Opportunities
Public Citizen Texas is offering a Field Organizer position for 24 dollars/hr! These organizers will work on the campaigns of John Hoffner and Stephen Thomas for the Board of Directors of Pedernales Electric Cooperative. Transportation is required, but gas reimbursements are available!
Email your resume and cover letter to stephen@swgibson.com to apply now!
The Travis County Democratic Party is looking for a political party intern for 15 dollars/hr! The Travis County Democratic Party (TCDP) Internship Program is designed to give students and lifelong learners substantial exposure to practical, campaign-style politics in Travis County. No experience required!
Apply here! You’ll be asked to provide your contact information, your resume, brief responses to questions about your interest in this internship, and contact information for 3 references.
The office of the Attorney General is looking for an unpaid intern in the Child Support Division. This role will assist child support administrative and legal staff with various administrative tasks for the establishment and/or enforcement of child support.
Please forward a recently updated resume to shannon.graham@oag.texas.gov to have an application emailed to you.
Upcoming Events
As a reminder, TX Votes is nonpartisan and non-advocacy, so we aren’t sponsoring or endorsing any of these events:
Fight For Our Lives - March 27, 2023
Equality Texas, ACLU of Texas, Human Rights Campaign, Lambda Legal, Texas Freedom Network, and the Transgender Education Network of Texas are organizing a rally to testify against HB 1686. Keep reading this newsletter for an 101 on testifying at the capitol from TX Votes’ Asha Ayyar!
2023 Youth Capitol Takeover
MOVE Texas, Texas Freedom Network, Jolt Action, Youth Rise Texas, Deeds Not Words, Asian Texans for Justice, Austin Liberation Youth Movement, Children's Defense Fund, Common Cause, Texas Civil Rights Project, and Voting Rights Lab will be hosting the Youth Capitol Takeover on March 29th, 2023! You can read more here.
Testifying 101
by Asha Ayyar
Testifying before a committee is one of the best ways to talk to lawmakers face-to-face about the issues within your community. Before a bill becomes law, it is heard in both Senate and House committees. If there is a bill you are interested in testifying about, check the Texas Legislature Online for the committee hearing schedules to see if your bill is being heard. You can also view prior hearing online to be familiar with the process. Testifying can be an intimidating process and it is normal to feel nervous about it. Ultimately, everyone’s voice deserves to be heard with regard to the issues within their own communities.
Once you are at the Capitol for the committee hearing, be prepared to stay for the whole hearing as the order of the bills discussed may change from what is listed on the agenda. You must register to testify once you are in the capital. For house committee hearings, you can use the electronic registration kiosks in the capitol or you can register online at this website using the Capitol wifi. You will be asked for your name, the committee you want to testify in, the bills, whether you’re for or against them, and whether you want to testify or not. The Senate uses witness cards. This will require you to go to the hearing and request a card from the clerk to write your name on.
If you can’t testify, reaching out to the office of your representative via letters or calling lawmakers and committees are also great ways to let your representatives know your position on an issue. Find your representative and their contact information here.
Tips for testifying:
Be early to hearings that may be crowded.
Keep in mind the time limits when testifying. You have 2-3 minutes to testify not including any questions you may receive from committee members. Don’t waste time on a long introduction and be clear about your position. Start by addressing the chair and the members of the committee. Connect your personal experiences to your testimony if relevant.
Committee members may ask you questions. Have notes with you so you can be prepared for the questions they may ask. Not knowing the answer to a question that is asked is understandable. Be sure to follow up with the answer to the questions you were not able to answer.
Read More about Testifying here:
https://www.texastribune.org/2017/04/07/how-testify-lawmakers-texas-capitol/
https://capitol.texas.gov/Resources/FAQ.aspx#27
Interesting Articles
After ice storm fiasco, Austin leaders study burying power lines, adding more generators
'It’s not fair’: Some in south Austin upset over new Project Connect options
'Drag is a form of art' | Two Texas Senate bills would ban kids from drag performances
Texas Senate passes $16.5 billion package to lower property taxes
Texas Legislature Hits Halfway Point of 2023 Session
Election Information
First Day to Apply for Ballot by Mail: Sunday, January 1, 2023
Last Day to Register to Vote: Thursday, April 6, 2023
First Day of Early Voting in Person: Monday, April 24, 2023
Last day to Apply for Ballot by Mail (received, not postmarked): Tuesday, April 25, 2023
Last Day of Early Voting in Person: Tuesday, May 2, 2023
Election Day: Saturday, May 6, 2023
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