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>>> THE TEXAS LEGISLATIVE

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SESSION IS UNDERWAY.

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SO IF YOU THOUGHT YOUR CIVIC

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RESPONSIBILITIES ENDED ON

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ELECTION DAY, THINK AGAIN.

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YOU NEED TO STAY ENGAGED WITH

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ELECTED LEADERS AS THEY DO THEIR

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WORK IF YOU WANT TO HOLD THEM

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ACCOUNTABLE.

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THAT MIGHT SEEM DAUNTING,

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ESPECIALLY IF YOU'RE ALREADY

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JUGGLING WORK AND FAMILY.

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NOT TO MENTION THE IDEA OF

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COMPETING AGAINST THE SPECIAL

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INTERESTS AND LOBBYING GROUPS

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FOR THE ATTENTION OF DECISION

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MAKERS IN GOVERNMENT.

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TONIGHT WE'RE HERE TO FOCUS ON

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WHAT IT TAKES TO GET YOUR VOICE

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HEARD IN THE TEXAS LEGISLATURE.

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>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR

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THIS SPECIAL PROGRAM, CIVIC

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SUMMIT.

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YOUR STATE LEGISLATURE, YOUR

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VOICE.

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SPONSORED BY KUTK, KRLU.

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I'M NATHAN.

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THIS COMMUNITY CONVERSATION IS

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PART OF OUR WHY BOTHER NEWS AND

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PUBLIC DIALOGUE SERIES LOOKING

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INTO WHY TEXAS HAS ONE OF THE

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LOWEST RATES OF CIVIC

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PARTICIPATION IN THE COUNTRY.

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I'D LIKE TO INTRODUCE OUR

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PANELISTS FOR TONIGHT'S

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DISCUSSION.

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TO MY LEFT STATE SENATOR WENDY

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DAVIS, WHO IS SERVING HER SECOND

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TERM IN THE TEXAS LEGISLATURE,

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REPRESENTING SENATE DISTRICT 10

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IN TARRANT COUNTY.

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STATE REPRESENTATIVE LARRY

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GONZALES, REPRESENTS HOUSE

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DISTRICT 52 IN WILLIAMSON

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COUNTY, JUST NORTH OF AUSTIN.

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HE'S ALSO SERVING HIS SECOND

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TERM.

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BEE MORE HEAD IS THE EXECUTIVE

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DIRECT OF TEXAS IMPACT, A

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STATEWIDE RELIGIOUS GRATROOTS

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NETWORK THAT ROUTINELY ADVOCATES

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BEFORE THE TEXAS LEGISLATURE.

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AND FINALLY, BRENDAN STEIN

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HAUSER WITH THE TEXAS PUBLIC

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POLICY FOUNDATION, A FREE MARKET

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THINK TANK BASED IN AUSTIN THAT

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MANY RELY ON FOR RESEARCH.

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THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

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AS YOU CAN YOU KNOW, GETTING

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HEARD AT THE STATE CONTINUE HAVE

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GONE A DAUNTING TASK FOR ANYONE,

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WHETHER YOU'RE A FRESHMAN

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LAWMAKER OR YOUNG PERSON OR A

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MEMBER OF YOUR LOCAL PARENT

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TEACHER ASSOCIATION.

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ONE GROUP THAT HAS BECOME

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FAMILIAR TO MANY IN THE HALLS

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UNDER THE DOME IS CALLED ADAPT

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OF TEXAS.

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THEY'RE VOLUNTEERS -- THEIR

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VOLUNTEERS CONVENE ON THE

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CAPITOL EVERY TUESDAY AND

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THURSDAY AND THEY FLEX WHAT THEY

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CALL PEOPLE POWER.

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>> I'M JENNIFER AND I'VE BEEN

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WITH ADAPT 23 YEARS.

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MOST OF THOSE YEARS I'VE BEEN A

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COMMUNITY ORGANIZER.

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TODAY WE'RE GOING TO INTRODUCE

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OURSELVES TO MOST OF THE

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LEGISLATORS.

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THERE'S A LOT OF NEW PEOPLE THAT

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CAME THAT WE NEED TO EDUCATE

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ABOUT THE ISSUES THAT WE WORK

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ON.

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>> THAT STARTED AS A GROUP OF

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INDIVIDUALS WHO WERE CONCERNED

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ABOUT LACK OF ACCESS TO PUBLIC

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TRANSPORTATION.

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>> WE DO A PRETTY GOOD JOB OF

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BEING A VERY CONTINUOUS PRESENCE

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HERE AND THAT'S SOMETHING THAT

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WE'RE ALL VERY PROUD OF.

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>> WE'RE WITH ADAPT OF TEXAS.

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>> GREAT.

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>> WE JUST WANTED TO COME BY AND

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INTRODUCE OURSELVES.

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>> WE WERE VERY NAIVE OF THE

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LEGISLATIVE PROCESS.

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WE WOULD LIKE EVERYONE ELSE.

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WE -- WE WERE LIKE EVERYONE

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ELSE.

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WE THOUGHT WE WOULD EDUCATE

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PEOPLE AND THEY'LL DO WHAT YOU

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WANT.

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WE LEARN IT WAS A CAME OF

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POLITICS.

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SO WHAT WE DECIDED WAS -- A GAME

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OF POLITICS.

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SO WHAT WE DECIDED WAS WE TO USE

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PEOPLE POWER AND THAT'S WHAT

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ADAPT IS ALL ABOUT.

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IT'S BASICALLY TAKING THE PEOPLE

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AFFECTED BY THE ISSUES AND HAVE

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THEM SORT OF COME TOGETHER

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ORGANIZE, AND SEND THE MESSAGE

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TO THE POLICY MAKERS.

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WE'VE HAD AN EFFECT OF NOT ONLY

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GETTING TO KNOW THE LEGISLATORS,

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BUT ALSO ABOUT, YOU KNOW,

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GETTING SOME POLICY CHANGES THAT

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WE'RE VERY PROUD OF.

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EVEN IF IT'S NOT EXACTLY

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PERFECT, YOU KNOW, WE'RE OUT

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THERE, TO SEND OUR MESSAGES.

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SOME OF OUR PEOPLE SAY THINGS

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THAT SOMETIMES WE SAY, OH, MY

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GOODNESS, BUT YOU KNOW, IT'S

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PERSONAL.

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IT'S HOW THEY FEEL.

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AND YOU KNOW, THAT'S WHAT THESE

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LEGISLATORS NEED TO HEAR.

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>> SENATOR DAVIS, WE JUST HEARD

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FROM ONE ORGANIZATION WHO HAS

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FIGURED OUT A STRATEGY THAT

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WORKS FOR THEM.

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FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE, IN THE

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TEXAS SENATE, WHAT ARE THE

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BIGGEST BARRIERS FOR PEOPLE WHO

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WANT TO VOICE THEIR CONCERNS TO

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THE LEGISLATURE?

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>> WELL, I STARTED MY POLITICAL

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CAREER IN A CITY COUNCIL ROLE.

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AND IT WAS VERY EASY FOR PEOPLE

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TO COME TO THEIR LOCAL CITY

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COUNCIL MEETING AND PROVIDE

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INPUT.

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WHEN YOU'RE IN THE STATE CAPITOL

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FOR A LOT OF THE PEOPLE THAT WE

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REPRESENT, IT'S QUITE A DISTANCE

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TO COME.

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AND TO BE HEARD.

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AND TO UNDERSTAND THE PROCESS TO

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BEING HEARD IN AND OF ITSELF CAN

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BE A CHALLENGE.

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THE ORGANIZATION THAT WE'VE JUST

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HEARD ABOUT IS WORKING HARD TO

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MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE UNDERSTAND

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WHAT THAT PROCESS IS AND HOW TO

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CAPTURE IT AND MAKE THEIR VOICE

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HEARD.

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FOR MANY THEY'RE RUNNING UP

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AGAINST LOBBIES THAT HAVE WORKED

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MANY, MANY YEARS AND HAVE BUILT

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STRONG RELATIONSHIPS WITH

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LEGISLATURE IN THE CAPITOL.

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AND IT'S IMPORTANT FOR THEM NOT

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TO FEEL TOO DAUNTED BY THAT.

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AND TO CONTINUE TO INSERT THEIR

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VOICES IN OUR OFFICES, IN A

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COMMITTEE HEARING, SO THAT THEY

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CAN BE REPRESENTED IN THE

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PERSPECTIVES THAT WE ADVANCE.

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>> RIGHT.

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AND I WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT SOME

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OF THE WAYS THAT PEOPLE WITH DO

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THAT.

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BUT FIRST, TO ADDRESS SOME OF

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THOSE SPECIFIC CHALLENGES THAT

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YOU'VE BROUGHT UP,

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REPRESENTATIVE GONZALES, SENATOR

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DAVIS TALKED ABOUT THE POWERFUL

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INTEREST THAT ARE ALREADY IN THE

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HALLS OF STATE GOVERNMENT.

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HOW CAN ONE OF YOUR CONSTITUENTS

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WHEN IT COMES TO YOU AND ASK

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YOU, HOW CAN THEY GET THEIR

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POINT ACROSS AND THEIR VOICE

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HEARD WITH THOSE POWERFUL

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INTERESTS, WHAT DO YOU TELL

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THEM?

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>> OF COURSE, I LIVE HERE.

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I'M JUST IS A FEW MILES AWAY.

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>> SURE.

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>> SO WE HAVE QUITE AN ACTIVE

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GROUP THAT IS IN THE CAPITOL

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QUITE A BIT, PLUS BECAUSE I AM

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SO CLOSE, I GO HOME EVERY NIGHT

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AND I GET A LOT OF INPUT THERE

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AT HOME, TOO.

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IT ISN'T JUST AT THE CAPITOL.

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BUT FOR THOSE OF US WHO LIVE

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NEARBY, IT'S GOING TO THE SAME

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MEETINGS THAT WE'RE AT.

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WE MAKE MANY, MANY ACROSS THE

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DISTRICT.

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IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY THERE, EVEN

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DURING SESSION TO CONVERSE.

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BUT YOU KNOW, IT'S ABOUT A LOT

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OF TIMES JUST RELATIONSHIPS.

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AND IT'S JUST SPENDING TIME.

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LONG BEFORE I WAS REPRESENTATIVE

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LARRY GONZALES, I WAS A YOUNG

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STAFFER, JUST LARRY.

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I'M LEAH'S DAD, I'M ALEXANDER'S

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DAD.

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IT'S SIMPLE.

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THAT'S KIND OF WHO I AM.

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AND SO ALWAYS BEING

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APPROACHABLE, ALWAYS HAVING THE

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OFFICE THERE.

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READY TO TALK AND GREET SOMEBODY

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WITH A SMILE.

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YOU'D BE AMAZED HOW FAR THAT

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GOES, RIGHT?

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BUT IT'S AN INVESTMENT OF TIME.

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IT IS AN INVESTMENT OF TIME.

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TO COME DOWN AND GET TO KNOW US

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AND GET TO KNOW MY STAFF AND YOU

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KNOW, TELL US NOT JUST ONCE

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ABOUT YOUR ISSUES, TELL US AGAIN

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AND TELL US AGAIN, BECAUSE THERE

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ARE SO MANY DIFFERENT THINGS

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GOING ON.

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WE CAN'T POSSIBLY BE ON TOP OF

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ALL OF IT ALL THE TIME.

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BUT I NEED SOMEONE TO TAKE THE

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TIME TO COME TO THE OFFICE AND

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SAY, LARRY, ONE MORE TIME,

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REMEMBER, THAT'S WHAT WE'RE

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LOOKING FOR.

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AND THERE'S NEVER TOO MANY TIMES

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TO EMAIL.

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THERE'S NEVER TOO MANY TIMES TO

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CALL.

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WE NEED THE INPUT FROM THE

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CONSTITUENTS.

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>> WHAT GETS IN THE WAY OF

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CONSTITUENTS DO YOU THINK FROM

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HAVING THEIR VOICES HEARD IF

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THERE'S A TICK ISSUE THAT THEY

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CARE THE?

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>> I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S JUST A

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MATTER OF -- A MATTER OF TIME.

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YOU KNOW, PEOPLE ARE BUSY.

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AND WHERE I LIVE, THERE'S A LOT

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OF 30s TO 40-YEAR-OLDS.

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WE'RE TALKING BOTH PARENTS WORK,

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THE KIDS ARE VERY ACTIVE IN

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SCHOOL, LIKE MINE ARE IN SOCCER

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AND GIRL SCOUTS.

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SOMETIMES THINGS JUST GET VERY

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BUSY WITH LIFE.

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SO TAKING THE TIME TO SHOOT AN

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00:07:33,533 --> 00:07:35,200
EMAIL OR WRITE A LETTER OR MAKE

266
00:07:35,200 --> 00:07:37,233
A PHONE CALL, PEOPLE GO ON WITH

267
00:07:37,233 --> 00:07:38,000
THEIR LIVES SOMETIMES.

268
00:07:38,000 --> 00:07:39,333
BUT WHEN YOU DO THAT, REALIZE

269
00:07:39,333 --> 00:07:41,200
THAT I HAVEN'T HEARD FROM YOU.

270
00:07:41,200 --> 00:07:42,300
REALIZE THAT I NEED YOU TO TAKE

271
00:07:42,300 --> 00:07:44,600
THE TIME TO JUST -- AND THE GOOD

272
00:07:44,600 --> 00:07:46,500
THING ABOUT THE SOCIAL MEDIA AND

273
00:07:46,500 --> 00:07:48,733
THE MULTI-MEDIA, THERE'S LOTS OF

274
00:07:48,733 --> 00:07:49,700
WAYS TO GET US.

275
00:07:49,700 --> 00:07:51,100
THERE'S NOT A LONG DISTANCE

276
00:07:51,100 --> 00:07:52,000
PHONE CALL ANYMORE.

277
00:07:52,000 --> 00:07:53,400
IT'S THE FACEBOOK, IT'S TWITTER,

278
00:07:53,400 --> 00:07:55,200
IT'S THE INTERNET.

279
00:07:55,200 --> 00:07:56,900
ICE ALL KINDS OF WAYS TO REACH

280
00:07:56,900 --> 00:07:57,933
US THESE DAYS.

281
00:07:57,933 --> 00:08:01,000
SO HOPEFULLY THERE ARE FEWER

282
00:08:01,000 --> 00:08:01,933
OBSTACLES.

283
00:08:01,933 --> 00:08:03,200
IN THE HOUSE RULES WE PASSED A

284
00:08:03,200 --> 00:08:04,700
RULE THAT WOULD ALLOW PEOPLE TO

285
00:08:04,700 --> 00:08:07,000
VIDEOTAPE A THREE-MINUTE PUBLIC

286
00:08:07,000 --> 00:08:08,800
TESTIMONY FOR COMMITTEE HEARING

287
00:08:08,800 --> 00:08:10,700
AND MAIL IT TO THE COMMITTEE

288
00:08:10,700 --> 00:08:11,033
CLERK.

289
00:08:11,033 --> 00:08:13,500
ONE MORE WAY OF REACHING OUT TO

290
00:08:13,500 --> 00:08:15,000
TRY TO MAKE IT MORE ACCESSIBLE.

291
00:08:15,000 --> 00:08:16,200
SO IF YOU WANT TO VIDEOTAPE YOUR

292
00:08:16,200 --> 00:08:17,333
TESTIMONY IF YOU CAN'T BE IN

293
00:08:17,333 --> 00:08:18,733
AUSTIN, VIDEOTAPE IT AND SEND IT

294
00:08:18,733 --> 00:08:19,333
IN.

295
00:08:19,333 --> 00:08:24,100
>> WELL, BEA, YOU ARE NO

296
00:08:24,100 --> 00:08:25,100
STRANGER TO THE HALLS.

297
00:08:25,100 --> 00:08:26,433
IS IT WELL JUST A MATTER OF TIME

298
00:08:26,433 --> 00:08:27,933
GETTING IN PEOPLE'S WAY?

299
00:08:27,933 --> 00:08:29,433
>> I THINK TIME GETS IN PEOPLE'S

300
00:08:29,433 --> 00:08:29,733
WAY.

301
00:08:29,733 --> 00:08:31,100
I THINK THE BIG THING THAT WE

302
00:08:31,100 --> 00:08:34,100
TRY TO TELL OUR MEMBERS WHO ARE

303
00:08:34,100 --> 00:08:35,800
PRIMARILY PEOPLE WHO BELONG TO

304
00:08:35,800 --> 00:08:37,400
RELIGIOUS COMMUNITIES IS, YOU

305
00:08:37,400 --> 00:08:39,333
KNOW, CITIZEN PARTICIPATION IS A

306
00:08:39,333 --> 00:08:40,433
MARATHON, NOT A SPRINT.

307
00:08:40,433 --> 00:08:43,933
YOU CAN'T DO IT ALL ONE TIME --

308
00:08:43,933 --> 00:08:45,800
YOU CAN'T SEND 10 EMAILS AT ONE

309
00:08:45,800 --> 00:08:47,400
TIME AND MAKE A BUNCH OF PHONE

310
00:08:47,400 --> 00:08:48,533
CALLS AND ASSUME THAT THAT KIND

311
00:08:48,533 --> 00:08:50,100
OF TOOK CARE OF YOUR CITIZENSHIP

312
00:08:50,100 --> 00:08:51,100
FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR.

313
00:08:51,100 --> 00:08:52,700
IT'S A CONSTANT PARTICIPATION IN

314
00:08:52,700 --> 00:08:55,600
THE LIFE OF THE COMMUNITY, IT'S

315
00:08:55,600 --> 00:08:57,600
CONTINUE STATELY REFRESHING YOUR

316
00:08:57,600 --> 00:08:59,700
LEGISLATION -- CONSTANTLY

317
00:08:59,700 --> 00:09:03,033
REFRESHING YOUR LEGISLATION AND

318
00:09:03,033 --> 00:09:04,233
NOT JUST TRYING TO GET YOURSELF

319
00:09:04,233 --> 00:09:07,200
A PRODUCT OUT OF IT.

320
00:09:07,200 --> 00:09:09,733
>> NOW, BRENDAN, YOU GREW UP IN

321
00:09:09,733 --> 00:09:10,500
TEXAS.

322
00:09:10,500 --> 00:09:12,400
YOU SPENT A FEW YEARS IN D.C.

323
00:09:12,400 --> 00:09:13,733
WORKING FOR FREEDOM WORKS BUT

324
00:09:13,733 --> 00:09:15,100
NOW YOU'RE BACK WITH THE TEXAS

325
00:09:15,100 --> 00:09:16,300
PUBLIC POLICY FOUNDATION.

326
00:09:16,300 --> 00:09:18,633
WHAT'S THE BIGGEST OBSTACLE IN

327
00:09:18,633 --> 00:09:23,200
PUSHING THE AGENDA OF, YOU KNOW,

328
00:09:23,200 --> 00:09:26,400
PEOPLE WHO -- WHOSE IDEAS YOU

329
00:09:26,400 --> 00:09:27,400
REPRESENT?

330
00:09:27,400 --> 00:09:28,400
>> I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF

331
00:09:28,400 --> 00:09:29,100
CHALLENGES.

332
00:09:29,100 --> 00:09:30,233
CERTAINLY THERE'S A LOT OF

333
00:09:30,233 --> 00:09:31,333
DIFFERENT INTEREST.

334
00:09:31,333 --> 00:09:32,233
THERE'S A LOT OF DIFFERENT

335
00:09:32,233 --> 00:09:33,200
GROUPS THAT ARE PUSHING AGAINST

336
00:09:33,200 --> 00:09:33,500
YOU.

337
00:09:33,500 --> 00:09:35,800
AND SO YOU KNOW, WHAT I'VE SEEN

338
00:09:35,800 --> 00:09:37,800
THAT'S EFFECTIVE IS WHEN PEOPLE

339
00:09:37,800 --> 00:09:39,333
GET ORGANIZED AND THEY BAND

340
00:09:39,333 --> 00:09:41,233
TOGETHER, CITIZENS CAN MAKE A

341
00:09:41,233 --> 00:09:41,933
HUGE IMPACT.

342
00:09:41,933 --> 00:09:43,200
AND WHAT I LIKE TO TALK ABOUT

343
00:09:43,200 --> 00:09:44,800
WHEN I TRAVEL AROUND THE COUNTRY

344
00:09:44,800 --> 00:09:46,400
AND TALK TO GROUPS, YOU KNOW,

345
00:09:46,400 --> 00:09:47,600
FIND SOMETHING YOU CAN ALL AGREE

346
00:09:47,600 --> 00:09:49,200
ON, ORGANIZE A LITTLE BIT, PUT

347
00:09:49,200 --> 00:09:50,833
TOGETHER A PLAN OF ACTION THAT

348
00:09:50,833 --> 00:09:52,300
LASTS THROUGH THE LEGISLATIVE

349
00:09:52,300 --> 00:09:52,900
SESSION.

350
00:09:52,900 --> 00:09:54,800
FIND OUT WHAT ARE THE ONE OR TWO

351
00:09:54,800 --> 00:09:55,933
THINGS THAT YOU WANT TO GET

352
00:09:55,933 --> 00:09:58,133
DONE, HAVE A PLAN, ENACT THAT

353
00:09:58,133 --> 00:09:59,900
PLAN, WHETHER IT'S COMMUNICATION

354
00:09:59,900 --> 00:10:01,300
TO LEGISLATORS, WHETHER IT'S

355
00:10:01,300 --> 00:10:02,600
REACHING OUT TO THE MEDIA AND

356
00:10:02,600 --> 00:10:03,700
SITTING DOWN WITH THEM AS A

357
00:10:03,700 --> 00:10:05,033
GROUP, WHETHER IT'S A PUBLIC

358
00:10:05,033 --> 00:10:07,500
DISPLAY OF RALLY OR A PROTEST.

359
00:10:07,500 --> 00:10:09,033
>> AND I WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT

360
00:10:09,033 --> 00:10:10,833
THOSE SOLUTIONS, BUT FIRST, THE

361
00:10:10,833 --> 00:10:13,300
PROBLEMS, THE OBSTACKLES AND THE

362
00:10:13,300 --> 00:10:13,900
CHALLENGES.

363
00:10:13,900 --> 00:10:16,300
YOU HAVE DEALT -- HELPING TO

364
00:10:16,300 --> 00:10:17,333
ORGANIZE TEA PARTY GROUPS, FOR

365
00:10:17,333 --> 00:10:19,233
EXAMPLE, THAT -- WHAT GETS IN

366
00:10:19,233 --> 00:10:21,500
THEIR WAY OF PUSHING THEIR

367
00:10:21,500 --> 00:10:23,800
CONCERNS ABOUT THE DEBT OR

368
00:10:23,800 --> 00:10:24,700
DEFICIT.

369
00:10:24,700 --> 00:10:25,800
>> SURE, A LOT OF TIMES IT'S

370
00:10:25,800 --> 00:10:27,433
KIND OF A FEAR OF NOT KNOWING

371
00:10:27,433 --> 00:10:28,733
THE PROCESS OR UNDERSTANDING THE

372
00:10:28,733 --> 00:10:30,833
PROCESS AND BELIEVING THAT

373
00:10:30,833 --> 00:10:32,933
THERE'S SOMEHOW CUT OUT OF THE

374
00:10:32,933 --> 00:10:33,500
PROCESS.

375
00:10:33,500 --> 00:10:34,500
BUT NOT REALLY.

