WEBVTT

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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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EMAIL OR WRITE A LETTER OR MAKE

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A PHONE CALL, PEOPLE GO ON WITH

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THEIR LIVES SOMETIMES.

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BUT WHEN YOU DO THAT, REALIZE

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THAT I HAVEN'T HEARD FROM YOU.

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REALIZE THAT I NEED YOU TO TAKE

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THE TIME TO JUST -- AND THE GOOD

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THING ABOUT THE SOCIAL MEDIA AND

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THE MULTI-MEDIA, THERE'S LOTS OF

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WAYS TO GET US.

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THERE'S NOT A LONG DISTANCE

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PHONE CALL ANYMORE.

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IT'S THE FACEBOOK, IT'S TWITTER,

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IT'S THE INTERNET.

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ICE ALL KINDS OF WAYS TO REACH

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US THESE DAYS.

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SO HOPEFULLY THERE ARE FEWER

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OBSTACLES.

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IN THE HOUSE RULES WE PASSED A

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RULE THAT WOULD ALLOW PEOPLE TO

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VIDEOTAPE A THREE-MINUTE PUBLIC

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TESTIMONY FOR COMMITTEE HEARING

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AND MAIL IT TO THE COMMITTEE

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CLERK.

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ONE MORE WAY OF REACHING OUT TO

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TRY TO MAKE IT MORE ACCESSIBLE.

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SO IF YOU WANT TO VIDEOTAPE YOUR

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TESTIMONY IF YOU CAN'T BE IN

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AUSTIN, VIDEOTAPE IT AND SEND IT

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IN.

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>> WELL, BEA, YOU ARE NO

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STRANGER TO THE HALLS.

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IS IT WELL JUST A MATTER OF TIME

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GETTING IN PEOPLE'S WAY?

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>> I THINK TIME GETS IN PEOPLE'S

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WAY.

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I THINK THE BIG THING THAT WE

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TRY TO TELL OUR MEMBERS WHO ARE

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PRIMARILY PEOPLE WHO BELONG TO

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RELIGIOUS COMMUNITIES IS, YOU

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KNOW, CITIZEN PARTICIPATION IS A

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MARATHON, NOT A SPRINT.

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YOU CAN'T DO IT ALL ONE TIME --

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YOU CAN'T SEND 10 EMAILS AT ONE

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TIME AND MAKE A BUNCH OF PHONE

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CALLS AND ASSUME THAT THAT KIND

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OF TOOK CARE OF YOUR CITIZENSHIP

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FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR.

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IT'S A CONSTANT PARTICIPATION IN

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THE LIFE OF THE COMMUNITY, IT'S

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CONTINUE STATELY REFRESHING YOUR

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LEGISLATION -- CONSTANTLY

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REFRESHING YOUR LEGISLATION AND

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NOT JUST TRYING TO GET YOURSELF

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A PRODUCT OUT OF IT.

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>> NOW, BRENDAN, YOU GREW UP IN

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TEXAS.

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YOU SPENT A FEW YEARS IN D.C.

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WORKING FOR FREEDOM WORKS BUT

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NOW YOU'RE BACK WITH THE TEXAS

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PUBLIC POLICY FOUNDATION.

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WHAT'S THE BIGGEST OBSTACLE IN

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PUSHING THE AGENDA OF, YOU KNOW,

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PEOPLE WHO -- WHOSE IDEAS YOU

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REPRESENT?

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>> I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF

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CHALLENGES.

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CERTAINLY THERE'S A LOT OF

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DIFFERENT INTEREST.

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THERE'S A LOT OF DIFFERENT

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GROUPS THAT ARE PUSHING AGAINST

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YOU.

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AND SO YOU KNOW, WHAT I'VE SEEN

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THAT'S EFFECTIVE IS WHEN PEOPLE

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GET ORGANIZED AND THEY BAND

09:39.333 --> 09:41.233
TOGETHER, CITIZENS CAN MAKE A

09:41.233 --> 09:41.933
HUGE IMPACT.

09:41.933 --> 09:43.200
AND WHAT I LIKE TO TALK ABOUT

09:43.200 --> 09:44.800
WHEN I TRAVEL AROUND THE COUNTRY

09:44.800 --> 09:46.400
AND TALK TO GROUPS, YOU KNOW,

09:46.400 --> 09:47.600
FIND SOMETHING YOU CAN ALL AGREE

09:47.600 --> 09:49.200
ON, ORGANIZE A LITTLE BIT, PUT

09:49.200 --> 09:50.833
TOGETHER A PLAN OF ACTION THAT

09:50.833 --> 09:52.300
LASTS THROUGH THE LEGISLATIVE

09:52.300 --> 09:52.900
SESSION.

09:52.900 --> 09:54.800
FIND OUT WHAT ARE THE ONE OR TWO

09:54.800 --> 09:55.933
THINGS THAT YOU WANT TO GET

09:55.933 --> 09:58.133
DONE, HAVE A PLAN, ENACT THAT

09:58.133 --> 09:59.900
PLAN, WHETHER IT'S COMMUNICATION

09:59.900 --> 10:01.300
TO LEGISLATORS, WHETHER IT'S

10:01.300 --> 10:02.600
REACHING OUT TO THE MEDIA AND

10:02.600 --> 10:03.700
SITTING DOWN WITH THEM AS A

10:03.700 --> 10:05.033
GROUP, WHETHER IT'S A PUBLIC

10:05.033 --> 10:07.500
DISPLAY OF RALLY OR A PROTEST.

10:07.500 --> 10:09.033
>> AND I WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT

10:09.033 --> 10:10.833
THOSE SOLUTIONS, BUT FIRST, THE

10:10.833 --> 10:13.300
PROBLEMS, THE OBSTACKLES AND THE

10:13.300 --> 10:13.900
CHALLENGES.

10:13.900 --> 10:16.300
YOU HAVE DEALT -- HELPING TO

10:16.300 --> 10:17.333
ORGANIZE TEA PARTY GROUPS, FOR

10:17.333 --> 10:19.233
EXAMPLE, THAT -- WHAT GETS IN

10:19.233 --> 10:21.500
THEIR WAY OF PUSHING THEIR

10:21.500 --> 10:23.800
CONCERNS ABOUT THE DEBT OR

10:23.800 --> 10:24.700
DEFICIT.

10:24.700 --> 10:25.800
>> SURE, A LOT OF TIMES IT'S

10:25.800 --> 10:27.433
KIND OF A FEAR OF NOT KNOWING

10:27.433 --> 10:28.733
THE PROCESS OR UNDERSTANDING THE

10:28.733 --> 10:30.833
PROCESS AND BELIEVING THAT

10:30.833 --> 10:32.933
THERE'S SOMEHOW CUT OUT OF THE

10:32.933 --> 10:33.500
PROCESS.

10:33.500 --> 10:34.500
BUT NOT REALLY.

10:34.500 --> 10:35.500
YOU CAN ACTUALLY GO AND SCHEDULE

10:35.500 --> 10:36.833
AN APPOINTMENT AND SIT DOWN WITH

10:36.833 --> 10:38.800
YOUR LEGISLATOR'S STAFF.

10:38.800 --> 10:40.100
WHETHER IT'S IN WASHINGTON OR

10:40.100 --> 10:41.000
IT'S IN AUSTIN.

10:41.000 --> 10:42.233
YOU ACTUALLY HAVE THAT ABILITY

10:42.233 --> 10:43.200
AND THAT CAPABILITY.

10:43.200 --> 10:44.200
YOU KNOW, CERTAINLY THERE'S A

10:44.200 --> 10:45.433
LEVEL OF FRUSTRATION OUT THERE

10:45.433 --> 10:47.300
WHERE PEOPLE FEEL LIKE I DON'T

10:47.300 --> 10:49.200
COUNT OR MY SIDE NEVER WINS.

10:49.200 --> 10:50.533
BOTH SIDES KIND OF FEEL THAT

10:50.533 --> 10:51.300
WAY, I THINK.

10:51.300 --> 10:53.000
IF YOU REALLY ANALYZE IT.

10:53.000 --> 10:55.200
SO IT'S REALLY -- A LOT OF IT'S

10:55.200 --> 10:56.100
SAGE LOCK CAL.

10:56.100 --> 10:57.400
A LOT OF IT'S THIS --

10:57.400 --> 10:58.900
PSYCHOLOGICAL.

10:58.900 --> 11:00.700
A LOT OF IT'S THIS THING AS

11:00.700 --> 11:02.500
CITIZENS WE HAVE TO GET OVER AND

11:02.500 --> 11:03.400
ORGANIZE AND DO SOMETHING.

11:03.400 --> 11:04.800
>> SENATOR DAVIS, WHAT IMPACT

11:04.800 --> 11:06.233
DOES THE TIGHT SCHEDULE OF THE

11:06.233 --> 11:08.200
LEGISLATURE HAVE, 140 DAYS EVERY

11:08.200 --> 11:08.733
TWO YEARS.

11:08.733 --> 11:11.400
HOW DOES THAT AFFECT PEOPLE'S

11:11.400 --> 11:14.933
ABILITY TO GET INVOLVED IN STATE

11:14.933 --> 11:15.400
POLITICS?

11:15.400 --> 11:18.000
>> WELL, I THINK IT CAN BE

11:18.000 --> 11:19.700
OVERWHELMING TO TRY TO ACHIEVE A

11:19.700 --> 11:21.433
VERY DIFFICULT TASK IN A SHORT

11:21.433 --> 11:22.300
PERIOD OF TIME.

11:22.300 --> 11:24.933
140 DAYS GOES BY IN AN INSTANT.

11:24.933 --> 11:27.833
AND AS YOU SAID, COMPETING FOR A

11:27.833 --> 11:30.600
LEGISLATOR'S TIME ARE A MYRIAD

11:30.600 --> 11:32.233
OF ISSUES, AND MAKING IS THIS

11:32.233 --> 11:34.000
YOUR THAT YOURS IS RISING TO THE

11:34.000 --> 11:35.800
TOP AND IS ONE THAT IS BEING

11:35.800 --> 11:37.800
VOICED ON THEIR BEHALF CAN BE

11:37.800 --> 11:38.933
RATHER OVERWHELMING.

11:38.933 --> 11:42.233
I KNOW THAT FOR MANY PEOPLE THAT

11:42.233 --> 11:43.733
I'VE WORKED WITH WHO COME

11:43.733 --> 11:45.700
THROUGH ORGANIZATIONS LIKE THESE

11:45.700 --> 11:48.100
AND WHO MAY FEEL THAT IT'S JUST

11:48.100 --> 11:50.800
TOO DIFFICULT A TASK, I REALLY

11:50.800 --> 11:52.833
DO TRY TO ENCOURAGE THEM BACK TO

11:52.833 --> 11:54.533
THE MARATHON, NOT A SPRINT

11:54.533 --> 11:56.400
ANALOGY, THAT SOMETIMES

11:56.400 --> 11:58.900
ACHIEVING A GOAL THROUGH A

11:58.900 --> 12:01.700
LEGISLATIVE BODY CAN TAKE MORE

12:01.700 --> 12:03.300
THAN ONE, MORE THAN TWO, MORE

12:03.300 --> 12:05.000
THAN THREE SESSIONS.

12:05.000 --> 12:06.900
BUT THEY HAVE TO KEEP AT IT,

12:06.900 --> 12:08.800
BECAUSE ALWAYS WHAT WILL BE

12:08.800 --> 12:11.800
THERE ARE THE MORE POWERFUL,

12:11.800 --> 12:14.200
MORE WELL-FINANCED INTERESTS

12:14.200 --> 12:15.933
THAT ARE GOING TO HAVE A

12:15.933 --> 12:17.800
LOBBYIST THERE ON THEIR BEHALF

12:17.800 --> 12:18.700
EVERY MOMENT THAT THE

12:18.700 --> 12:21.333
LEGISLATURE IS CONVENED AND

12:21.333 --> 12:23.900
EVERY MOMENT DURING OUR INTERIM.

12:23.900 --> 12:25.733
AND THEY CAN'T GIVE UP ON MAKING

12:25.733 --> 12:28.600
SURE THAT THEIR VOICES ARE BEING

12:28.600 --> 12:31.133
HEARD, AS DISCOURAGING AS IT CAN

12:31.133 --> 12:31.433
BE.

12:31.433 --> 12:32.800
AND REPRESENTING SOME OF THOSE

12:32.800 --> 12:34.700
COMMUNITY VOICES ON ISSUES LIKE

12:34.700 --> 12:36.300
PAYDAY LENDING, FOR EXAMPLE,

12:36.300 --> 12:38.033
WHERE I'VE CONFRONTED PROBABLY

12:38.033 --> 12:40.233
THE MOST -- ONE OF THE MOST

12:40.233 --> 12:41.733
POWERFUL LOBBIES IN THE

12:41.733 --> 12:44.700
LEGISLATURE, CAN GET

12:44.700 --> 12:46.700
DISCOURAGING, EVEN FOR ME WHO

12:46.700 --> 12:49.200
HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO HOLD THE

12:49.200 --> 12:50.300
MICROPHONE ON THE SENATE FLOOR

12:50.300 --> 12:51.733
AND FIGHT ON BEHALF OF THE

12:51.733 --> 12:53.633
ISSUES THAT I'M WORKING ON

12:53.633 --> 12:54.000
THERE.

12:54.000 --> 12:56.600
BUT I TRY TO REMIND MYSELF OF

12:56.600 --> 12:58.700
THE MARATHON, NOT THE SPRINT.

12:58.700 --> 13:00.633
AND THAT WHAT I'M WORKING ON

13:00.633 --> 13:02.033
REALLY MATTERS AND THAT THE

13:02.033 --> 13:04.333
PEOPLE WHOSE LIVES ARE BEING

13:04.333 --> 13:05.433
IMPACTED BY WHAT WE'RE WORKING

13:05.433 --> 13:08.100
ON COLLECTIVELY REALLY MATTERS.

