Join SAWDF at this important event!
Sponsored by the League of Independent Voters of Texas*, March 5, 9 am-5 pm
John H. Reagan Building, Room 140, 105 W. 15th Street, Austin
Here's the flyer from LIV
Michele Gangnes from SAWDF is on the water panel.
*LIV is a Texas non-profit, 501c4 organization, dedicated to promoting the social welfare of the citizens of Texas by researching, developing, advocating and educating citizens about, legislative, regulatory and program reforms that address issues which unite Texans across party lines. LIV seeks to present Texans with alternative policy choices, including but not limited to fiscal accountability; protection of land, water and air; and electoral, initiative and referendum, and ballot access reforms
2019 Lobby Day!
The war between the two parties is putting small "d" democracy at risk – not to mention fundamentals like our land and water.
You’re invited to join the independent movement to do something about it!
Our Land, Our Water, Our Democracy Lobby Day
Tuesday, March 5, 9 am to 5 pm
John H. Reagan Building, Room 140, 105 W. 15th Street, Austin, TX
RESERVE A FREE SEAT HERE -- tell us how many seats you want, your name and phone number or call 512.213.4511.
- Though we prefer you to BE in Austin, we will also be streaming this event starting at 9:20 am, March 5th from LIV's Facebook page here.
- Coming to Austin? Wear comfortable shoes. Bring money for lunch OR bring your own including snacks. Though we have the room all day, so you can leave your belongings there as you visit offices, food is not allowed in our hearing room.
- We suggest you call your legislators to set an appointment with a staffer, if not your legislators -- House Member and Senator. FIND YOUR REPS HERE!
- Got questions about how to join our first Lobby Day at the Texas Capitol? Contact us. Use this number for Lobby Day (text or call) 512.657.2089.
- Parking is best here, but come prepared with coins too!
- All our Lobby Day materials will be posted on this site by Sunday, March 3. We recommend you look them over before you come.
- A flier for this event is posted here.
Schedule & Topics
Revisit this page for additional materials and speakers -- coming real soon!
Please note that food and drink are not allowed in hearing rooms. Visit the cafeteria (first floor of the underground Capitol Annex)
9:00 am Registration & Welcome!
9:30 -10:15 am: Democracy is not a game: Most voters agree the gamesmanship between the two parties is not only stifling innovation, it is harming small “d” democracy – the ability to build consensus in our country. In Texas, ballot access petition reform would allow independent, non-aligned candidate and minor party competition. It’s called the Texas Voter Choice Act. We must also defend the right to petition for municipal voter referenda – real local control – ordinary Texans' only check and balance on local government. More here on petition rights attacks.
Speakers: Mark Miller (Texans for Voter Choice, bio here), Linda Curtis (LIV, bio here), Fred Lewis, Esq. (leading Texas election attorney)
10:15-11:00 am: Saying NO to the California Water Model: Private water speculators are hijacking the State Water Plan via “Gridzilla”, a water grid mimicking California’s over-pumping and costly transfer of groundwater from distant locations for real estate development. Here's the Fact Sheet for the Sustainable Groundwater Development Actto protect our aquifers, landowners, ratepayers and future generations. Here's the full Sustainable Groundwater Development Act.
Watch the Griddy video here!
We also support this legislation proposed to get the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) out of the groundwater grabbing game and to return to their mission to protect the Colorado River. Details here.
Speakers: James Murphy, Esq. (Top Texas Water Attorney), Michele Gangnes, Esq. (Simsboro Aquifer Water Defense Fund), Chris Mullins, Esq. (Save Our Springs Alliance)
11:00-11:45 am: Curbing Eminent Domain Abuse: The newly organized Texas Landowners for Eminent Domain Reform is working this session to level the playing field in an unfair process that favors condemnors over landowners.
Speakers: Rita Beving, Texas Landowners for Eminent Domain Reform, Calvin Tillman (LIV Advisory Committee)
Following these panels, we will have lunch on our own and visit legislative offices. Those visits, we encourage you to schedule ahead of time, but do not worry if you don't. We will have assignments ready for you with materials. We will ask you to report back to us how things went.
What you can do right now!
► Call your state senator and state representative to urge they visit with League of Independent Voters representatives now or on our Lobby Day, March 5. Find them at: fyi.capitol.texas.gov
► Email or call us at 512.213.4511 to make a free reservation to attend the March 5th Lobby Day and bring others with you!
► Share this page and become a dues paying member of the all-volunteer LIV. Join here.
LIV is developing and cultivating the independent, non-aligned voter.
We’re in the tool-kit business. Pay your dues to become a member today!
League of independent Voters of Texas
512-213-4511 * IndependentLeagueTX.org * visit our events & news pages