Response from Patricia Harless

[Charles L. Cotton]

The post from "formerstaffer" is right on point and I suggest that everyone read it before communicating with Senators and Representatives. I have made the post a sticky in the Government Resources and Links section and I'll copy it to the 2011 Texas Legislative Session section when it is opened. I'm glad to see the comment about pre-filing bills. Many people want us to do this and there is little if any benefit and a lot of downside to doing so.

The only thing I would add to the recommendations is that when you are dealing with an issue that has widespread support and/or opposition, coordinate your communications with the organizations working the bill(s). This applies whether we are talking about guns, motorcycles, voter ID, or any other subject. Timing is everything in politics!

When you are dealing with a constituent bill on a subject that doesn't get a lot of press, then coordination is not a critical issue, plus there may be no organization with which to coordinate. However, when dealing with high profile issues, especially those discussed in popular discussion boards or blogs, any given poster can generate a tremendous amount of communication to elected officials simply by asking for people to do so. If timing is not right, this flood of emails, faxes and phone calls can be ineffective if not harmful, especially when it gives your opposition time to organize a counter offensive. And there are times when "the fix is in" and any publicity is harmful both because you forewarn and energize your opposition, and because your friends' staff have to respond to a flood of emails, calls and letters even though the "deal is done." As formerstaffer noted, these folks are swamped and we don't want to add to their workload unnecessarily.

Chas.

[The Annoyed Man]

During the last session, I sent Vicki Truitt a message from her website, asking if she was going to support either the campus carry or the parking lot bill. About a week later, I got a phone call from her administrative assistant, and we spoke for about 20 minutes. What I took away from the conversation was that Truitt was in favor of campus carry, and was generally in favor of parking lot carry but that she was concerned about how property owner rights were going to be handled in that particular issue. I was impressed that a staffer had A) taken the time to actually phone me back, and B) had taken 20 minutes out of the middle of a busy afternoon to talk to a single constituent, and it was sufficient to me. I didn't feel snubbed because Truitt herself didn't phone me. I'm a grownup, and I know she's busy.

Later, just before the legislature was recalled to handle unfinished business, I had a chance to speak personally with Truitt at a Chamber of Commerce function. Her answers then were consistent with what her staffer had told me before, but she was also pretty frank in saying that she didn't think that either bill was going to get voted on in the little time left; but that they would likely be addressed again in the upcoming session.

I'm pretty happy with my representation.

[Purplehood]

I didn't like the original response as it did not address my concerns, so I sent the following:

Congratulations on your reelection.

Last legislative session the TX Concealed Handgun License-related bills for Campus Carry and Employer Parking Lot Carry were shelved through political maneuvering and inaction on the part of individuals with low regard for the 2nd Amendment.
I would ask that you and your colleagues pay close attention to these issues in the coming months and ensure that these bills are acted upon positively in the next session.


I received the following response:

Thank you for your email regarding campus carry and employee carry legislation. Like you, I also believe firmly in the Second Amendment. I am proud to have received an A rating from the NRA for my votes on gun rights.

As you mention, the campus carry and employee carry legislation unfortunately did not pass last legislative session. I anticipate these bills will be filed again next legislative session. I will be supporting these issues as they reach the House floor for a vote.

Again, thank you for contacting our office. I always appreciate hearing from my constituents, and I am grateful for you taking the time to let me know your support for these important issues. Please feel free to contact our office if you have further questions about this or any other matter.

[Excaliber]

I didn't like the original response as it did not address my concerns, so I sent the following:

Congratulations on your reelection.

Last legislative session the TX Concealed Handgun License-related bills for Campus Carry and Employer Parking Lot Carry were shelved through political maneuvering and inaction on the part of individuals with low regard for the 2nd Amendment.
I would ask that you and your colleagues pay close attention to these issues in the coming months and ensure that these bills are acted upon positively in the next session.


I received the following response:

Thank you for your email regarding campus carry and employee carry legislation. Like you, I also believe firmly in the Second Amendment. I am proud to have received an A rating from the NRA for my votes on gun rights.

As you mention, the campus carry and employee carry legislation unfortunately did not pass last legislative session. I anticipate these bills will be filed again next legislative session. I will be supporting these issues as they reach the House floor for a vote.

Again, thank you for contacting our office. I always appreciate hearing from my constituents, and I am grateful for you taking the time to let me know your support for these important issues. Please feel free to contact our office if you have further questions about this or any other matter.

Good answer.

Nice work in calling attention to the importance of this legislation early before it gets buried by other things.