Legislative Information

82nd Legislative Session

Midlothian ISD is committed to keeping the community well informed and updated in regards to the legislative session, as well as the development of the 2011-12 monetary budget.

MISD Budget & Legislative Impact

The state budget deficit and impact of the recession

As the Texas Legislature considers actions to address the State's budget shortfall, school districts are anxiously awaiting information related to the extent of the cuts to public education. Texas is projecting a budget shortfall of $27 billion. Across the state, sales tax collections and property values are lower than expected. Federal stimulus funds that were used last year will not be funded. Because lawmakers are not expected to raise tax rates, it appears that massive budget cuts will be required to balance the state budget. Public education may be cut by approximately $10 billion. Click here for more information.

Links

Links below are to external websites. MISD is not responsible for content, server problems or other issues on these sites.

Texas Legislature Online (82nd Legislature, Regular Session)
Association of Texas Professional Educators
Texas Association of School Administrators

Informational Resources

Texas Association of School Boards
Legislative Budget Boards - House and Senate Budget Estimates
Summary of Budget Estimates [PDF]

[Video] "Promoting Prosperity for Texas: The Role of State & Local Government"

Tips For Contacting Your Texas Legislators

Citizen input is an important part of the legislative process. Many citizens, however, are not familiar with the best ways to contact their elected officials. There are no rules for contacting legislators but the following tips may help.

Some Basic Tips

Find out who your legislators are. You are welcome to contact any legislators but you should find the office of your elected officials more responsive.

Learn a little about your legislator before you contact them. It is helpful to know what their occupation is, what committees they serve on, how long they have served in office etc. All of this information is available on their official website.

Ask to be included on your legislator's mailing or email list. They regularly communicate with their constituents and provide schedules of when they will be appearing locally.

Writing Letters

Address your legislator as either "Senator" or "Representative."

Write on your personal or business letterhead if possible and identify yourself.

Try to keep your letters to one page, and put your message in your own words. Be short and to the point. Chain letters or chain emails become more burdensome to the legislative staffs and thereby become less effective.

Ask the legislator to reply.

Like everyone else, legislators do not like a threatening tone. They represent many different constituents and interests. Make your point with the understanding that others may disagree.

Be sure that your legislator receives the letter before action is taken on the issue. Check the legislation's status at Texas Legislature Online so you know what stage of the process it is in. A State Senator, for example, would be the wrong person to write regarding a House Bill.

Making Phone Calls

Call your legislator at his/her office.
If you can’t get through to a legislator directly, ask to speak to the staffer who is handling the issue. Otherwise, convey your message to the person who answered the phone.

Address your legislator as either "Senator" or "Representative."

Be sure to identify yourself and indicate that you are a constituent.

Keep your call brief - let the other person know in short and concise terms why you are for or against something -- most calls to legislators only last a few minutes.

Thank him/her for their attention to the matter, and let them know that you are looking forward to seeing how the legislator votes on the issue.

Making Personal Visits

To meet with your Representative or Senator, call and make an appointment. It is usually best to visit with the member in your home area, because when he or she is in Austin there are myriad demands on their time. However, elected officials often appreciate when their constituents travel out-of-town to visit with them.

For personal appointments, follow the same rules of brevity that you would in letters by staying on point. It is helpful if you bring written information outlining your point.

Get to know the legislator’s clerk. She or he is close to the legislator and usually maintains the office calendar for appointments. Therefore, being polite and helpful to the legislator’s staff will serve you well.

When testifying in person, bring a written copy of your statement, along with supporting materials (newspaper and/or editorial articles, studies, reports, etc.). Bring enough copies for each member of the committee and extras for legislative staff. To see who is on the committee(s) in which you are interested, click here.

Your Legislators

Governor Rick Perry
Email | Website
Office of the Governor
P.O. Box 12428
Austin, Texas 78711-2428
(512-463-2000)

Lt. Governor David Dewhurst
Email | Website
P.O. Box 12068
Austin, Texas 78711-2068
(512-463-0001)

Rep. Joe Straus - Speaker of the House
Email | Website
Capitol Address:
Room CAP 2W.13
Capitol P.O. Box 2910
 Austin, TX 78768
(512) 463-1000
(512) 463-0675 Fax
District Address:
7373 Broadway,
Suite 202-A 
San Antonio, TX 78209 
(210) 828-4411 
(210) 832-9994 Fax

Hon. Florence Shapiro - Texas Senator
Email | Website
P.O. Box 12068
Capitol Station
Austin, Texas 78711
(512-463-0108)
Fax (512-463-7579)
5005 Addison Parkway
Addison, Texas 75001
(972-385-9876)
Fax (972-385-9877)

Rep. Ken Paxton - Texas Representative
Email | Website
Room EXT E2.712
P.O. Box 2910
Austin, Texas 78768
(512-463-0356)
Fax (512-463-0701)
201 West Virginia Parkway
McKinney, Texas 75069
(972) 562-4543
Fax (972-548-8469)

Rep. Jim Pitts - Texas House Representative, District 10
Email | Website

Capitol Office
Room CAP 1N.09
P.O. Box 2910
Austin, TX 78768
(512) 463-0516
Fax (512) 463-1051

District Office
200 N. Rogers
Waxahachie, TX 75165
(972) 938-9392
Fax (972) 937-2842

Rep. Brain Birdwell - Texas Senate Representative, District 22
Email | Website

District Office
P.O. Box 12068
Capitol Station
Austin, Texas 78711
(512) 463-0122
Fax (512) 475-3729

District Office I
River Square Center
215 Mary
Suite 303
Waco, TX 76701
(254) 772-6225
Fax (254) 776-2843

District Office II
5253 E. Hwy 377
Suite I
Granbury, Texas 76049
(817) 326-1161
Fax (817) 326-6437