We learned, We lobbied.
Every two years, during the Legislative session, the Texas League hosts Lobby Days in Austin. Local Leagues from all over the state attend. This year, ten members from San Antonio participated: Yvonne Pelayo, Claire Oxley, Katie Brown, Denise Gross, Lauren Bick, Judy Branch, Jill Torbert, Elaine Valdez, Cindy Strzelecki, and Rebecca Baker.
The training sessions included an overview of the League’s national, state and local organizations’ roles and responsibilities for lobbying U.S. and Texas legislators. If a local League wants to lobby on a state or national level, it must get permission from the respective organization. However, on local issues, how to approach issues is left to the local chapters.
There are many issues Leagues would like to address, but there are always limitations as to what a local League can undertake. Leagues were encouraged to follow the priority setting framework that recognizes that the League’s strength and expertise lies in the areas of protecting voting rights and supporting voting reform. For other issues, such as public schools, other organizations that have the expertise should take the lead, and the League can support their efforts. The League is multi-issue, but not multi-expert.
In addition to learning how to discuss League’s issues with Texas legislators, several local chapters spoke about successful initiatives they had undertaken to partner with others in their communities. These were stories of accomplishments, rounding out an afternoon of practical information with inspiration.
On Tuesday, primed and ready to talk with legislators, San Antonio League members headed to the Capitol. They visited with Representative LaHood and Senators Zaffarini and Campbell, or their staff, letting each of them know where the League stood on its priority issues.
Special thanks to Judy Branch, a life-member of the League, for underwriting the League’s table at the Making Democracy Work Dinner Monday night.