You have no doubt been hearing a lot about the Speaker’s
race in the Texas House this past week.
Over 100 conservative activists across the state, including members of
the Board of Austin Tea Party Patriots, have signed a letter (found at We are NOT trying to ramrod any particular speaker candidate or candidate-selection process through the State House. We are, however, interested in having our state representatives and representatives-elect consider some new facts in making their choice. We believe it would be prudent for all state representatives to take any pledges that they have made to current Speaker Joe Straus off the table until they each have adequate time to consider: First, the conservative mandate issued by Texas voters in last Tuesday’s state elections, which resulted in at least 99 seats being held by Republicans and only 51 by Democrats; and Second, the results of a recent Rice University study, which shows the relative effect of the current Speaker on legislation passed in recent sessions vis-à-vis legislation passed under a more liberal Speaker. (http://www.texastribune.org/texas-politics/texas-house-of-representatives/prof-dems-have-stealth-influence-in-texas-house/) If you agree that your state representative should consider these facts and forestall pledging for any Speaker candidate until he or she has time to study these matters and consult with his or her constituents, please copy the letter below and then send it by fax or mail to your state representative.Remember, as few as 50 letters can make a big difference to a state representative. Don’t sit on your hands here. Get involved! ************************************************************************ [Your name and address] November __, 2010 [Name and address of your state representative or representative-elect – from one of the lists below] Honorable [name of state representative or representative-elect]: Congratulations on your election last Tuesday as my state representative. It was clearly a watershed election for all of us conservatives across the state of Texas. There has been a lot of public and private talk about who your colleagues and you will select for Speaker for the upcoming legislative session. The selection of Speaker, because it impacts the type of legislation that will be passed in the session, impacts us as your constituents as much as it impacts you. I realize that you may have already made a pledge to the current Speaker to support him in the Speaker election process. I strongly urge you to pull back that pledge until you have more time to meet and hear from your constituents and to consider the following new facts: First, the conservative mandate issued by Texas voters in last Tuesday’s state elections, which resulted in at least 99 seats being held by Republicans and only 51 by Democrats; and second, the results of a recent Rice University study, which shows the relative effect of the current Speaker on legislation passed in recent sessions vis-à-vis legislation passed under a more liberal Speaker.Please do not allow the possibility of a promised committee assignment deter you from making a careful decision on this important matter. Be aware that I (and others like me) will not look kindly on anyone who puts their self-interest ahead of the interests of us, the citizens of your district. Again, I urge you to take time to fully consider the possible candidates for Speaker before making your pledge a final one. Very truly yours, [Sign your name] ___________________________________________________________
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