376
00:10:34,500 --> 00:10:35,500
YOU CAN ACTUALLY GO AND SCHEDULE

377
00:10:35,500 --> 00:10:36,833
AN APPOINTMENT AND SIT DOWN WITH

378
00:10:36,833 --> 00:10:38,800
YOUR LEGISLATOR'S STAFF.

379
00:10:38,800 --> 00:10:40,100
WHETHER IT'S IN WASHINGTON OR

380
00:10:40,100 --> 00:10:41,000
IT'S IN AUSTIN.

381
00:10:41,000 --> 00:10:42,233
YOU ACTUALLY HAVE THAT ABILITY

382
00:10:42,233 --> 00:10:43,200
AND THAT CAPABILITY.

383
00:10:43,200 --> 00:10:44,200
YOU KNOW, CERTAINLY THERE'S A

384
00:10:44,200 --> 00:10:45,433
LEVEL OF FRUSTRATION OUT THERE

385
00:10:45,433 --> 00:10:47,300
WHERE PEOPLE FEEL LIKE I DON'T

386
00:10:47,300 --> 00:10:49,200
COUNT OR MY SIDE NEVER WINS.

387
00:10:49,200 --> 00:10:50,533
BOTH SIDES KIND OF FEEL THAT

388
00:10:50,533 --> 00:10:51,300
WAY, I THINK.

389
00:10:51,300 --> 00:10:53,000
IF YOU REALLY ANALYZE IT.

390
00:10:53,000 --> 00:10:55,200
SO IT'S REALLY -- A LOT OF IT'S

391
00:10:55,200 --> 00:10:56,100
SAGE LOCK CAL.

392
00:10:56,100 --> 00:10:57,400
A LOT OF IT'S THIS --

393
00:10:57,400 --> 00:10:58,900
PSYCHOLOGICAL.

394
00:10:58,900 --> 00:11:00,700
A LOT OF IT'S THIS THING AS

395
00:11:00,700 --> 00:11:02,500
CITIZENS WE HAVE TO GET OVER AND

396
00:11:02,500 --> 00:11:03,400
ORGANIZE AND DO SOMETHING.

397
00:11:03,400 --> 00:11:04,800
>> SENATOR DAVIS, WHAT IMPACT

398
00:11:04,800 --> 00:11:06,233
DOES THE TIGHT SCHEDULE OF THE

399
00:11:06,233 --> 00:11:08,200
LEGISLATURE HAVE, 140 DAYS EVERY

400
00:11:08,200 --> 00:11:08,733
TWO YEARS.

401
00:11:08,733 --> 00:11:11,400
HOW DOES THAT AFFECT PEOPLE'S

402
00:11:11,400 --> 00:11:14,933
ABILITY TO GET INVOLVED IN STATE

403
00:11:14,933 --> 00:11:15,400
POLITICS?

404
00:11:15,400 --> 00:11:18,000
>> WELL, I THINK IT CAN BE

405
00:11:18,000 --> 00:11:19,700
OVERWHELMING TO TRY TO ACHIEVE A

406
00:11:19,700 --> 00:11:21,433
VERY DIFFICULT TASK IN A SHORT

407
00:11:21,433 --> 00:11:22,300
PERIOD OF TIME.

408
00:11:22,300 --> 00:11:24,933
140 DAYS GOES BY IN AN INSTANT.

409
00:11:24,933 --> 00:11:27,833
AND AS YOU SAID, COMPETING FOR A

410
00:11:27,833 --> 00:11:30,600
LEGISLATOR'S TIME ARE A MYRIAD

411
00:11:30,600 --> 00:11:32,233
OF ISSUES, AND MAKING IS THIS

412
00:11:32,233 --> 00:11:34,000
YOUR THAT YOURS IS RISING TO THE

413
00:11:34,000 --> 00:11:35,800
TOP AND IS ONE THAT IS BEING

414
00:11:35,800 --> 00:11:37,800
VOICED ON THEIR BEHALF CAN BE

415
00:11:37,800 --> 00:11:38,933
RATHER OVERWHELMING.

416
00:11:38,933 --> 00:11:42,233
I KNOW THAT FOR MANY PEOPLE THAT

417
00:11:42,233 --> 00:11:43,733
I'VE WORKED WITH WHO COME

418
00:11:43,733 --> 00:11:45,700
THROUGH ORGANIZATIONS LIKE THESE

419
00:11:45,700 --> 00:11:48,100
AND WHO MAY FEEL THAT IT'S JUST

420
00:11:48,100 --> 00:11:50,800
TOO DIFFICULT A TASK, I REALLY

421
00:11:50,800 --> 00:11:52,833
DO TRY TO ENCOURAGE THEM BACK TO

422
00:11:52,833 --> 00:11:54,533
THE MARATHON, NOT A SPRINT

423
00:11:54,533 --> 00:11:56,400
ANALOGY, THAT SOMETIMES

424
00:11:56,400 --> 00:11:58,900
ACHIEVING A GOAL THROUGH A

425
00:11:58,900 --> 00:12:01,700
LEGISLATIVE BODY CAN TAKE MORE

426
00:12:01,700 --> 00:12:03,300
THAN ONE, MORE THAN TWO, MORE

427
00:12:03,300 --> 00:12:05,000
THAN THREE SESSIONS.

428
00:12:05,000 --> 00:12:06,900
BUT THEY HAVE TO KEEP AT IT,

429
00:12:06,900 --> 00:12:08,800
BECAUSE ALWAYS WHAT WILL BE

430
00:12:08,800 --> 00:12:11,800
THERE ARE THE MORE POWERFUL,

431
00:12:11,800 --> 00:12:14,200
MORE WELL-FINANCED INTERESTS

432
00:12:14,200 --> 00:12:15,933
THAT ARE GOING TO HAVE A

433
00:12:15,933 --> 00:12:17,800
LOBBYIST THERE ON THEIR BEHALF

434
00:12:17,800 --> 00:12:18,700
EVERY MOMENT THAT THE

435
00:12:18,700 --> 00:12:21,333
LEGISLATURE IS CONVENED AND

436
00:12:21,333 --> 00:12:23,900
EVERY MOMENT DURING OUR INTERIM.

437
00:12:23,900 --> 00:12:25,733
AND THEY CAN'T GIVE UP ON MAKING

438
00:12:25,733 --> 00:12:28,600
SURE THAT THEIR VOICES ARE BEING

439
00:12:28,600 --> 00:12:31,133
HEARD, AS DISCOURAGING AS IT CAN

440
00:12:31,133 --> 00:12:31,433
BE.

441
00:12:31,433 --> 00:12:32,800
AND REPRESENTING SOME OF THOSE

442
00:12:32,800 --> 00:12:34,700
COMMUNITY VOICES ON ISSUES LIKE

443
00:12:34,700 --> 00:12:36,300
PAYDAY LENDING, FOR EXAMPLE,

444
00:12:36,300 --> 00:12:38,033
WHERE I'VE CONFRONTED PROBABLY

445
00:12:38,033 --> 00:12:40,233
THE MOST -- ONE OF THE MOST

446
00:12:40,233 --> 00:12:41,733
POWERFUL LOBBIES IN THE

447
00:12:41,733 --> 00:12:44,700
LEGISLATURE, CAN GET

448
00:12:44,700 --> 00:12:46,700
DISCOURAGING, EVEN FOR ME WHO

449
00:12:46,700 --> 00:12:49,200
HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO HOLD THE

450
00:12:49,200 --> 00:12:50,300
MICROPHONE ON THE SENATE FLOOR

451
00:12:50,300 --> 00:12:51,733
AND FIGHT ON BEHALF OF THE

452
00:12:51,733 --> 00:12:53,633
ISSUES THAT I'M WORKING ON

453
00:12:53,633 --> 00:12:54,000
THERE.

454
00:12:54,000 --> 00:12:56,600
BUT I TRY TO REMIND MYSELF OF

455
00:12:56,600 --> 00:12:58,700
THE MARATHON, NOT THE SPRINT.

456
00:12:58,700 --> 00:13:00,633
AND THAT WHAT I'M WORKING ON

457
00:13:00,633 --> 00:13:02,033
REALLY MATTERS AND THAT THE

458
00:13:02,033 --> 00:13:04,333
PEOPLE WHOSE LIVES ARE BEING

459
00:13:04,333 --> 00:13:05,433
IMPACTED BY WHAT WE'RE WORKING

460
00:13:05,433 --> 00:13:08,100
ON COLLECTIVELY REALLY MATTERS.

461
00:13:08,100 --> 00:13:10,600
AND WE JUST HAVE TO SHORE EACH

462
00:13:10,600 --> 00:13:11,800
OTHER UP AND KEEP FIGHTING FOR

463
00:13:11,800 --> 00:13:12,633
WHAT WE CARE ABOUT.

464
00:13:12,633 --> 00:13:13,000
>> RIGHT.

465
00:13:13,000 --> 00:13:15,600
YOU TALK ABOUT -- YOU BROUGHT UP

466
00:13:15,600 --> 00:13:17,300
THE FINANCIAL AND INTEREST I

467
00:13:17,300 --> 00:13:18,400
KNOW AS LAWMAKERS IT'S JUST A

468
00:13:18,400 --> 00:13:19,900
FACT OF LIFE THAT YOU NEED MONEY

469
00:13:19,900 --> 00:13:22,300
TO RUN CAMPAIGNS AND I KNOW,

470
00:13:22,300 --> 00:13:23,000
THAT YOU?

471
00:13:23,000 --> 00:13:23,833
DAVIS, AND REPRESENTATIVE

472
00:13:23,833 --> 00:13:26,833
GONZALES, HAVE BOTH TAKEN MONEY

473
00:13:26,833 --> 00:13:28,533
FROM SOME OF THE SAME GROUPS,

474
00:13:28,533 --> 00:13:30,900
THE AT&T-- JUST AS AN EXAMPLE.

475
00:13:30,900 --> 00:13:34,300
WHAT -- WHAT DO LOBBYISTS AND

476
00:13:34,300 --> 00:13:36,133
CORPORATE DONORS GET OUT OF

477
00:13:36,133 --> 00:13:39,100
THAT, REPRESENTATIVE GONZALES?

478
00:13:39,100 --> 00:13:39,800
>> I DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY GET

479
00:13:39,800 --> 00:13:40,400
OUT OF IT.

480
00:13:40,400 --> 00:13:41,700
I THINK GOING BACK TO WHAT I

481
00:13:41,700 --> 00:13:43,333
SAID EARLIER, IT'S JUST -- IT'S

482
00:13:43,333 --> 00:13:45,100
JUST A MATTER OF HAVING A TIME

483
00:13:45,100 --> 00:13:50,700
COMMITMENT AND A RELATIONSHIP.

484
00:13:50,700 --> 00:13:53,800
I THINK THE LOBBYISTS GET A BAD

485
00:13:53,800 --> 00:13:55,333
RAP, BECAUSE ANYBODY WHO'S A

486
00:13:55,333 --> 00:13:56,700
TEXAS CITIZEN PROBABLY HAS ONE

487
00:13:56,700 --> 00:13:57,800
OR TWO GROUPS LOOKING OUT FOR

488
00:13:57,800 --> 00:13:58,233
THEIR INTEREST.

489
00:13:58,233 --> 00:13:58,900
SO YOU'LL HAVE THE CHAMBER OF

490
00:13:58,900 --> 00:14:00,000
COMMERCE, YOUR LOCAL CHAMBER OF

491
00:14:00,000 --> 00:14:01,800
COMMERCE, PROBABLY GOT A GR

492
00:14:01,800 --> 00:14:02,400
TEAM.

493
00:14:02,400 --> 00:14:03,200
IF YOU'RE A TEACHER, THERE ARE A

494
00:14:03,200 --> 00:14:04,400
MYRIAD OF TEACHER GROUPS THAT

495
00:14:04,400 --> 00:14:06,433
ACTUALLY HAVE YOUR VOICE APPEARS

496
00:14:06,433 --> 00:14:07,033
AS WELL.

497
00:14:07,033 --> 00:14:09,000
SO I KNOW -- THE EASY THING TO

498
00:14:09,000 --> 00:14:10,400
KNOCK THE LOBBY, BUT QUITE

499
00:14:10,400 --> 00:14:11,733
FRANKLY, THEY ARE AN INSTRUMENT

500
00:14:11,733 --> 00:14:15,400
OF COMMUNICATION THAT REPRESENT

501
00:14:15,400 --> 00:14:16,400
QUITE A FEW PEOPLE ALREADY, YOU

502
00:14:16,400 --> 00:14:16,700
KNOW?

503
00:14:16,700 --> 00:14:19,100
I DON'T TAKE I GUESS AS NEGATIVE

504
00:14:19,100 --> 00:14:19,800
APPROACH.

505
00:14:19,800 --> 00:14:21,500
BUT CAMPAIGNS COST MONEY, YOU

506
00:14:21,500 --> 00:14:21,800
KNOW.

507
00:14:21,800 --> 00:14:22,533
IT'S WHAT IT IS.

508
00:14:22,533 --> 00:14:26,333
THERE'S JUST A FUNDAMENTAL THING

509
00:14:26,333 --> 00:14:27,333
ABOUT WHEN YOU'RE COMMUNICATING

510
00:14:27,333 --> 00:14:28,800
WITH THE PROFESSIONALS, THE PAID

511
00:14:28,800 --> 00:14:31,100
LOBBY, IS THAT THEY SPEND TIME

512
00:14:31,100 --> 00:14:32,000
WITH YOU, RIGHT.

513
00:14:32,000 --> 00:14:33,000
THAT'S WHAT THEY DO.

514
00:14:33,000 --> 00:14:34,600
AND PROBABLY MORE ACCESS THAN,

515
00:14:34,600 --> 00:14:36,200
YOU KNOW, SOMEONE WHO'S AT HOME

516
00:14:36,200 --> 00:14:37,200
AND WORKING AND BALANCING THE

517
00:14:37,200 --> 00:14:38,400
KIDS AND EVERYTHING ELSE.

518
00:14:38,400 --> 00:14:39,600
BUT I STILL THINK IT'S IMPORTANT

519
00:14:39,600 --> 00:14:40,900
TO RECOGNIZE THAT EVEN IF YOU'RE

520
00:14:40,900 --> 00:14:42,800
AT HOME, AND THAT THERE ARE

521
00:14:42,800 --> 00:14:44,000
PEOPLE UP HERE THAT ARE

522
00:14:44,000 --> 00:14:45,100
REPRESENTING YOU, THAT ARE PAID

523
00:14:45,100 --> 00:14:45,733
TO REPRESENT YOU.

524
00:14:45,733 --> 00:14:47,200
SO I KIND OF TAKE A LITTLE BIT

525
00:14:47,200 --> 00:14:48,100
DIFFERENT APPROACH TO THE

526
00:14:48,100 --> 00:14:49,900
LOBBIES --

527
00:14:49,900 --> 00:14:50,400
>> RIGHT.

528
00:14:50,400 --> 00:14:51,633
I APPRECIATE YOUR PERSPECTIVE,

529
00:14:51,633 --> 00:14:54,433
REPRESENTATIVE.

530
00:14:54,433 --> 00:14:58,000
ARE -- HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THE

531
00:14:58,000 --> 00:14:59,500
ROLE OF LOBBYISTS IN STATE

532
00:14:59,500 --> 00:15:00,000
GOVERNMENT?

533
00:15:00,000 --> 00:15:02,900
>> I'M A REGISTERED LOBBYIST.

534
00:15:02,900 --> 00:15:03,600
>> THERE YOU GO.

535
00:15:03,600 --> 00:15:05,533
>> SO I THINK LOBBYISTS ARE AN

536
00:15:05,533 --> 00:15:06,400
IMPORTANT PART OF THE PROCESS

537
00:15:06,400 --> 00:15:07,700
AND WHAT WE TRY TO EXPLAIN TO

538
00:15:07,700 --> 00:15:11,800
OUR MEMBERS IS EVERYBODY IS AN

539
00:15:11,800 --> 00:15:12,700
IMPORTANT PROCESS.

540
00:15:12,700 --> 00:15:13,400
IT TAKES EVERYBODY

541
00:15:13,400 --> 00:15:13,900
PARTICIPATING.

542
00:15:13,900 --> 00:15:16,400
THE LOBBY IT DO SOMETHING THAT

543
00:15:16,400 --> 00:15:18,700
THE -- LOBBYISTS DO SOMETHING

544
00:15:18,700 --> 00:15:19,900
THAT THE AVERAGE CITIZEN CAN'T

545
00:15:19,900 --> 00:15:20,200
DO.

546
00:15:20,200 --> 00:15:21,100
THEY'RE HERE ALL THE TIME.

547
00:15:21,100 --> 00:15:21,900
THEY PROVIDE A LEVEL OF

548
00:15:21,900 --> 00:15:22,200
INFORMATION.

549
00:15:22,200 --> 00:15:23,000
THE PEOPLE WHO ARE BRINGING THE

550
00:15:23,000 --> 00:15:24,700
DETAILED INFORMATION ABOUT

551
00:15:24,700 --> 00:15:26,100
WHATEVER THE ISSUE IS, YOU KNOW,

552
00:15:26,100 --> 00:15:28,100
YOU DON'T -- I DON'T THINK THAT

553
00:15:28,100 --> 00:15:30,133
LEGISLATORS EXPECT IN A KIND OF

554
00:15:30,133 --> 00:15:32,100
ACADEMIC RESEARCH FROM THEIR

555
00:15:32,100 --> 00:15:33,200
CONSTITUENTS.

556
00:15:33,200 --> 00:15:35,433
WHAT THEY EXPECT FROM

557
00:15:35,433 --> 00:15:37,100
CONSTITUENTS, THE LEGISLATORS

558
00:15:37,100 --> 00:15:38,800
ARE HERE SO THEY COULD ANSWER

559
00:15:38,800 --> 00:15:41,000
BETTER, BY MU MY UNDERSTANDING,

560
00:15:41,000 --> 00:15:41,900
MY EXPERIENCE IS THEY EXPECT

561
00:15:41,900 --> 00:15:44,900
THEIR CONSTITUENTS' PERSONAL

562
00:15:44,900 --> 00:15:45,600
EXPERIENCE IN THE LOCAL

563
00:15:45,600 --> 00:15:46,600
COMMUNITY.

564
00:15:46,600 --> 00:15:48,900
WE HAD AN INTERESTING -- ONE

565
00:15:48,900 --> 00:15:51,700
TIME A COLLEAGUE OF MINE HAD A

566
00:15:51,700 --> 00:15:52,900
LETTER THAT FRANKLIN ROOSEVELT

567
00:15:52,900 --> 00:15:54,400
HAD ACTUALLY WRITTEN TO HER

568
00:15:54,400 --> 00:15:55,333
GRANDFATHER WHO HAD BEEN A

569
00:15:55,333 --> 00:15:57,000
MINISTER AND THE LETTER SAID, I

570
00:15:57,000 --> 00:15:58,733
NEED TO HEAR FROM YOU HOW MY

571
00:15:58,733 --> 00:16:00,233
POLICIES ARE WORKING IN YOUR

572
00:16:00,233 --> 00:16:02,900
LOCAL COMMUNITY, BECAUSE I CAN'T

573
00:16:02,900 --> 00:16:04,400
BE EVERYWHERE AT ONE TIME.

574
00:16:04,400 --> 00:16:08,733
AND SO TO LOBBY JUST DOES A

575
00:16:08,733 --> 00:16:10,033
DIFFERENT THING THAN THE PERSON

576
00:16:10,033 --> 00:16:11,533
WHO CAN CALL AND SAY ON MY

577
00:16:11,533 --> 00:16:12,600
STREET IT DIDN'T LOOK THE SAME

578
00:16:12,600 --> 00:16:13,000
WAY.

579
00:16:13,000 --> 00:16:13,300
>> YEAH.

580
00:16:13,300 --> 00:16:16,700
BRENDAN, I MEAN, FROM YOUR

581
00:16:16,700 --> 00:16:21,833
GRASSROOTS ORGANIZING, DO MORE

582
00:16:21,833 --> 00:16:23,433
ORGANIZED INTEREST GET IN THE

583
00:16:23,433 --> 00:16:25,200
WAY OF LOCAL GRASSROOTS GROUPS

584
00:16:25,200 --> 00:16:26,500
WHEN THEY'RE TRYING TO REACH OUT

585
00:16:26,500 --> 00:16:27,300
TO LAWMAKERS?

586
00:16:27,300 --> 00:16:28,300
>> I THINK YOU DO SEE SOME OF

587
00:16:28,300 --> 00:16:28,600
THAT.

588
00:16:28,600 --> 00:16:30,000
I THINK THAT THERE ARE PLENTY OF

589
00:16:30,000 --> 00:16:31,800
EXAMPLES, THOUGH, WHERE LOCAL

590
00:16:31,800 --> 00:16:33,033
CITIZENS BANNING TOGETHER CAN

591
00:16:33,033 --> 00:16:34,600
ACTUALLY BEAT PAID INTEREST AND

592
00:16:34,600 --> 00:16:37,600
CAN ACTUALLY HAVE BETTER STORIES

593
00:16:37,600 --> 00:16:42,033
AND BE ORGANIZED AND BE MORE

594
00:16:42,033 --> 00:16:42,600
PASSIONATE.

595
00:16:42,600 --> 00:16:43,800
IT DOES TAKE MONEY TO FUND

596
00:16:43,800 --> 00:16:45,300
ORGANIZATIONS, BUT TO

597
00:16:45,300 --> 00:16:47,133
REPRESENTATIVE GONZALES' POINT,

598
00:16:47,133 --> 00:16:49,000
IF YOU SUPPORT THE SIERRA CLUB

599
00:16:49,000 --> 00:16:50,500
AND THE IDEALS, YOU CAN

600
00:16:50,500 --> 00:16:51,400
CERTAINLY GET INVOLVED WITH

601
00:16:51,400 --> 00:16:51,733
THEM.

602
00:16:51,733 --> 00:16:53,633
IF YOU SUPPORT THE NRA, THEY'VE

603
00:16:53,633 --> 00:16:55,333
HAD A BOOMING MEMBERSHIP OVER

604
00:16:55,333 --> 00:16:56,233
THIS GUN DEBATE.

605
00:16:56,233 --> 00:16:58,400
SO HAS THE OTHER SIDE.

606
00:16:58,400 --> 00:16:59,500
I THINK THE LOCAL CITIZENS

607
00:16:59,500 --> 00:17:02,100
SHOULD LOOK TO SUPPORT AND

608
00:17:02,100 --> 00:17:02,600
RESOURCES.

609
00:17:02,600 --> 00:17:03,800
IF YOU DON'T THINK THE SIERRA

610
00:17:03,800 --> 00:17:05,100
CLUB IS DOING ITS JOB, AND

611
00:17:05,100 --> 00:17:06,100
THEY'RE NOT REPRESENTING YOU,

612
00:17:06,100 --> 00:17:07,300
WELL, YOU SHOULD LET THEM KNOW

613
00:17:07,300 --> 00:17:08,500
HOW THEY CAN BETTER REPRESENT

614
00:17:08,500 --> 00:17:08,800
YOU.

615
00:17:08,800 --> 00:17:09,900
IF YOU DON'T THINK THE NRA IS

616
00:17:09,900 --> 00:17:11,133
DOING WHAT YOU WANT, CALL THEM

617
00:17:11,133 --> 00:17:11,600
AND UP TRY TO BAND TOGETHER TO

618
00:17:11,600 --> 00:17:15,133
HAVE AN IMPACT WITHIN THE

619
00:17:15,133 --> 00:17:15,433
ORGANIZATION.