13:08.100 --> 13:10.600
AND WE JUST HAVE TO SHORE EACH

13:10.600 --> 13:11.800
OTHER UP AND KEEP FIGHTING FOR

13:11.800 --> 13:12.633
WHAT WE CARE ABOUT.

13:12.633 --> 13:13.000
>> RIGHT.

13:13.000 --> 13:15.600
YOU TALK ABOUT -- YOU BROUGHT UP

13:15.600 --> 13:17.300
THE FINANCIAL AND INTEREST I

13:17.300 --> 13:18.400
KNOW AS LAWMAKERS IT'S JUST A

13:18.400 --> 13:19.900
FACT OF LIFE THAT YOU NEED MONEY

13:19.900 --> 13:22.300
TO RUN CAMPAIGNS AND I KNOW,

13:22.300 --> 13:23.000
THAT YOU?

13:23.000 --> 13:23.833
DAVIS, AND REPRESENTATIVE

13:23.833 --> 13:26.833
GONZALES, HAVE BOTH TAKEN MONEY

13:26.833 --> 13:28.533
FROM SOME OF THE SAME GROUPS,

13:28.533 --> 13:30.900
THE AT&T-- JUST AS AN EXAMPLE.

13:30.900 --> 13:34.300
WHAT -- WHAT DO LOBBYISTS AND

13:34.300 --> 13:36.133
CORPORATE DONORS GET OUT OF

13:36.133 --> 13:39.100
THAT, REPRESENTATIVE GONZALES?

13:39.100 --> 13:39.800
>> I DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY GET

13:39.800 --> 13:40.400
OUT OF IT.

13:40.400 --> 13:41.700
I THINK GOING BACK TO WHAT I

13:41.700 --> 13:43.333
SAID EARLIER, IT'S JUST -- IT'S

13:43.333 --> 13:45.100
JUST A MATTER OF HAVING A TIME

13:45.100 --> 13:50.700
COMMITMENT AND A RELATIONSHIP.

13:50.700 --> 13:53.800
I THINK THE LOBBYISTS GET A BAD

13:53.800 --> 13:55.333
RAP, BECAUSE ANYBODY WHO'S A

13:55.333 --> 13:56.700
TEXAS CITIZEN PROBABLY HAS ONE

13:56.700 --> 13:57.800
OR TWO GROUPS LOOKING OUT FOR

13:57.800 --> 13:58.233
THEIR INTEREST.

13:58.233 --> 13:58.900
SO YOU'LL HAVE THE CHAMBER OF

13:58.900 --> 14:00.000
COMMERCE, YOUR LOCAL CHAMBER OF

14:00.000 --> 14:01.800
COMMERCE, PROBABLY GOT A GR

14:01.800 --> 14:02.400
TEAM.

14:02.400 --> 14:03.200
IF YOU'RE A TEACHER, THERE ARE A

14:03.200 --> 14:04.400
MYRIAD OF TEACHER GROUPS THAT

14:04.400 --> 14:06.433
ACTUALLY HAVE YOUR VOICE APPEARS

14:06.433 --> 14:07.033
AS WELL.

14:07.033 --> 14:09.000
SO I KNOW -- THE EASY THING TO

14:09.000 --> 14:10.400
KNOCK THE LOBBY, BUT QUITE

14:10.400 --> 14:11.733
FRANKLY, THEY ARE AN INSTRUMENT

14:11.733 --> 14:15.400
OF COMMUNICATION THAT REPRESENT

14:15.400 --> 14:16.400
QUITE A FEW PEOPLE ALREADY, YOU

14:16.400 --> 14:16.700
KNOW?

14:16.700 --> 14:19.100
I DON'T TAKE I GUESS AS NEGATIVE

14:19.100 --> 14:19.800
APPROACH.

14:19.800 --> 14:21.500
BUT CAMPAIGNS COST MONEY, YOU

14:21.500 --> 14:21.800
KNOW.

14:21.800 --> 14:22.533
IT'S WHAT IT IS.

14:22.533 --> 14:26.333
THERE'S JUST A FUNDAMENTAL THING

14:26.333 --> 14:27.333
ABOUT WHEN YOU'RE COMMUNICATING

14:27.333 --> 14:28.800
WITH THE PROFESSIONALS, THE PAID

14:28.800 --> 14:31.100
LOBBY, IS THAT THEY SPEND TIME

14:31.100 --> 14:32.000
WITH YOU, RIGHT.

14:32.000 --> 14:33.000
THAT'S WHAT THEY DO.

14:33.000 --> 14:34.600
AND PROBABLY MORE ACCESS THAN,

14:34.600 --> 14:36.200
YOU KNOW, SOMEONE WHO'S AT HOME

14:36.200 --> 14:37.200
AND WORKING AND BALANCING THE

14:37.200 --> 14:38.400
KIDS AND EVERYTHING ELSE.

14:38.400 --> 14:39.600
BUT I STILL THINK IT'S IMPORTANT

14:39.600 --> 14:40.900
TO RECOGNIZE THAT EVEN IF YOU'RE

14:40.900 --> 14:42.800
AT HOME, AND THAT THERE ARE

14:42.800 --> 14:44.000
PEOPLE UP HERE THAT ARE

14:44.000 --> 14:45.100
REPRESENTING YOU, THAT ARE PAID

14:45.100 --> 14:45.733
TO REPRESENT YOU.

14:45.733 --> 14:47.200
SO I KIND OF TAKE A LITTLE BIT

14:47.200 --> 14:48.100
DIFFERENT APPROACH TO THE

14:48.100 --> 14:49.900
LOBBIES --

14:49.900 --> 14:50.400
>> RIGHT.

14:50.400 --> 14:51.633
I APPRECIATE YOUR PERSPECTIVE,

14:51.633 --> 14:54.433
REPRESENTATIVE.

14:54.433 --> 14:58.000
ARE -- HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THE

14:58.000 --> 14:59.500
ROLE OF LOBBYISTS IN STATE

14:59.500 --> 15:00.000
GOVERNMENT?

15:00.000 --> 15:02.900
>> I'M A REGISTERED LOBBYIST.

15:02.900 --> 15:03.600
>> THERE YOU GO.

15:03.600 --> 15:05.533
>> SO I THINK LOBBYISTS ARE AN

15:05.533 --> 15:06.400
IMPORTANT PART OF THE PROCESS

15:06.400 --> 15:07.700
AND WHAT WE TRY TO EXPLAIN TO

15:07.700 --> 15:11.800
OUR MEMBERS IS EVERYBODY IS AN

15:11.800 --> 15:12.700
IMPORTANT PROCESS.

15:12.700 --> 15:13.400
IT TAKES EVERYBODY

15:13.400 --> 15:13.900
PARTICIPATING.

15:13.900 --> 15:16.400
THE LOBBY IT DO SOMETHING THAT

15:16.400 --> 15:18.700
THE -- LOBBYISTS DO SOMETHING

15:18.700 --> 15:19.900
THAT THE AVERAGE CITIZEN CAN'T

15:19.900 --> 15:20.200
DO.

15:20.200 --> 15:21.100
THEY'RE HERE ALL THE TIME.

15:21.100 --> 15:21.900
THEY PROVIDE A LEVEL OF

15:21.900 --> 15:22.200
INFORMATION.

15:22.200 --> 15:23.000
THE PEOPLE WHO ARE BRINGING THE

15:23.000 --> 15:24.700
DETAILED INFORMATION ABOUT

15:24.700 --> 15:26.100
WHATEVER THE ISSUE IS, YOU KNOW,

15:26.100 --> 15:28.100
YOU DON'T -- I DON'T THINK THAT

15:28.100 --> 15:30.133
LEGISLATORS EXPECT IN A KIND OF

15:30.133 --> 15:32.100
ACADEMIC RESEARCH FROM THEIR

15:32.100 --> 15:33.200
CONSTITUENTS.

15:33.200 --> 15:35.433
WHAT THEY EXPECT FROM

15:35.433 --> 15:37.100
CONSTITUENTS, THE LEGISLATORS

15:37.100 --> 15:38.800
ARE HERE SO THEY COULD ANSWER

15:38.800 --> 15:41.000
BETTER, BY MU MY UNDERSTANDING,

15:41.000 --> 15:41.900
MY EXPERIENCE IS THEY EXPECT

15:41.900 --> 15:44.900
THEIR CONSTITUENTS' PERSONAL

15:44.900 --> 15:45.600
EXPERIENCE IN THE LOCAL

15:45.600 --> 15:46.600
COMMUNITY.

15:46.600 --> 15:48.900
WE HAD AN INTERESTING -- ONE

15:48.900 --> 15:51.700
TIME A COLLEAGUE OF MINE HAD A

15:51.700 --> 15:52.900
LETTER THAT FRANKLIN ROOSEVELT

15:52.900 --> 15:54.400
HAD ACTUALLY WRITTEN TO HER

15:54.400 --> 15:55.333
GRANDFATHER WHO HAD BEEN A

15:55.333 --> 15:57.000
MINISTER AND THE LETTER SAID, I

15:57.000 --> 15:58.733
NEED TO HEAR FROM YOU HOW MY

15:58.733 --> 16:00.233
POLICIES ARE WORKING IN YOUR

16:00.233 --> 16:02.900
LOCAL COMMUNITY, BECAUSE I CAN'T

16:02.900 --> 16:04.400
BE EVERYWHERE AT ONE TIME.

16:04.400 --> 16:08.733
AND SO TO LOBBY JUST DOES A

16:08.733 --> 16:10.033
DIFFERENT THING THAN THE PERSON

16:10.033 --> 16:11.533
WHO CAN CALL AND SAY ON MY

16:11.533 --> 16:12.600
STREET IT DIDN'T LOOK THE SAME

16:12.600 --> 16:13.000
WAY.

16:13.000 --> 16:13.300
>> YEAH.

16:13.300 --> 16:16.700
BRENDAN, I MEAN, FROM YOUR

16:16.700 --> 16:21.833
GRASSROOTS ORGANIZING, DO MORE

16:21.833 --> 16:23.433
ORGANIZED INTEREST GET IN THE

16:23.433 --> 16:25.200
WAY OF LOCAL GRASSROOTS GROUPS

16:25.200 --> 16:26.500
WHEN THEY'RE TRYING TO REACH OUT

16:26.500 --> 16:27.300
TO LAWMAKERS?

16:27.300 --> 16:28.300
>> I THINK YOU DO SEE SOME OF

16:28.300 --> 16:28.600
THAT.

16:28.600 --> 16:30.000
I THINK THAT THERE ARE PLENTY OF

16:30.000 --> 16:31.800
EXAMPLES, THOUGH, WHERE LOCAL

16:31.800 --> 16:33.033
CITIZENS BANNING TOGETHER CAN

16:33.033 --> 16:34.600
ACTUALLY BEAT PAID INTEREST AND

16:34.600 --> 16:37.600
CAN ACTUALLY HAVE BETTER STORIES

16:37.600 --> 16:42.033
AND BE ORGANIZED AND BE MORE

16:42.033 --> 16:42.600
PASSIONATE.

16:42.600 --> 16:43.800
IT DOES TAKE MONEY TO FUND

16:43.800 --> 16:45.300
ORGANIZATIONS, BUT TO

16:45.300 --> 16:47.133
REPRESENTATIVE GONZALES' POINT,

16:47.133 --> 16:49.000
IF YOU SUPPORT THE SIERRA CLUB

16:49.000 --> 16:50.500
AND THE IDEALS, YOU CAN

16:50.500 --> 16:51.400
CERTAINLY GET INVOLVED WITH

16:51.400 --> 16:51.733
THEM.

16:51.733 --> 16:53.633
IF YOU SUPPORT THE NRA, THEY'VE

16:53.633 --> 16:55.333
HAD A BOOMING MEMBERSHIP OVER

16:55.333 --> 16:56.233
THIS GUN DEBATE.

16:56.233 --> 16:58.400
SO HAS THE OTHER SIDE.

16:58.400 --> 16:59.500
I THINK THE LOCAL CITIZENS

16:59.500 --> 17:02.100
SHOULD LOOK TO SUPPORT AND

17:02.100 --> 17:02.600
RESOURCES.

17:02.600 --> 17:03.800
IF YOU DON'T THINK THE SIERRA

17:03.800 --> 17:05.100
CLUB IS DOING ITS JOB, AND

17:05.100 --> 17:06.100
THEY'RE NOT REPRESENTING YOU,

17:06.100 --> 17:07.300
WELL, YOU SHOULD LET THEM KNOW

17:07.300 --> 17:08.500
HOW THEY CAN BETTER REPRESENT

17:08.500 --> 17:08.800
YOU.

17:08.800 --> 17:09.900
IF YOU DON'T THINK THE NRA IS

17:09.900 --> 17:11.133
DOING WHAT YOU WANT, CALL THEM

17:11.133 --> 17:11.600
AND UP TRY TO BAND TOGETHER TO

17:11.600 --> 17:15.133
HAVE AN IMPACT WITHIN THE

17:15.133 --> 17:15.433
ORGANIZATION.

17:15.433 --> 17:17.700
AND THE INFRASTRUCTURE IS THERE

17:17.700 --> 17:19.400
ON A LOT OF THESE ISSUES, WHERE

17:19.400 --> 17:20.833
GRASSROOTS FOLKS CAN ACTUALLY

17:20.833 --> 17:21.733
HELP STEER THOSE ORGANIZATIONS

17:21.733 --> 17:22.800
IN THE DIRECTION THAT THEY WANT

17:22.800 --> 17:27.200
THEM TO GO.

