Today I called the Austin offices of 16 representatives (3 Republicans, 13 Democrats) who represent mainly rural south Texas areas. Perhaps telling was the fact that all three Republican aides I spoke with immediately knew which bill I was talking about and why I would be calling about it. None of the thirteen Democratic aides were familiar with the bill (including the one from Rep. Guillen’s office who represents Freer), but almost all were receptive to my comments in opposition to it.
The rest of Texas is much more Republican than south Texas, so if the Republicans are going to vote along party lines on HB 2414 we’re done for. My gut feeling is that our only hope for avoiding this draconian measure is that it may be tied up by procedural or parliamentary problems in the House and Senate. We should be so lucky!
I am certain that there are many more herpers in Texas than the 100 or so members of the Texas Hawking Association—perhaps we should hire their lobbyist. Does he work on an ad hoc basis?
Unfortunately we are extremely unorganized at the state level. The Texas Herpetological Society bears the name of a statewide organization but it is heavily oriented towards academics. Most of the several local herp societies are seemingly more herpetoculturally oriented. In reality I think many people’s interests overlap both groups; mine certainly do. So it seems we really need some sort of umbrella organization that could appeal to both groups and lobby for our rights at the state level, where it is apparent they are currently most threatened.
As for me, I think I am going to take off for a couple of days and go road cruise south Texas while I still can.
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Tom Lott
Thornscrub
