.us/FiscalNotes.aspx

Legislative Reference Library – daily news clips: http://www.lrl.state.tx.us/

State Preservation Board - plan your visit: http://www.tspb.state.tx.us/spb/plan/Plan.htm

Resources – Helpful Websites

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Senate Research Center - http://www.senate.state.tx.us/SRC/Index.htm

House Research Organization - http://www.hro.house.state.tx.us/

Texas Legislative Council - http://www.tlc.state.tx.us/

Sunset Advisory Commission – TEA limited scope review (staff report: October; testimony: November; and SAC decisions: December) and UIL (SAC decisions in 08/2014) - https://www.sunset.texas.gov/reviews-and-reports

Resources – Helpful Websites

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Words to Live By:

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“Do more than is required but less than allowed.”

Told members: “Okay to run as an R or a D, but when you walk in to this Chamber and on to the floor,

leave the partisanship at the Chamber door. Vote your District; remember the people who sent you.”

James E. “Pete” LaneyTexas House of Representatives – 1973-2007

1993-2003 (Speaker)

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Trish ConradtTACS Legislative Assistant

Office – 512-440-8227Cell – 512-917-8782E-mail - trishconradt@tacsnet.org

Questions?