Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I know many of us will try to contact some the reps on the Local and Consent Committee today...
I guess we can use this thread to log any /- feedback, please remember that they do not always want names etc listed with our comments before this thing gets out of the House or dies.

calls so far this morning

1) Rep. Joe Straus
2) my Rep Frank Corte Jr.

I expect hard copy letters to hit the desks today at:
1) my Rep Frank Corte Jr
2) Harvey Hilderbran

... To hit all 183 desk today and tomorrow..

What sucked was that the post office did not have a postal meter to run it through and I had to by and use 183 stamps in the lobby. But it is done, and I hope that it will help.

I need to call my rep Marc Veasey and thank him for the response he sent back to me. And also see if he can contact the Local and Consent Committee to inform them that this bill seems to have opposition in the House and would be appropriate to consider on the General Calender instead.

Also to note, last week when I spoke to the office of Dr Alma Allen they were very helpful in directing us on what to do with 2414.

Lance

>>... To hit all 183 desk today and tomorrow..
>>
>>What sucked was that the post office did not have a postal meter to run it through and I had to by and use 183 stamps in the lobby. But it is done, and I hope that it will help.

OUCH!

>>I need to call my rep Marc Veasey and thank him for the response he sent back to me. And also see if he can contact the Local and Consent Committee to inform them that this bill seems to have opposition in the House and would be appropriate to consider on the General Calender instead.
>>
>>Also to note, last week when I spoke to the office of Dr Alma Allen they were very helpful in directing us on what to do with 2414.
>>
>>Lance

It's nice to get direction from those in the know...

I have it on good authority that the committee is talking about this informally right this moment (noon) and will take to a formal meeting today that adjourns at 4:00. This formal meeting will either fast track it along if they pass it, or move it to the general calendar for more in depth consideration.

What to do:

Call, call, call... Touch base with your local rep to have them place a call to the committee, if for no other reason than to have it slowed down for more in depth consideration.

Also call all them members of the Local and Consent Committee today, as in right now to let them know we want it on the general calendar for more in depth consideration on the House floor.

They are aware of our opposition, and they will with a little luck listen to us and kick this thing back on the calendar after their 4:00 meeting.

If you cannot call before the hit the meeting, it will likely do not good to call this committee.

Lance
Local & Consent Calendars

This is the Local & Consent Calendar Clerk's number

512-463-0800

Call and give reasons why it needs to be shelved or moved.

1. it was amended after the committee hearings, and public comment and feedback is needed on the amended version

2. it will not be a "consent item" - several representatives have expressed concern regarding this bill (Gallego, both Kings, etc)

3. it needs more scrutiny on the general floor of the house

Troy

Howard's office said that they were getting "a lot of calls" asking that HB 2414 be moved from the Local & Consent Calendar to the General Calendar. They put me in contact with the Calendar Clerk because I was giving reasons why it should be moved.

Troy

I just got of the phone with Isett's office, and no I did not talk to Matt or Chandler, it was somebody else not working directly on 2414. But she said that about half the calls she got were in support?????

The only group I can think of that would support this are the animal rights activist types. Not sportsmen, or biologist types..

Who in their right minds would think this was needed and a good idea?

Maybe everybody here needs to call in one more time to oppose this pile of crap they call HB 2414. (512) 463-0676

Lance

Of course she said that-he's the sponsor! That "half for, half against" response tells ME that the actual calls are 2 or 3 to one against. This is actually encouraging because many who are against won't put much or any effort into lobbying a bill's sponsor. So that tells me most other reps are getting overwhelmingly negative responses.

What were you expecting, honesty? You should ask her WHO the support is coming from-organizations, professions, etc......

Brad Chambers

And no pun intended with that term used near a politician... I thought the same, maybe what she was instructed to say. And I do not think that even if there is a group supporting this that they would tell us who it is, so that we have to guess at it instead of just calling the up.

Lance

ALL of the animal "rights" / anti-hunting groups are extremely well organized - which we obviously aren't. While I doubt the honesty of the comment made - it's their bill, you can't expect them to tell you people hate the idea - I am also willing to bet they ARE getting plenty of calls in support. Keep calling, keep writing - get new names to do the same.

I was told the same exact thing, and wondered the same thing. With as many calls as the opposition is making I highly doubt any support could equal that.
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South Texas Herps