620
00:17:15,433 --> 00:17:17,700
AND THE INFRASTRUCTURE IS THERE

621
00:17:17,700 --> 00:17:19,400
ON A LOT OF THESE ISSUES, WHERE

622
00:17:19,400 --> 00:17:20,833
GRASSROOTS FOLKS CAN ACTUALLY

623
00:17:20,833 --> 00:17:21,733
HELP STEER THOSE ORGANIZATIONS

624
00:17:21,733 --> 00:17:22,800
IN THE DIRECTION THAT THEY WANT

625
00:17:22,800 --> 00:17:27,200
THEM TO GO.

626
00:17:27,200 --> 00:17:28,600
>> SENATOR DAVIS, WHEN PEOPLE

627
00:17:28,600 --> 00:17:30,500
COME TO YOU, IS IT MORE -- IS IT

628
00:17:30,500 --> 00:17:32,400
MORE EFFECTIVE IF THEY HAVE A

629
00:17:32,400 --> 00:17:33,700
NARROW CONCERN THAT THEY'RE

630
00:17:33,700 --> 00:17:35,600
TRYING TO ADDRESS OR WOULD YOU

631
00:17:35,600 --> 00:17:39,400
RATHER HEAR A LAUNDRY LIST OF

632
00:17:39,400 --> 00:17:41,800
COMPLAINTS?

633
00:17:41,800 --> 00:17:43,100
>> WELL, I THIS THINK THE ANSWER

634
00:17:43,100 --> 00:17:44,500
IS PRETTY CLEAR.

635
00:17:44,500 --> 00:17:47,000
A DIRECT, CONCISE, MESSAGE AND A

636
00:17:47,000 --> 00:17:48,800
DIRECT, CONCISE REQUEST OF A

637
00:17:48,800 --> 00:17:50,000
LEGISLATOR IS REALLY HELPFUL.

638
00:17:50,000 --> 00:17:53,633
BAE WAS TALKING ABOUT -- I

639
00:17:53,633 --> 00:17:56,433
KNOW -- BEA WAS TALKING ABOUT,

640
00:17:56,433 --> 00:17:58,033
JOHNATHAN DOES THE SAME, THEY'RE

641
00:17:58,033 --> 00:17:59,500
WORKING TRYING TO PULL MULTIPLE

642
00:17:59,500 --> 00:18:01,100
IDEAS TOGETHER AND PUT THEM IN A

643
00:18:01,100 --> 00:18:02,300
REQUEST THAT MAKES SENSE TO

644
00:18:02,300 --> 00:18:03,700
THEIR LEGISLATORS.

645
00:18:03,700 --> 00:18:06,733
IT DOES HELP US TO BE ABLE TO

646
00:18:06,733 --> 00:18:08,300
CARRY THAT FORWARD IF IT COMES

647
00:18:08,300 --> 00:18:09,333
TO US IN THAT WAY.

648
00:18:09,333 --> 00:18:11,300
BUT WE ALL HAVE WONDERFUL TEAMS

649
00:18:11,300 --> 00:18:12,833
OF PEOPLE WHO WORK FOR US IN OUR

650
00:18:12,833 --> 00:18:14,233
LEGISLATIVE OFFICES AS WELL.

651
00:18:14,233 --> 00:18:16,033
AND THEY'RE SKILLED AND

652
00:18:16,033 --> 00:18:20,000
EXPERIENCED AT HELPING PEOPLE TO

653
00:18:20,000 --> 00:18:21,600
DISTILL THEIR REQUESTS INTO A

654
00:18:21,600 --> 00:18:23,200
DIRECT MESSAGE THAT WE CAN THEN

655
00:18:23,200 --> 00:18:24,800
CARRY FORWARD ON THEIR BEHALF.

656
00:18:24,800 --> 00:18:28,333
SO I WOULD NOT HESITATE TO SAY,

657
00:18:28,333 --> 00:18:29,733
DON'T FEEL AS THOUGH YOU NEED TO

658
00:18:29,733 --> 00:18:32,400
WALK IN YOUR LEGISLATOR'S DOOR,

659
00:18:32,400 --> 00:18:33,300
TERRIBLY ORGANIZED.

660
00:18:33,300 --> 00:18:34,833
JUST COME WITH A PASSION.

661
00:18:34,833 --> 00:18:37,433
COME WITH A REAL CONCERN THAT

662
00:18:37,433 --> 00:18:40,133
MATTERS TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.

663
00:18:40,133 --> 00:18:42,133
AND BRING IT FORWARD IN A WAY

664
00:18:42,133 --> 00:18:45,000
THAT LETS THAT SHINE THROUGH AND

665
00:18:45,000 --> 00:18:46,800
YOU WILL BE HEARD, EVEN IF YOU

666
00:18:46,800 --> 00:18:48,133
DON'T HAVE THE SLICKEST

667
00:18:48,133 --> 00:18:49,633
PRESENTATION BRINGING IT

668
00:18:49,633 --> 00:18:52,533
FORWARD.

669
00:18:52,533 --> 00:18:53,900
>> BUT REPRESENTATIVE GONZALES,

670
00:18:53,900 --> 00:18:55,233
SENATOR DAVIS ALLUDED TO THIS

671
00:18:55,233 --> 00:18:56,600
EARLIER, AS A LAWMAKER THERE'S

672
00:18:56,600 --> 00:18:58,300
ONLY SO MUCH YOU CAN ACCOMPLISH

673
00:18:58,300 --> 00:18:59,400
NO MATTER HOW MUCH YOU WANT TO

674
00:18:59,400 --> 00:19:00,000
HELP SOMEONE.

675
00:19:00,000 --> 00:19:01,533
>> WELL, I MEAN, WHAT WE DO,

676
00:19:01,533 --> 00:19:02,800
TOO, IS THE THINGS WE'RE WORKING

677
00:19:02,800 --> 00:19:04,233
ON NOW DURING SESSION, WE'VE

678
00:19:04,233 --> 00:19:05,400
BEEN WORKING ON SINCE WE LEFT

679
00:19:05,400 --> 00:19:06,500
LAST SESSION.

680
00:19:06,500 --> 00:19:07,300
RIGHT?

681
00:19:07,300 --> 00:19:08,800
THERE ARE MANY THINGS THAT HAVE

682
00:19:08,800 --> 00:19:09,900
BEEN GONE OKAY CONVERSATION WITH

683
00:19:09,900 --> 00:19:10,733
MANY GROUPS.

684
00:19:10,733 --> 00:19:12,400
>> WHAT'S AN EXAMPLE OF THAT?

685
00:19:12,400 --> 00:19:13,600
>> WE'VE BEEN WORKING WITH

686
00:19:13,600 --> 00:19:14,733
FUNERAL HOME LEGISLATION.

687
00:19:14,733 --> 00:19:16,500
THAT HAPPENED PROBABLY SHORTLY

688
00:19:16,500 --> 00:19:18,100
AFTER WE LEFT LAST SATISFACTION.

689
00:19:18,100 --> 00:19:20,100
AND WE'VE TAKEN THE TIME TO

690
00:19:20,100 --> 00:19:21,733
RUN -- LAST SESSION.

691
00:19:21,733 --> 00:19:23,600
WE'VE TAKEN THE TIME TO RUN ALL

692
00:19:23,600 --> 00:19:24,700
THE -- WITH ALL THE DIFFERENT

693
00:19:24,700 --> 00:19:25,633
ORGANIZATIONS THAT HAVE AN

694
00:19:25,633 --> 00:19:26,300
INTEREST IN IT.

695
00:19:26,300 --> 00:19:27,500
WHEN YOU GET HERE, OUR

696
00:19:27,500 --> 00:19:29,400
LEGISLATION IS PRETTY TIGHT.

697
00:19:29,400 --> 00:19:30,733
WE FEEL REALLY GOOD ABOUT WHERE

698
00:19:30,733 --> 00:19:31,533
IT IS RIGHT NOW.

699
00:19:31,533 --> 00:19:33,500
BECAUSE WE'VE RUN THE TRAPS THE

700
00:19:33,500 --> 00:19:34,733
LAST YEAR AND A HALF.

701
00:19:34,733 --> 00:19:36,800
I THINK WHAT -- WE TALKED ABOUT

702
00:19:36,800 --> 00:19:39,200
EARLIER ABOUT THE LOBBYISTS, THE

703
00:19:39,200 --> 00:19:40,900
REALLY GOOD ONES, THE PAID

704
00:19:40,900 --> 00:19:42,833
LOBBYISTS, THEY WILL COME IN

705
00:19:42,833 --> 00:19:44,600
WITH SOMEBODY FROM YOUR

706
00:19:44,600 --> 00:19:44,900
COMMUNITY.

707
00:19:44,900 --> 00:19:46,200
SO WHEN THE ARCHITECTS COME INTO

708
00:19:46,200 --> 00:19:47,700
THE OFFICE TODAY, THEY'RE WITH

709
00:19:47,700 --> 00:19:49,500
ONE OF MY LOCAL ARCHITECTS.

710
00:19:49,500 --> 00:19:52,000
JOHN MOMMAN WHO HAPPENS TO BE A

711
00:19:52,000 --> 00:19:53,433
CITY COUNCILWOMAN AND THERE'S

712
00:19:53,433 --> 00:19:54,400
THAT CONNECTION THERE.

713
00:19:54,400 --> 00:19:57,133
I SEE -- COUNCILMAN AND THERE'S

714
00:19:57,133 --> 00:19:57,833
THAT CONNECTION THERE.

715
00:19:57,833 --> 00:19:59,500
I SEE JOHN ALL OVER THE PLACE.

716
00:19:59,500 --> 00:20:01,000
WHEN THEY WALK IN, THEY ARE

717
00:20:01,000 --> 00:20:03,733
WALKING IN WITH JOHN SO THERE'S

718
00:20:03,733 --> 00:20:05,100
THAT KIND OF CONNECTION, BRING

719
00:20:05,100 --> 00:20:05,900
SOMEONE WITH THE DISTRICT WITH

720
00:20:05,900 --> 00:20:07,000
YOU WHO HELPS MAKE THAT

721
00:20:07,000 --> 00:20:08,000
CONNECTION, BECAUSE JOHN AND I

722
00:20:08,000 --> 00:20:09,800
HAVE HAD THAT RELATIONSHIP FOR

723
00:20:09,800 --> 00:20:11,033
MANY YEARS, LONG BEFORE I WAS

724
00:20:11,033 --> 00:20:11,500
ELECTED.

725
00:20:11,500 --> 00:20:12,800
>> WITH THE TEXAS LEGISLATIVE

726
00:20:12,800 --> 00:20:15,233
SESSION UNDERWAY, WHAT ARE SOME

727
00:20:15,233 --> 00:20:16,400
PRACTICAL WAYS FOR PEOPLE TO

728
00:20:16,400 --> 00:20:18,600
TAKE THEIR CONCERNS TO -- OR

729
00:20:18,600 --> 00:20:19,500
ISSUES TO THE CAPITOL.

730
00:20:19,500 --> 00:20:23,033
WE WANT TO BEGIN BY HEARING

731
00:20:23,033 --> 00:20:24,300
ABOUT SOME OF THE IDEAS THAT

732
00:20:24,300 --> 00:20:26,833
PEOPLE CAME ONE DURING THE WHY

733
00:20:26,833 --> 00:20:28,700
BOTHER DIALOGUE WE HELD IN

734
00:20:28,700 --> 00:20:30,100
DECEMBER.

735
00:20:30,100 --> 00:20:33,400
ANN BEESON IS --

736
00:20:33,400 --> 00:20:34,900
>> THANK YOU, NATHAN.

737
00:20:34,900 --> 00:20:36,433
ONE OF THE GOALS OF OUR WHY

738
00:20:36,433 --> 00:20:38,933
BOTHER SERIES IS TO HEAR

739
00:20:38,933 --> 00:20:40,000
DIRECTLY FROM CITIZENS AND

740
00:20:40,000 --> 00:20:41,500
DURING OUR CONVERSATION LAST

741
00:20:41,500 --> 00:20:42,700
DECEMBER AT AUSTIN COMMUNITY

742
00:20:42,700 --> 00:20:44,000
COLLEGE, CITIZENS WORKED

743
00:20:44,000 --> 00:20:45,333
TOGETHER IN ROUND TABLES TO

744
00:20:45,333 --> 00:20:46,600
IDENTIFY CHALLENGES AND DEVELOP

745
00:20:46,600 --> 00:20:48,000
SUGGESTIONS FOR HOW TO GET MORE

746
00:20:48,000 --> 00:20:49,133
PEOPLE ENGAGED.

747
00:20:49,133 --> 00:20:50,100
THEY OFFERED A NUMBER OF

748
00:20:50,100 --> 00:20:51,500
INTERESTING INSIGHTS ABOUT THE

749
00:20:51,500 --> 00:20:52,000
PROBLEM.

750
00:20:52,000 --> 00:20:53,800
ONE CITIZEN SAID, WE NEED TO

751
00:20:53,800 --> 00:20:55,900
MOVE FROM A CONSUMER VIEW,

752
00:20:55,900 --> 00:20:57,400
VOTING FOR WHO GIVES ME THE MOST

753
00:20:57,400 --> 00:20:59,100
OF WHAT I WANT, TO A

754
00:20:59,100 --> 00:21:00,900
COLLABORATIVE VIEW, CITIZENSHIP

755
00:21:00,900 --> 00:21:01,700
AS A VERB.

756
00:21:01,700 --> 00:21:03,700
WE NEED TO ENFRANCHISE PEOPLE

757
00:21:03,700 --> 00:21:05,900
AROUND ACTION, NOT JUST VOTING.

758
00:21:05,900 --> 00:21:07,733
CITIZENS ALSO CAME UP WITH SOME

759
00:21:07,733 --> 00:21:09,433
CONCRETE SOLUTIONS AND I WANTED

760
00:21:09,433 --> 00:21:11,200
TO SHARE A FEW OF THEM WITH YOU

761
00:21:11,200 --> 00:21:11,600
TONIGHT.

762
00:21:11,600 --> 00:21:12,900
ONE GROUP SAID, WE SHOULD

763
00:21:12,900 --> 00:21:14,833
REQUIRE ELECTED OFFICIALS TO

764
00:21:14,833 --> 00:21:16,500
SPEND MORE TIME IN NEIGHBORHOODS

765
00:21:16,500 --> 00:21:17,133
THEY REPRESENT.

766
00:21:17,133 --> 00:21:19,900
ANOTHER GROUP SAID, WE SHOULD

767
00:21:19,900 --> 00:21:21,433
CREATE BETTER SPACES FOR CIVIC

768
00:21:21,433 --> 00:21:22,600
ENGAGEMENT AND MORE

769
00:21:22,600 --> 00:21:23,700
OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE TO

770
00:21:23,700 --> 00:21:24,600
CONNECT IN THEIR OWN

771
00:21:24,600 --> 00:21:25,200
NEIGHBORHOODS.

772
00:21:25,200 --> 00:21:27,600
AND FINALLY, A GROUP SAID, WE

773
00:21:27,600 --> 00:21:28,800
SHOULD MAKE IT EASIER FOR

774
00:21:28,800 --> 00:21:30,733
CITIZENS TO UNDERSTAND WHAT'S AT

775
00:21:30,733 --> 00:21:32,700
STAKE IN POLICY DEBATES BY

776
00:21:32,700 --> 00:21:34,200
EXPLAINING HOW SPECIFIC BILLS

777
00:21:34,200 --> 00:21:35,600
WOULD ACTUALLY AFFECT PEOPLE'S

778
00:21:35,600 --> 00:21:36,100
LIVES.

779
00:21:36,100 --> 00:21:38,300
I'M EAGER TO HEAR MORE IDEAS

780
00:21:38,300 --> 00:21:39,933
FROM THOSE OF YOU HERE WITH US

781
00:21:39,933 --> 00:21:41,100
IN THE AUDIENCE TONIGHT, BUT

782
00:21:41,100 --> 00:21:42,100
FIRST LET'S HEAR WHAT OUR

783
00:21:42,100 --> 00:21:43,100
SPEAKERS THINK OF THESE

784
00:21:43,100 --> 00:21:43,500
SUGGESTIONS.

785
00:21:43,500 --> 00:21:45,500
NATHAN?

786
00:21:45,500 --> 00:21:46,933
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

787
00:21:46,933 --> 00:21:48,233
LET'S START WITH YOU, BECAUSE WE

788
00:21:48,233 --> 00:21:49,100
LEFT OFF WITH YOU,

789
00:21:49,100 --> 00:21:50,133
REPRESENTATIVE GONZALES.

790
00:21:50,133 --> 00:21:50,733
>> OKAY.

791
00:21:50,733 --> 00:21:51,700
>> WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT SOME

792
00:21:51,700 --> 00:21:53,100
OF THOSE SUGGESTIONS?

793
00:21:53,100 --> 00:21:56,133
DO ANY OF THEM SOUND PROMISING

794
00:21:56,133 --> 00:21:56,533
TO YOU?

795
00:21:56,533 --> 00:21:57,033
>> ABSOLUTELY.

796
00:21:57,033 --> 00:21:58,500
IT'S UNDERSTANDING JUST THE

797
00:21:58,500 --> 00:22:00,500
CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY OF THE

798
00:22:00,500 --> 00:22:03,200
TAXPAYER, TO BE INVOLVED.

799
00:22:03,200 --> 00:22:04,200
YOU KNOW, SHOWING UP TO

800
00:22:04,200 --> 00:22:05,600
DIFFERENT EVENTS IS CLEARLY VERY

801
00:22:05,600 --> 00:22:06,000
IMPORTANT.

802
00:22:06,000 --> 00:22:08,533
I MEAN, TO THE ONE THAT TALKED

803
00:22:08,533 --> 00:22:10,433
ABOUT ELECTED OFFICIALS BEING

804
00:22:10,433 --> 00:22:12,833
AVAILABLE AND ACCESSIBLE, WE GO

805
00:22:12,833 --> 00:22:13,400
TO EVERYTHING.

806
00:22:13,400 --> 00:22:15,300
IT IS ALL ENCOMPASSING.

807
00:22:15,300 --> 00:22:17,700
LUCKILY, MY DISTRICT IS PRETTY

808
00:22:17,700 --> 00:22:18,400
COMPACT.

809
00:22:18,400 --> 00:22:20,533
I'M IN A HOUSE DISTRICT THAT'S

810
00:22:20,533 --> 00:22:25,000
PROBABLY 25 MINUTES END TO END.

811
00:22:25,000 --> 00:22:28,300
IT'S A LITTLE LESS PRACTICAL IN

812
00:22:28,300 --> 00:22:29,500
YOU'RE IN A DISTRICT THAT COVERS

813
00:22:29,500 --> 00:22:30,833
18 OR 22 COUNTIES.

814
00:22:30,833 --> 00:22:32,433
BUT MODERN TECHNOLOGY HAS MADE

815
00:22:32,433 --> 00:22:34,033
IT MUCH EASIER TO CONTACT US.

816
00:22:34,033 --> 00:22:35,100
THERE'S NO DOUBT ABOUT IT.

817
00:22:35,100 --> 00:22:35,900
TO ENGAGE WITH US.

818
00:22:35,900 --> 00:22:37,300
WHAT I WOULD SUGGEST, ONE OF THE

819
00:22:37,300 --> 00:22:38,200
IMPORTANT THINGS TO DO WOULD BE

820
00:22:38,200 --> 00:22:39,600
TO PICK UP THE PHONE AND CALL.

821
00:22:39,600 --> 00:22:41,800
THE EMAILS ARE GREAT.

822
00:22:41,800 --> 00:22:43,800
BUT THERE'S NOTHING LIKE HEARING

823
00:22:43,800 --> 00:22:46,000
FROM SOMEBODY ON THE TELEPHONE,

824
00:22:46,000 --> 00:22:47,600
JUST TAKING THE TIME TO CALL AND

825
00:22:47,600 --> 00:22:49,900
VISIT WITH THEM ONE-ON-ONE,

826
00:22:49,900 --> 00:22:50,900
BECAUSE THEN I CAN GET ON THE

827
00:22:50,900 --> 00:22:51,933
PHONE ON AS WELL AND I CAN TALK

828
00:22:51,933 --> 00:22:53,500
TO THEM ONE-ON-ONE LIKE THAT.

829
00:22:53,500 --> 00:22:55,200
SO YES, IT'S GREAT.

830
00:22:55,200 --> 00:22:56,600
BUT THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS ON

831
00:22:56,600 --> 00:22:58,700
THE CITIZEN SIDE, TOO, TO BE

832
00:22:58,700 --> 00:23:00,233
PRO-ACTIVE, AND MAKING THOSE

833
00:23:00,233 --> 00:23:01,300
CONNECTIONS.

834
00:23:01,300 --> 00:23:03,133
>> SENATOR DAVIS, WHAT CAN

835
00:23:03,133 --> 00:23:05,300
LAWMAKERS DO TO GET MORE INPUT

836
00:23:05,300 --> 00:23:06,500
FROM CITIZENS?

837
00:23:06,500 --> 00:23:08,100
>> WE HAVE TO FULFILL OUR

838
00:23:08,100 --> 00:23:10,433
RESPONSIBILITIES TO REACH OUT TO

839
00:23:10,433 --> 00:23:13,033
OUR COMMUNITY AND MAKE SURE AS

840
00:23:13,033 --> 00:23:15,400
FRANKLIN ROOSEVELT DID, THAT THE

841
00:23:15,400 --> 00:23:16,533
ISSUES THAT WE'RE WORKING ON

842
00:23:16,533 --> 00:23:19,400
WITH REALLY REFLECTIVE OF THE

843
00:23:19,400 --> 00:23:20,500
PRIORITIES OF OUR COMMUNITY.

844
00:23:20,500 --> 00:23:21,600
AND WE TRY TO DO THAT THROUGH

845
00:23:21,600 --> 00:23:23,100
OUR SENATE OFFICE IN A NUMBER OF

846
00:23:23,100 --> 00:23:24,600
WAYS.

847
00:23:24,600 --> 00:23:26,833
I REPRESENT ABOUT 830,000

848
00:23:26,833 --> 00:23:28,033
PEOPLE, SO IT CAN BE

849
00:23:28,033 --> 00:23:28,600
CHALLENGING.

850
00:23:28,600 --> 00:23:30,900
BUT WE ESTABLISH TOWN HALL

851
00:23:30,900 --> 00:23:31,200
MEETINGS.

852
00:23:31,200 --> 00:23:33,300
WE TRY TO HOLD THEM THROUGHOUT

853
00:23:33,300 --> 00:23:34,600
THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION AND THEN

854
00:23:34,600 --> 00:23:36,433
ALSO IN THE INTERIM SO THAT

855
00:23:36,433 --> 00:23:37,900
WE'RE GATHERING INPUT, WE'RE NOT

856
00:23:37,900 --> 00:23:39,900
WAITING UNTIL WE'RE IN THAT

857
00:23:39,900 --> 00:23:42,100
140-DAY PERIOD BEFORE WE BEGIN

858
00:23:42,100 --> 00:23:43,533
THE WORK WE NEED TO ENGAGE IN.

859
00:23:43,533 --> 00:23:46,533
AND WE ALSO OUTLIZE TELEPHONIC

860
00:23:46,533 --> 00:23:48,433
TOWN HALLS WHERE WE CALL

861
00:23:48,433 --> 00:23:50,200
THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ACROSS THE

862
00:23:50,200 --> 00:23:51,200
DISTRICT, ANNOUNCE THAT WE'RE

863
00:23:51,200 --> 00:23:53,433
HAVING A TELEPHONIC TOWN HALL

864
00:23:53,433 --> 00:23:54,733
AND INVITE THEM TO STAY ON THE

865
00:23:54,733 --> 00:23:55,033
LINE.