17:27.200 --> 17:28.600
>> SENATOR DAVIS, WHEN PEOPLE

17:28.600 --> 17:30.500
COME TO YOU, IS IT MORE -- IS IT

17:30.500 --> 17:32.400
MORE EFFECTIVE IF THEY HAVE A

17:32.400 --> 17:33.700
NARROW CONCERN THAT THEY'RE

17:33.700 --> 17:35.600
TRYING TO ADDRESS OR WOULD YOU

17:35.600 --> 17:39.400
RATHER HEAR A LAUNDRY LIST OF

17:39.400 --> 17:41.800
COMPLAINTS?

17:41.800 --> 17:43.100
>> WELL, I THIS THINK THE ANSWER

17:43.100 --> 17:44.500
IS PRETTY CLEAR.

17:44.500 --> 17:47.000
A DIRECT, CONCISE, MESSAGE AND A

17:47.000 --> 17:48.800
DIRECT, CONCISE REQUEST OF A

17:48.800 --> 17:50.000
LEGISLATOR IS REALLY HELPFUL.

17:50.000 --> 17:53.633
BAE WAS TALKING ABOUT -- I

17:53.633 --> 17:56.433
KNOW -- BEA WAS TALKING ABOUT,

17:56.433 --> 17:58.033
JOHNATHAN DOES THE SAME, THEY'RE

17:58.033 --> 17:59.500
WORKING TRYING TO PULL MULTIPLE

17:59.500 --> 18:01.100
IDEAS TOGETHER AND PUT THEM IN A

18:01.100 --> 18:02.300
REQUEST THAT MAKES SENSE TO

18:02.300 --> 18:03.700
THEIR LEGISLATORS.

18:03.700 --> 18:06.733
IT DOES HELP US TO BE ABLE TO

18:06.733 --> 18:08.300
CARRY THAT FORWARD IF IT COMES

18:08.300 --> 18:09.333
TO US IN THAT WAY.

18:09.333 --> 18:11.300
BUT WE ALL HAVE WONDERFUL TEAMS

18:11.300 --> 18:12.833
OF PEOPLE WHO WORK FOR US IN OUR

18:12.833 --> 18:14.233
LEGISLATIVE OFFICES AS WELL.

18:14.233 --> 18:16.033
AND THEY'RE SKILLED AND

18:16.033 --> 18:20.000
EXPERIENCED AT HELPING PEOPLE TO

18:20.000 --> 18:21.600
DISTILL THEIR REQUESTS INTO A

18:21.600 --> 18:23.200
DIRECT MESSAGE THAT WE CAN THEN

18:23.200 --> 18:24.800
CARRY FORWARD ON THEIR BEHALF.

18:24.800 --> 18:28.333
SO I WOULD NOT HESITATE TO SAY,

18:28.333 --> 18:29.733
DON'T FEEL AS THOUGH YOU NEED TO

18:29.733 --> 18:32.400
WALK IN YOUR LEGISLATOR'S DOOR,

18:32.400 --> 18:33.300
TERRIBLY ORGANIZED.

18:33.300 --> 18:34.833
JUST COME WITH A PASSION.

18:34.833 --> 18:37.433
COME WITH A REAL CONCERN THAT

18:37.433 --> 18:40.133
MATTERS TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.

18:40.133 --> 18:42.133
AND BRING IT FORWARD IN A WAY

18:42.133 --> 18:45.000
THAT LETS THAT SHINE THROUGH AND

18:45.000 --> 18:46.800
YOU WILL BE HEARD, EVEN IF YOU

18:46.800 --> 18:48.133
DON'T HAVE THE SLICKEST

18:48.133 --> 18:49.633
PRESENTATION BRINGING IT

18:49.633 --> 18:52.533
FORWARD.

18:52.533 --> 18:53.900
>> BUT REPRESENTATIVE GONZALES,

18:53.900 --> 18:55.233
SENATOR DAVIS ALLUDED TO THIS

18:55.233 --> 18:56.600
EARLIER, AS A LAWMAKER THERE'S

18:56.600 --> 18:58.300
ONLY SO MUCH YOU CAN ACCOMPLISH

18:58.300 --> 18:59.400
NO MATTER HOW MUCH YOU WANT TO

18:59.400 --> 19:00.000
HELP SOMEONE.

19:00.000 --> 19:01.533
>> WELL, I MEAN, WHAT WE DO,

19:01.533 --> 19:02.800
TOO, IS THE THINGS WE'RE WORKING

19:02.800 --> 19:04.233
ON NOW DURING SESSION, WE'VE

19:04.233 --> 19:05.400
BEEN WORKING ON SINCE WE LEFT

19:05.400 --> 19:06.500
LAST SESSION.

19:06.500 --> 19:07.300
RIGHT?

19:07.300 --> 19:08.800
THERE ARE MANY THINGS THAT HAVE

19:08.800 --> 19:09.900
BEEN GONE OKAY CONVERSATION WITH

19:09.900 --> 19:10.733
MANY GROUPS.

19:10.733 --> 19:12.400
>> WHAT'S AN EXAMPLE OF THAT?

19:12.400 --> 19:13.600
>> WE'VE BEEN WORKING WITH

19:13.600 --> 19:14.733
FUNERAL HOME LEGISLATION.

19:14.733 --> 19:16.500
THAT HAPPENED PROBABLY SHORTLY

19:16.500 --> 19:18.100
AFTER WE LEFT LAST SATISFACTION.

19:18.100 --> 19:20.100
AND WE'VE TAKEN THE TIME TO

19:20.100 --> 19:21.733
RUN -- LAST SESSION.

19:21.733 --> 19:23.600
WE'VE TAKEN THE TIME TO RUN ALL

19:23.600 --> 19:24.700
THE -- WITH ALL THE DIFFERENT

19:24.700 --> 19:25.633
ORGANIZATIONS THAT HAVE AN

19:25.633 --> 19:26.300
INTEREST IN IT.

19:26.300 --> 19:27.500
WHEN YOU GET HERE, OUR

19:27.500 --> 19:29.400
LEGISLATION IS PRETTY TIGHT.

19:29.400 --> 19:30.733
WE FEEL REALLY GOOD ABOUT WHERE

19:30.733 --> 19:31.533
IT IS RIGHT NOW.

19:31.533 --> 19:33.500
BECAUSE WE'VE RUN THE TRAPS THE

19:33.500 --> 19:34.733
LAST YEAR AND A HALF.

19:34.733 --> 19:36.800
I THINK WHAT -- WE TALKED ABOUT

19:36.800 --> 19:39.200
EARLIER ABOUT THE LOBBYISTS, THE

19:39.200 --> 19:40.900
REALLY GOOD ONES, THE PAID

19:40.900 --> 19:42.833
LOBBYISTS, THEY WILL COME IN

19:42.833 --> 19:44.600
WITH SOMEBODY FROM YOUR

19:44.600 --> 19:44.900
COMMUNITY.

19:44.900 --> 19:46.200
SO WHEN THE ARCHITECTS COME INTO

19:46.200 --> 19:47.700
THE OFFICE TODAY, THEY'RE WITH

19:47.700 --> 19:49.500
ONE OF MY LOCAL ARCHITECTS.

19:49.500 --> 19:52.000
JOHN MOMMAN WHO HAPPENS TO BE A

19:52.000 --> 19:53.433
CITY COUNCILWOMAN AND THERE'S

19:53.433 --> 19:54.400
THAT CONNECTION THERE.

19:54.400 --> 19:57.133
I SEE -- COUNCILMAN AND THERE'S

19:57.133 --> 19:57.833
THAT CONNECTION THERE.

19:57.833 --> 19:59.500
I SEE JOHN ALL OVER THE PLACE.

19:59.500 --> 20:01.000
WHEN THEY WALK IN, THEY ARE

20:01.000 --> 20:03.733
WALKING IN WITH JOHN SO THERE'S

20:03.733 --> 20:05.100
THAT KIND OF CONNECTION, BRING

20:05.100 --> 20:05.900
SOMEONE WITH THE DISTRICT WITH

20:05.900 --> 20:07.000
YOU WHO HELPS MAKE THAT

20:07.000 --> 20:08.000
CONNECTION, BECAUSE JOHN AND I

20:08.000 --> 20:09.800
HAVE HAD THAT RELATIONSHIP FOR

20:09.800 --> 20:11.033
MANY YEARS, LONG BEFORE I WAS

20:11.033 --> 20:11.500
ELECTED.

20:11.500 --> 20:12.800
>> WITH THE TEXAS LEGISLATIVE

20:12.800 --> 20:15.233
SESSION UNDERWAY, WHAT ARE SOME

20:15.233 --> 20:16.400
PRACTICAL WAYS FOR PEOPLE TO

20:16.400 --> 20:18.600
TAKE THEIR CONCERNS TO -- OR

20:18.600 --> 20:19.500
ISSUES TO THE CAPITOL.

20:19.500 --> 20:23.033
WE WANT TO BEGIN BY HEARING

20:23.033 --> 20:24.300
ABOUT SOME OF THE IDEAS THAT

20:24.300 --> 20:26.833
PEOPLE CAME ONE DURING THE WHY

20:26.833 --> 20:28.700
BOTHER DIALOGUE WE HELD IN

20:28.700 --> 20:30.100
DECEMBER.

20:30.100 --> 20:33.400
ANN BEESON IS --

20:33.400 --> 20:34.900
>> THANK YOU, NATHAN.

20:34.900 --> 20:36.433
ONE OF THE GOALS OF OUR WHY

20:36.433 --> 20:38.933
BOTHER SERIES IS TO HEAR

20:38.933 --> 20:40.000
DIRECTLY FROM CITIZENS AND

20:40.000 --> 20:41.500
DURING OUR CONVERSATION LAST

20:41.500 --> 20:42.700
DECEMBER AT AUSTIN COMMUNITY

20:42.700 --> 20:44.000
COLLEGE, CITIZENS WORKED

20:44.000 --> 20:45.333
TOGETHER IN ROUND TABLES TO

20:45.333 --> 20:46.600
IDENTIFY CHALLENGES AND DEVELOP

20:46.600 --> 20:48.000
SUGGESTIONS FOR HOW TO GET MORE

20:48.000 --> 20:49.133
PEOPLE ENGAGED.

20:49.133 --> 20:50.100
THEY OFFERED A NUMBER OF

20:50.100 --> 20:51.500
INTERESTING INSIGHTS ABOUT THE

20:51.500 --> 20:52.000
PROBLEM.

20:52.000 --> 20:53.800
ONE CITIZEN SAID, WE NEED TO

20:53.800 --> 20:55.900
MOVE FROM A CONSUMER VIEW,

20:55.900 --> 20:57.400
VOTING FOR WHO GIVES ME THE MOST

20:57.400 --> 20:59.100
OF WHAT I WANT, TO A

20:59.100 --> 21:00.900
COLLABORATIVE VIEW, CITIZENSHIP

21:00.900 --> 21:01.700
AS A VERB.

21:01.700 --> 21:03.700
WE NEED TO ENFRANCHISE PEOPLE

21:03.700 --> 21:05.900
AROUND ACTION, NOT JUST VOTING.

21:05.900 --> 21:07.733
CITIZENS ALSO CAME UP WITH SOME

21:07.733 --> 21:09.433
CONCRETE SOLUTIONS AND I WANTED

21:09.433 --> 21:11.200
TO SHARE A FEW OF THEM WITH YOU

21:11.200 --> 21:11.600
TONIGHT.

21:11.600 --> 21:12.900
ONE GROUP SAID, WE SHOULD

21:12.900 --> 21:14.833
REQUIRE ELECTED OFFICIALS TO

21:14.833 --> 21:16.500
SPEND MORE TIME IN NEIGHBORHOODS

21:16.500 --> 21:17.133
THEY REPRESENT.

21:17.133 --> 21:19.900
ANOTHER GROUP SAID, WE SHOULD

21:19.900 --> 21:21.433
CREATE BETTER SPACES FOR CIVIC

21:21.433 --> 21:22.600
ENGAGEMENT AND MORE

21:22.600 --> 21:23.700
OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE TO

21:23.700 --> 21:24.600
CONNECT IN THEIR OWN

21:24.600 --> 21:25.200
NEIGHBORHOODS.

21:25.200 --> 21:27.600
AND FINALLY, A GROUP SAID, WE

21:27.600 --> 21:28.800
SHOULD MAKE IT EASIER FOR

21:28.800 --> 21:30.733
CITIZENS TO UNDERSTAND WHAT'S AT

21:30.733 --> 21:32.700
STAKE IN POLICY DEBATES BY

21:32.700 --> 21:34.200
EXPLAINING HOW SPECIFIC BILLS

21:34.200 --> 21:35.600
WOULD ACTUALLY AFFECT PEOPLE'S

21:35.600 --> 21:36.100
LIVES.

21:36.100 --> 21:38.300
I'M EAGER TO HEAR MORE IDEAS

21:38.300 --> 21:39.933
FROM THOSE OF YOU HERE WITH US

21:39.933 --> 21:41.100
IN THE AUDIENCE TONIGHT, BUT

21:41.100 --> 21:42.100
FIRST LET'S HEAR WHAT OUR

21:42.100 --> 21:43.100
SPEAKERS THINK OF THESE

21:43.100 --> 21:43.500
SUGGESTIONS.

21:43.500 --> 21:45.500
NATHAN?

21:45.500 --> 21:46.933
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

21:46.933 --> 21:48.233
LET'S START WITH YOU, BECAUSE WE

21:48.233 --> 21:49.100
LEFT OFF WITH YOU,

21:49.100 --> 21:50.133
REPRESENTATIVE GONZALES.

21:50.133 --> 21:50.733
>> OKAY.

21:50.733 --> 21:51.700
>> WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT SOME

21:51.700 --> 21:53.100
OF THOSE SUGGESTIONS?

21:53.100 --> 21:56.133
DO ANY OF THEM SOUND PROMISING

21:56.133 --> 21:56.533
TO YOU?

21:56.533 --> 21:57.033
>> ABSOLUTELY.

