Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've been on the phone several times today with different offices in Austin. First let me tell everyone (as if you guys already didn't know this) that there are apparently a couple of folks at TP&WL that are pushing this hard. I get this info 2nd hand but I trust them. After speaking with a few folks, it has become clear (to me at least) that if we don't get someone down there in their faces between now and when it goes up for a vote, it looks like we can kiss our nice relaxing nights of road cruising for snakes goodbye. I wish I had a week to head to Austin to fight this. Its now or never guys...this time next year we may all be talking about road cruising for snakes as the "good old days when you could" That would make me ill.....

Anyone have the number to a good lobbyist yet? lets spend some money.
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Snakes of Hudspeth County, Texas

Remember that we can still drop this in the house with a 10 minute speech by any set of House Reps that oppose this... It will then kick back to general calender and the bottom of that list.

If it makes it past the house we have a good shot in the Senate too...

I agree we need a qualified individual in Austin before Monday to start putting in some face time on this.

Lance

if that’s the case, why was the original wording of the bill so far off the mark? Incompetence in Isett’s office?

I think the one-and-only public hearing this bill will receive was the one we missed (but which the falconers were well prepared for) where someone (TP&W person?) suggested the change in wording (i.e., “wild animals”) that they needed for it to apply to herpers.

I spoke to aides at each of the offices of the Local and Consent Committee members today and they were WELL aware that this bill was NOT unopposed. It remains to be seen how the committee will vote (Monday?).

It seems that TP&W was trying to keep this under the radar precisely because they knew if they had to present statistics to support their talking points (i.e, safety, commercialization, and the absurd “wildlife sanctuary”) they wouldn’t be able to make a convincing case.

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Tom Lott
Thornscrub

I called the Local Consent & Calender commitee too today. I was told Carrie Nelson was in a meeting but I asked for it to be moved to the general calender.
If we can find a lobbyist I am still in for at least $200 possibly considerably more. I would also be willing to do additional donations on a monthly basis.

I think this link may be useful for finding a lobbyist to represent us.

lobbyists

Here is another link to lobby firms with offices in Austin, TX.
Austin lobby firms

All,

We do need other options so keep checking out other possible lobbyists. Aaron, will you be able to check into some lobbyists tomorrow?

Mike Welker
El Paso, TX
915-595-8831
OHI2007@elp.rr.com

I live in CA and I have searched the net but all the lobbyists I seem to be able to find look expensive. It would be hard for me to interview these guys on the phone too.

Who in Texas is going to look into other possible Lobbyists? Let's start assigning tasks.

Mike Welker
El Paso, TX

I think we need to have representation in Austin also, to put a face to the fight,so to speak. I can donate $200 now and more later but we are running out of time if 2414 is to be heard next week. Clark