866
00:23:55,033 --> 00:23:56,600
WE TYPICALLY DO IT TOPIC BY

867
00:23:56,600 --> 00:23:58,600
TOPIC.

868
00:23:58,600 --> 00:23:59,700
WE HAD SEVERAL DURING THE

869
00:23:59,700 --> 00:24:01,000
INTERIM TO TALK ABOUT SCHOOL

870
00:24:01,000 --> 00:24:03,933
FUNDING, TO TALK ABOUT WOMEN'S

871
00:24:03,933 --> 00:24:05,433
HEALTH CARE, AND TO HEAR OUR

872
00:24:05,433 --> 00:24:07,100
COMMUNITY VOICES AND CONCERNS

873
00:24:07,100 --> 00:24:08,500
ABOUT THOSE PARTICULAR ISSUES.

874
00:24:08,500 --> 00:24:10,300
AND WE FIND THAT THOSE HAVE

875
00:24:10,300 --> 00:24:10,900
WORKED VERY WELL.

876
00:24:10,900 --> 00:24:12,100
AND THEN EACH OF US OF COURSE

877
00:24:12,100 --> 00:24:13,500
HAVE DISTRICT OFFICES.

878
00:24:13,500 --> 00:24:14,433
SOME OF US HAVE MORE THAN ONE

879
00:24:14,433 --> 00:24:15,800
DISTRICT OFFICE, DEPENDING ON

880
00:24:15,800 --> 00:24:17,400
HOW LARGE OUR DISTRICTS ARE.

881
00:24:17,400 --> 00:24:19,500
AND THOSE PROVIDE A REALLY GOOD

882
00:24:19,500 --> 00:24:22,100
CONDUIT TOO, FOR PEOPLE TO COME

883
00:24:22,100 --> 00:24:24,833
IN IN PERSON, MEET WITH US OR

884
00:24:24,833 --> 00:24:26,400
MEMBERS OF OUR STAFF TO MAKE

885
00:24:26,400 --> 00:24:27,733
SMUR THAT THEIR ISSUES ARE BEING

886
00:24:27,733 --> 00:24:29,300
RECOGNIZED.

887
00:24:29,300 --> 00:24:30,900
>> BEA, DO ANY OF THOSE THINGS

888
00:24:30,900 --> 00:24:31,600
WORK FOR YOU?

889
00:24:31,600 --> 00:24:34,100
WHAT'S THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAY TO

890
00:24:34,100 --> 00:24:35,100
ADVANCE YOUR AGENDA IN THE

891
00:24:35,100 --> 00:24:35,600
LEGISLATURE?

892
00:24:35,600 --> 00:24:38,533
HOW DOW DO IT?

893
00:24:38,533 --> 00:24:41,600
>> WE USE EVERY TRICK IN THE

894
00:24:41,600 --> 00:24:42,000
BOOK.

895
00:24:42,000 --> 00:24:43,600
>> TELL ME ALL YOUR TRICKS.

896
00:24:43,600 --> 00:24:45,533
>> JUST TO KIND OF PICK UP ON

897
00:24:45,533 --> 00:24:47,500
THIS -- WHEN SAYING LEGISLATORS

898
00:24:47,500 --> 00:24:48,900
SHOULD GO OUT INTO THE

899
00:24:48,900 --> 00:24:50,733
NEIGHBORHOOD -- I HAVE A STORY

900
00:24:50,733 --> 00:24:51,900
THAT HAPPENED RECENTLY THAT I

901
00:24:51,900 --> 00:24:53,000
THINK WAS REALLY INTERESTING AND

902
00:24:53,000 --> 00:24:54,233
IT KIND OF BRINGS UP SOME OF

903
00:24:54,233 --> 00:24:56,100
THE -- WHY SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T

904
00:24:56,100 --> 00:24:57,200
WORK LIKE WE THINK IT'S GOING

905
00:24:57,200 --> 00:24:57,500
TO.

906
00:24:57,500 --> 00:24:58,833
I WENT OUT AND WAS SPEAKING TO

907
00:24:58,833 --> 00:25:00,300
SOME PEOPLE AT A CHURCH AND THEY

908
00:25:00,300 --> 00:25:01,600
KNEW WHO THEIR LEGISLATOR WAS

909
00:25:01,600 --> 00:25:02,600
GOING TO BE.

910
00:25:02,600 --> 00:25:04,300
AND MANY OF THEM WEREN'T VERY

911
00:25:04,300 --> 00:25:05,700
HAPPY ABOUT IT AND THEY WERE

912
00:25:05,700 --> 00:25:07,000
KIND OF GRUMBLING AND I SAID,

913
00:25:07,000 --> 00:25:08,333
HOW MANY OF YOU HAVE EVER MET

914
00:25:08,333 --> 00:25:08,700
THEM.

915
00:25:08,700 --> 00:25:10,300
AND THEY ALL SAID, OH, NO, THEY

916
00:25:10,300 --> 00:25:11,700
HAD NEVER MET THEM AND THEY

917
00:25:11,700 --> 00:25:13,033
DIDN'T THINK THEY'D LIKE HIM AND

918
00:25:13,033 --> 00:25:14,833
THEY DIDN'T THINK THE LEGISLATOR

919
00:25:14,833 --> 00:25:15,533
WOULD LIKE THEM.

920
00:25:15,533 --> 00:25:17,333
I SAID, HAVE YOU EVER, YOU KNOW,

921
00:25:17,333 --> 00:25:19,500
CONSIDERED HAVING THEM COME OVER

922
00:25:19,500 --> 00:25:20,900
LIKE FOR COFFEE AND THEY'RE

923
00:25:20,900 --> 00:25:22,333
LIKE, THEY WOULDN'T COME.

924
00:25:22,333 --> 00:25:24,333
THEY -- AND I SAID, WELL, I

925
00:25:24,333 --> 00:25:25,533
DON'T WANT TO HEAR ABOUT IT

926
00:25:25,533 --> 00:25:28,100
UNTIL YOU TELL ME THAT YOU'VE

927
00:25:28,100 --> 00:25:29,400
TRIED INVITING THEM AND IT

928
00:25:29,400 --> 00:25:30,100
DIDN'T WORK.

929
00:25:30,100 --> 00:25:32,433
THEY CALLED ME SHEEPISHLY A

930
00:25:32,433 --> 00:25:34,333
COUPLE DAYS LATER AND THEY SAID,

931
00:25:34,333 --> 00:25:35,600
ACTUALLY IT TURNED OUT THAT THEY

932
00:25:35,600 --> 00:25:36,733
HAD CALLED AND THE LEGISLATURE

933
00:25:36,733 --> 00:25:38,500
WAS VERY EXCITED TO COME TO

934
00:25:38,500 --> 00:25:39,600
CHURCH TO HAVE A COFFEE AND

935
00:25:39,600 --> 00:25:41,200
THEY'RE ALL GOING TO MEET EACH

936
00:25:41,200 --> 00:25:41,500
OTHER.

937
00:25:41,500 --> 00:25:42,500
SO YOU KNOW, SOMETIMES IT'S THE

938
00:25:42,500 --> 00:25:43,733
LEGISLATOR NOT WORKING OUT.

939
00:25:43,733 --> 00:25:45,733
BUT SOMETIMES IT'S PEOPLE IN THE

940
00:25:45,733 --> 00:25:48,633
COMMUNITY NOT BEING WILLING TO

941
00:25:48,633 --> 00:25:50,400
MEET THEM HALFWAY AND I THINK

942
00:25:50,400 --> 00:25:52,100
THAT'S THE HUGE SHAME, IS JUST

943
00:25:52,100 --> 00:25:52,700
LIKE IN THE PERSONAL

944
00:25:52,700 --> 00:25:53,400
RELATIONSHIP.

945
00:25:53,400 --> 00:25:55,633
EVERYBODY WONDERS WHY NOBODY

946
00:25:55,633 --> 00:25:56,100
CALLS.

947
00:25:56,100 --> 00:25:57,300
>> YOU TALKED ABOUT -- YOU'VE

948
00:25:57,300 --> 00:25:59,300
TALKED ABOUT THIS IN YOUR WORK

949
00:25:59,300 --> 00:26:00,100
IN THE CAPITOL.

950
00:26:00,100 --> 00:26:02,800
BRINGING PEOPLE TO U.S.

951
00:26:02,800 --> 00:26:04,333
SENATORS' OFFICES AND THEY WERE

952
00:26:04,333 --> 00:26:05,733
SURPRISED THAT THEY COULD GO AND

953
00:26:05,733 --> 00:26:07,100
UP KNOCK ON THE DOOR.

954
00:26:07,100 --> 00:26:08,100
>> RIGHT, WE HAD THOUSANDS OF

955
00:26:08,100 --> 00:26:09,433
PEOPLE IN TOWN FOR A BIG RALLY

956
00:26:09,433 --> 00:26:11,700
AND AT THE THE END OF SAID,

957
00:26:11,700 --> 00:26:13,000
LET'S HEAD OVER TO THE SENATE

958
00:26:13,000 --> 00:26:15,100
OFFICE GLIS GO FIND THESE GUYS

959
00:26:15,100 --> 00:26:16,233
AND TALK TO THEM ABOUT WHAT IT

960
00:26:16,233 --> 00:26:18,500
IS WE GAR ABOUT AND PEOPLE

961
00:26:18,500 --> 00:26:20,433
DIDN'T KNOW WHERE TO FIND THEM.

962
00:26:20,433 --> 00:26:21,600
THEY DIDN'T KNOW THE PROCESS.

963
00:26:21,600 --> 00:26:23,000
AND NO ONE IS REALLY TO BLAME

964
00:26:23,000 --> 00:26:24,633
FOR THAT OTHER THAN, I SAW MY

965
00:26:24,633 --> 00:26:25,933
JOB AS LOWERING THE BARRIER TO

966
00:26:25,933 --> 00:26:27,600
ENTRIES FOR POLITICS AND

967
00:26:27,600 --> 00:26:28,000
PARTICIPATION.

968
00:26:28,000 --> 00:26:29,200
AND WHAT EVERYONE IS TALKING

969
00:26:29,200 --> 00:26:32,100
ABOUT, THE PARTICIPANTS IN THIS

970
00:26:32,100 --> 00:26:34,333
DISCUSSION, IS THAT A

971
00:26:34,333 --> 00:26:36,633
DEMTYSATION OF POLITICS WHICH IS

972
00:26:36,633 --> 00:26:37,133
HAPPENING.

973
00:26:37,133 --> 00:26:38,200
IT IS A GOOD THING.

974
00:26:38,200 --> 00:26:39,200
AND IT'S JUST GOING TO BE A

975
00:26:39,200 --> 00:26:41,000
LITTLE BIT OF CHAOS FOR A WHILE

976
00:26:41,000 --> 00:26:42,100
UNTIL WE FIGURE OUT THE BEST

977
00:26:42,100 --> 00:26:43,300
TOOLS AND TECHNOLOGIES.

978
00:26:43,300 --> 00:26:44,433
BUT THAT'S A GOOD THING.

979
00:26:44,433 --> 00:26:45,900
I THINK WE'VE LOWERED THAT

980
00:26:45,900 --> 00:26:47,333
BARRIER AND IT WILL CONTINUE TO

981
00:26:47,333 --> 00:26:48,600
GET CHEAPER AND CHEAPER THIS

982
00:26:48,600 --> 00:26:49,700
TERMS OF TIME AND MONEY FOR

983
00:26:49,700 --> 00:26:51,133
CITIZENS TO GET ENGAGED.

984
00:26:51,133 --> 00:26:53,100
>> BEA, YOU'VE GOT TO TELL ME

985
00:26:53,100 --> 00:26:54,033
SOME OF THOSE TRICKS YOU WERE

986
00:26:54,033 --> 00:26:55,233
TALKING ABOUT.

987
00:26:55,233 --> 00:26:56,033
>> WELL --

988
00:26:56,033 --> 00:26:57,633
>> BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT THIS IS

989
00:26:57,633 --> 00:26:58,133
ABOUT.

990
00:26:58,133 --> 00:26:59,100
>> RIGHT, EVERYBODY WANTS TO

991
00:26:59,100 --> 00:26:59,800
HEAR THE TRICKS.

992
00:26:59,800 --> 00:27:01,500
>> WE ALL ARE PRETTY FAMILIAR

993
00:27:01,500 --> 00:27:02,633
MOST OF US WITH THE STANDARD

994
00:27:02,633 --> 00:27:04,000
WAYS THAT WE CAN ENGAGE WITH OUR

995
00:27:04,000 --> 00:27:04,500
LEGISLATORS.

996
00:27:04,500 --> 00:27:06,433
BUT ARE THERE ANY -- ANYTHING

997
00:27:06,433 --> 00:27:08,233
THAT YOU MIGHT -- WE MIGHT NOT

998
00:27:08,233 --> 00:27:09,200
THINK OF.

999
00:27:09,200 --> 00:27:12,300
>> I MEAN, I THINK THE -- ONE OF

1000
00:27:12,300 --> 00:27:13,833
THE THINGS THAT WE TALK TO

1001
00:27:13,833 --> 00:27:17,033
PEOPLE ABOUT, AND I DON'T -- I

1002
00:27:17,033 --> 00:27:18,733
HOPE THIS IS GETTING OUT WHAT

1003
00:27:18,733 --> 00:27:19,333
YOU'RE ASKING.

1004
00:27:19,333 --> 00:27:21,600
WE TRY -- WE ASK THEM TO TRY TO

1005
00:27:21,600 --> 00:27:24,300
THINK CREATIVELY ABOUT HOW TO BE

1006
00:27:24,300 --> 00:27:25,533
IN RELATIONSHIP WITH A

1007
00:27:25,533 --> 00:27:26,300
LEGISLATOR.

1008
00:27:26,300 --> 00:27:30,933
SO HOW TO -- HOW TO DEVELOP A

1009
00:27:30,933 --> 00:27:32,300
COMMUNICATION WITH THEM THAT'S

1010
00:27:32,300 --> 00:27:33,800
ONGOING, THAT HAS TO DO WITH

1011
00:27:33,800 --> 00:27:35,033
WHAT THEY HAVE IN COMMON IN THE

1012
00:27:35,033 --> 00:27:37,200
COMMUNITY, AND IF THEY DON'T

1013
00:27:37,200 --> 00:27:38,433
HAVE SOMETHING IN COMMON, IF

1014
00:27:38,433 --> 00:27:41,433
THEY DON'T FEEL LIKE THEY HAVE

1015
00:27:41,433 --> 00:27:42,333
VERY GOOD BASIS FOR A

1016
00:27:42,333 --> 00:27:44,700
RELATIONSHIP, WHAT WE SAY IS,

1017
00:27:44,700 --> 00:27:48,033
THE -- IT'S ALL CONNECTED.

1018
00:27:48,033 --> 00:27:49,200
SO IF YOU'RE NOT THE RIGHT

1019
00:27:49,200 --> 00:27:52,000
PERSON, MAYBE WE BETTER, IF I

1020
00:27:52,000 --> 00:27:53,233
DON'T EVEN TRY TO TALK TO YOU

1021
00:27:53,233 --> 00:27:54,700
DIRECTLY, MAYBE WHAT I NEED TO

1022
00:27:54,700 --> 00:27:56,700
DO IS BE IN RELATIONSHIP WITH MY

1023
00:27:56,700 --> 00:27:57,733
WHOLE COMMUNITY AND FIND

1024
00:27:57,733 --> 00:27:59,800
SOMEBODY ELSE WHO CAN GO TALK TO

1025
00:27:59,800 --> 00:28:00,133
YOU.

1026
00:28:00,133 --> 00:28:01,600
SO THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS THAT

1027
00:28:01,600 --> 00:28:03,600
WE DO IS TO TRY TO GET PEOPLE TO

1028
00:28:03,600 --> 00:28:04,800
UNDERSTAND THEMSELVES, NOT JUST

1029
00:28:04,800 --> 00:28:06,500
AS A CONSUMER LIKE ANN WAS

1030
00:28:06,500 --> 00:28:09,233
SAYING, OF A POLITICAL PRODUCT

1031
00:28:09,233 --> 00:28:10,800
BUT A PARTICIPANT IN A PROCESS

1032
00:28:10,800 --> 00:28:12,900
WHERE I MAY NOT BE -- I MAY NOT

1033
00:28:12,900 --> 00:28:15,400
BE THE STAR OF IT ALL THE TIME.

1034
00:28:15,400 --> 00:28:16,000
>> RIGHT.

1035
00:28:16,000 --> 00:28:18,833
IN TERMS OF DIRECT DEMOCRACY,

1036
00:28:18,833 --> 00:28:20,300
TEXANS HAVE ACCESS TO AT LEAST

1037
00:28:20,300 --> 00:28:21,800
ONE FORM OF THAT.

1038
00:28:21,800 --> 00:28:24,000
WE CAN RATIFY AND REJECT

1039
00:28:24,000 --> 00:28:24,700
AMENDMENTS TO THE STATE

1040
00:28:24,700 --> 00:28:26,200
CONSTITUTION, RIGHT?

1041
00:28:26,200 --> 00:28:27,300
BUT THERE'S A LOT OF STUFF WE

1042
00:28:27,300 --> 00:28:28,100
CAN'T DO.

1043
00:28:28,100 --> 00:28:29,633
WE CAN'T RECALL STATE LAWMAKERS,

1044
00:28:29,633 --> 00:28:31,233
ALTHOUGH I THINK THAT CAN BE

1045
00:28:31,233 --> 00:28:34,533
DONE IN SOME HOME RURAL CITIES,

1046
00:28:34,533 --> 00:28:36,100
RECALLING COUNSELORS, BUT AT THE

1047
00:28:36,100 --> 00:28:38,100
STATE -- COUNCILORS, BUT AT THE

1048
00:28:38,100 --> 00:28:40,133
STATE LEVEL, WE DON'T HAVE THE

1049
00:28:40,133 --> 00:28:41,600
ABILITY TO CREATE A PETITION AND

1050
00:28:41,600 --> 00:28:43,533
GET A LAW ON THE BOOKS.

1051
00:28:43,533 --> 00:28:45,733
IS THAT TYPE OF THING HEALTHY

1052
00:28:45,733 --> 00:28:47,700
FOR THIS SORT OF REPRESENTATIVE

1053
00:28:47,700 --> 00:28:48,900
SYSTEM, SENATOR DAVIS?

1054
00:28:48,900 --> 00:28:51,200
>> WELL, I THINK ONE OF THE

1055
00:28:51,200 --> 00:28:53,000
ISSUES THAT WE CONFRONT IN

1056
00:28:53,000 --> 00:28:54,300
TEXAS, AND IT'S HAPPENED IN

1057
00:28:54,300 --> 00:28:56,233
OTHER COUNTRIES A -- OR OTHER

1058
00:28:56,233 --> 00:28:57,500
STATES, EXCUSE ME, ACROSS THE

1059
00:28:57,500 --> 00:28:59,900
COUNTRY AS WELL, AND THAT IS

1060
00:28:59,900 --> 00:29:00,900
THROUGH THE REDISTRICTING

1061
00:29:00,900 --> 00:29:05,133
PROCESS, VERY PURE PARTISAN

1062
00:29:05,133 --> 00:29:06,700
DISTRICTS HAVE BEEN CREATED.

1063
00:29:06,700 --> 00:29:09,033
AND I THINK IT'S REALLY LED TO A

1064
00:29:09,033 --> 00:29:14,700
SENSE OF DISENFRANCHISEMENT,

1065
00:29:14,700 --> 00:29:16,433
DISCOURAGEMENT BY OUR SAYSRY.

1066
00:29:16,433 --> 00:29:17,933
I -- CITIZENRY.

1067
00:29:17,933 --> 00:29:19,900
I MAY BE A PROGRESSIVE WHO LIVES

1068
00:29:19,900 --> 00:29:21,333
IN A VERY CONSERVATIVE DISTRICT

1069
00:29:21,333 --> 00:29:23,400
WHERE THE REAL CONVERSATION IS

1070
00:29:23,400 --> 00:29:26,400
TAKING PLACE IN PARTY PRIMARIES.

1071
00:29:26,400 --> 00:29:28,333
AND THERE REALLY ISN'T A GENERAL

1072
00:29:28,333 --> 00:29:29,700
ELECTION CONVERSATION THAT GOES

1073
00:29:29,700 --> 00:29:30,100
ON.

1074
00:29:30,100 --> 00:29:32,633
AND I MAY FEEL -- I MAY ASSUME

1075
00:29:32,633 --> 00:29:34,500
THAT A PERSON WHO'S

1076
00:29:34,500 --> 00:29:36,400
REPRESENTED -- OR ELECTED,

1077
00:29:36,400 --> 00:29:37,900
EXCUSE ME N THAT DISTRICT WON'T

1078
00:29:37,900 --> 00:29:39,433
REPRESENT -- MEAN N THAT

1079
00:29:39,433 --> 00:29:40,600
DISTRICT WON'T HEALTH DEPARTMENT

1080
00:29:40,600 --> 00:29:42,400
MY PARTICULAR CONCERNS, SO I MAY

1081
00:29:42,400 --> 00:29:46,400
WITHDRAW -- REPRESENT MY

1082
00:29:46,400 --> 00:29:47,600
PARTICULAR CONCERNS, SO I MAY

1083
00:29:47,600 --> 00:29:49,800
WITH YOU DRAW COMPLETELY UNTIL

1084
00:29:49,800 --> 00:29:50,533
THEY CAN CONSIDER MY

1085
00:29:50,533 --> 00:29:50,833
PERSPECTIVE.

1086
00:29:50,833 --> 00:29:51,600
IT IS WHAT IT IS.

1087
00:29:51,600 --> 00:29:54,633
AND THAT IS THE EXISTING

1088
00:29:54,633 --> 00:29:56,000
CIRCUMSTANCE THAT WE HAVE IN THE

1089
00:29:56,000 --> 00:29:57,000
STATE OF TEXAS TODAY.

1090
00:29:57,000 --> 00:29:59,200
SO I WOULD JUST ENCOURAGE

1091
00:29:59,200 --> 00:30:00,533
PEOPLE, WHETHER YOU FEEL THAT

1092
00:30:00,533 --> 00:30:05,233
THAT REPRESENTATIVE IS --

1093
00:30:05,233 --> 00:30:06,300
PARTICULAR REPRESENTATIVE IS A

1094
00:30:06,300 --> 00:30:08,100
PERSON OF YOUR PARTY PERSUASION,

1095
00:30:08,100 --> 00:30:10,333
A PERSON WHO YOU MIGHT TYPICALLY

1096
00:30:10,333 --> 00:30:12,533
VOTE FOR, YOU STILL NEED TO MAKE

1097
00:30:12,533 --> 00:30:14,500
SURE AND TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO

1098
00:30:14,500 --> 00:30:16,100
ENGAGE WITH THEM.

1099
00:30:16,100 --> 00:30:19,300
AND THAT PETITION PROCESS, WHILE

1100
00:30:19,300 --> 00:30:21,700
IT MAY NOT EXIST IN TERMS OF A

1101
00:30:21,700 --> 00:30:24,933
CONSTITUTIONAL OPPORTUNITY FOR

1102
00:30:24,933 --> 00:30:26,700
THE VOTER, THEY DO HAVE THE

1103
00:30:26,700 --> 00:30:29,233
OPPORTUNITY TO PETITION THEIR

1104
00:30:29,233 --> 00:30:30,700
PERSPECTIVE THROUGH THE PERSON

1105
00:30:30,700 --> 00:30:32,600
WHO IS ELECTED.