21:57.033 --> 21:58.500
IT'S UNDERSTANDING JUST THE

21:58.500 --> 22:00.500
CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY OF THE

22:00.500 --> 22:03.200
TAXPAYER, TO BE INVOLVED.

22:03.200 --> 22:04.200
YOU KNOW, SHOWING UP TO

22:04.200 --> 22:05.600
DIFFERENT EVENTS IS CLEARLY VERY

22:05.600 --> 22:06.000
IMPORTANT.

22:06.000 --> 22:08.533
I MEAN, TO THE ONE THAT TALKED

22:08.533 --> 22:10.433
ABOUT ELECTED OFFICIALS BEING

22:10.433 --> 22:12.833
AVAILABLE AND ACCESSIBLE, WE GO

22:12.833 --> 22:13.400
TO EVERYTHING.

22:13.400 --> 22:15.300
IT IS ALL ENCOMPASSING.

22:15.300 --> 22:17.700
LUCKILY, MY DISTRICT IS PRETTY

22:17.700 --> 22:18.400
COMPACT.

22:18.400 --> 22:20.533
I'M IN A HOUSE DISTRICT THAT'S

22:20.533 --> 22:25.000
PROBABLY 25 MINUTES END TO END.

22:25.000 --> 22:28.300
IT'S A LITTLE LESS PRACTICAL IN

22:28.300 --> 22:29.500
YOU'RE IN A DISTRICT THAT COVERS

22:29.500 --> 22:30.833
18 OR 22 COUNTIES.

22:30.833 --> 22:32.433
BUT MODERN TECHNOLOGY HAS MADE

22:32.433 --> 22:34.033
IT MUCH EASIER TO CONTACT US.

22:34.033 --> 22:35.100
THERE'S NO DOUBT ABOUT IT.

22:35.100 --> 22:35.900
TO ENGAGE WITH US.

22:35.900 --> 22:37.300
WHAT I WOULD SUGGEST, ONE OF THE

22:37.300 --> 22:38.200
IMPORTANT THINGS TO DO WOULD BE

22:38.200 --> 22:39.600
TO PICK UP THE PHONE AND CALL.

22:39.600 --> 22:41.800
THE EMAILS ARE GREAT.

22:41.800 --> 22:43.800
BUT THERE'S NOTHING LIKE HEARING

22:43.800 --> 22:46.000
FROM SOMEBODY ON THE TELEPHONE,

22:46.000 --> 22:47.600
JUST TAKING THE TIME TO CALL AND

22:47.600 --> 22:49.900
VISIT WITH THEM ONE-ON-ONE,

22:49.900 --> 22:50.900
BECAUSE THEN I CAN GET ON THE

22:50.900 --> 22:51.933
PHONE ON AS WELL AND I CAN TALK

22:51.933 --> 22:53.500
TO THEM ONE-ON-ONE LIKE THAT.

22:53.500 --> 22:55.200
SO YES, IT'S GREAT.

22:55.200 --> 22:56.600
BUT THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS ON

22:56.600 --> 22:58.700
THE CITIZEN SIDE, TOO, TO BE

22:58.700 --> 23:00.233
PRO-ACTIVE, AND MAKING THOSE

23:00.233 --> 23:01.300
CONNECTIONS.

23:01.300 --> 23:03.133
>> SENATOR DAVIS, WHAT CAN

23:03.133 --> 23:05.300
LAWMAKERS DO TO GET MORE INPUT

23:05.300 --> 23:06.500
FROM CITIZENS?

23:06.500 --> 23:08.100
>> WE HAVE TO FULFILL OUR

23:08.100 --> 23:10.433
RESPONSIBILITIES TO REACH OUT TO

23:10.433 --> 23:13.033
OUR COMMUNITY AND MAKE SURE AS

23:13.033 --> 23:15.400
FRANKLIN ROOSEVELT DID, THAT THE

23:15.400 --> 23:16.533
ISSUES THAT WE'RE WORKING ON

23:16.533 --> 23:19.400
WITH REALLY REFLECTIVE OF THE

23:19.400 --> 23:20.500
PRIORITIES OF OUR COMMUNITY.

23:20.500 --> 23:21.600
AND WE TRY TO DO THAT THROUGH

23:21.600 --> 23:23.100
OUR SENATE OFFICE IN A NUMBER OF

23:23.100 --> 23:24.600
WAYS.

23:24.600 --> 23:26.833
I REPRESENT ABOUT 830,000

23:26.833 --> 23:28.033
PEOPLE, SO IT CAN BE

23:28.033 --> 23:28.600
CHALLENGING.

23:28.600 --> 23:30.900
BUT WE ESTABLISH TOWN HALL

23:30.900 --> 23:31.200
MEETINGS.

23:31.200 --> 23:33.300
WE TRY TO HOLD THEM THROUGHOUT

23:33.300 --> 23:34.600
THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION AND THEN

23:34.600 --> 23:36.433
ALSO IN THE INTERIM SO THAT

23:36.433 --> 23:37.900
WE'RE GATHERING INPUT, WE'RE NOT

23:37.900 --> 23:39.900
WAITING UNTIL WE'RE IN THAT

23:39.900 --> 23:42.100
140-DAY PERIOD BEFORE WE BEGIN

23:42.100 --> 23:43.533
THE WORK WE NEED TO ENGAGE IN.

23:43.533 --> 23:46.533
AND WE ALSO OUTLIZE TELEPHONIC

23:46.533 --> 23:48.433
TOWN HALLS WHERE WE CALL

23:48.433 --> 23:50.200
THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ACROSS THE

23:50.200 --> 23:51.200
DISTRICT, ANNOUNCE THAT WE'RE

23:51.200 --> 23:53.433
HAVING A TELEPHONIC TOWN HALL

23:53.433 --> 23:54.733
AND INVITE THEM TO STAY ON THE

23:54.733 --> 23:55.033
LINE.

23:55.033 --> 23:56.600
WE TYPICALLY DO IT TOPIC BY

23:56.600 --> 23:58.600
TOPIC.

23:58.600 --> 23:59.700
WE HAD SEVERAL DURING THE

23:59.700 --> 24:01.000
INTERIM TO TALK ABOUT SCHOOL

24:01.000 --> 24:03.933
FUNDING, TO TALK ABOUT WOMEN'S

24:03.933 --> 24:05.433
HEALTH CARE, AND TO HEAR OUR

24:05.433 --> 24:07.100
COMMUNITY VOICES AND CONCERNS

24:07.100 --> 24:08.500
ABOUT THOSE PARTICULAR ISSUES.

24:08.500 --> 24:10.300
AND WE FIND THAT THOSE HAVE

24:10.300 --> 24:10.900
WORKED VERY WELL.

24:10.900 --> 24:12.100
AND THEN EACH OF US OF COURSE

24:12.100 --> 24:13.500
HAVE DISTRICT OFFICES.

24:13.500 --> 24:14.433
SOME OF US HAVE MORE THAN ONE

24:14.433 --> 24:15.800
DISTRICT OFFICE, DEPENDING ON

24:15.800 --> 24:17.400
HOW LARGE OUR DISTRICTS ARE.

24:17.400 --> 24:19.500
AND THOSE PROVIDE A REALLY GOOD

24:19.500 --> 24:22.100
CONDUIT TOO, FOR PEOPLE TO COME

24:22.100 --> 24:24.833
IN IN PERSON, MEET WITH US OR

24:24.833 --> 24:26.400
MEMBERS OF OUR STAFF TO MAKE

24:26.400 --> 24:27.733
SMUR THAT THEIR ISSUES ARE BEING

24:27.733 --> 24:29.300
RECOGNIZED.

24:29.300 --> 24:30.900
>> BEA, DO ANY OF THOSE THINGS

24:30.900 --> 24:31.600
WORK FOR YOU?

24:31.600 --> 24:34.100
WHAT'S THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAY TO

24:34.100 --> 24:35.100
ADVANCE YOUR AGENDA IN THE

24:35.100 --> 24:35.600
LEGISLATURE?

24:35.600 --> 24:38.533
HOW DOW DO IT?

24:38.533 --> 24:41.600
>> WE USE EVERY TRICK IN THE

24:41.600 --> 24:42.000
BOOK.

24:42.000 --> 24:43.600
>> TELL ME ALL YOUR TRICKS.

24:43.600 --> 24:45.533
>> JUST TO KIND OF PICK UP ON

24:45.533 --> 24:47.500
THIS -- WHEN SAYING LEGISLATORS

24:47.500 --> 24:48.900
SHOULD GO OUT INTO THE

24:48.900 --> 24:50.733
NEIGHBORHOOD -- I HAVE A STORY

24:50.733 --> 24:51.900
THAT HAPPENED RECENTLY THAT I

24:51.900 --> 24:53.000
THINK WAS REALLY INTERESTING AND

24:53.000 --> 24:54.233
IT KIND OF BRINGS UP SOME OF

24:54.233 --> 24:56.100
THE -- WHY SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T

24:56.100 --> 24:57.200
WORK LIKE WE THINK IT'S GOING

24:57.200 --> 24:57.500
TO.

24:57.500 --> 24:58.833
I WENT OUT AND WAS SPEAKING TO

24:58.833 --> 25:00.300
SOME PEOPLE AT A CHURCH AND THEY

25:00.300 --> 25:01.600
KNEW WHO THEIR LEGISLATOR WAS

25:01.600 --> 25:02.600
GOING TO BE.

25:02.600 --> 25:04.300
AND MANY OF THEM WEREN'T VERY

25:04.300 --> 25:05.700
HAPPY ABOUT IT AND THEY WERE

25:05.700 --> 25:07.000
KIND OF GRUMBLING AND I SAID,

25:07.000 --> 25:08.333
HOW MANY OF YOU HAVE EVER MET

25:08.333 --> 25:08.700
THEM.

25:08.700 --> 25:10.300
AND THEY ALL SAID, OH, NO, THEY

25:10.300 --> 25:11.700
HAD NEVER MET THEM AND THEY

25:11.700 --> 25:13.033
DIDN'T THINK THEY'D LIKE HIM AND

25:13.033 --> 25:14.833
THEY DIDN'T THINK THE LEGISLATOR

25:14.833 --> 25:15.533
WOULD LIKE THEM.

25:15.533 --> 25:17.333
I SAID, HAVE YOU EVER, YOU KNOW,

25:17.333 --> 25:19.500
CONSIDERED HAVING THEM COME OVER

25:19.500 --> 25:20.900
LIKE FOR COFFEE AND THEY'RE

25:20.900 --> 25:22.333
LIKE, THEY WOULDN'T COME.

25:22.333 --> 25:24.333
THEY -- AND I SAID, WELL, I

25:24.333 --> 25:25.533
DON'T WANT TO HEAR ABOUT IT

25:25.533 --> 25:28.100
UNTIL YOU TELL ME THAT YOU'VE

25:28.100 --> 25:29.400
TRIED INVITING THEM AND IT

25:29.400 --> 25:30.100
DIDN'T WORK.

25:30.100 --> 25:32.433
THEY CALLED ME SHEEPISHLY A

25:32.433 --> 25:34.333
COUPLE DAYS LATER AND THEY SAID,

25:34.333 --> 25:35.600
ACTUALLY IT TURNED OUT THAT THEY

25:35.600 --> 25:36.733
HAD CALLED AND THE LEGISLATURE

25:36.733 --> 25:38.500
WAS VERY EXCITED TO COME TO

25:38.500 --> 25:39.600
CHURCH TO HAVE A COFFEE AND

25:39.600 --> 25:41.200
THEY'RE ALL GOING TO MEET EACH

25:41.200 --> 25:41.500
OTHER.

25:41.500 --> 25:42.500
SO YOU KNOW, SOMETIMES IT'S THE

25:42.500 --> 25:43.733
LEGISLATOR NOT WORKING OUT.

25:43.733 --> 25:45.733
BUT SOMETIMES IT'S PEOPLE IN THE

25:45.733 --> 25:48.633
COMMUNITY NOT BEING WILLING TO

25:48.633 --> 25:50.400
MEET THEM HALFWAY AND I THINK

25:50.400 --> 25:52.100
THAT'S THE HUGE SHAME, IS JUST

25:52.100 --> 25:52.700
LIKE IN THE PERSONAL

25:52.700 --> 25:53.400
RELATIONSHIP.

25:53.400 --> 25:55.633
EVERYBODY WONDERS WHY NOBODY

25:55.633 --> 25:56.100
CALLS.

25:56.100 --> 25:57.300
>> YOU TALKED ABOUT -- YOU'VE

25:57.300 --> 25:59.300
TALKED ABOUT THIS IN YOUR WORK

25:59.300 --> 26:00.100
IN THE CAPITOL.

26:00.100 --> 26:02.800
BRINGING PEOPLE TO U.S.

26:02.800 --> 26:04.333
SENATORS' OFFICES AND THEY WERE

26:04.333 --> 26:05.733
SURPRISED THAT THEY COULD GO AND

26:05.733 --> 26:07.100
UP KNOCK ON THE DOOR.

26:07.100 --> 26:08.100
>> RIGHT, WE HAD THOUSANDS OF

26:08.100 --> 26:09.433
PEOPLE IN TOWN FOR A BIG RALLY

26:09.433 --> 26:11.700
AND AT THE THE END OF SAID,

26:11.700 --> 26:13.000
LET'S HEAD OVER TO THE SENATE

26:13.000 --> 26:15.100
OFFICE GLIS GO FIND THESE GUYS

26:15.100 --> 26:16.233
AND TALK TO THEM ABOUT WHAT IT

26:16.233 --> 26:18.500
IS WE GAR ABOUT AND PEOPLE

26:18.500 --> 26:20.433
DIDN'T KNOW WHERE TO FIND THEM.

26:20.433 --> 26:21.600
THEY DIDN'T KNOW THE PROCESS.

