Calls to Action

ISSUE

Normally, state aid to school districts is tied to enrollment. Because of the pandemic, the Texas Education Agency maintained funding based on last year’s enrollment – but only for the fall semester of 2020. We need to push to keep our schools funded, especially as they’re struggling to address challenges like inadequate access to online education, remote learning, and teacher overtime. Teachers, parents, and our students cannot afford to wait on funding from the state, or their ability to teach and learn in the time of COVID will be hindered even more.

FOR MORE

• The Texas Tribune: Texas schools are wary of losing funding gains lawmakers provided in 2019
• RAISE Your Hand Texas: There’s Enough Money to Fully Fund Public Education

TAKE ACTION–CALL!

Hi, I’m a constituent of {Governor Abbot / Commissioner Morath}. Along with many advocacy groups, I urge you to ensure that school districts’ funding is not cut due to lower student enrollment caused by the COVID pandemic. The TEA should make it a priority to extend the enrollment based “hold harmless” through this school year. School districts rely on this state level aid to provide students an adequate education, especially those facing online access and other COVID-related problems.

{If you’re a parent, teacher, or student, share your experiences here.}

{If you’re an employer who relies on our public education system to produce a qualified workforce, tell your story here.}

We Texans need to do the right thing for our children and the future of our state. Thank you. My zip code is _____.

ISSUE

As of today, masks will be required at the Capitol, but all hearings are still planned to happen in person. During a pandemic. That means that Texas’ most vulnerable, whose lives can be most hurt or helped by legislation, will likely be left out of public testimony for fear of risking their health. It’s 2021, and Austin is one of the major tech hubs of the country. We can and should do better.

FOR MORE

Houston Chronicle: Public comment will be in-person at Texas Legislature, despite COVID (Note: Requires subscription.)

TAKE ACTION–CALL!

Call your State Rep and State Senator and urge them to allow public, remote testimony during this legislative session. (Find your representative here.)

You can say…

“Hi, I’m a constituent of {Representative/Senator} {_____}. I’m calling to urge the {Representative/Senator} to push for virtual, public testimony from Texans during this legislative session to mitigate risks of COVID-19 which pose an undue burden on Texas’ most at-risk populations. Virtual hearings and testimony will reduce the risk and slow the spread in our state, without limiting access to citizen participation. I support a spirit of open and transparent government, and we need to ensure that can happen in 2021. {Tell any personal stories you have here.} Thank you. My zip code is _____.”

ISSUE

Find the explanation statement, as well as representative’s contact information here.

CONTACT INFORMATION FOR ALL THE NAMES ABOVE
(page opens in new tab or window)

And then follow up with any or all of these actions:

Action 1

Call Senator Ted Cruz and Attorney General Ken Paxton and ask them to resign. Contact info here.

Action 2

Tweet and/or create a Facebook post tagging Senator Ted Cruz and Attorney General Ken Paxton asking for their resignation. #Resign #ResignTedCruz #ResignKenPaxton. Contact info here.

In your post or tweet, share the URL for the statement and the petition.

Action 3

Fill out contact form or email Senator Ted Cruz and Attorney General Ken Paxton asking for their resignation. Contact info here.

Action 4

Call members of the U.S. Congress who represent Texas and voted to object and overturn the 2020 election and ask for their resignation. Contact info here. Confirm if they are your representative here.

Action 5

Follow up with a Tweet and/or Facebook post tagging members of the U.S. Congress who represent Texas and voted to object and overturn the 2020 election and ask for their resignation. #Resign Contact info here.

In your post or tweet, share the URL for the statement and the petition.

Action 6

Fill out contact form or email members of the U.S. Congress who represent Texas and voted to object and overturn the 2020 election and ask for their resignation. Contact info here.

Action 7

If your Texas representative in the US Congress is not one we are asking to resign (confirm your representative here), ask them to publicly call for the resignations of Senator Ted Cruz, Attorney General Ken Paxton and the 16 Members of Congress from Texas that helped invite an insurrection and voted to overturn the 2020 election results. Contact info here.

Also ask them to support the invocation of the 25th Amendment or the impeachment of President Donald J. Trump.

Action 8

Contact your Texas representative and senator (confirm who represents you here; contact info here.), and ask them to publicly support Representative Chris Turner’s call for the Texas Legislature to investigate Attorney General Ken Paxton: https://twitter.com/ChrisGTurner/status/1347256453879521281

ISSUE

The Texas State Attorney General participated in the events in DC on Wednesday, January 6. And he tweeted about it. It’s unlikely that he stormed the capitol, but we do know that he sewed distrust in our democratic systems and encouraged others to refuse to uphold the election results.

On top of that, he has been indicted on securities fraud charges and has avoided his day in court for over 5 years. More recently, the FBI opened an investigation on him on allegations of bribery and abuse of power.