1106
00:30:32,600 --> 00:30:34,900
AND IF IT'S NOT REFLECTIVE, THEN

1107
00:30:34,900 --> 00:30:36,800
TO WORK WITHIN THE EXISTING

1108
00:30:36,800 --> 00:30:38,233
SYSTEM THAT THEY HAVE FOR THE

1109
00:30:38,233 --> 00:30:39,600
NEXT FREE ELECTION.

1110
00:30:39,600 --> 00:30:41,433
AND SEE IF THEY CAN TRY TO MAKE

1111
00:30:41,433 --> 00:30:43,400
AN IMPACT ON IT, EVEN IF IT'S IN

1112
00:30:43,400 --> 00:30:44,400
THE PRIMARY.

1113
00:30:44,400 --> 00:30:46,400
AND I THINK THE TEA PARTY REALLY

1114
00:30:46,400 --> 00:30:49,000
HAS BEEN A PERFECT EXAMPLE OF

1115
00:30:49,000 --> 00:30:53,533
HOW CITIZENS -- A CITIZENS

1116
00:30:53,533 --> 00:30:54,500
MOVEMENT HAS BEEN ABLE TO

1117
00:30:54,500 --> 00:30:56,300
CAPTURE THE ATTENTION OF A

1118
00:30:56,300 --> 00:30:58,400
PARTISANSHIP WHERE THEIR VOICE

1119
00:30:58,400 --> 00:30:59,500
WASN'T NECESSARILY BEING

1120
00:30:59,500 --> 00:31:01,800
REFLECTIVE BUT THEY MADE SURE

1121
00:31:01,800 --> 00:31:03,200
THAT IT'S GOING TO BE GOING

1122
00:31:03,200 --> 00:31:03,700
FORWARD.

1123
00:31:03,700 --> 00:31:05,233
AND THAT CAN CERTAINLY WORK ON

1124
00:31:05,233 --> 00:31:06,833
BOTH SIDES OF THE PARTY AISLE

1125
00:31:06,833 --> 00:31:08,700
WHERE PEOPLE TAKE THAT POWER ON

1126
00:31:08,700 --> 00:31:10,900
FOR THEMSELVES.

1127
00:31:10,900 --> 00:31:12,400
>> THE TOOL KIT THAT YOU PROVIDE

1128
00:31:12,400 --> 00:31:14,633
TO TEA PARTY GROUPS WHEN YOU

1129
00:31:14,633 --> 00:31:16,100
VISIT WITH THEM, WHEN YOU ARE A

1130
00:31:16,100 --> 00:31:18,033
PART OF FREEDOM WORKS, WHAT IS

1131
00:31:18,033 --> 00:31:19,133
IN THAT TOOL KIT?

1132
00:31:19,133 --> 00:31:20,600
WHAT DO YOU TELL THEM THAT THEY

1133
00:31:20,600 --> 00:31:22,500
CAN DO TO HAVE THEIR VOICE

1134
00:31:22,500 --> 00:31:23,200
HEARD?

1135
00:31:23,200 --> 00:31:25,133
>> SURE, AND IT REALLY IS GREAT

1136
00:31:25,133 --> 00:31:26,800
PHRASE, THE TOOL KIT AND SORT OF

1137
00:31:26,800 --> 00:31:28,500
OPEN SOURCE SOFTWARE FOR

1138
00:31:28,500 --> 00:31:29,300
ACTIVISM.

1139
00:31:29,300 --> 00:31:30,900
AND ESSENTIALLY TEACHING PEOPLE

1140
00:31:30,900 --> 00:31:32,500
HOW TO RUN AN EFFECTIVE

1141
00:31:32,500 --> 00:31:33,933
CAMPAIGN, WHETHER IT'S A

1142
00:31:33,933 --> 00:31:35,833
CAMPAIGN FOR A LOCAL CANDIDATE,

1143
00:31:35,833 --> 00:31:36,933
WHETHER IT WAS A PART OF A

1144
00:31:36,933 --> 00:31:38,733
LARGER CAMPAIGN FOR STATE

1145
00:31:38,733 --> 00:31:40,100
SENATE, WHETHER IT WAS AN ISSUE

1146
00:31:40,100 --> 00:31:40,600
CAMPAIGN.

1147
00:31:40,600 --> 00:31:42,233
SO WE TAUGHT EVERYTHING FROM A

1148
00:31:42,233 --> 00:31:44,533
TO Z, HOW TO RAISE MONEY, HOW TO

1149
00:31:44,533 --> 00:31:46,500
SPEAK TO THE MEDIA, HOW TO BUILD

1150
00:31:46,500 --> 00:31:47,300
RELATIONSHIPS.

1151
00:31:47,300 --> 00:31:48,900
HOW TO KNOCK ON DOORS AND TALK

1152
00:31:48,900 --> 00:31:49,700
TO VOTERS.

1153
00:31:49,700 --> 00:31:51,400
AND TALK TO DIFFERENT VOTERS,

1154
00:31:51,400 --> 00:31:53,633
CONSERVATIVES VERSUS LIBERAL

1155
00:31:53,633 --> 00:31:54,800
VERSUS MODERATE.

1156
00:31:54,800 --> 00:31:55,600
THERE'S A LOT OF INFORMATION

1157
00:31:55,600 --> 00:31:56,733
THAT WE PROVIDED TO PEOPLE AND

1158
00:31:56,733 --> 00:31:58,100
JUST SAID, WE'RE NOT GOING TO

1159
00:31:58,100 --> 00:31:59,800
TRY AND EVEN ORGANIZE YOU.

1160
00:31:59,800 --> 00:32:01,900
YOU CAN ORGANIZE YOURSELF IN THE

1161
00:32:01,900 --> 00:32:03,033
WAY THAT YOU THINK IS RIGHT.

1162
00:32:03,033 --> 00:32:04,233
AND THAT WAS VERY EFFECTIVE.

1163
00:32:04,233 --> 00:32:05,600
AND I THINK WHAT WE'RE GETTING

1164
00:32:05,600 --> 00:32:07,733
AT HERE IS THE MACHINERY OF

1165
00:32:07,733 --> 00:32:08,733
POLITICS IN GOVERNMENT IS SORT

1166
00:32:08,733 --> 00:32:10,900
OF IT IS WHAT IT IS AND WE HAVE

1167
00:32:10,900 --> 00:32:12,400
TWO MAJOR POLITICAL PARTIES THAT

1168
00:32:12,400 --> 00:32:14,233
TEND TO HOLD 90% OF THE POWER AT

1169
00:32:14,233 --> 00:32:16,033
LEAST IN THIS COUNTRY, IF NOT

1170
00:32:16,033 --> 00:32:16,400
MORE.

1171
00:32:16,400 --> 00:32:17,833
WE'VE GOT ELECTIONS.

1172
00:32:17,833 --> 00:32:20,200
AND WE'VE GOT BASICALLY A

1173
00:32:20,200 --> 00:32:20,900
STRUCTURE SET UP.

1174
00:32:20,900 --> 00:32:22,500
THE QUESTION IS HOW DO YOU DEAL

1175
00:32:22,500 --> 00:32:25,733
WITH THE WORLD AS IT IS, THE

1176
00:32:25,733 --> 00:32:27,300
WORLD AS IT IS NOT AS YOU WANT

1177
00:32:27,300 --> 00:32:28,533
IT TO BE.

1178
00:32:28,533 --> 00:32:30,000
AND THAT'S WHAT YOU DO.

1179
00:32:30,000 --> 00:32:31,033
YOU GET ORGANIZED IN A WAY THAT

1180
00:32:31,033 --> 00:32:32,800
MAKES THE MOST SENSE FOR YOUR

1181
00:32:32,800 --> 00:32:33,500
SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT.

1182
00:32:33,500 --> 00:32:34,300
AND THAT'S WHAT I WOULD

1183
00:32:34,300 --> 00:32:36,000
RECOMMEND TO EVERYONE ACROSS THE

1184
00:32:36,000 --> 00:32:36,933
AISLE WHO'S FIGHTING FOR

1185
00:32:36,933 --> 00:32:38,233
SOMETHING THEY BELIEVE.

1186
00:32:38,233 --> 00:32:40,200
>> I WAS HOPING WE'D GET A

1187
00:32:40,200 --> 00:32:42,400
SOLINSKI MENTIONED IN HERE.

1188
00:32:42,400 --> 00:32:43,500
>> REPRESENTATIVE GONZALES,

1189
00:32:43,500 --> 00:32:45,833
WHAT -- I MEAN, IF YOU HAVE A

1190
00:32:45,833 --> 00:32:47,100
CONSTITUENT WHO IS VERY

1191
00:32:47,100 --> 00:32:48,133
PASSIONATE ABOUT AN ISSUE AND

1192
00:32:48,133 --> 00:32:50,733
THEY COME TO YOU AND IT'S JUST

1193
00:32:50,733 --> 00:32:51,800
SOMETHING THAT YOU DISAGREE

1194
00:32:51,800 --> 00:32:53,800
WITH, I MEAN, DO THEY HAVE ANY

1195
00:32:53,800 --> 00:32:55,700
OTHER RECOURSE AT THAT POINT OR

1196
00:32:55,700 --> 00:32:57,133
CAN YOU HELP THEM?

1197
00:32:57,133 --> 00:32:58,500
>> THE FIRST THING WE DO IS WE

1198
00:32:58,500 --> 00:33:01,900
RESEARCH IT IN-DEPTH, SO IF

1199
00:33:01,900 --> 00:33:04,100
SOMEONE COMES UP TO ME WITH AN

1200
00:33:04,100 --> 00:33:06,900
IDEA, A SUGGESTION, THAT MAYBE I

1201
00:33:06,900 --> 00:33:08,300
HAVEN'T BEEN ON BOARD WITH

1202
00:33:08,300 --> 00:33:10,333
BEFORE, WE LOOK AT IT, BECAUSE

1203
00:33:10,333 --> 00:33:12,700
WHEN YOU HAVE THAT CONVERSATION,

1204
00:33:12,700 --> 00:33:14,800
I'M IN A ROLE AT THAT POINT OF

1205
00:33:14,800 --> 00:33:15,200
LEARNING.

1206
00:33:15,200 --> 00:33:17,400
SO TALK TO ME.

1207
00:33:17,400 --> 00:33:18,233
RIGHT.

1208
00:33:18,233 --> 00:33:19,333
TELL ME WHAT'S GOING ON.

1209
00:33:19,333 --> 00:33:20,900
CONVINCE ME.

1210
00:33:20,900 --> 00:33:22,333
FOR ME PERSONALLY, A LOT OF THAT

1211
00:33:22,333 --> 00:33:24,300
IS ANECDOTAL.

1212
00:33:24,300 --> 00:33:25,600
I WANT TO KNOW NOT NECESSARILY

1213
00:33:25,600 --> 00:33:27,400
THE THEORETICAL KIND OF THINK

1214
00:33:27,400 --> 00:33:27,933
TANK CONVERSATION.

1215
00:33:27,933 --> 00:33:29,900
YOUR LIFE, YOUR BUSINESS, YOUR

1216
00:33:29,900 --> 00:33:32,000
KIDS, YOUR SCHOOL, TALK TO ME

1217
00:33:32,000 --> 00:33:33,700
ABOUT WHAT IT IS THAT YOU'RE

1218
00:33:33,700 --> 00:33:34,300
ASKING FOR.

1219
00:33:34,300 --> 00:33:36,500
AND SO WE HAVE A CONVERSATION.

1220
00:33:36,500 --> 00:33:38,200
IF I CAN'T BE THERE, I CAN'T BE

1221
00:33:38,200 --> 00:33:39,200
THERE, RIGHT?

1222
00:33:39,200 --> 00:33:41,400
BUT THE THING THAT WE DO IS WE

1223
00:33:41,400 --> 00:33:42,300
TALK TO EVERYBODY.

1224
00:33:42,300 --> 00:33:43,900
MY STAFF KNOWS, WHOEVER WALKS

1225
00:33:43,900 --> 00:33:46,100
IN, CAN WE HAVE A VISIT?

1226
00:33:46,100 --> 00:33:46,900
ABSOLUTELY.

1227
00:33:46,900 --> 00:33:48,900
RIGHT, DURING REDISTRICTING AS

1228
00:33:48,900 --> 00:33:50,533
SENATOR DAVIS REFERENCED, DURING

1229
00:33:50,533 --> 00:33:54,633
REDISTRICTING I -- I CALLED THE

1230
00:33:54,633 --> 00:33:56,100
DEMOCRAT CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNTY

1231
00:33:56,100 --> 00:33:57,200
AND I SAID, THIS IS WHAT WE'RE

1232
00:33:57,200 --> 00:33:58,000
LOOKING AT.

1233
00:33:58,000 --> 00:33:59,300
AND THIS IS WHAT THE NEW

1234
00:33:59,300 --> 00:34:00,433
DISTRICTS WILL LOOK LIKE.

1235
00:34:00,433 --> 00:34:01,833
AND I'M LOOKING FOR, YOU KNOW,

1236
00:34:01,833 --> 00:34:03,333
YOUR INPUT, KIND OF WHAT ARE

1237
00:34:03,333 --> 00:34:04,800
YOUR THOUGHTS ON THIS STUFF.

1238
00:34:04,800 --> 00:34:07,100
AND GOT A WONDERFUL NOTE BACK,

1239
00:34:07,100 --> 00:34:07,700
YOU KNOW.

1240
00:34:07,700 --> 00:34:09,033
I LEFT A MESSAGE AND GOT A

1241
00:34:09,033 --> 00:34:10,433
WONDERFUL NOTE BACK, AND THIS

1242
00:34:10,433 --> 00:34:12,700
PAST SWEARING-IN DAY, THE FORMER

1243
00:34:12,700 --> 00:34:13,833
DEMOCRATIC CHAIRMAN CAME TO THE

1244
00:34:13,833 --> 00:34:15,100
OFFICE AND THANKED ME FOR A

1245
00:34:15,100 --> 00:34:16,800
COUPLE OF ARTICLES WE HAD

1246
00:34:16,800 --> 00:34:18,533
WRITTEN IN ONE OF THE LOCAL

1247
00:34:18,533 --> 00:34:19,000
PAPERS.

1248
00:34:19,000 --> 00:34:20,633
BUT IT'S THAT CONSTANT DIALOGUE,

1249
00:34:20,633 --> 00:34:24,000
SO IF I'M NOT THERE, ON ONE,

1250
00:34:24,000 --> 00:34:25,700
MAYBE I'M THERE WITH YOU ON

1251
00:34:25,700 --> 00:34:27,433
ANOTHER ONE OR ANOTHER ONE.

1252
00:34:27,433 --> 00:34:30,100
IT'S THAT DEMONGROUND AND WE ALL

1253
00:34:30,100 --> 00:34:31,800
LIVE WITH HOUSE DISTRICT 52.

1254
00:34:31,800 --> 00:34:33,000
WE'RE LOOKING FOR THAT COMMON

1255
00:34:33,000 --> 00:34:33,300
GROUND.

1256
00:34:33,300 --> 00:34:36,600
TAYLOR AND HUDDLE AND ROUND ROCK

1257
00:34:36,600 --> 00:34:37,900
ARE PRETTY DIFFERENT CITIES.

1258
00:34:37,900 --> 00:34:40,500
BUT OVERALL, WE'RE LOOKING FOR A

1259
00:34:40,500 --> 00:34:41,700
SOUTHERN WINSTON COUNTY KIND OF

1260
00:34:41,700 --> 00:34:42,133
APPROACH.

1261
00:34:42,133 --> 00:34:43,700
AND BY THAT MEANS I THINK IT'S A

1262
00:34:43,700 --> 00:34:44,500
PRETTY GOOD CONVERSATION TO

1263
00:34:44,500 --> 00:34:44,900
HAVE.

1264
00:34:44,900 --> 00:34:46,500
SO THERE'S NO AT LOVE OF

1265
00:34:46,500 --> 00:34:48,433
THINGS -- NOT A LOT OF THINGS

1266
00:34:48,433 --> 00:34:51,133
THAT THEY CAN WALK IN WITH THAT

1267
00:34:51,133 --> 00:34:52,400
WE'RE NOT ON BOARD ENTIRELY, BUT

1268
00:34:52,400 --> 00:34:53,733
I LOOK FOR THE THINGS THAT WE

1269
00:34:53,733 --> 00:34:54,300
CAN BE.

1270
00:34:54,300 --> 00:34:55,300
TRY TO SHAPE THE CONVERSATION,

1271
00:34:55,300 --> 00:34:56,400
WHAT CAN I HELP YOU WITH.

1272
00:34:56,400 --> 00:34:56,933
>> I UNDERSTAND.

1273
00:34:56,933 --> 00:34:59,000
AND IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU CAN BE

1274
00:34:59,000 --> 00:35:01,633
MORE EFFECTIVE IN THAT REGARD IF

1275
00:35:01,633 --> 00:35:02,900
YOU HAVE A BUNCH OF PEOPLE ON

1276
00:35:02,900 --> 00:35:04,900
YOUR SIDE AS OPPOSED TO BEING AN

1277
00:35:04,900 --> 00:35:07,200
INDIVIDUAL OUT IN THE WILDERNESS

1278
00:35:07,200 --> 00:35:07,700
BY YOURSELF.

1279
00:35:07,700 --> 00:35:08,200
>> IT'S TRUE.

1280
00:35:08,200 --> 00:35:10,600
AND IF I CAN JUST ADD ONE QUICK

1281
00:35:10,600 --> 00:35:11,700
THEY ABOUT, BECAUSE YOU BROUGHT

1282
00:35:11,700 --> 00:35:14,200
UP INR, THE INITIATIVE AND

1283
00:35:14,200 --> 00:35:15,800
REFERENDUM, WE DON'T HAVE THAT

1284
00:35:15,800 --> 00:35:18,133
BUT WE HAVE AN INTERESTING

1285
00:35:18,133 --> 00:35:19,433
PROCESS OF PRECINCT RESOLUTIONS

1286
00:35:19,433 --> 00:35:21,533
WHICH WE'VE TRIED TO USE AS AN

1287
00:35:21,533 --> 00:35:23,000
ORGANIZING TOOL AND I KNOW Y'ALL

1288
00:35:23,000 --> 00:35:23,700
HAVE, TOO.

1289
00:35:23,700 --> 00:35:24,800
I'M ALWAYS INTERESTED IN THE

1290
00:35:24,800 --> 00:35:26,233
CONVERSATION IN MY OWN PRECINCT

1291
00:35:26,233 --> 00:35:27,533
WHEN SOMEBODY FINALLY DOES BRING

1292
00:35:27,533 --> 00:35:29,100
UP ONE.

1293
00:35:29,100 --> 00:35:30,200
THAT'S KIND OF THE WAY THAT WE

1294
00:35:30,200 --> 00:35:32,500
DO SORT OF PURE DEMOCRACY IN

1295
00:35:32,500 --> 00:35:35,000
TEXAS, IS THE PRECINCT LEVEL

1296
00:35:35,000 --> 00:35:36,100
CONVERSATIONS ABOUT ISSUES.

1297
00:35:36,100 --> 00:35:37,800
AND HONESTLY I THINK THERE'S ONE

1298
00:35:37,800 --> 00:35:38,733
THING THAT ALL OF THE

1299
00:35:38,733 --> 00:35:40,333
GRASSROOTS -- PEOPLE WANT TO

1300
00:35:40,333 --> 00:35:41,833
KNOW WHAT THEY CAN DO MORE OF.

1301
00:35:41,833 --> 00:35:45,300
I'D SAY DO MORE REAL PRECINCT

1302
00:35:45,300 --> 00:35:46,600
RESOLUTION CONVERSATIONS WHEN

1303
00:35:46,600 --> 00:35:47,400
THEY REALLY HAPPEN.

1304
00:35:47,400 --> 00:35:48,733
THEY'RE FANTASTIC.

1305
00:35:48,733 --> 00:35:50,500
>> TELL ME ABOUT THE VALUE.

1306
00:35:50,500 --> 00:35:52,533
>> IT'S ONE THING, IT EDUCATES

1307
00:35:52,533 --> 00:35:54,633
THE PEOPLE PRECINCT BY PRECINCT

1308
00:35:54,633 --> 00:35:55,300
ON THE ISSUE.

1309
00:35:55,300 --> 00:35:57,300
IT KIND OF STARTS TO CRYSTALLIZE

1310
00:35:57,300 --> 00:35:59,533
THE IDEA AS WE MOVE -- YOU KNOW,

1311
00:35:59,533 --> 00:36:01,633
WE MOVE THROUGH THIS LEGISLATIVE

1312
00:36:01,633 --> 00:36:03,633
BIENNIAL PROCESS AND THE

1313
00:36:03,633 --> 00:36:05,100
PRECINCT RESOLUTION IS KIND OF

1314
00:36:05,100 --> 00:36:07,500
THE FIRST GRASSROOTS LEVEL TIME

1315
00:36:07,500 --> 00:36:09,500
TO HAVE THE CONVERSATION THAT

1316
00:36:09,500 --> 00:36:12,133
THEN WILL BUILD INTO FINALLY THE

1317
00:36:12,133 --> 00:36:14,600
LEGISLATIVE PROCESS, WHERE WE

1318
00:36:14,600 --> 00:36:16,300
BRING ACTUAL LEGISLATION.

1319
00:36:16,300 --> 00:36:18,633
SO I THINK IT'S OUR ANSWER TO

1320
00:36:18,633 --> 00:36:20,500
INITIATIVE AND REFERENDUM AND WE

1321
00:36:20,500 --> 00:36:21,933
SHOULD EXPLOIT IT MORE.

1322
00:36:21,933 --> 00:36:23,600
>> AND YOU'VE USED THOSE, TOO?

1323
00:36:23,600 --> 00:36:24,533
>> MOST OF THE WORK THAT WE'VE

1324
00:36:24,533 --> 00:36:25,933
DONE IS ACTUAL LIE IN THE SENSE

1325
00:36:25,933 --> 00:36:27,800
OF -- ACTUALLY IN THE SENSE OF

1326
00:36:27,800 --> 00:36:29,100
WHAT THE SENATORS ARE REFERRING

1327
00:36:29,100 --> 00:36:30,800
TO, TAKING OVER THE MAJOR

1328
00:36:30,800 --> 00:36:32,100
POLITICAL PARTY OF THE PRECINCT

1329
00:36:32,100 --> 00:36:32,400
LEVEL.

1330
00:36:32,400 --> 00:36:33,433
THE POLITICAL SIDE WAS SOMETHING

1331
00:36:33,433 --> 00:36:36,233
WE USED QUITE A BIT AND IF YOU

1332
00:36:36,233 --> 00:36:37,800
CAN GET YOUR PRECINCT ORGANIZED,

1333
00:36:37,800 --> 00:36:38,800
THEN YOU CAN GET YOUR COUNTY

1334
00:36:38,800 --> 00:36:39,200
ORGANIZED.

1335
00:36:39,200 --> 00:36:40,933
IF YOU CAN GET YOUR COUNTY

1336
00:36:40,933 --> 00:36:42,300
ORGANIZED, THE MAJOR COUNTIES,

1337
00:36:42,300 --> 00:36:43,333
THEN YOU CAN AFFECT YOUR

1338
00:36:43,333 --> 00:36:44,200
DISTRICT AND YOUR STATE.