26:21.600 --> 26:23.000
AND NO ONE IS REALLY TO BLAME

26:23.000 --> 26:24.633
FOR THAT OTHER THAN, I SAW MY

26:24.633 --> 26:25.933
JOB AS LOWERING THE BARRIER TO

26:25.933 --> 26:27.600
ENTRIES FOR POLITICS AND

26:27.600 --> 26:28.000
PARTICIPATION.

26:28.000 --> 26:29.200
AND WHAT EVERYONE IS TALKING

26:29.200 --> 26:32.100
ABOUT, THE PARTICIPANTS IN THIS

26:32.100 --> 26:34.333
DISCUSSION, IS THAT A

26:34.333 --> 26:36.633
DEMTYSATION OF POLITICS WHICH IS

26:36.633 --> 26:37.133
HAPPENING.

26:37.133 --> 26:38.200
IT IS A GOOD THING.

26:38.200 --> 26:39.200
AND IT'S JUST GOING TO BE A

26:39.200 --> 26:41.000
LITTLE BIT OF CHAOS FOR A WHILE

26:41.000 --> 26:42.100
UNTIL WE FIGURE OUT THE BEST

26:42.100 --> 26:43.300
TOOLS AND TECHNOLOGIES.

26:43.300 --> 26:44.433
BUT THAT'S A GOOD THING.

26:44.433 --> 26:45.900
I THINK WE'VE LOWERED THAT

26:45.900 --> 26:47.333
BARRIER AND IT WILL CONTINUE TO

26:47.333 --> 26:48.600
GET CHEAPER AND CHEAPER THIS

26:48.600 --> 26:49.700
TERMS OF TIME AND MONEY FOR

26:49.700 --> 26:51.133
CITIZENS TO GET ENGAGED.

26:51.133 --> 26:53.100
>> BEA, YOU'VE GOT TO TELL ME

26:53.100 --> 26:54.033
SOME OF THOSE TRICKS YOU WERE

26:54.033 --> 26:55.233
TALKING ABOUT.

26:55.233 --> 26:56.033
>> WELL --

26:56.033 --> 26:57.633
>> BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT THIS IS

26:57.633 --> 26:58.133
ABOUT.

26:58.133 --> 26:59.100
>> RIGHT, EVERYBODY WANTS TO

26:59.100 --> 26:59.800
HEAR THE TRICKS.

26:59.800 --> 27:01.500
>> WE ALL ARE PRETTY FAMILIAR

27:01.500 --> 27:02.633
MOST OF US WITH THE STANDARD

27:02.633 --> 27:04.000
WAYS THAT WE CAN ENGAGE WITH OUR

27:04.000 --> 27:04.500
LEGISLATORS.

27:04.500 --> 27:06.433
BUT ARE THERE ANY -- ANYTHING

27:06.433 --> 27:08.233
THAT YOU MIGHT -- WE MIGHT NOT

27:08.233 --> 27:09.200
THINK OF.

27:09.200 --> 27:12.300
>> I MEAN, I THINK THE -- ONE OF

27:12.300 --> 27:13.833
THE THINGS THAT WE TALK TO

27:13.833 --> 27:17.033
PEOPLE ABOUT, AND I DON'T -- I

27:17.033 --> 27:18.733
HOPE THIS IS GETTING OUT WHAT

27:18.733 --> 27:19.333
YOU'RE ASKING.

27:19.333 --> 27:21.600
WE TRY -- WE ASK THEM TO TRY TO

27:21.600 --> 27:24.300
THINK CREATIVELY ABOUT HOW TO BE

27:24.300 --> 27:25.533
IN RELATIONSHIP WITH A

27:25.533 --> 27:26.300
LEGISLATOR.

27:26.300 --> 27:30.933
SO HOW TO -- HOW TO DEVELOP A

27:30.933 --> 27:32.300
COMMUNICATION WITH THEM THAT'S

27:32.300 --> 27:33.800
ONGOING, THAT HAS TO DO WITH

27:33.800 --> 27:35.033
WHAT THEY HAVE IN COMMON IN THE

27:35.033 --> 27:37.200
COMMUNITY, AND IF THEY DON'T

27:37.200 --> 27:38.433
HAVE SOMETHING IN COMMON, IF

27:38.433 --> 27:41.433
THEY DON'T FEEL LIKE THEY HAVE

27:41.433 --> 27:42.333
VERY GOOD BASIS FOR A

27:42.333 --> 27:44.700
RELATIONSHIP, WHAT WE SAY IS,

27:44.700 --> 27:48.033
THE -- IT'S ALL CONNECTED.

27:48.033 --> 27:49.200
SO IF YOU'RE NOT THE RIGHT

27:49.200 --> 27:52.000
PERSON, MAYBE WE BETTER, IF I

27:52.000 --> 27:53.233
DON'T EVEN TRY TO TALK TO YOU

27:53.233 --> 27:54.700
DIRECTLY, MAYBE WHAT I NEED TO

27:54.700 --> 27:56.700
DO IS BE IN RELATIONSHIP WITH MY

27:56.700 --> 27:57.733
WHOLE COMMUNITY AND FIND

27:57.733 --> 27:59.800
SOMEBODY ELSE WHO CAN GO TALK TO

27:59.800 --> 28:00.133
YOU.

28:00.133 --> 28:01.600
SO THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS THAT

28:01.600 --> 28:03.600
WE DO IS TO TRY TO GET PEOPLE TO

28:03.600 --> 28:04.800
UNDERSTAND THEMSELVES, NOT JUST

28:04.800 --> 28:06.500
AS A CONSUMER LIKE ANN WAS

28:06.500 --> 28:09.233
SAYING, OF A POLITICAL PRODUCT

28:09.233 --> 28:10.800
BUT A PARTICIPANT IN A PROCESS

28:10.800 --> 28:12.900
WHERE I MAY NOT BE -- I MAY NOT

28:12.900 --> 28:15.400
BE THE STAR OF IT ALL THE TIME.

28:15.400 --> 28:16.000
>> RIGHT.

28:16.000 --> 28:18.833
IN TERMS OF DIRECT DEMOCRACY,

28:18.833 --> 28:20.300
TEXANS HAVE ACCESS TO AT LEAST

28:20.300 --> 28:21.800
ONE FORM OF THAT.

28:21.800 --> 28:24.000
WE CAN RATIFY AND REJECT

28:24.000 --> 28:24.700
AMENDMENTS TO THE STATE

28:24.700 --> 28:26.200
CONSTITUTION, RIGHT?

28:26.200 --> 28:27.300
BUT THERE'S A LOT OF STUFF WE

28:27.300 --> 28:28.100
CAN'T DO.

28:28.100 --> 28:29.633
WE CAN'T RECALL STATE LAWMAKERS,

28:29.633 --> 28:31.233
ALTHOUGH I THINK THAT CAN BE

28:31.233 --> 28:34.533
DONE IN SOME HOME RURAL CITIES,

28:34.533 --> 28:36.100
RECALLING COUNSELORS, BUT AT THE

28:36.100 --> 28:38.100
STATE -- COUNCILORS, BUT AT THE

28:38.100 --> 28:40.133
STATE LEVEL, WE DON'T HAVE THE

28:40.133 --> 28:41.600
ABILITY TO CREATE A PETITION AND

28:41.600 --> 28:43.533
GET A LAW ON THE BOOKS.

28:43.533 --> 28:45.733
IS THAT TYPE OF THING HEALTHY

28:45.733 --> 28:47.700
FOR THIS SORT OF REPRESENTATIVE

28:47.700 --> 28:48.900
SYSTEM, SENATOR DAVIS?

28:48.900 --> 28:51.200
>> WELL, I THINK ONE OF THE

28:51.200 --> 28:53.000
ISSUES THAT WE CONFRONT IN

28:53.000 --> 28:54.300
TEXAS, AND IT'S HAPPENED IN

28:54.300 --> 28:56.233
OTHER COUNTRIES A -- OR OTHER

28:56.233 --> 28:57.500
STATES, EXCUSE ME, ACROSS THE

28:57.500 --> 28:59.900
COUNTRY AS WELL, AND THAT IS

28:59.900 --> 29:00.900
THROUGH THE REDISTRICTING

29:00.900 --> 29:05.133
PROCESS, VERY PURE PARTISAN

29:05.133 --> 29:06.700
DISTRICTS HAVE BEEN CREATED.

29:06.700 --> 29:09.033
AND I THINK IT'S REALLY LED TO A

29:09.033 --> 29:14.700
SENSE OF DISENFRANCHISEMENT,

29:14.700 --> 29:16.433
DISCOURAGEMENT BY OUR SAYSRY.

29:16.433 --> 29:17.933
I -- CITIZENRY.

29:17.933 --> 29:19.900
I MAY BE A PROGRESSIVE WHO LIVES

29:19.900 --> 29:21.333
IN A VERY CONSERVATIVE DISTRICT

29:21.333 --> 29:23.400
WHERE THE REAL CONVERSATION IS

29:23.400 --> 29:26.400
TAKING PLACE IN PARTY PRIMARIES.

29:26.400 --> 29:28.333
AND THERE REALLY ISN'T A GENERAL

29:28.333 --> 29:29.700
ELECTION CONVERSATION THAT GOES

29:29.700 --> 29:30.100
ON.

29:30.100 --> 29:32.633
AND I MAY FEEL -- I MAY ASSUME

29:32.633 --> 29:34.500
THAT A PERSON WHO'S

29:34.500 --> 29:36.400
REPRESENTED -- OR ELECTED,

29:36.400 --> 29:37.900
EXCUSE ME N THAT DISTRICT WON'T

29:37.900 --> 29:39.433
REPRESENT -- MEAN N THAT

29:39.433 --> 29:40.600
DISTRICT WON'T HEALTH DEPARTMENT

29:40.600 --> 29:42.400
MY PARTICULAR CONCERNS, SO I MAY

29:42.400 --> 29:46.400
WITHDRAW -- REPRESENT MY

29:46.400 --> 29:47.600
PARTICULAR CONCERNS, SO I MAY

29:47.600 --> 29:49.800
WITH YOU DRAW COMPLETELY UNTIL

29:49.800 --> 29:50.533
THEY CAN CONSIDER MY

29:50.533 --> 29:50.833
PERSPECTIVE.

29:50.833 --> 29:51.600
IT IS WHAT IT IS.

29:51.600 --> 29:54.633
AND THAT IS THE EXISTING

29:54.633 --> 29:56.000
CIRCUMSTANCE THAT WE HAVE IN THE

29:56.000 --> 29:57.000
STATE OF TEXAS TODAY.

29:57.000 --> 29:59.200
SO I WOULD JUST ENCOURAGE

29:59.200 --> 30:00.533
PEOPLE, WHETHER YOU FEEL THAT

30:00.533 --> 30:05.233
THAT REPRESENTATIVE IS --

30:05.233 --> 30:06.300
PARTICULAR REPRESENTATIVE IS A

30:06.300 --> 30:08.100
PERSON OF YOUR PARTY PERSUASION,

30:08.100 --> 30:10.333
A PERSON WHO YOU MIGHT TYPICALLY

30:10.333 --> 30:12.533
VOTE FOR, YOU STILL NEED TO MAKE

30:12.533 --> 30:14.500
SURE AND TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO

30:14.500 --> 30:16.100
ENGAGE WITH THEM.

30:16.100 --> 30:19.300
AND THAT PETITION PROCESS, WHILE

30:19.300 --> 30:21.700
IT MAY NOT EXIST IN TERMS OF A

30:21.700 --> 30:24.933
CONSTITUTIONAL OPPORTUNITY FOR

30:24.933 --> 30:26.700
THE VOTER, THEY DO HAVE THE

30:26.700 --> 30:29.233
OPPORTUNITY TO PETITION THEIR

30:29.233 --> 30:30.700
PERSPECTIVE THROUGH THE PERSON

30:30.700 --> 30:32.600
WHO IS ELECTED.

30:32.600 --> 30:34.900
AND IF IT'S NOT REFLECTIVE, THEN

30:34.900 --> 30:36.800
TO WORK WITHIN THE EXISTING

30:36.800 --> 30:38.233
SYSTEM THAT THEY HAVE FOR THE

30:38.233 --> 30:39.600
NEXT FREE ELECTION.

30:39.600 --> 30:41.433
AND SEE IF THEY CAN TRY TO MAKE

30:41.433 --> 30:43.400
AN IMPACT ON IT, EVEN IF IT'S IN

30:43.400 --> 30:44.400
THE PRIMARY.

30:44.400 --> 30:46.400
AND I THINK THE TEA PARTY REALLY

30:46.400 --> 30:49.000
HAS BEEN A PERFECT EXAMPLE OF

30:49.000 --> 30:53.533
HOW CITIZENS -- A CITIZENS

30:53.533 --> 30:54.500
MOVEMENT HAS BEEN ABLE TO

30:54.500 --> 30:56.300
CAPTURE THE ATTENTION OF A

30:56.300 --> 30:58.400
PARTISANSHIP WHERE THEIR VOICE

30:58.400 --> 30:59.500
WASN'T NECESSARILY BEING

30:59.500 --> 31:01.800
REFLECTIVE BUT THEY MADE SURE

31:01.800 --> 31:03.200
THAT IT'S GOING TO BE GOING

31:03.200 --> 31:03.700
FORWARD.

31:03.700 --> 31:05.233
AND THAT CAN CERTAINLY WORK ON

31:05.233 --> 31:06.833
BOTH SIDES OF THE PARTY AISLE

31:06.833 --> 31:08.700
WHERE PEOPLE TAKE THAT POWER ON

31:08.700 --> 31:10.900
FOR THEMSELVES.

31:10.900 --> 31:12.400
>> THE TOOL KIT THAT YOU PROVIDE

31:12.400 --> 31:14.633
TO TEA PARTY GROUPS WHEN YOU

31:14.633 --> 31:16.100
VISIT WITH THEM, WHEN YOU ARE A

31:16.100 --> 31:18.033
PART OF FREEDOM WORKS, WHAT IS

31:18.033 --> 31:19.133
IN THAT TOOL KIT?