Ken Paxton is a crook and every day he stays in office emboldens him to abuse his power more. It’s time for Ken to go. Our two options: Ken resigns, or the Legislature impeaches him. Let’s push for both.

FOR MORE

Indivisible Houston’s link to Paxton’s Tweets

Texas Tribune: Analysis: Impeachment is a political option in Washington. In Texas, not so much.

CALL SCRIPT

Call AG Ken Paxton at 512-463-2100, Governor Abbott, Lt Gov Patrick, and your State Rep and Senator to call for Ken Paxton’s Resignation.

“Hi, I live in the great state of Texas and have been shocked and disgusted at the actions and rhetoric coming out of our Attorney General. His flagrant disregard for the sanctity of our electoral process is damaging the very democracy that makes this country incredible. His abuse of power and illegal activity even before this past election make him unfit to hold office or represent the fine people of our state. I encourage [him to resign or you to impeach him]. Our government cannot tolerate those who misuse the power entrusted to them by the people. Thank you. My zip code is _____.”

WHAT’S HAPPENING?

Join us for our 2021 Kick-off party on Saturday, January 9, from 11 AM to 12:30 PM CST. Y’all are invited for some FUN and information as we gear up for the 87th Legislative Session. Bring a friend, bring a snack, and get ready to get pumped up!

SIGN UP

https://www.facebook.com/events/126864035816907/

We’ll see you there!

AND BOOKMARK OUR CALENDAR PAGE

Check it frequently to see who’s doing what when.
https://indivisibletxlege.org/sample-page/calendar/

ISSUE

The COVID pandemic has hit Texans and their families hard this year.  An overwhelming majority of Texas counties expect 1 in 4 children, or more, to face food insecurity this year. Those numbers are staggering. If you can, consider giving your time or a donation to a food bank near you.

TAKE ACTION

• Donate: Feeding America (every $1 donated provides 3 meals)
• Get help: Find a food bank or other services
• Volunteer: Volunteer links for food banks in Texas

ISSUE

The Texas Tribune has fantastic coverage of our state government. This session, they’ll be putting out a weekly summary of goings-on at the Lege. We swear, the Texas Tribune does not sponsor us. They just have fantastic content!

SIGN UP

https://www.texastribune.org/newsletters/texas-legislature-weekly/

ISSUE

Set up a communication system with the five people in your life who you can count on to take action during the Legislative Session.

During the session, bills can move fast. We need an efficient way to get the word out and have folks call their legislators when the need arises. Reach out to five people in your life who care about how our government works but may not have the time to be organizing. Ask them if they will commit to taking action during the 2021 legislative session. Then ask them what their best method of communication is and get it set up in your phone as a shortcut.

WHAT TO DO

1. Identify your Rapid Response 5.
2. Discuss the Rapid Response 5 concept with each of them and find out if they can commit.
3. Agree on how to best communicate with each.
4. Set up a shortcut on your phone to make it easy to reach out!

ISSUE

Surely you’ve seen the lawsuit that Ken Paxton, acting on behalf of the state of Texas, issued to several states that went for Joe Biden in the general election. Not only did the case have no legal standing and was summarily dismissed by the Supreme Court, it used ridiculous language, like saying the odds of four states in the suit voting for Biden was 1 in quadrillion. You can’t make that stuff up. What a waste of Texas resources!

FOR MORE

Texas Tribune: SCOTUS Throws Out Texas Lawsuit

MAKE A CALL

Call Attorney General Ken Paxton’s office (512-463-2100) and urge him to work for the people of Texas and stop wasting our tax dollars on frivolous lawsuits. You can say:

“Hi, I’m a constituent of Attorney General Paxton, and I’m calling to urge him to stop wasting Texans’ tax dollars on frivolous lawsuits like the one he issued to several other states in our nation. Not only do his suits tear at the very fabric of our nation, they waste our tax dollars in a year where there is already a budget shortfall. That money should be used to help Texans who need it most, not to throw political darts over the fence. I expect my elected officials to work for their constituents. Period. My zip code is _____. Thank you.”

ISSUE

Right now, it takes 19 of 31 Senators to call a bill to the floor for a vote. In November 2020, the State Senate Republicans lost their super majority, only holding 18 seats. So, to maintain total power, Dan Patrick would like to change the rules to only require a simple majority, 16 votes, to call a bill to the floor.

FOR MORE

Texas Tribune: Dan Patrick Seeks to Change Senate Rules

MAKE A CALL

Call Dan Patrick (512-463-0001) and your State Senator and push them to keep the current Senate 3/5 rule.

“Hi, I’m a constituent of Senator/Lt Governor _______. I’m calling today to urge them to vote no on any changes to the number of senators needed to bring a bill to the floor. The threshold has already been reduced from two-thirds to three-fifths. Dropping it down to a simple majority will push our state to a more partisan and divided government. I want a state government that works for all Texans, not just some and I trust that y’all agree. My zip code is _____. Thank you.”