1339
00:36:44,200 --> 00:36:45,900
IF THERE IS ONE LESSON TO TAKE

1340
00:36:45,900 --> 00:36:47,300
AWAY FOR ME THIS EVENING, I

1341
00:36:47,300 --> 00:36:48,633
THINK IT IS FOCUSED ON LOCAL

1342
00:36:48,633 --> 00:36:49,400
THINGS FIRST.

1343
00:36:49,400 --> 00:36:50,900
GET SOMETHING DONE LOCALLY.

1344
00:36:50,900 --> 00:36:52,800
WHATEVER YOU'RE PASSIONATE ABOUT

1345
00:36:52,800 --> 00:36:54,000
IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD IN YOUR

1346
00:36:54,000 --> 00:36:54,433
COMMUNITY.

1347
00:36:54,433 --> 00:36:59,033
LEARN -- KIND OF CUT YOUR TEETH

1348
00:36:59,033 --> 00:37:00,333
IN THAT EFFORT, HAVE SOME

1349
00:37:00,333 --> 00:37:01,933
SUCCESS AND BRING THAT UP TO THE

1350
00:37:01,933 --> 00:37:03,033
NEXT LEVEL TO THE COUNTY AND THE

1351
00:37:03,033 --> 00:37:03,400
STATE.

1352
00:37:03,400 --> 00:37:05,100
>> AND EVEN IF YOU LOSE,

1353
00:37:05,100 --> 00:37:06,200
HOPEFULLY YOU LEARN SOMETHING IN

1354
00:37:06,200 --> 00:37:07,000
THE PROCESS.

1355
00:37:07,000 --> 00:37:08,433
>> IF YOU LOSE, ASK YOURSELF,

1356
00:37:08,433 --> 00:37:10,533
DID WE COME OUT STRONGER, DID WE

1357
00:37:10,533 --> 00:37:12,200
RECRUIT MORE MEMBERS, DID WE GET

1358
00:37:12,200 --> 00:37:13,100
A LITTLE MORE ATTENTION, ARE

1359
00:37:13,100 --> 00:37:14,100
PEOPLE STARTING TO TAKE NOTICE.

1360
00:37:14,100 --> 00:37:15,300
AND IF THE ANSWER IS YES, YOU'RE

1361
00:37:15,300 --> 00:37:16,133
DOING SOMETHING RIGHT.

1362
00:37:16,133 --> 00:37:17,033
YOU SHOULD CONTINUE.

1363
00:37:17,033 --> 00:37:17,400
>> ALL RIGHT.

1364
00:37:17,400 --> 00:37:20,700
NOW MY FAVORITE PART OF THIS

1365
00:37:20,700 --> 00:37:22,133
ENTIRE PROGRAM WHERE WE ACTUALLY

1366
00:37:22,133 --> 00:37:23,300
GET TO HEAR FROM PEOPLE IN THE

1367
00:37:23,300 --> 00:37:24,700
YOU HAD AUDIENCE.

1368
00:37:24,700 --> 00:37:26,933
YOU CAN ASK SOME QUESTIONS OF

1369
00:37:26,933 --> 00:37:28,833
YOU FINAL INDIVIDUALS.

1370
00:37:28,833 --> 00:37:30,333
ANN, WHO HAVE YOU GOT FOR US?

1371
00:37:30,333 --> 00:37:31,200
>> THIS IS MICHAEL.

1372
00:37:31,200 --> 00:37:33,133
HE IS A STAFFER FOR THE TEXAS

1373
00:37:33,133 --> 00:37:35,000
LEGISLATURE AND HAS ALSO WORKED

1374
00:37:35,000 --> 00:37:36,800
IN THE PAST FOR THE PENNSYLVANIA

1375
00:37:36,800 --> 00:37:37,733
STATE LEGISLATURE.

1376
00:37:37,733 --> 00:37:39,133
SO MICHAEL, TELL US A LITTLE BIT

1377
00:37:39,133 --> 00:37:40,833
ABOUT YOUR PERSPECTIVE ON

1378
00:37:40,833 --> 00:37:42,233
CITIZEN ENGAGEMENT BEING A

1379
00:37:42,233 --> 00:37:44,100
STAFFER FOR A REPRESENTATIVE.

1380
00:37:44,100 --> 00:37:45,800
>> WELL, EVERY TIME I TALK TO

1381
00:37:45,800 --> 00:37:47,500
PEOPLE ABOUT CONSTITUENT

1382
00:37:47,500 --> 00:37:49,133
ENGAGEMENT, ONE STORY ALWAYS

1383
00:37:49,133 --> 00:37:49,800
COMES TO MIND.

1384
00:37:49,800 --> 00:37:51,233
IT SPEAKS OF IT TO

1385
00:37:51,233 --> 00:37:52,533
REPRESENTATIVE COMES VOICE POINT

1386
00:37:52,533 --> 00:37:54,800
ABOUT WHEN YOU'RE HAVING A

1387
00:37:54,800 --> 00:37:57,500
DIALOGUE WHEN SOMEBODY DISAGREES

1388
00:37:57,500 --> 00:37:57,900
WITH YOU.

1389
00:37:57,900 --> 00:37:59,033
WHEN I WAS IN THE FENCES

1390
00:37:59,033 --> 00:38:01,833
LEGISLATURE, IT WAS AA

1391
00:38:01,833 --> 00:38:03,933
CONTENTIOUS ISSUE, WE GOT A LOT

1392
00:38:03,933 --> 00:38:05,300
OF CALLS LEADING UP TO THE VOTE.

1393
00:38:05,300 --> 00:38:06,900
AND I REMEMBER ONE OF MY FRIENDS

1394
00:38:06,900 --> 00:38:08,400
WHO SAT NEXT TO ME WAS ON THE

1395
00:38:08,400 --> 00:38:10,700
PHONE, GENERALLY CALLS LASTED

1396
00:38:10,700 --> 00:38:11,800
ABOUT FIVE MINUTES OR LESS BUT

1397
00:38:11,800 --> 00:38:13,200
HE WAS ON THE PHONE FOR ABOUT 30

1398
00:38:13,200 --> 00:38:13,933
MINUTES.

1399
00:38:13,933 --> 00:38:15,800
AND HE GOT OFF AND HE TURNED TO

1400
00:38:15,800 --> 00:38:17,100
MEAN, IT WAS A REALLY LONG

1401
00:38:17,100 --> 00:38:17,400
DISCUSSION.

1402
00:38:17,400 --> 00:38:19,133
WE DISAGREED THE ENTIRE WAY.

1403
00:38:19,133 --> 00:38:20,733
AND YOU KNOW, WE ENDED UP

1404
00:38:20,733 --> 00:38:22,033
HANGING UP DISAGREEING.

1405
00:38:22,033 --> 00:38:23,133
SO WE WON'T, OKAY.

1406
00:38:23,133 --> 00:38:24,500
A COUPLE MINUTES LATER THE PHONE

1407
00:38:24,500 --> 00:38:25,200
RANG AGAIN.

1408
00:38:25,200 --> 00:38:27,733
HE PICKED IT AND UP HE WAS ON

1409
00:38:27,733 --> 00:38:28,900
AND OFF IN A COUPLE MINUTES.

1410
00:38:28,900 --> 00:38:30,600
HE TURNED TO ME AND HE SAID, IT

1411
00:38:30,600 --> 00:38:31,400
WAS THE SAME GUY.

1412
00:38:31,400 --> 00:38:32,700
HE DIDN'T REALIZE HE WAS CALLING

1413
00:38:32,700 --> 00:38:34,600
BACK TO THE SAME OFFICE.

1414
00:38:34,600 --> 00:38:36,533
HE DIDN'T WANT TO EMBARRASS HIM,

1415
00:38:36,533 --> 00:38:38,633
SO WE DIDN'T HE WILL TIM IT WAS

1416
00:38:38,633 --> 00:38:40,500
THE SAME -- TELL HIM IT WAS THE

1417
00:38:40,500 --> 00:38:42,200
SAME OFFICE, BUT THE GENTLEMAN

1418
00:38:42,200 --> 00:38:44,833
SAID I CALL THE SENATOR OTHER

1419
00:38:44,833 --> 00:38:45,833
OTHER OFFICE AND I SPOKE TO ONE

1420
00:38:45,833 --> 00:38:47,700
OF HIS STAFFERS AND I DISAGREED

1421
00:38:47,700 --> 00:38:48,933
WITH HIM AT THE BEGINNING AND I

1422
00:38:48,933 --> 00:38:50,800
STILL DISAGREED WITH HIM AT THE

1423
00:38:50,800 --> 00:38:51,900
END BUT I UNDERSTAND WHY HE'S

1424
00:38:51,900 --> 00:38:53,200
MAKING THE VOTE THAT HE'S MAKING

1425
00:38:53,200 --> 00:38:53,533
NOW.

1426
00:38:53,533 --> 00:38:54,933
SO I ALWAYS TRY TO KEEP THAT IN

1427
00:38:54,933 --> 00:38:55,333
MIND.

1428
00:38:55,333 --> 00:38:56,833
SOMETIMES YOU'RE JUST GOING TO

1429
00:38:56,833 --> 00:38:58,300
DISAGREE WITH SOMEONE AT THE

1430
00:38:58,300 --> 00:38:59,400
BEGINNING AND AT THE END.

1431
00:38:59,400 --> 00:39:01,000
BUT AT LEAST YOU CAN COME TO

1432
00:39:01,000 --> 00:39:02,033
THAT TYPE OF UNDERSTANDING.

1433
00:39:02,033 --> 00:39:02,600
FROM.

1434
00:39:02,600 --> 00:39:04,200
>> SO SENATOR, SOMEONE COMES TO

1435
00:39:04,200 --> 00:39:07,300
YOU AND YOU JUST CAN'T -- ONE OF

1436
00:39:07,300 --> 00:39:09,500
YOUR CONSTITUENTS AND YOU CAN'T

1437
00:39:09,500 --> 00:39:10,400
COME TO TERMS.

1438
00:39:10,400 --> 00:39:11,700
DO YOU TAKE REPRESENTATIVE

1439
00:39:11,700 --> 00:39:12,733
GONZALES'S APPROACH AND LOOKING

1440
00:39:12,733 --> 00:39:14,033
FOR SOMETHING YOU CAN AGREE ON,

1441
00:39:14,033 --> 00:39:15,600
THEN, OR HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH

1442
00:39:15,600 --> 00:39:17,400
THE MOST DISAGREEABLE OF THE

1443
00:39:17,400 --> 00:39:18,400
PEOPLE YOU REPRESENT?

1444
00:39:18,400 --> 00:39:19,900
>> WELL, GOING BACK TO MY

1445
00:39:19,900 --> 00:39:21,300
EXPERIENCE ON THE CITY COUNCIL,

1446
00:39:21,300 --> 00:39:23,000
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I

1447
00:39:23,000 --> 00:39:27,100
LEARNED, AND IT SERVED ME AND MY

1448
00:39:27,100 --> 00:39:31,200
DISTRICT VERY WELL, WAS TO

1449
00:39:31,200 --> 00:39:33,700
ALWAYS PUT TOGETHER COMPETING

1450
00:39:33,700 --> 00:39:35,000
INTERESTS AT THE TABLE AND TALK

1451
00:39:35,000 --> 00:39:36,133
THROUGH, HAVE A DIALOGUE.

1452
00:39:36,133 --> 00:39:37,633
AND IT WAS A GREAT MODEL FOR ME

1453
00:39:37,633 --> 00:39:39,100
TO LEARN FROM AND IT'S ONE THAT

1454
00:39:39,100 --> 00:39:40,900
I'VE TRIED TO CONTINUE.

1455
00:39:40,900 --> 00:39:42,400
AND THE STATE LEGISLATURE, IT IS

1456
00:39:42,400 --> 00:39:45,100
HARDER TO GET SOMETIMES THOSE

1457
00:39:45,100 --> 00:39:47,400
COMPETING INTERESTS AT THE

1458
00:39:47,400 --> 00:39:48,000
TABLE.

1459
00:39:48,000 --> 00:39:51,733
I TRY TO REMOVE MY OWN PERSONAL

1460
00:39:51,733 --> 00:39:53,300
PERSPECTIVE AND REALLY GIVE THE

1461
00:39:53,300 --> 00:39:56,100
OPPORTUNITY FOR BOTH SIDES TO

1462
00:39:56,100 --> 00:39:58,633
CONVINCE ME ON AN ARGUMENT.

1463
00:39:58,633 --> 00:40:02,433
AND I TRY VERY HARD AND I KNOW

1464
00:40:02,433 --> 00:40:04,033
THERE ARE MEMBERS ON BOTH SIDES

1465
00:40:04,033 --> 00:40:06,100
OF THE AISLE THAT DO THIS, TO

1466
00:40:06,100 --> 00:40:08,700
SET ASIDE PARTISANSHIP AND FIND

1467
00:40:08,700 --> 00:40:09,600
PLACES WHERE WE CAN AGREE.

1468
00:40:09,600 --> 00:40:11,800
EVEN IN THE AREAS WHERE WE HAVE

1469
00:40:11,800 --> 00:40:13,033
LARGE DISAGREEMENTS.

1470
00:40:13,033 --> 00:40:15,000
NOW, THERE ARE GOING TO BE TIMES

1471
00:40:15,000 --> 00:40:18,733
WHEN A POLICY IS SO IMPORTANT TO

1472
00:40:18,733 --> 00:40:20,500
YOU AND TO THE CONSTITUENCY THAT

1473
00:40:20,500 --> 00:40:22,800
YOU REPRESENT, THAT ULTIMATELY

1474
00:40:22,800 --> 00:40:24,500
EVEN THOUGH YOU'VE WORKED ON

1475
00:40:24,500 --> 00:40:26,633
TRYING TO HEAR EACH OTHER'S

1476
00:40:26,633 --> 00:40:27,400
PERSPECTIVE, YOU'RE GOING TO

1477
00:40:27,400 --> 00:40:29,433
HAVE TO TAKE A POSITION.

1478
00:40:29,433 --> 00:40:30,500
AND YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO

1479
00:40:30,500 --> 00:40:33,400
ARGUE AND BE PERSUASIVE ON THAT

1480
00:40:33,400 --> 00:40:33,800
POSITION.

1481
00:40:33,800 --> 00:40:36,000
BUT I THINK THAT YOU DO A BETTER

1482
00:40:36,000 --> 00:40:38,533
JOB OF THAT IF YOU LISTENED

1483
00:40:38,533 --> 00:40:40,400
ALONG THE WAY, THAT YOU TRULY

1484
00:40:40,400 --> 00:40:41,400
TOOK AN OPPORTUNITY TO

1485
00:40:41,400 --> 00:40:43,500
UNDERSTAND BOTH SIDES OF AN

1486
00:40:43,500 --> 00:40:45,600
ISSUE AND THEN CAN SPEAK

1487
00:40:45,600 --> 00:40:48,633
RESPECTFULLY ABOUT WHY YOU'RE

1488
00:40:48,633 --> 00:40:50,633
TAKING A POSITION THAT MAY BE

1489
00:40:50,633 --> 00:40:53,600
DIFFERENT SOMEONE WHO CAME INTO

1490
00:40:53,600 --> 00:40:55,500
YOUR OFFICE WOULD TAKE.

1491
00:40:55,500 --> 00:40:57,000
>> WE HAVE A QUESTION FOR YOU

1492
00:40:57,000 --> 00:40:57,300
GUYS.

1493
00:40:57,300 --> 00:40:59,400
>> SIDE LIKE SO INTRODUCE JIMMY

1494
00:40:59,400 --> 00:40:59,933
NELSON.

1495
00:40:59,933 --> 00:41:01,933
JAMIE IS AN ADVANCED NURSE

1496
00:41:01,933 --> 00:41:05,300
PRACTITIONER, A PSYCHIATRIC

1497
00:41:05,300 --> 00:41:07,500
NURSE PRACTITIONERS, AND HAS

1498
00:41:07,500 --> 00:41:09,100
BEEN ADVOCATING AS A VOLUNTEER

1499
00:41:09,100 --> 00:41:10,800
BUT ON BEHALF OF HER PROFESSION

1500
00:41:10,800 --> 00:41:12,033
AND FOR HER CLIENTS.

1501
00:41:12,033 --> 00:41:13,200
YOU CAN TELL US ABOUT YOUR

1502
00:41:13,200 --> 00:41:14,233
EXPERIENCE?

1503
00:41:14,233 --> 00:41:14,900
>> YES.

1504
00:41:14,900 --> 00:41:16,800
I STARTED ADVOCATING FOR

1505
00:41:16,800 --> 00:41:18,300
ADVANCED PRACTICE NURSING

1506
00:41:18,300 --> 00:41:19,500
LEGISLATION IN 2009.

1507
00:41:19,500 --> 00:41:21,733
AND THEN AGAIN IN 2011.

1508
00:41:21,733 --> 00:41:22,733
AND THEN WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD

1509
00:41:22,733 --> 00:41:25,100
TO IT AGAIN THIS YEAR.

1510
00:41:25,100 --> 00:41:27,000
I ACTUALLY HAD THE OPPORTUNITY

1511
00:41:27,000 --> 00:41:28,900
TO VISIT SENATOR DAVIS'S OFFICE

1512
00:41:28,900 --> 00:41:31,700
LAST FALL.

1513
00:41:31,700 --> 00:41:34,400
MY CONCERN WITH ADVOCATING, THE

1514
00:41:34,400 --> 00:41:36,333
REASON THAT IT'S SO DISCOURAGING

1515
00:41:36,333 --> 00:41:39,433
EVERY YEAR, IS -- HAS A LOT TO

1516
00:41:39,433 --> 00:41:41,100
DO WITH THE COMMITTEE PROCESS.

1517
00:41:41,100 --> 00:41:43,400
I HEARD BEA ON THE RADIO THE

1518
00:41:43,400 --> 00:41:46,500
OTHER DAY TALKING ABOUT HOW --

1519
00:41:46,500 --> 00:41:47,500
WHEN YOU'RE VISITING THE

1520
00:41:47,500 --> 00:41:50,233
LEGISLATURE, THAT BEING A

1521
00:41:50,233 --> 00:41:51,433
CONSTITUENT OF THE PERSON THAT

1522
00:41:51,433 --> 00:41:52,700
YOU'RE GOING TO VISIT REALLY

1523
00:41:52,700 --> 00:41:54,200
GETS YOU MORE ATTENTION AND

1524
00:41:54,200 --> 00:41:55,900
INTEREST.

1525
00:41:55,900 --> 00:41:57,800
I HAVE NOT HAD THE FORTUNE OF

1526
00:41:57,800 --> 00:41:59,833
ACTUALLY GETTING TO TALK TO ANY

1527
00:41:59,833 --> 00:42:00,833
OF THE SENATORS OR

1528
00:42:00,833 --> 00:42:02,233
REPRESENTATIVES.

1529
00:42:02,233 --> 00:42:04,400
WE TYPICALLY SHOW UP AND IT'S A

1530
00:42:04,400 --> 00:42:07,800
VERY SUPPORTIVE AND INTERESTED

1531
00:42:07,800 --> 00:42:09,700
LEGISLATIVE STAFFER.

1532
00:42:09,700 --> 00:42:10,833
I LOVE THEM.

1533
00:42:10,833 --> 00:42:13,300
I KNOW THEY WORK REALLY, REALLY

1534
00:42:13,300 --> 00:42:14,300
HARD.

1535
00:42:14,300 --> 00:42:16,133
BUT IT DOES FEEL LIKE YOU'RE NOT

1536
00:42:16,133 --> 00:42:18,000
GETTING TO MEET THE REAL PERSON

1537
00:42:18,000 --> 00:42:19,800
THAT'S GOING TO CAST THE VOTE.

1538
00:42:19,800 --> 00:42:21,100
BUT THEN MORE IMPORTANTLY,

1539
00:42:21,100 --> 00:42:22,500
THEY'RE NOT GOING TO GET TO CAST

1540
00:42:22,500 --> 00:42:23,833
THE VOTE BECAUSE OF THE

1541
00:42:23,833 --> 00:42:27,400
COMMITTEE SYSTEM, YOUR PIECE OF

1542
00:42:27,400 --> 00:42:28,200
LEGISLATION THAT YOU REALLY,

1543
00:42:28,200 --> 00:42:29,900
REALLY CARE ABOUT, YOUR

1544
00:42:29,900 --> 00:42:31,500
LEGISLATOR MAY NEVER HAVE THE

1545
00:42:31,500 --> 00:42:33,300
OPPORTUNITY TO VOTE ON IT

1546
00:42:33,300 --> 00:42:34,533
BECAUSE THEY DON'T SERVE ON THE

1547
00:42:34,533 --> 00:42:35,800
COMMITTEE THAT IT'S GOING TO GO

1548
00:42:35,800 --> 00:42:36,600
THROUGH.

1549
00:42:36,600 --> 00:42:38,700
AND THAT'S SOMETHING THAT HAS

1550
00:42:38,700 --> 00:42:40,100
PERSONALLY BEEN A CHALLENGE FOR

1551
00:42:40,100 --> 00:42:42,800
ME AND MY COLLEAGUES.

1552
00:42:42,800 --> 00:42:45,000
EVERY LEGISLATIVE SESSION, THE

1553
00:42:45,000 --> 00:42:46,833
BILLS THAT WE WANT GET HUNG UP

1554
00:42:46,833 --> 00:42:47,833
IN COMMITTEE.

1555
00:42:47,833 --> 00:42:50,200
AND NO MATTER HOW MUCH SUPPORT I

1556
00:42:50,200 --> 00:42:51,933
HEAR FROM THE PEOPLE WHO

1557
00:42:51,933 --> 00:42:53,300
REPRESENT ME, THEY CAN'T DO

1558
00:42:53,300 --> 00:42:55,100
ANYTHING ABOUT IT.

1559
00:42:55,100 --> 00:42:56,900
>> THAT'S A REALLY IMPORTANT

1560
00:42:56,900 --> 00:42:58,000
POINT AND I WONDER IF SOUR

1561
00:42:58,000 --> 00:42:59,200
PANELISTS WANT TO COMMENT ON

1562
00:42:59,200 --> 00:43:01,033
THERE AND WHETHER THERE ARE ANY

1563
00:43:01,033 --> 00:43:03,000
REFORMS THAT COULD BE USED TO

1564
00:43:03,000 --> 00:43:03,900
CHANGE THE PROCESS.

1565
00:43:03,900 --> 00:43:05,800
>> I WANT TO ASK BOTH OF THESE

1566
00:43:05,800 --> 00:43:06,700
TWO LAWMAKERS ABOUT IT.

1567
00:43:06,700 --> 00:43:07,833
I HAVE TO START WITH YOU,

1568
00:43:07,833 --> 00:43:08,900
SENATOR DAVIS, BECAUSE YOU WERE

1569
00:43:08,900 --> 00:43:10,000
REMOVED FROM THE PUBLIC

1570
00:43:10,000 --> 00:43:13,600
EDUCATION COMMITTEE?

1571
00:43:13,600 --> 00:43:14,200
>> WHEN THE COMMITTEE

1572
00:43:14,200 --> 00:43:16,100
ASSIGNED -- ASSIGNMENTS WERE

1573
00:43:16,100 --> 00:43:16,400
MADE.