31:19.133 --> 31:20.600
WHAT DO YOU TELL THEM THAT THEY

31:20.600 --> 31:22.500
CAN DO TO HAVE THEIR VOICE

31:22.500 --> 31:23.200
HEARD?

31:23.200 --> 31:25.133
>> SURE, AND IT REALLY IS GREAT

31:25.133 --> 31:26.800
PHRASE, THE TOOL KIT AND SORT OF

31:26.800 --> 31:28.500
OPEN SOURCE SOFTWARE FOR

31:28.500 --> 31:29.300
ACTIVISM.

31:29.300 --> 31:30.900
AND ESSENTIALLY TEACHING PEOPLE

31:30.900 --> 31:32.500
HOW TO RUN AN EFFECTIVE

31:32.500 --> 31:33.933
CAMPAIGN, WHETHER IT'S A

31:33.933 --> 31:35.833
CAMPAIGN FOR A LOCAL CANDIDATE,

31:35.833 --> 31:36.933
WHETHER IT WAS A PART OF A

31:36.933 --> 31:38.733
LARGER CAMPAIGN FOR STATE

31:38.733 --> 31:40.100
SENATE, WHETHER IT WAS AN ISSUE

31:40.100 --> 31:40.600
CAMPAIGN.

31:40.600 --> 31:42.233
SO WE TAUGHT EVERYTHING FROM A

31:42.233 --> 31:44.533
TO Z, HOW TO RAISE MONEY, HOW TO

31:44.533 --> 31:46.500
SPEAK TO THE MEDIA, HOW TO BUILD

31:46.500 --> 31:47.300
RELATIONSHIPS.

31:47.300 --> 31:48.900
HOW TO KNOCK ON DOORS AND TALK

31:48.900 --> 31:49.700
TO VOTERS.

31:49.700 --> 31:51.400
AND TALK TO DIFFERENT VOTERS,

31:51.400 --> 31:53.633
CONSERVATIVES VERSUS LIBERAL

31:53.633 --> 31:54.800
VERSUS MODERATE.

31:54.800 --> 31:55.600
THERE'S A LOT OF INFORMATION

31:55.600 --> 31:56.733
THAT WE PROVIDED TO PEOPLE AND

31:56.733 --> 31:58.100
JUST SAID, WE'RE NOT GOING TO

31:58.100 --> 31:59.800
TRY AND EVEN ORGANIZE YOU.

31:59.800 --> 32:01.900
YOU CAN ORGANIZE YOURSELF IN THE

32:01.900 --> 32:03.033
WAY THAT YOU THINK IS RIGHT.

32:03.033 --> 32:04.233
AND THAT WAS VERY EFFECTIVE.

32:04.233 --> 32:05.600
AND I THINK WHAT WE'RE GETTING

32:05.600 --> 32:07.733
AT HERE IS THE MACHINERY OF

32:07.733 --> 32:08.733
POLITICS IN GOVERNMENT IS SORT

32:08.733 --> 32:10.900
OF IT IS WHAT IT IS AND WE HAVE

32:10.900 --> 32:12.400
TWO MAJOR POLITICAL PARTIES THAT

32:12.400 --> 32:14.233
TEND TO HOLD 90% OF THE POWER AT

32:14.233 --> 32:16.033
LEAST IN THIS COUNTRY, IF NOT

32:16.033 --> 32:16.400
MORE.

32:16.400 --> 32:17.833
WE'VE GOT ELECTIONS.

32:17.833 --> 32:20.200
AND WE'VE GOT BASICALLY A

32:20.200 --> 32:20.900
STRUCTURE SET UP.

32:20.900 --> 32:22.500
THE QUESTION IS HOW DO YOU DEAL

32:22.500 --> 32:25.733
WITH THE WORLD AS IT IS, THE

32:25.733 --> 32:27.300
WORLD AS IT IS NOT AS YOU WANT

32:27.300 --> 32:28.533
IT TO BE.

32:28.533 --> 32:30.000
AND THAT'S WHAT YOU DO.

32:30.000 --> 32:31.033
YOU GET ORGANIZED IN A WAY THAT

32:31.033 --> 32:32.800
MAKES THE MOST SENSE FOR YOUR

32:32.800 --> 32:33.500
SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT.

32:33.500 --> 32:34.300
AND THAT'S WHAT I WOULD

32:34.300 --> 32:36.000
RECOMMEND TO EVERYONE ACROSS THE

32:36.000 --> 32:36.933
AISLE WHO'S FIGHTING FOR

32:36.933 --> 32:38.233
SOMETHING THEY BELIEVE.

32:38.233 --> 32:40.200
>> I WAS HOPING WE'D GET A

32:40.200 --> 32:42.400
SOLINSKI MENTIONED IN HERE.

32:42.400 --> 32:43.500
>> REPRESENTATIVE GONZALES,

32:43.500 --> 32:45.833
WHAT -- I MEAN, IF YOU HAVE A

32:45.833 --> 32:47.100
CONSTITUENT WHO IS VERY

32:47.100 --> 32:48.133
PASSIONATE ABOUT AN ISSUE AND

32:48.133 --> 32:50.733
THEY COME TO YOU AND IT'S JUST

32:50.733 --> 32:51.800
SOMETHING THAT YOU DISAGREE

32:51.800 --> 32:53.800
WITH, I MEAN, DO THEY HAVE ANY

32:53.800 --> 32:55.700
OTHER RECOURSE AT THAT POINT OR

32:55.700 --> 32:57.133
CAN YOU HELP THEM?

32:57.133 --> 32:58.500
>> THE FIRST THING WE DO IS WE

32:58.500 --> 33:01.900
RESEARCH IT IN-DEPTH, SO IF

33:01.900 --> 33:04.100
SOMEONE COMES UP TO ME WITH AN

33:04.100 --> 33:06.900
IDEA, A SUGGESTION, THAT MAYBE I

33:06.900 --> 33:08.300
HAVEN'T BEEN ON BOARD WITH

33:08.300 --> 33:10.333
BEFORE, WE LOOK AT IT, BECAUSE

33:10.333 --> 33:12.700
WHEN YOU HAVE THAT CONVERSATION,

33:12.700 --> 33:14.800
I'M IN A ROLE AT THAT POINT OF

33:14.800 --> 33:15.200
LEARNING.

33:15.200 --> 33:17.400
SO TALK TO ME.

33:17.400 --> 33:18.233
RIGHT.

33:18.233 --> 33:19.333
TELL ME WHAT'S GOING ON.

33:19.333 --> 33:20.900
CONVINCE ME.

33:20.900 --> 33:22.333
FOR ME PERSONALLY, A LOT OF THAT

33:22.333 --> 33:24.300
IS ANECDOTAL.

33:24.300 --> 33:25.600
I WANT TO KNOW NOT NECESSARILY

33:25.600 --> 33:27.400
THE THEORETICAL KIND OF THINK

33:27.400 --> 33:27.933
TANK CONVERSATION.

33:27.933 --> 33:29.900
YOUR LIFE, YOUR BUSINESS, YOUR

33:29.900 --> 33:32.000
KIDS, YOUR SCHOOL, TALK TO ME

33:32.000 --> 33:33.700
ABOUT WHAT IT IS THAT YOU'RE

33:33.700 --> 33:34.300
ASKING FOR.

33:34.300 --> 33:36.500
AND SO WE HAVE A CONVERSATION.

33:36.500 --> 33:38.200
IF I CAN'T BE THERE, I CAN'T BE

33:38.200 --> 33:39.200
THERE, RIGHT?

33:39.200 --> 33:41.400
BUT THE THING THAT WE DO IS WE

33:41.400 --> 33:42.300
TALK TO EVERYBODY.

33:42.300 --> 33:43.900
MY STAFF KNOWS, WHOEVER WALKS

33:43.900 --> 33:46.100
IN, CAN WE HAVE A VISIT?

33:46.100 --> 33:46.900
ABSOLUTELY.

33:46.900 --> 33:48.900
RIGHT, DURING REDISTRICTING AS

33:48.900 --> 33:50.533
SENATOR DAVIS REFERENCED, DURING

33:50.533 --> 33:54.633
REDISTRICTING I -- I CALLED THE

33:54.633 --> 33:56.100
DEMOCRAT CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNTY

33:56.100 --> 33:57.200
AND I SAID, THIS IS WHAT WE'RE

33:57.200 --> 33:58.000
LOOKING AT.

33:58.000 --> 33:59.300
AND THIS IS WHAT THE NEW

33:59.300 --> 34:00.433
DISTRICTS WILL LOOK LIKE.

34:00.433 --> 34:01.833
AND I'M LOOKING FOR, YOU KNOW,

34:01.833 --> 34:03.333
YOUR INPUT, KIND OF WHAT ARE

34:03.333 --> 34:04.800
YOUR THOUGHTS ON THIS STUFF.

34:04.800 --> 34:07.100
AND GOT A WONDERFUL NOTE BACK,

34:07.100 --> 34:07.700
YOU KNOW.

34:07.700 --> 34:09.033
I LEFT A MESSAGE AND GOT A

34:09.033 --> 34:10.433
WONDERFUL NOTE BACK, AND THIS

34:10.433 --> 34:12.700
PAST SWEARING-IN DAY, THE FORMER

34:12.700 --> 34:13.833
DEMOCRATIC CHAIRMAN CAME TO THE

34:13.833 --> 34:15.100
OFFICE AND THANKED ME FOR A

34:15.100 --> 34:16.800
COUPLE OF ARTICLES WE HAD

34:16.800 --> 34:18.533
WRITTEN IN ONE OF THE LOCAL

34:18.533 --> 34:19.000
PAPERS.

34:19.000 --> 34:20.633
BUT IT'S THAT CONSTANT DIALOGUE,

34:20.633 --> 34:24.000
SO IF I'M NOT THERE, ON ONE,

34:24.000 --> 34:25.700
MAYBE I'M THERE WITH YOU ON

34:25.700 --> 34:27.433
ANOTHER ONE OR ANOTHER ONE.

34:27.433 --> 34:30.100
IT'S THAT DEMONGROUND AND WE ALL

34:30.100 --> 34:31.800
LIVE WITH HOUSE DISTRICT 52.

34:31.800 --> 34:33.000
WE'RE LOOKING FOR THAT COMMON

34:33.000 --> 34:33.300
GROUND.

34:33.300 --> 34:36.600
TAYLOR AND HUDDLE AND ROUND ROCK

34:36.600 --> 34:37.900
ARE PRETTY DIFFERENT CITIES.

34:37.900 --> 34:40.500
BUT OVERALL, WE'RE LOOKING FOR A

34:40.500 --> 34:41.700
SOUTHERN WINSTON COUNTY KIND OF

34:41.700 --> 34:42.133
APPROACH.

34:42.133 --> 34:43.700
AND BY THAT MEANS I THINK IT'S A

34:43.700 --> 34:44.500
PRETTY GOOD CONVERSATION TO

34:44.500 --> 34:44.900
HAVE.

34:44.900 --> 34:46.500
SO THERE'S NO AT LOVE OF

34:46.500 --> 34:48.433
THINGS -- NOT A LOT OF THINGS

34:48.433 --> 34:51.133
THAT THEY CAN WALK IN WITH THAT

34:51.133 --> 34:52.400
WE'RE NOT ON BOARD ENTIRELY, BUT

34:52.400 --> 34:53.733
I LOOK FOR THE THINGS THAT WE

34:53.733 --> 34:54.300
CAN BE.

34:54.300 --> 34:55.300
TRY TO SHAPE THE CONVERSATION,

34:55.300 --> 34:56.400
WHAT CAN I HELP YOU WITH.

34:56.400 --> 34:56.933
>> I UNDERSTAND.

34:56.933 --> 34:59.000
AND IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU CAN BE

34:59.000 --> 35:01.633
MORE EFFECTIVE IN THAT REGARD IF

35:01.633 --> 35:02.900
YOU HAVE A BUNCH OF PEOPLE ON

35:02.900 --> 35:04.900
YOUR SIDE AS OPPOSED TO BEING AN

35:04.900 --> 35:07.200
INDIVIDUAL OUT IN THE WILDERNESS

35:07.200 --> 35:07.700
BY YOURSELF.

35:07.700 --> 35:08.200
>> IT'S TRUE.

35:08.200 --> 35:10.600
AND IF I CAN JUST ADD ONE QUICK

35:10.600 --> 35:11.700
THEY ABOUT, BECAUSE YOU BROUGHT

35:11.700 --> 35:14.200
UP INR, THE INITIATIVE AND

35:14.200 --> 35:15.800
REFERENDUM, WE DON'T HAVE THAT

35:15.800 --> 35:18.133
BUT WE HAVE AN INTERESTING

35:18.133 --> 35:19.433
PROCESS OF PRECINCT RESOLUTIONS

35:19.433 --> 35:21.533
WHICH WE'VE TRIED TO USE AS AN

35:21.533 --> 35:23.000
ORGANIZING TOOL AND I KNOW Y'ALL

35:23.000 --> 35:23.700
HAVE, TOO.

35:23.700 --> 35:24.800
I'M ALWAYS INTERESTED IN THE

35:24.800 --> 35:26.233
CONVERSATION IN MY OWN PRECINCT

35:26.233 --> 35:27.533
WHEN SOMEBODY FINALLY DOES BRING

35:27.533 --> 35:29.100
UP ONE.

35:29.100 --> 35:30.200
THAT'S KIND OF THE WAY THAT WE

35:30.200 --> 35:32.500
DO SORT OF PURE DEMOCRACY IN

35:32.500 --> 35:35.000
TEXAS, IS THE PRECINCT LEVEL

35:35.000 --> 35:36.100
CONVERSATIONS ABOUT ISSUES.

35:36.100 --> 35:37.800
AND HONESTLY I THINK THERE'S ONE

35:37.800 --> 35:38.733
THING THAT ALL OF THE

35:38.733 --> 35:40.333
GRASSROOTS -- PEOPLE WANT TO

35:40.333 --> 35:41.833
KNOW WHAT THEY CAN DO MORE OF.

35:41.833 --> 35:45.300
I'D SAY DO MORE REAL PRECINCT

35:45.300 --> 35:46.600
RESOLUTION CONVERSATIONS WHEN

35:46.600 --> 35:47.400
THEY REALLY HAPPEN.

35:47.400 --> 35:48.733
THEY'RE FANTASTIC.

35:48.733 --> 35:50.500
>> TELL ME ABOUT THE VALUE.

35:50.500 --> 35:52.533
>> IT'S ONE THING, IT EDUCATES

35:52.533 --> 35:54.633
THE PEOPLE PRECINCT BY PRECINCT

35:54.633 --> 35:55.300
ON THE ISSUE.

35:55.300 --> 35:57.300
IT KIND OF STARTS TO CRYSTALLIZE

35:57.300 --> 35:59.533
THE IDEA AS WE MOVE -- YOU KNOW,

35:59.533 --> 36:01.633
WE MOVE THROUGH THIS LEGISLATIVE

36:01.633 --> 36:03.633
BIENNIAL PROCESS AND THE

36:03.633 --> 36:05.100
PRECINCT RESOLUTION IS KIND OF

36:05.100 --> 36:07.500
THE FIRST GRASSROOTS LEVEL TIME

36:07.500 --> 36:09.500
TO HAVE THE CONVERSATION THAT

36:09.500 --> 36:12.133
THEN WILL BUILD INTO FINALLY THE

36:12.133 --> 36:14.600
LEGISLATIVE PROCESS, WHERE WE

36:14.600 --> 36:16.300
BRING ACTUAL LEGISLATION.

36:16.300 --> 36:18.633
SO I THINK IT'S OUR ANSWER TO

36:18.633 --> 36:20.500
INITIATIVE AND REFERENDUM AND WE

36:20.500 --> 36:21.933
SHOULD EXPLOIT IT MORE.

36:21.933 --> 36:23.600
>> AND YOU'VE USED THOSE, TOO?

36:23.600 --> 36:24.533
>> MOST OF THE WORK THAT WE'VE

36:24.533 --> 36:25.933
DONE IS ACTUAL LIE IN THE SENSE

36:25.933 --> 36:27.800
OF -- ACTUALLY IN THE SENSE OF

36:27.800 --> 36:29.100
WHAT THE SENATORS ARE REFERRING

36:29.100 --> 36:30.800
TO, TAKING OVER THE MAJOR

36:30.800 --> 36:32.100
POLITICAL PARTY OF THE PRECINCT

36:32.100 --> 36:32.400
LEVEL.

36:32.400 --> 36:33.433
THE POLITICAL SIDE WAS SOMETHING

36:33.433 --> 36:36.233
WE USED QUITE A BIT AND IF YOU

36:36.233 --> 36:37.800
CAN GET YOUR PRECINCT ORGANIZED,

36:37.800 --> 36:38.800
THEN YOU CAN GET YOUR COUNTY

36:38.800 --> 36:39.200
ORGANIZED.

36:39.200 --> 36:40.933
IF YOU CAN GET YOUR COUNTY

36:40.933 --> 36:42.300
ORGANIZED, THE MAJOR COUNTIES,

36:42.300 --> 36:43.333
THEN YOU CAN AFFECT YOUR

36:43.333 --> 36:44.200
DISTRICT AND YOUR STATE.

36:44.200 --> 36:45.900
IF THERE IS ONE LESSON TO TAKE

36:45.900 --> 36:47.300
AWAY FOR ME THIS EVENING, I

36:47.300 --> 36:48.633
THINK IT IS FOCUSED ON LOCAL

36:48.633 --> 36:49.400
THINGS FIRST.

36:49.400 --> 36:50.900
GET SOMETHING DONE LOCALLY.

36:50.900 --> 36:52.800
WHATEVER YOU'RE PASSIONATE ABOUT

36:52.800 --> 36:54.000
IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD IN YOUR

36:54.000 --> 36:54.433
COMMUNITY.

36:54.433 --> 36:59.033
LEARN -- KIND OF CUT YOUR TEETH

36:59.033 --> 37:00.333
IN THAT EFFORT, HAVE SOME

37:00.333 --> 37:01.933
SUCCESS AND BRING THAT UP TO THE

37:01.933 --> 37:03.033
NEXT LEVEL TO THE COUNTY AND THE

37:03.033 --> 37:03.400
STATE.

37:03.400 --> 37:05.100
>> AND EVEN IF YOU LOSE,

37:05.100 --> 37:06.200
HOPEFULLY YOU LEARN SOMETHING IN

37:06.200 --> 37:07.000
THE PROCESS.

37:07.000 --> 37:08.433
>> IF YOU LOSE, ASK YOURSELF,

37:08.433 --> 37:10.533
DID WE COME OUT STRONGER, DID WE

37:10.533 --> 37:12.200
RECRUIT MORE MEMBERS, DID WE GET

37:12.200 --> 37:13.100
A LITTLE MORE ATTENTION, ARE

37:13.100 --> 37:14.100
PEOPLE STARTING TO TAKE NOTICE.

37:14.100 --> 37:15.300
AND IF THE ANSWER IS YES, YOU'RE

37:15.300 --> 37:16.133
DOING SOMETHING RIGHT.

37:16.133 --> 37:17.033
YOU SHOULD CONTINUE.

37:17.033 --> 37:17.400
>> ALL RIGHT.

37:17.400 --> 37:20.700
NOW MY FAVORITE PART OF THIS

37:20.700 --> 37:22.133
ENTIRE PROGRAM WHERE WE ACTUALLY

37:22.133 --> 37:23.300
GET TO HEAR FROM PEOPLE IN THE

37:23.300 --> 37:24.700
YOU HAD AUDIENCE.

37:24.700 --> 37:26.933
YOU CAN ASK SOME QUESTIONS OF

37:26.933 --> 37:28.833
YOU FINAL INDIVIDUALS.

37:28.833 --> 37:30.333
ANN, WHO HAVE YOU GOT FOR US?

37:30.333 --> 37:31.200
>> THIS IS MICHAEL.

37:31.200 --> 37:33.133
HE IS A STAFFER FOR THE TEXAS

37:33.133 --> 37:35.000
LEGISLATURE AND HAS ALSO WORKED

37:35.000 --> 37:36.800
IN THE PAST FOR THE PENNSYLVANIA

37:36.800 --> 37:37.733
STATE LEGISLATURE.

37:37.733 --> 37:39.133
SO MICHAEL, TELL US A LITTLE BIT

37:39.133 --> 37:40.833
ABOUT YOUR PERSPECTIVE ON

37:40.833 --> 37:42.233
CITIZEN ENGAGEMENT BEING A

37:42.233 --> 37:44.100
STAFFER FOR A REPRESENTATIVE.

37:44.100 --> 37:45.800
>> WELL, EVERY TIME I TALK TO

37:45.800 --> 37:47.500
PEOPLE ABOUT CONSTITUENT

37:47.500 --> 37:49.133
ENGAGEMENT, ONE STORY ALWAYS

37:49.133 --> 37:49.800
COMES TO MIND.

37:49.800 --> 37:51.233
IT SPEAKS OF IT TO

37:51.233 --> 37:52.533
REPRESENTATIVE COMES VOICE POINT

37:52.533 --> 37:54.800
ABOUT WHEN YOU'RE HAVING A

37:54.800 --> 37:57.500
DIALOGUE WHEN SOMEBODY DISAGREES

37:57.500 --> 37:57.900
WITH YOU.

37:57.900 --> 37:59.033
WHEN I WAS IN THE FENCES

37:59.033 --> 38:01.833
LEGISLATURE, IT WAS AA

38:01.833 --> 38:03.933
CONTENTIOUS ISSUE, WE GOT A LOT

38:03.933 --> 38:05.300
OF CALLS LEADING UP TO THE VOTE.

38:05.300 --> 38:06.900
AND I REMEMBER ONE OF MY FRIENDS

38:06.900 --> 38:08.400
WHO SAT NEXT TO ME WAS ON THE

38:08.400 --> 38:10.700
PHONE, GENERALLY CALLS LASTED

38:10.700 --> 38:11.800
ABOUT FIVE MINUTES OR LESS BUT

38:11.800 --> 38:13.200
HE WAS ON THE PHONE FOR ABOUT 30

38:13.200 --> 38:13.933
MINUTES.

38:13.933 --> 38:15.800
AND HE GOT OFF AND HE TURNED TO

38:15.800 --> 38:17.100
MEAN, IT WAS A REALLY LONG

38:17.100 --> 38:17.400
DISCUSSION.

38:17.400 --> 38:19.133
WE DISAGREED THE ENTIRE WAY.

38:19.133 --> 38:20.733
AND YOU KNOW, WE ENDED UP

38:20.733 --> 38:22.033
HANGING UP DISAGREEING.

38:22.033 --> 38:23.133
SO WE WON'T, OKAY.

38:23.133 --> 38:24.500
A COUPLE MINUTES LATER THE PHONE

38:24.500 --> 38:25.200
RANG AGAIN.

38:25.200 --> 38:27.733
HE PICKED IT AND UP HE WAS ON

38:27.733 --> 38:28.900
AND OFF IN A COUPLE MINUTES.

38:28.900 --> 38:30.600
HE TURNED TO ME AND HE SAID, IT

38:30.600 --> 38:31.400
WAS THE SAME GUY.

38:31.400 --> 38:32.700
HE DIDN'T REALIZE HE WAS CALLING

38:32.700 --> 38:34.600
BACK TO THE SAME OFFICE.

38:34.600 --> 38:36.533
HE DIDN'T WANT TO EMBARRASS HIM,

38:36.533 --> 38:38.633
SO WE DIDN'T HE WILL TIM IT WAS

38:38.633 --> 38:40.500
THE SAME -- TELL HIM IT WAS THE

38:40.500 --> 38:42.200
SAME OFFICE, BUT THE GENTLEMAN

38:42.200 --> 38:44.833
SAID I CALL THE SENATOR OTHER

38:44.833 --> 38:45.833
OTHER OFFICE AND I SPOKE TO ONE

38:45.833 --> 38:47.700
OF HIS STAFFERS AND I DISAGREED

38:47.700 --> 38:48.933
WITH HIM AT THE BEGINNING AND I

38:48.933 --> 38:50.800
STILL DISAGREED WITH HIM AT THE

38:50.800 --> 38:51.900
END BUT I UNDERSTAND WHY HE'S

38:51.900 --> 38:53.200
MAKING THE VOTE THAT HE'S MAKING

38:53.200 --> 38:53.533
NOW.

38:53.533 --> 38:54.933
SO I ALWAYS TRY TO KEEP THAT IN

38:54.933 --> 38:55.333
MIND.

38:55.333 --> 38:56.833
SOMETIMES YOU'RE JUST GOING TO

38:56.833 --> 38:58.300
DISAGREE WITH SOMEONE AT THE

38:58.300 --> 38:59.400
BEGINNING AND AT THE END.

38:59.400 --> 39:01.000
BUT AT LEAST YOU CAN COME TO

39:01.000 --> 39:02.033
THAT TYPE OF UNDERSTANDING.

39:02.033 --> 39:02.600
FROM.

39:02.600 --> 39:04.200
>> SO SENATOR, SOMEONE COMES TO

39:04.200 --> 39:07.300
YOU AND YOU JUST CAN'T -- ONE OF

39:07.300 --> 39:09.500
YOUR CONSTITUENTS AND YOU CAN'T

39:09.500 --> 39:10.400
COME TO TERMS.

39:10.400 --> 39:11.700
DO YOU TAKE REPRESENTATIVE

39:11.700 --> 39:12.733
GONZALES'S APPROACH AND LOOKING

39:12.733 --> 39:14.033
FOR SOMETHING YOU CAN AGREE ON,

39:14.033 --> 39:15.600
THEN, OR HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH

39:15.600 --> 39:17.400
THE MOST DISAGREEABLE OF THE

39:17.400 --> 39:18.400
PEOPLE YOU REPRESENT?

39:18.400 --> 39:19.900
>> WELL, GOING BACK TO MY

39:19.900 --> 39:21.300
EXPERIENCE ON THE CITY COUNCIL,

39:21.300 --> 39:23.000
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I

39:23.000 --> 39:27.100
LEARNED, AND IT SERVED ME AND MY

39:27.100 --> 39:31.200
DISTRICT VERY WELL, WAS TO

39:31.200 --> 39:33.700
ALWAYS PUT TOGETHER COMPETING

39:33.700 --> 39:35.000
INTERESTS AT THE TABLE AND TALK

39:35.000 --> 39:36.133
THROUGH, HAVE A DIALOGUE.

39:36.133 --> 39:37.633
AND IT WAS A GREAT MODEL FOR ME

39:37.633 --> 39:39.100
TO LEARN FROM AND IT'S ONE THAT

39:39.100 --> 39:40.900
I'VE TRIED TO CONTINUE.

39:40.900 --> 39:42.400
AND THE STATE LEGISLATURE, IT IS

39:42.400 --> 39:45.100
HARDER TO GET SOMETIMES THOSE

39:45.100 --> 39:47.400
COMPETING INTERESTS AT THE

39:47.400 --> 39:48.000
TABLE.

39:48.000 --> 39:51.733
I TRY TO REMOVE MY OWN PERSONAL

39:51.733 --> 39:53.300
PERSPECTIVE AND REALLY GIVE THE

39:53.300 --> 39:56.100
OPPORTUNITY FOR BOTH SIDES TO

39:56.100 --> 39:58.633
CONVINCE ME ON AN ARGUMENT.