1574
00:43:16,400 --> 00:43:18,500
HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THAT AND

1575
00:43:18,500 --> 00:43:21,700
HOW DO YOU ADVANCE, YOU KNOW --

1576
00:43:21,700 --> 00:43:22,700
YOU'RE OBVIOUSLY PASSIONATE

1577
00:43:22,700 --> 00:43:23,833
ABOUT PUBLIC EDUCATION.

1578
00:43:23,833 --> 00:43:25,700
YOU RALLIED IN FAVOR OF

1579
00:43:25,700 --> 00:43:27,500
RESTORING CUTS IN THE 2011

1580
00:43:27,500 --> 00:43:27,900
SESSION.

1581
00:43:27,900 --> 00:43:32,833
AND I MEAN, WHEN YOU'RE NOT ON

1582
00:43:32,833 --> 00:43:34,100
THAT COMMITTEE, WHAT CAN YOU

1583
00:43:34,100 --> 00:43:34,700
REALLY DO?

1584
00:43:34,700 --> 00:43:35,800
>> WELL, OBVIOUSLY, I STILL HAVE

1585
00:43:35,800 --> 00:43:37,733
A VICE ON THE SENATE FLOOR.

1586
00:43:37,733 --> 00:43:39,533
WHAT I ONLY -- VOICE ON THE

1587
00:43:39,533 --> 00:43:40,033
SENATE FLOOR.

1588
00:43:40,033 --> 00:43:41,400
WHAT I WON'T HAVE A VOICE IN

1589
00:43:41,400 --> 00:43:42,700
TERMS OF HAVING A VOTE IN THE

1590
00:43:42,700 --> 00:43:43,200
PROCESS.

1591
00:43:43,200 --> 00:43:45,300
I INTEND TO CONTINUE TO GO TO

1592
00:43:45,300 --> 00:43:46,700
THE PUBLIC EDUCATION HEARINGS,

1593
00:43:46,700 --> 00:43:48,233
COMMITTEE HEARINGS, AND I INTEND

1594
00:43:48,233 --> 00:43:49,733
TO CONTINUE TO ASK QUESTIONS AND

1595
00:43:49,733 --> 00:43:51,800
TO MAKE MY PERSPECTIVE KNOWN AS

1596
00:43:51,800 --> 00:43:53,000
PART OF THE PROCESS.

1597
00:43:53,000 --> 00:43:54,300
BUT I WON'T HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY

1598
00:43:54,300 --> 00:43:55,933
TO VOTE.

1599
00:43:55,933 --> 00:43:59,500
AND IT'S REALLY EVEN MORE

1600
00:43:59,500 --> 00:44:01,300
DAUNTING THAN THAT IN TERMS OF

1601
00:44:01,300 --> 00:44:03,033
MAKING YOUR VOICE HEARD THROUGH

1602
00:44:03,033 --> 00:44:03,700
THE COMMITTEE.

1603
00:44:03,700 --> 00:44:06,200
IT ISN'T JUST ABOUT WHETHER YOU

1604
00:44:06,200 --> 00:44:09,300
HAVE A REPRESENTATIVEES WHO'S

1605
00:44:09,300 --> 00:44:10,900
GOING TO BE ABLE TO VOTE ON AN

1606
00:44:10,900 --> 00:44:12,333
ISSUE IN COMMITTEE.

1607
00:44:12,333 --> 00:44:14,133
REALLY IT GOES EVEN ONE STEP

1608
00:44:14,133 --> 00:44:14,800
BACK FROM THAT.

1609
00:44:14,800 --> 00:44:16,800
IT GOES TO WHETHER THE CHAIR OF

1610
00:44:16,800 --> 00:44:20,200
A COMMITTEE DECIDES THAT THEY

1611
00:44:20,200 --> 00:44:22,733
WANT TO EVEN ADVANCE AN IDEA.

1612
00:44:22,733 --> 00:44:24,333
BILLS ARE FILED AND REFERRED TO

1613
00:44:24,333 --> 00:44:25,800
COMMITTEES IN BOTH THE HOUSE AND

1614
00:44:25,800 --> 00:44:27,800
THE SENATE THAT MAY NEVER GET A

1615
00:44:27,800 --> 00:44:29,800
HEARING DEPENDING ON WHETHER THE

1616
00:44:29,800 --> 00:44:31,233
CHAIR PROVIDES A HEARING.

1617
00:44:31,233 --> 00:44:33,100
WE HAVE SOME CHAIRS IN THE

1618
00:44:33,100 --> 00:44:34,900
SENATE THAT DO A REALLY GOOD JOB

1619
00:44:34,900 --> 00:44:37,633
OF TRYING TO AT LEAST GIVE AN

1620
00:44:37,633 --> 00:44:40,400
AIRING TO EVERY ISSUE THAT'S

1621
00:44:40,400 --> 00:44:41,700
BEEN FILED IN THEIR COMMITTEE

1622
00:44:41,700 --> 00:44:43,200
AND THEY TAKE GREAT

1623
00:44:43,200 --> 00:44:43,933
RESPONSIBILITY TO DO THAT.

1624
00:44:43,933 --> 00:44:45,000
WE HAVE OTHER CHAIRS IN THE

1625
00:44:45,000 --> 00:44:47,200
SENATE WHO WILL ABSOLUTELY SIT

1626
00:44:47,200 --> 00:44:49,433
ON PIECES OF LEGISLATION THAT

1627
00:44:49,433 --> 00:44:51,000
THEY'RE OPPOSED TO AND THAT THEY

1628
00:44:51,000 --> 00:44:52,600
DON'T WANT TO GIVE A VOICE TO AS

1629
00:44:52,600 --> 00:44:53,733
PART OF THE COMMITTEE PROCESS.

1630
00:44:53,733 --> 00:44:56,200
WHEN I WAS A BRAND-NEW SENATOR

1631
00:44:56,200 --> 00:44:58,533
IN 2009, IT WAS THE MOST

1632
00:44:58,533 --> 00:44:59,733
DISAPPOINTING PART OF THE

1633
00:44:59,733 --> 00:45:01,600
PROCESS FOR ME, BECAUSE WHAT I

1634
00:45:01,600 --> 00:45:03,800
LEARNED IS THAT SOMETIMES THE

1635
00:45:03,800 --> 00:45:05,933
DEMOCRATIC PROCESS CAN BE

1636
00:45:05,933 --> 00:45:07,200
ANYTHING BUT DEMOCRATIC.

1637
00:45:07,200 --> 00:45:11,500
AND I WOULD JUST ENCOURAGE,

1638
00:45:11,500 --> 00:45:13,333
WHERE I GET DISCOURAGED ABOUT

1639
00:45:13,333 --> 00:45:14,800
THAT AND WHERE I KNOW SOME OF

1640
00:45:14,800 --> 00:45:17,300
OUR COMMUNITY VOICES GET

1641
00:45:17,300 --> 00:45:19,300
DISCOURAGED ABOUT THAT, JUST TO

1642
00:45:19,300 --> 00:45:21,700
KEEP TRYING, PARTICULARLY IN

1643
00:45:21,700 --> 00:45:22,700
GETTING THE ATTENTION OF THE

1644
00:45:22,700 --> 00:45:24,833
CHAIR, NOT TO GIVE UP, AND NOT

1645
00:45:24,833 --> 00:45:26,300
TO GIVE IN TO THE FACT THAT THAT

1646
00:45:26,300 --> 00:45:28,833
MIGHT NOT BE WHERE AN ISSUE IS

1647
00:45:28,833 --> 00:45:29,600
AIRED.

1648
00:45:29,600 --> 00:45:31,300
WE ALWAYS HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY ON

1649
00:45:31,300 --> 00:45:33,633
THE SENATE FLOOR -- I HAVE

1650
00:45:33,633 --> 00:45:36,400
LEARNED AND HAVE COME TO BE

1651
00:45:36,400 --> 00:45:38,300
PRETTY SKILLFUL AT USING THE

1652
00:45:38,300 --> 00:45:39,433
AMENDMENT PROCESS TO GET ISSUES

1653
00:45:39,433 --> 00:45:42,000
THAT I CARE ABOUT HEARD ON THE

1654
00:45:42,000 --> 00:45:44,400
SENATE FLOOR AS PART OF AMENDING

1655
00:45:44,400 --> 00:45:47,933
TO OTHER BILLS AND -- IT DOES

1656
00:45:47,933 --> 00:45:49,800
PROVIDE US AN AVENUE TO CONTINUE

1657
00:45:49,800 --> 00:45:51,400
TO HAVE OUR VOICE THERE.

1658
00:45:51,400 --> 00:45:53,033
>> I JUST WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT

1659
00:45:53,033 --> 00:45:54,700
THIS AS WELL REALLY QUICKLY,

1660
00:45:54,700 --> 00:45:55,800
REPRESENTATIVE GONZALES, BECAUSE

1661
00:45:55,800 --> 00:45:57,300
WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE

1662
00:45:57,300 --> 00:45:59,000
MACHINATIONS OF GOVERNMENT THAT

1663
00:45:59,000 --> 00:46:00,200
SOMETIMES DON'T DO THE BEST JOB

1664
00:46:00,200 --> 00:46:02,100
OF REFLECTING THE INTERESTS OF

1665
00:46:02,100 --> 00:46:05,200
THE CONSTITUENTS YOU'VE BEEN

1666
00:46:05,200 --> 00:46:06,233
HIRED TO REPRESENT.

1667
00:46:06,233 --> 00:46:07,900
SO IF A CONSTINT WENT COMES TO

1668
00:46:07,900 --> 00:46:09,733
YOU, IF YOU'RE NOT ON THAT

1669
00:46:09,733 --> 00:46:10,800
COMMITTEE THAT GOVERNS THAT

1670
00:46:10,800 --> 00:46:12,900
TOPIC AREA, HOW DO YOU MAKE YOUR

1671
00:46:12,900 --> 00:46:14,233
VOICE HEARD?

1672
00:46:14,233 --> 00:46:15,233
>> THERE'S A COUPLE OF WAYS IN

1673
00:46:15,233 --> 00:46:16,233
THE HOUSE PARTICULARLY.

1674
00:46:16,233 --> 00:46:18,100
THERE IS SOMETHING CALLED A

1675
00:46:18,100 --> 00:46:19,033
REREFERRAL TO COMMITTEE.

1676
00:46:19,033 --> 00:46:20,100
YOU CAN ASK THE SPEAKER TO

1677
00:46:20,100 --> 00:46:21,200
RE-REFER IT.

1678
00:46:21,200 --> 00:46:23,400
IF AT SOME PLACE THAT YOU AREN'T

1679
00:46:23,400 --> 00:46:25,400
HAPPY WITH, THE OTHERS AREN'T

1680
00:46:25,400 --> 00:46:26,633
HAPPY WITH, YOU CAN ASK THEM TO

1681
00:46:26,633 --> 00:46:27,433
MOVE IT TO A DIFFERENT

1682
00:46:27,433 --> 00:46:27,733
COMMITTEE.

1683
00:46:27,733 --> 00:46:28,800
I'VE SEEN THAT.

1684
00:46:28,800 --> 00:46:30,000
THIS IS MY 11th SESSION.

1685
00:46:30,000 --> 00:46:31,600
I WORKED NINE AS STAFF.

1686
00:46:31,600 --> 00:46:34,633
SO AS A STAFFER YOU LEARN AMEND

1687
00:46:34,633 --> 00:46:35,433
TRICK AND OTHER THINGS.

1688
00:46:35,433 --> 00:46:37,633
BUT YOU CAN HAVE -- AMENDMENT

1689
00:46:37,633 --> 00:46:39,000
TRICK AND OTHER THING.

1690
00:46:39,000 --> 00:46:40,100
YOU CAN HAVE A BILL REFERRED TO

1691
00:46:40,100 --> 00:46:40,900
A DIFFERENT COMMITTEE.

1692
00:46:40,900 --> 00:46:42,300
I HAVE A BILL THAT DIED AT THE

1693
00:46:42,300 --> 00:46:44,900
HANDS OF ONE SENATOR THAT PASSED

1694
00:46:44,900 --> 00:46:46,700
UNANIMOUSLY FOUR TIMES IN THE

1695
00:46:46,700 --> 00:46:48,300
HOUSE, BUT WE COULDN'T GET IT

1696
00:46:48,300 --> 00:46:50,500
PASSED WITH ONE COMMITTEE CHAIR.

1697
00:46:50,500 --> 00:46:51,800
SO THIS YEAR I'M ASKING FOR IT

1698
00:46:51,800 --> 00:46:52,933
TO GO TO A DIFFERENT CHAIRMAN.

1699
00:46:52,933 --> 00:46:54,333
A COMMITTEE THAT I THINK ALSO

1700
00:46:54,333 --> 00:46:56,100
HAS A DIFFERENT JURISDICTION,

1701
00:46:56,100 --> 00:46:57,200
BECAUSE IT HAD OVERWHELMING

1702
00:46:57,200 --> 00:46:58,300
SUPPORT IN THE HOUSE, RIGHT?

1703
00:46:58,300 --> 00:46:59,933
AND IT'S DIFFERENT WHEN YOU HAVE

1704
00:46:59,933 --> 00:47:02,600
150 VOTER OR 149-0 VOTE IN THE

1705
00:47:02,600 --> 00:47:06,800
HOUSE -- OR YOU HAVE A PIECE OF

1706
00:47:06,800 --> 00:47:07,900
LEGISLATION THAT THE SPEAKER WAS

1707
00:47:07,900 --> 00:47:09,300
TALKING ABOUT, THAT COMES UP

1708
00:47:09,300 --> 00:47:12,200
EVERY SESSION, THAT HAS A LOT OF

1709
00:47:12,200 --> 00:47:13,233
CONTROVERSY ON BOTH SIDES.

1710
00:47:13,233 --> 00:47:15,200
, THAT HAS SOME PEOPLE WHO ARE

1711
00:47:15,200 --> 00:47:17,200
FOR IT AND SOME WHO ARE AGAINST

1712
00:47:17,200 --> 00:47:17,600
IT.

1713
00:47:17,600 --> 00:47:18,500
SOMETIMES YOU DON'T HAVE THE

1714
00:47:18,500 --> 00:47:19,000
VOTES.

1715
00:47:19,000 --> 00:47:19,900
SOMETIMES YOU JUST DON'T HAVE

1716
00:47:19,900 --> 00:47:20,433
THE VOTES.

1717
00:47:20,433 --> 00:47:23,733
AND THIS WAS WHEN SENATOR DAVIS

1718
00:47:23,733 --> 00:47:25,300
TALKED ABOUT IT COULD TAKE TWO

1719
00:47:25,300 --> 00:47:27,100
SESSIONS OR THREE SESSIONS OR

1720
00:47:27,100 --> 00:47:27,900
FOUR.

1721
00:47:27,900 --> 00:47:29,733
I'VE BEEN HERE FOR A WHILE.

1722
00:47:29,733 --> 00:47:31,900
WHAT THE SPEAKER WAS TALKING

1723
00:47:31,900 --> 00:47:33,100
ABOUT IS A BILL THAT'S BEEN

1724
00:47:33,100 --> 00:47:34,400
CHANGING OVER THE YEARS.

1725
00:47:34,400 --> 00:47:36,300
IT FAILS ONE SESSION, YOU ADAPT

1726
00:47:36,300 --> 00:47:36,600
IT.

1727
00:47:36,600 --> 00:47:38,300
YOU ADDRESS THE CONCERNS, THE

1728
00:47:38,300 --> 00:47:39,933
SHORTFALLS AND YOU TRY IT AGAIN.

1729
00:47:39,933 --> 00:47:41,200
THAT'S PART OF THE PROCESS.

1730
00:47:41,200 --> 00:47:42,133
THAT'S THE PRO ES.

1731
00:47:42,133 --> 00:47:43,033
AND IF YOU DON'T HAVE THE

1732
00:47:43,033 --> 00:47:44,233
VOTES -- PROCESS.

1733
00:47:44,233 --> 00:47:45,700
AND IF YOU DON'T HAVE THE VOTES,

1734
00:47:45,700 --> 00:47:46,800
YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO GET THE

1735
00:47:46,800 --> 00:47:47,100
VOTES.

1736
00:47:47,100 --> 00:47:48,600
AND THAT MAY TAKE A WHILE.

1737
00:47:48,600 --> 00:47:50,100
OR HAVE IT REFERRED AND TRY IT

1738
00:47:50,100 --> 00:47:50,800
THAT WAY.

1739
00:47:50,800 --> 00:47:52,233
>> LET'S HEAR FROM SOMEONE ELSE,

1740
00:47:52,233 --> 00:47:52,533
ANN?

1741
00:47:52,533 --> 00:47:53,800
>> I HAVE DIANE MILLER HERE.

1742
00:47:53,800 --> 00:47:55,100
AND DIANE HAS AN INTERESTING

1743
00:47:55,100 --> 00:47:57,733
QUESTION ABOUT THE PROCESS THAT

1744
00:47:57,733 --> 00:47:59,333
NEEDS TO HAPPEN BEFORE WE ARE

1745
00:47:59,333 --> 00:48:02,033
READY AS CITIZENS TO ADVOCATE

1746
00:48:02,033 --> 00:48:03,133
BEFORE THE LEGISLATURE.

1747
00:48:03,133 --> 00:48:03,433
>> THANK YOU.

1748
00:48:03,433 --> 00:48:04,900
SO WE'VE TALKED A LOT ABOUT

1749
00:48:04,900 --> 00:48:06,000
INDIVIDUALS OR GROUPS COMING TO

1750
00:48:06,000 --> 00:48:07,800
YOU WITH ADVOCACY POSITIONS BUT

1751
00:48:07,800 --> 00:48:09,333
WHAT I DON'T SEE AS MUCH OF IN

1752
00:48:09,333 --> 00:48:10,200
OUR COMMUNITY AND AT THE

1753
00:48:10,200 --> 00:48:12,533
LEGISLATURE IS FORUMS WHERE

1754
00:48:12,533 --> 00:48:14,300
PEOPLE CAN TALK ABOUT COMPLEX

1755
00:48:14,300 --> 00:48:15,500
ISSUES IN WAYS THAT HELP THEM

1756
00:48:15,500 --> 00:48:18,133
GET AT KIND OF WHAT THEIR

1757
00:48:18,133 --> 00:48:20,533
UNDERLYING INTERESTS ARE OR

1758
00:48:20,533 --> 00:48:22,033
ISSUES ARE, MOVE AWAY FROM THE

1759
00:48:22,033 --> 00:48:23,500
PREVIOUSLY HELD POSITIONS AND

1760
00:48:23,500 --> 00:48:25,500
TALKING ABOUT THE TRADEOUTS,

1761
00:48:25,500 --> 00:48:26,700
BECAUSE YOU'RE HAVING TO MAKE

1762
00:48:26,700 --> 00:48:27,933
TOUGH CHOICES, LIMITED

1763
00:48:27,933 --> 00:48:29,100
RESOURCES, WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO

1764
00:48:29,100 --> 00:48:29,833
SPEND MONEY ON.

1765
00:48:29,833 --> 00:48:31,000
AND I'M WOND FERG A MORE

1766
00:48:31,000 --> 00:48:33,500
INFORMED DELIBERATIVE PROCESS

1767
00:48:33,500 --> 00:48:36,300
WITH COMMUNITY MEMBERS BEFORE

1768
00:48:36,300 --> 00:48:37,100
THEY COME TO YOU WITH THESE

1769
00:48:37,100 --> 00:48:38,533
IDEAS ABOUT WHAT YOU MIGHT WANT

1770
00:48:38,533 --> 00:48:39,933
TO WEIGH IN ON, IF THAT WOULD

1771
00:48:39,933 --> 00:48:41,600
REALLY BE A REALISTIC STRATEGY

1772
00:48:41,600 --> 00:48:43,433
FOR US LET'S SAY IN CENTRAL

1773
00:48:43,433 --> 00:48:45,400
TEXAS TO HOLD THOSE FORUMS,

1774
00:48:45,400 --> 00:48:46,900
WOULD THE OUTPUT OF THOSE

1775
00:48:46,900 --> 00:48:48,233
CONVERSATIONS WHERE PEOPLE ARE

1776
00:48:48,233 --> 00:48:49,900
TALKING ABOUT THE FACTS, GETTING

1777
00:48:49,900 --> 00:48:52,300
OUT WHAT DO THEY CARE ABOUT, AND

1778
00:48:52,300 --> 00:48:53,900
TRY TO FIND SOME COMMON GROUND,

1779
00:48:53,900 --> 00:48:55,500
BECAUSE MY BIG CONCERN IS LIKE

1780
00:48:55,500 --> 00:48:56,900
COME TO US WITH YOUR OPINION AND

1781
00:48:56,900 --> 00:48:59,233
YOUR ADVOCACY AND YOUR PRESET

1782
00:48:59,233 --> 00:49:00,833
IDEA OF WHAT YOU WANT AND WE'LL

1783
00:49:00,833 --> 00:49:03,533
KIND OF TRY TO FIGURE IT OUT HOW

1784
00:49:03,533 --> 00:49:04,000
TO DO IT.

1785
00:49:04,000 --> 00:49:06,400
BUT LET THE PUBLIC TALK ABOUT

1786
00:49:06,400 --> 00:49:08,400
THOSE COMPLEX THINGS AND LET

1787
00:49:08,400 --> 00:49:09,533
THEM DELIBERATE AND BUILD

1788
00:49:09,533 --> 00:49:10,600
RELATIONSHIPS AND HAVE A

1789
00:49:10,600 --> 00:49:13,033
DIALOGUE ABOUT WHAT THEY'D LIKE

1790
00:49:13,033 --> 00:49:13,733
TO SEE HAPPEN.

1791
00:49:13,733 --> 00:49:14,900
WHAT THAT BE SOMETHING THAT'S

1792
00:49:14,900 --> 00:49:16,500
REALISTIC IN THE POLITICAL

1793
00:49:16,500 --> 00:49:18,833
PROCESS WE HAVE?

1794
00:49:18,833 --> 00:49:20,333
A LOT OF TIMES PEOPLE ARE

1795
00:49:20,333 --> 00:49:22,000
DISCOURAGED AND THEY DON'T COME

1796
00:49:22,000 --> 00:49:23,033
BECAUSE THEY THINK WHATEVER I

1797
00:49:23,033 --> 00:49:24,300
SAY ISN'T GOING TO MAKE BECAUSE

1798
00:49:24,300 --> 00:49:26,300
THE DECISION MAKERS HAVE THEIR

1799
00:49:26,300 --> 00:49:28,233
OPINIONS, THEY'RE RESET, AND AS

1800
00:49:28,233 --> 00:49:29,600
POLICY MAKERS, YOU'RE ALWAYS IN

1801
00:49:29,600 --> 00:49:31,633
A POSITION WHERE YOU -- YOU'RE

1802
00:49:31,633 --> 00:49:32,500
BEING ASKED TO DO THE

1803
00:49:32,500 --> 00:49:33,800
IMPOSSIBLE, RIGHT, BECAUSE

1804
00:49:33,800 --> 00:49:36,000
PEOPLE HAVEN'T DEALT WITH THE

1805
00:49:36,000 --> 00:49:37,633
TRADE-OFFS OF THESE HARD CHOICES

1806
00:49:37,633 --> 00:49:38,333
YOU HAVE TO MAKE.

1807
00:49:38,333 --> 00:49:40,433
SO MAYBE YOU CAN SAY WHAT THAT

1808
00:49:40,433 --> 00:49:41,900
MIGHT LIKE LOOK AT THE

1809
00:49:41,900 --> 00:49:42,900
LEGISLATIVE LEVEL.

1810
00:49:42,900 --> 00:49:45,600
>> I FIRST WANT TO ASK BEA ABOUT

1811
00:49:45,600 --> 00:49:46,500
THAT, BECAUSE THAT'S SOMETHING

1812
00:49:46,500 --> 00:49:48,033
YOU HAVE TO DEAL WITH A LOT,

1813
00:49:48,033 --> 00:49:49,333
WHEN YOU'RE DOING THE GRASSROOTS

1814
00:49:49,333 --> 00:49:50,733
ORGANIZING, ALIGNING INTERESTS

1815
00:49:50,733 --> 00:49:52,200
IN SUCH A WAY THAT IT'S

1816
00:49:52,200 --> 00:49:54,100
EFFECTIVE FOR YOU TO DRIVE YOUR

1817
00:49:54,100 --> 00:49:54,700
POINT HOME.

1818
00:49:54,700 --> 00:49:55,500
>> ONE OF THE ANSWERS I WOULD

1819
00:49:55,500 --> 00:50:00,333
HAVE ISE -- I'M COMING HERE FROM

1820
00:50:00,333 --> 00:50:01,200
DOING THAT VERY THING.

1821
00:50:01,200 --> 00:50:02,300
WE JUST GOT DONE WITH A

1822
00:50:02,300 --> 00:50:04,300
THREE-DAY EVENT WITH 200 --

1823
00:50:04,300 --> 00:50:06,700
HAPPENED TO BE METHODIST WOMEN.

1824
00:50:06,700 --> 00:50:07,933
WE BROUGHT THEM TO AUSTIN FOR

1825
00:50:07,933 --> 00:50:10,133
THREE DAYS AND HAD THEM

1826
00:50:10,133 --> 00:50:12,033
UNDERSTAND ALL OF THE SIDES OF

1827
00:50:12,033 --> 00:50:13,633
SEVERAL DIFFERENT COMPLEX

1828
00:50:13,633 --> 00:50:15,000
ISSUES, AND THEN THEY WENT OVER

1829
00:50:15,000 --> 00:50:16,600
AND HAD LEGISLATIVE VISITS.

1830
00:50:16,600 --> 00:50:18,800
BUT YOU KNOW, THAT'S KIND OF A

1831
00:50:18,800 --> 00:50:22,600
ONE--A-YEAR HIGH-STATION THING.

1832
00:50:22,600 --> 00:50:23,800
WHAT WE ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO DO

1833
00:50:23,800 --> 00:50:26,200
IS HAVE LOW-STAKES ISSUES FORUMS

1834
00:50:26,200 --> 00:50:29,700
IN THEIR LOCAL WHEN IT'S NOT --

1835
00:50:29,700 --> 00:50:31,033
WHEN IT'S NOT THE 11th HOUR

1836
00:50:31,033 --> 00:50:32,433
AND EVERYBODY IS ALREADY GOTTEN

1837
00:50:32,433 --> 00:50:34,833
THEMSELVES, YOU KNOW, PARTISANLY

1838
00:50:34,833 --> 00:50:35,533
ALIGNED.

1839
00:50:35,533 --> 00:50:37,900
AND IT'S REALLY A TRICK, BECAUSE

1840
00:50:37,900 --> 00:50:39,400
WHEN YOU GET PEOPLE TOGETHER IN

1841
00:50:39,400 --> 00:50:41,100
A ROOM, EVERYBODY COMES WITH AN

1842
00:50:41,100 --> 00:50:43,833
AGENDA.

1843
00:50:43,833 --> 00:50:45,200
THE MORE PEOPLE THERE ARE, THE

1844
00:50:45,200 --> 00:50:46,800
HARDER IT IS TO GET PEOPLE TO BE

1845
00:50:46,800 --> 00:50:49,800
HONEST AND TAKE DOWN BARRIERS.

1846
00:50:49,800 --> 00:50:52,400
YOU HAVE TO SET A REALLY STRONG

1847
00:50:52,400 --> 00:50:52,900
FRAMEWORK.

1848
00:50:52,900 --> 00:50:53,933
BUT I THINK WHEN A LOCAL

1849
00:50:53,933 --> 00:50:55,233
COMMUNITY SAYS, WE WANT TO HAVE

1850
00:50:55,233 --> 00:50:57,100
AN HONEST CONVERSATION ABOUT AND

1851
00:50:57,100 --> 00:50:59,300
WE WANT TO HAVE IT FAR ENOUGH

1852
00:50:59,300 --> 00:51:00,300
FROM THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION

1853
00:51:00,300 --> 00:51:02,200
THAT WE'RE NOT GOING TO GET

1854
00:51:02,200 --> 00:51:04,800
UNINTENDED INTERACTIONS WITH THE

1855
00:51:04,800 --> 00:51:07,100
PARTISAN PROCESS, THAT HAS TO

1856
00:51:07,100 --> 00:51:08,333
HAPPEN, ABSOLUTELY, OR THE

1857
00:51:08,333 --> 00:51:10,633
PUBLIC ISN'T REALLY A USEFUL

1858
00:51:10,633 --> 00:51:12,400
PARTICIPANT AND A HELPER TO THE

1859
00:51:12,400 --> 00:51:14,133
LEGISLATURE LIKE THEY SHOULD BE.

1860
00:51:14,133 --> 00:51:16,233
>> ONCE YOU DO THAT YOU CAN POOL

1861
00:51:16,233 --> 00:51:17,733
RESOURCES, RIGHT?

1862
00:51:17,733 --> 00:51:18,033
>> SURE.

1863
00:51:18,033 --> 00:51:19,200
I THINK IT'S FUNNY.

1864
00:51:19,200 --> 00:51:21,300
THE ONLY THING HARDER THAN

1865
00:51:21,300 --> 00:51:22,600
GETTING PEOPLE DISAGREE IN A

1866
00:51:22,600 --> 00:51:24,200
RAUL TOGETHER AND GETTING TO

1867
00:51:24,200 --> 00:51:25,633
MOVE FORWARD IS GETTING PEOPLE

1868
00:51:25,633 --> 00:51:27,133
TO AGREE ON PRINCIPLES BUT ARGUE

1869
00:51:27,133 --> 00:51:27,800
ABOUT EVERYTHING ELSE.

1870
00:51:27,800 --> 00:51:29,300
I THINK THAT WORK HAS TO BE

1871
00:51:29,300 --> 00:51:29,600
DONE.

1872
00:51:29,600 --> 00:51:30,800
I DO THINK, THOUGH, THAT THERE

1873
00:51:30,800 --> 00:51:32,900
ARE A LOT OF OUTLETS, THE

1874
00:51:32,900 --> 00:51:34,500
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR PAGES, THE

1875
00:51:34,500 --> 00:51:36,000
MEDIA IN GENERAL.

1876
00:51:36,000 --> 00:51:37,200
I MEAN, IT IS UP TO THE

1877
00:51:37,200 --> 00:51:37,733
CITIZENS.

1878
00:51:37,733 --> 00:51:39,600
THERE'S AN ELEMENT OF PERSONAL

1879
00:51:39,600 --> 00:51:40,300
RESPONSIBILITY HERE FOR

1880
00:51:40,300 --> 00:51:41,800
INDIVIDUALS AND COMMUNITIES,

1881
00:51:41,800 --> 00:51:42,900
LEADERS IN THOSE COMMUNITIES TO

1882
00:51:42,900 --> 00:51:44,200
STEP AND UP SAY, WE'RE GOING TO

1883
00:51:44,200 --> 00:51:45,500
CREATE A FORUM AND WE'RE GOING

1884
00:51:45,500 --> 00:51:46,900
TO INVITE EVERYONE TO ATTEND,

1885
00:51:46,900 --> 00:51:48,700
ALL THE STAKEHOLDERS.

1886
00:51:48,700 --> 00:51:50,100
WE HAVE A DEBATE OR DISCUSSION

1887
00:51:50,100 --> 00:51:51,200
NEEDS TO HAPPEN ABOUT OUR SCHOOL

1888
00:51:51,200 --> 00:51:54,800
OR ABOUT OUR -- HOW OUR SENATOR

1889
00:51:54,800 --> 00:51:57,733
REPRESENTATIVE SHOULD VOTE ON A

1890
00:51:57,733 --> 00:51:58,033
BILL.

1891
00:51:58,033 --> 00:51:59,200
PERHAPS IT'S UP TO THE LOCAL

1892
00:51:59,200 --> 00:52:00,400
COMMUNITY LEADERS TO SAY WE'RE

1893
00:52:00,400 --> 00:52:01,400
GOING TO PUT THIS TOGETHER AND

1894
00:52:01,400 --> 00:52:02,700
INVITE THE EXPERIENCE AND IF THE

1895
00:52:02,700 --> 00:52:04,233
REPRESENTATIVE CAN'T MAKE IT --

1896
00:52:04,233 --> 00:52:05,200
SPEAKERS, AND IF THE

1897
00:52:05,200 --> 00:52:06,233
REPRESENTATIVE CAN'T MAKE IT,

1898
00:52:06,233 --> 00:52:08,100
WE'LL HAVE AN EMPTY MICROPHONE.

1899
00:52:08,100 --> 00:52:10,100
THEY CAN SEND SOMEBODY OR NOT.

1900
00:52:10,100 --> 00:52:11,433
IT'S GOT TO COME UP FROM THE

1901
00:52:11,433 --> 00:52:12,933
BOTTOM UP, NOT THE TOP DOWN.

1902
00:52:12,933 --> 00:52:15,200
LEGISLATORS ARE THERE TO

1903
00:52:15,200 --> 00:52:15,933
REPRESENT PEOPLE.

1904
00:52:15,933 --> 00:52:16,900
AND IF YOU FEEL THEY'RE NOT

1905
00:52:16,900 --> 00:52:18,000
DOING A GOOD JOB, THAT'S WHAT

1906
00:52:18,000 --> 00:52:21,900
ELECTIONS ARE FOR.

1907
00:52:21,900 --> 00:52:23,133
>> WE'RE JUST ABOUT OUT OF TIME.

1908
00:52:23,133 --> 00:52:25,300
I WANTED TO TAKE A MOMENT TO SUM

1909
00:52:25,300 --> 00:52:27,200
UP SOMEWHAT WE'VE HEARD TONIGHT.

1910
00:52:27,200 --> 00:52:29,900
IF THERE'S ONE PIECE OF ADVICE

1911
00:52:29,900 --> 00:52:31,300
YOU COULD LEAVE PEOPLE WITH, YOU

1912
00:52:31,300 --> 00:52:32,900
KNOW, THE CENTRAL QUESTION THAT

1913
00:52:32,900 --> 00:52:34,400
WE'RE TRYING TO GET AT HERE,

1914
00:52:34,400 --> 00:52:35,500
WHICH IS HOW CAN WE HAVE OUR

1915
00:52:35,500 --> 00:52:37,000
VOICES HEARD IN THE STATE

1916
00:52:37,000 --> 00:52:38,100
LEGISLATURE, BESIDES JUST

1917
00:52:38,100 --> 00:52:39,600
REACHING -- PICKING UP THE PHONE

1918
00:52:39,600 --> 00:52:41,500
AND CALLING STATE LEGISLATORS,

1919
00:52:41,500 --> 00:52:43,533
WHAT IS -- WHAT'S THE MOST

1920
00:52:43,533 --> 00:52:44,800
EFFECTIVE PIECE OF ADVICE YOU

1921
00:52:44,800 --> 00:52:46,200
WOULD GIVE TO SOMEONE TO HAVE

1922
00:52:46,200 --> 00:52:47,600
THEIR VOICE HEARD IN STATE

1923
00:52:47,600 --> 00:52:48,333
POLITICS?

1924
00:52:48,333 --> 00:52:49,900
>> VOTE WITH YOUR INTERESTS.

1925
00:52:49,900 --> 00:52:53,800
I CANNOT EMPHASIZE THAT ENOUGH.

1926
00:52:53,800 --> 00:52:56,133
AND I THINK WE'RE SEEING ON BOTH

1927
00:52:56,133 --> 00:52:57,333
THE STATE LEVEL AND A NATIONAL

1928
00:52:57,333 --> 00:52:59,833
LEVEL HOW THE POWER, FOR

1929
00:52:59,833 --> 00:53:03,900
EXAMPLE, OF THE LATINO VOTER IS

1930
00:53:03,900 --> 00:53:07,200
MAKING POLICY IN OUR GOVERNMENT.

1931
00:53:07,200 --> 00:53:10,533
VOTE YOUR INTEREST.

1932
00:53:10,533 --> 00:53:12,433
AND WHERE THOSE AREN'T BEING

1933
00:53:12,433 --> 00:53:15,300
REPRESENTED, MAKE SURE THAT YOU

1934
00:53:15,300 --> 00:53:16,400
GO AND YOU HOLD THAT PERSON

1935
00:53:16,400 --> 00:53:17,800
ACCOUNTABLE AT THE BALLOT

1936
00:53:17,800 --> 00:53:18,200
POCKETS.

1937
00:53:18,200 --> 00:53:20,400
AND THEN OF COURSE, AFTER YOU'VE

1938
00:53:20,400 --> 00:53:22,000
EXERCISED YOUR VOICE IN THAT

1939
00:53:22,000 --> 00:53:25,133
REGARD, STAY HOOKED IN TO YOUR

1940
00:53:25,133 --> 00:53:25,600
LEGISLATOR.

1941
00:53:25,600 --> 00:53:28,100
GO TO THEIR TOWN HALL MEETINGS.

1942
00:53:28,100 --> 00:53:30,000
IF HEAR NOT HAVING MEETINGS, ASK

1943
00:53:30,000 --> 00:53:31,600
THAT THEY DO THAT AND IN A

1944
00:53:31,600 --> 00:53:34,400
PUBLIC FORUM, ASK YOUR QUESTIONS

1945
00:53:34,400 --> 00:53:35,700
AND HOLD THEM RESPONSIBLE FOR

1946
00:53:35,700 --> 00:53:38,300
THE ANSWERS THAT THEY GIVE YOU.

1947
00:53:38,300 --> 00:53:40,000
>> YOU FEEL THE HEAT, IF THAT'S

1948
00:53:40,000 --> 00:53:40,700
DONE?

1949
00:53:40,700 --> 00:53:42,300
>> IT'S VERY WELCOME.

1950
00:53:42,300 --> 00:53:44,033
WHEN YOU SAY, HAVE YOUR VOICE

1951
00:53:44,033 --> 00:53:45,433
HEARD, I MEAN, YOUR VOICE CAN BE

1952
00:53:45,433 --> 00:53:46,433
HEARD WITHOUT IT BEING YOUR

1953
00:53:46,433 --> 00:53:46,833
VOICE.

1954
00:53:46,833 --> 00:53:48,400
GET INVOLVED IN YOUR LOCAL

1955
00:53:48,400 --> 00:53:52,300
PUTTA, YOUR LOCAL PTO, YOUR

1956
00:53:52,300 --> 00:53:53,933
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, TEACHERS

1957
00:53:53,933 --> 00:53:54,433
GROUP.

1958
00:53:54,433 --> 00:53:56,400
BRILLIANT ADVICE FROM BEA

1959
00:53:56,400 --> 00:53:57,100
BECAUSE WHEN YOU'RE INVOLVED AT

1960
00:53:57,100 --> 00:53:58,600
THE PRECINCT LEVEL, YOU AFFECT

1961
00:53:58,600 --> 00:53:59,600
WHAT HAPPENS AT THE COUNTY

1962
00:53:59,600 --> 00:54:01,700
LEVEL, THE STATE LEVEL, YOU MAKE

1963
00:54:01,700 --> 00:54:02,900
YOUR WAY THROUGH ALL THE

1964
00:54:02,900 --> 00:54:04,200
POLITICAL CONVENTIONS, RIGHT?

1965
00:54:04,200 --> 00:54:06,500
BUT IT'S THAT VERY FIRST STEP AT

1966
00:54:06,500 --> 00:54:09,533
THAT LEVEL OF GETTING INVOLVED.

1967
00:54:09,533 --> 00:54:13,400
IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE YOU AT THE

1968
00:54:13,400 --> 00:54:13,900
CAPITOL.

1969
00:54:13,900 --> 00:54:15,100
MAKING TIME TO BE DOWN HERE.

1970
00:54:15,100 --> 00:54:16,033
THERE ARE ORGANIZATIONS THAT

1971
00:54:16,033 --> 00:54:16,600
REPRESENT YOU.

1972
00:54:16,600 --> 00:54:18,533
BACK TO MY FIRST POINT.

1973
00:54:18,533 --> 00:54:19,400
BUT BE INVOLVED IN THOSE

1974
00:54:19,400 --> 00:54:20,200
ORGANIZATIONS SO THAT YOU HAVE

1975
00:54:20,200 --> 00:54:21,100
AN OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE YOUR

1976
00:54:21,100 --> 00:54:22,800
VOICE HEARD WITHOUT IT

1977
00:54:22,800 --> 00:54:23,800
NECESSARILY HAVING TO BE YOUR

1978
00:54:23,800 --> 00:54:24,300
VOICE.

1979
00:54:24,300 --> 00:54:26,333
>> RIGHT.

1980
00:54:26,333 --> 00:54:28,000
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT IS IMPORTANT?

1981
00:54:28,000 --> 00:54:29,900
>> START WITH WHAT YOU LOVE, NOT

1982
00:54:29,900 --> 00:54:30,800
WITH WHAT YOU HATE.

1983
00:54:30,800 --> 00:54:32,200
YOU KNOW, WE'RE IN THIS BECAUSE

1984
00:54:32,200 --> 00:54:33,800
WE ALL CARE ABOUT EACH OTHER.

1985
00:54:33,800 --> 00:54:36,300
IF WE DIDN'T WE'D ALL JUST BEAT

1986
00:54:36,300 --> 00:54:37,133
EACH OTHER UP.

1987
00:54:37,133 --> 00:54:38,400
WE'D TRY TO HAVE THIS PROCESS

1988
00:54:38,400 --> 00:54:39,500
BECAUSE WE WANT TO DO THE RIGHT

1989
00:54:39,500 --> 00:54:40,333
THING FOR EACH OTHER.

1990
00:54:40,333 --> 00:54:41,733
SO START FROM THAT PERSPECTIVE.

1991
00:54:41,733 --> 00:54:43,033
I THINK YOU CAN'T GO WRONG.

1992
00:54:43,033 --> 00:54:45,100
>> START WITH WHAT YOU LOVE.

1993
00:54:45,100 --> 00:54:45,833
GREAT ADVICE.

1994
00:54:45,833 --> 00:54:46,400
BRENDAN?

1995
00:54:46,400 --> 00:54:50,633
>> I THINK IT'S BEEN PRETTY WELL

1996
00:54:50,633 --> 00:54:51,033
SAID.

1997
00:54:51,033 --> 00:54:52,700
YOU HAVE MORE POWER THAN YOU

1998
00:54:52,700 --> 00:54:53,400
REALIZE.

1999
00:54:53,400 --> 00:54:54,333
FIND SOMETHING YOU'RE PASSIONATE

2000
00:54:54,333 --> 00:54:54,700
ABOUT.

2001
00:54:54,700 --> 00:54:55,400
GET INVOLVED.

2002
00:54:55,400 --> 00:54:57,800
NOBODY BATS .400 IN BASEBALL.

2003
00:54:57,800 --> 00:54:59,100
YOU'RE GOING TO WIN SOME, YOU'RE

2004
00:54:59,100 --> 00:55:00,000
GOING TO LOSE SOME.

2005
00:55:00,000 --> 00:55:01,533
BUT GET INVOLVED, WE'LL MAKE AN

2006
00:55:01,533 --> 00:55:03,133
IMPACT ESPECIALLY AT THE LOCAL

2007
00:55:03,133 --> 00:55:03,433
LEVEL.

2008
00:55:03,433 --> 00:55:04,800
IT'S YOUR CIVIC DUTY AND IT'S

2009
00:55:04,800 --> 00:55:07,400
SOMETHING WE OWE TO EACH OTHER

2010
00:55:07,400 --> 00:55:08,000
AND OURSELVES.

2011
00:55:08,000 --> 00:55:08,933
>> WE COME TO THE END OF OUR

2012
00:55:08,933 --> 00:55:10,133
TIME THIS EVENING, BUT WE HOPE

2013
00:55:10,133 --> 00:55:11,000
YOU WILL CONTINUE TALKING ABOUT

2014
00:55:11,000 --> 00:55:12,633
THIS, BECAUSE IT'S VERY

2015
00:55:12,633 --> 00:55:12,933
IMPORTANT.

2016
00:55:12,933 --> 00:55:14,900
WE NEED YOUR HELP TO REVERSE THE

2017
00:55:14,900 --> 00:55:16,400
LACK OF CIVIC ENGAGEMENT HERE IN

2018
00:55:16,400 --> 00:55:17,000
TEXAS.

2019
00:55:17,000 --> 00:55:18,900
SO HERE ARE FIVE THINGS THAT YOU

2020
00:55:18,900 --> 00:55:19,733
CAN DO.

2021
00:55:19,733 --> 00:55:21,500
YOU CAN CALL, WRITE, OR VISIT

2022
00:55:21,500 --> 00:55:22,800
YOUR LEGISLATORS TO DISCUSS

2023
00:55:22,800 --> 00:55:24,000
ISSUES THAT MATTER TO YOU.

2024
00:55:24,000 --> 00:55:26,133
YOU CAN TRACK BILLS AND WATCH

2025
00:55:26,133 --> 00:55:28,100
SESSIONS LIVE ONLINE.

2026
00:55:28,100 --> 00:55:30,000
JOIN IN ON PROFITS THAT

2027
00:55:30,000 --> 00:55:31,433
ADVOCATES SOME ISSUES THAT YOU

2028
00:55:31,433 --> 00:55:32,000
CARE ABOUT.

2029
00:55:32,000 --> 00:55:33,100
YOU CAN WRITE A LETTER TO THE

2030
00:55:33,100 --> 00:55:34,733
EDITOR OF YOUR LOCAL NEWSPAPER

2031
00:55:34,733 --> 00:55:36,500
OR USE SOCIAL MEDIA, FACEBOOK

2032
00:55:36,500 --> 00:55:38,500
AND TWITTER, TO SHARE YOUR

2033
00:55:38,500 --> 00:55:38,900
VIEWS.

2034
00:55:38,900 --> 00:55:41,000
YOU CAN TESTIFY AT PUBLIC HOUSE

2035
00:55:41,000 --> 00:55:42,633
OR SENATE COMMITTEE HEARINGS.

2036
00:55:42,633 --> 00:55:44,033
AND NOW WE KNOW FROM

2037
00:55:44,033 --> 00:55:45,100
REPRESENTATIVE GONZALES, YOU CAN

2038
00:55:45,100 --> 00:55:46,233
EMAIL TESTIMONY.

2039
00:55:46,233 --> 00:55:47,600
I'D LIKE TO THANK OUR GUESTS AND

2040
00:55:47,600 --> 00:55:48,900
OUR AUDIENCE FOR THIS GREAT

2041
00:55:48,900 --> 00:55:49,500
CONVERSATION.

2042
00:55:49,500 --> 00:55:50,933
FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO KEEP

2043
00:55:50,933 --> 00:55:52,433
THIS DISCUSSION GOING, PLEASE

2044
00:55:52,433 --> 00:55:59,200
VISIT WHYBOTHERTEXAS.ORG.

2045
00:55:59,200 --> 00:55:59,800
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

2046
00:55:59,800 --> 00:56:03,800
[APPLAUSE]