39:58.633 --> 40:02.433
AND I TRY VERY HARD AND I KNOW

40:02.433 --> 40:04.033
THERE ARE MEMBERS ON BOTH SIDES

40:04.033 --> 40:06.100
OF THE AISLE THAT DO THIS, TO

40:06.100 --> 40:08.700
SET ASIDE PARTISANSHIP AND FIND

40:08.700 --> 40:09.600
PLACES WHERE WE CAN AGREE.

40:09.600 --> 40:11.800
EVEN IN THE AREAS WHERE WE HAVE

40:11.800 --> 40:13.033
LARGE DISAGREEMENTS.

40:13.033 --> 40:15.000
NOW, THERE ARE GOING TO BE TIMES

40:15.000 --> 40:18.733
WHEN A POLICY IS SO IMPORTANT TO

40:18.733 --> 40:20.500
YOU AND TO THE CONSTITUENCY THAT

40:20.500 --> 40:22.800
YOU REPRESENT, THAT ULTIMATELY

40:22.800 --> 40:24.500
EVEN THOUGH YOU'VE WORKED ON

40:24.500 --> 40:26.633
TRYING TO HEAR EACH OTHER'S

40:26.633 --> 40:27.400
PERSPECTIVE, YOU'RE GOING TO

40:27.400 --> 40:29.433
HAVE TO TAKE A POSITION.

40:29.433 --> 40:30.500
AND YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO

40:30.500 --> 40:33.400
ARGUE AND BE PERSUASIVE ON THAT

40:33.400 --> 40:33.800
POSITION.

40:33.800 --> 40:36.000
BUT I THINK THAT YOU DO A BETTER

40:36.000 --> 40:38.533
JOB OF THAT IF YOU LISTENED

40:38.533 --> 40:40.400
ALONG THE WAY, THAT YOU TRULY

40:40.400 --> 40:41.400
TOOK AN OPPORTUNITY TO

40:41.400 --> 40:43.500
UNDERSTAND BOTH SIDES OF AN

40:43.500 --> 40:45.600
ISSUE AND THEN CAN SPEAK

40:45.600 --> 40:48.633
RESPECTFULLY ABOUT WHY YOU'RE

40:48.633 --> 40:50.633
TAKING A POSITION THAT MAY BE

40:50.633 --> 40:53.600
DIFFERENT SOMEONE WHO CAME INTO

40:53.600 --> 40:55.500
YOUR OFFICE WOULD TAKE.

40:55.500 --> 40:57.000
>> WE HAVE A QUESTION FOR YOU

40:57.000 --> 40:57.300
GUYS.

40:57.300 --> 40:59.400
>> SIDE LIKE SO INTRODUCE JIMMY

40:59.400 --> 40:59.933
NELSON.

40:59.933 --> 41:01.933
JAMIE IS AN ADVANCED NURSE

41:01.933 --> 41:05.300
PRACTITIONER, A PSYCHIATRIC

41:05.300 --> 41:07.500
NURSE PRACTITIONERS, AND HAS

41:07.500 --> 41:09.100
BEEN ADVOCATING AS A VOLUNTEER

41:09.100 --> 41:10.800
BUT ON BEHALF OF HER PROFESSION

41:10.800 --> 41:12.033
AND FOR HER CLIENTS.

41:12.033 --> 41:13.200
YOU CAN TELL US ABOUT YOUR

41:13.200 --> 41:14.233
EXPERIENCE?

41:14.233 --> 41:14.900
>> YES.

41:14.900 --> 41:16.800
I STARTED ADVOCATING FOR

41:16.800 --> 41:18.300
ADVANCED PRACTICE NURSING

41:18.300 --> 41:19.500
LEGISLATION IN 2009.

41:19.500 --> 41:21.733
AND THEN AGAIN IN 2011.

41:21.733 --> 41:22.733
AND THEN WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD

41:22.733 --> 41:25.100
TO IT AGAIN THIS YEAR.

41:25.100 --> 41:27.000
I ACTUALLY HAD THE OPPORTUNITY

41:27.000 --> 41:28.900
TO VISIT SENATOR DAVIS'S OFFICE

41:28.900 --> 41:31.700
LAST FALL.

41:31.700 --> 41:34.400
MY CONCERN WITH ADVOCATING, THE

41:34.400 --> 41:36.333
REASON THAT IT'S SO DISCOURAGING

41:36.333 --> 41:39.433
EVERY YEAR, IS -- HAS A LOT TO

41:39.433 --> 41:41.100
DO WITH THE COMMITTEE PROCESS.

41:41.100 --> 41:43.400
I HEARD BEA ON THE RADIO THE

41:43.400 --> 41:46.500
OTHER DAY TALKING ABOUT HOW --

41:46.500 --> 41:47.500
WHEN YOU'RE VISITING THE

41:47.500 --> 41:50.233
LEGISLATURE, THAT BEING A

41:50.233 --> 41:51.433
CONSTITUENT OF THE PERSON THAT

41:51.433 --> 41:52.700
YOU'RE GOING TO VISIT REALLY

41:52.700 --> 41:54.200
GETS YOU MORE ATTENTION AND

41:54.200 --> 41:55.900
INTEREST.

41:55.900 --> 41:57.800
I HAVE NOT HAD THE FORTUNE OF

41:57.800 --> 41:59.833
ACTUALLY GETTING TO TALK TO ANY

41:59.833 --> 42:00.833
OF THE SENATORS OR

42:00.833 --> 42:02.233
REPRESENTATIVES.

42:02.233 --> 42:04.400
WE TYPICALLY SHOW UP AND IT'S A

42:04.400 --> 42:07.800
VERY SUPPORTIVE AND INTERESTED

42:07.800 --> 42:09.700
LEGISLATIVE STAFFER.

42:09.700 --> 42:10.833
I LOVE THEM.

42:10.833 --> 42:13.300
I KNOW THEY WORK REALLY, REALLY

42:13.300 --> 42:14.300
HARD.

42:14.300 --> 42:16.133
BUT IT DOES FEEL LIKE YOU'RE NOT

42:16.133 --> 42:18.000
GETTING TO MEET THE REAL PERSON

42:18.000 --> 42:19.800
THAT'S GOING TO CAST THE VOTE.

42:19.800 --> 42:21.100
BUT THEN MORE IMPORTANTLY,

42:21.100 --> 42:22.500
THEY'RE NOT GOING TO GET TO CAST

42:22.500 --> 42:23.833
THE VOTE BECAUSE OF THE

42:23.833 --> 42:27.400
COMMITTEE SYSTEM, YOUR PIECE OF

42:27.400 --> 42:28.200
LEGISLATION THAT YOU REALLY,

42:28.200 --> 42:29.900
REALLY CARE ABOUT, YOUR

42:29.900 --> 42:31.500
LEGISLATOR MAY NEVER HAVE THE

42:31.500 --> 42:33.300
OPPORTUNITY TO VOTE ON IT

42:33.300 --> 42:34.533
BECAUSE THEY DON'T SERVE ON THE

42:34.533 --> 42:35.800
COMMITTEE THAT IT'S GOING TO GO

42:35.800 --> 42:36.600
THROUGH.

42:36.600 --> 42:38.700
AND THAT'S SOMETHING THAT HAS

42:38.700 --> 42:40.100
PERSONALLY BEEN A CHALLENGE FOR

42:40.100 --> 42:42.800
ME AND MY COLLEAGUES.

42:42.800 --> 42:45.000
EVERY LEGISLATIVE SESSION, THE

42:45.000 --> 42:46.833
BILLS THAT WE WANT GET HUNG UP

42:46.833 --> 42:47.833
IN COMMITTEE.

42:47.833 --> 42:50.200
AND NO MATTER HOW MUCH SUPPORT I

42:50.200 --> 42:51.933
HEAR FROM THE PEOPLE WHO

42:51.933 --> 42:53.300
REPRESENT ME, THEY CAN'T DO

42:53.300 --> 42:55.100
ANYTHING ABOUT IT.

42:55.100 --> 42:56.900
>> THAT'S A REALLY IMPORTANT

42:56.900 --> 42:58.000
POINT AND I WONDER IF SOUR

42:58.000 --> 42:59.200
PANELISTS WANT TO COMMENT ON

42:59.200 --> 43:01.033
THERE AND WHETHER THERE ARE ANY

43:01.033 --> 43:03.000
REFORMS THAT COULD BE USED TO

43:03.000 --> 43:03.900
CHANGE THE PROCESS.

43:03.900 --> 43:05.800
>> I WANT TO ASK BOTH OF THESE

43:05.800 --> 43:06.700
TWO LAWMAKERS ABOUT IT.

43:06.700 --> 43:07.833
I HAVE TO START WITH YOU,

43:07.833 --> 43:08.900
SENATOR DAVIS, BECAUSE YOU WERE

43:08.900 --> 43:10.000
REMOVED FROM THE PUBLIC

43:10.000 --> 43:13.600
EDUCATION COMMITTEE?

43:13.600 --> 43:14.200
>> WHEN THE COMMITTEE

43:14.200 --> 43:16.100
ASSIGNED -- ASSIGNMENTS WERE

43:16.100 --> 43:16.400
MADE.

43:16.400 --> 43:18.500
HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THAT AND

43:18.500 --> 43:21.700
HOW DO YOU ADVANCE, YOU KNOW --

43:21.700 --> 43:22.700
YOU'RE OBVIOUSLY PASSIONATE

43:22.700 --> 43:23.833
ABOUT PUBLIC EDUCATION.

43:23.833 --> 43:25.700
YOU RALLIED IN FAVOR OF

43:25.700 --> 43:27.500
RESTORING CUTS IN THE 2011

43:27.500 --> 43:27.900
SESSION.

43:27.900 --> 43:32.833
AND I MEAN, WHEN YOU'RE NOT ON

43:32.833 --> 43:34.100
THAT COMMITTEE, WHAT CAN YOU

43:34.100 --> 43:34.700
REALLY DO?

43:34.700 --> 43:35.800
>> WELL, OBVIOUSLY, I STILL HAVE

43:35.800 --> 43:37.733
A VICE ON THE SENATE FLOOR.

43:37.733 --> 43:39.533
WHAT I ONLY -- VOICE ON THE

43:39.533 --> 43:40.033
SENATE FLOOR.

43:40.033 --> 43:41.400
WHAT I WON'T HAVE A VOICE IN

43:41.400 --> 43:42.700
TERMS OF HAVING A VOTE IN THE

43:42.700 --> 43:43.200
PROCESS.

43:43.200 --> 43:45.300
I INTEND TO CONTINUE TO GO TO

43:45.300 --> 43:46.700
THE PUBLIC EDUCATION HEARINGS,

43:46.700 --> 43:48.233
COMMITTEE HEARINGS, AND I INTEND

43:48.233 --> 43:49.733
TO CONTINUE TO ASK QUESTIONS AND

43:49.733 --> 43:51.800
TO MAKE MY PERSPECTIVE KNOWN AS

43:51.800 --> 43:53.000
PART OF THE PROCESS.

43:53.000 --> 43:54.300
BUT I WON'T HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY

43:54.300 --> 43:55.933
TO VOTE.

43:55.933 --> 43:59.500
AND IT'S REALLY EVEN MORE

43:59.500 --> 44:01.300
DAUNTING THAN THAT IN TERMS OF

44:01.300 --> 44:03.033
MAKING YOUR VOICE HEARD THROUGH

44:03.033 --> 44:03.700
THE COMMITTEE.

44:03.700 --> 44:06.200
IT ISN'T JUST ABOUT WHETHER YOU

44:06.200 --> 44:09.300
HAVE A REPRESENTATIVEES WHO'S

44:09.300 --> 44:10.900
GOING TO BE ABLE TO VOTE ON AN

44:10.900 --> 44:12.333
ISSUE IN COMMITTEE.

44:12.333 --> 44:14.133
REALLY IT GOES EVEN ONE STEP

44:14.133 --> 44:14.800
BACK FROM THAT.

44:14.800 --> 44:16.800
IT GOES TO WHETHER THE CHAIR OF

44:16.800 --> 44:20.200
A COMMITTEE DECIDES THAT THEY

44:20.200 --> 44:22.733
WANT TO EVEN ADVANCE AN IDEA.

44:22.733 --> 44:24.333
BILLS ARE FILED AND REFERRED TO

44:24.333 --> 44:25.800
COMMITTEES IN BOTH THE HOUSE AND

44:25.800 --> 44:27.800
THE SENATE THAT MAY NEVER GET A

44:27.800 --> 44:29.800
HEARING DEPENDING ON WHETHER THE

44:29.800 --> 44:31.233
CHAIR PROVIDES A HEARING.

44:31.233 --> 44:33.100
WE HAVE SOME CHAIRS IN THE

44:33.100 --> 44:34.900
SENATE THAT DO A REALLY GOOD JOB

44:34.900 --> 44:37.633
OF TRYING TO AT LEAST GIVE AN

44:37.633 --> 44:40.400
AIRING TO EVERY ISSUE THAT'S

44:40.400 --> 44:41.700
BEEN FILED IN THEIR COMMITTEE

44:41.700 --> 44:43.200
AND THEY TAKE GREAT

44:43.200 --> 44:43.933
RESPONSIBILITY TO DO THAT.

44:43.933 --> 44:45.000
WE HAVE OTHER CHAIRS IN THE

44:45.000 --> 44:47.200
SENATE WHO WILL ABSOLUTELY SIT

44:47.200 --> 44:49.433
ON PIECES OF LEGISLATION THAT

44:49.433 --> 44:51.000
THEY'RE OPPOSED TO AND THAT THEY

44:51.000 --> 44:52.600
DON'T WANT TO GIVE A VOICE TO AS

44:52.600 --> 44:53.733
PART OF THE COMMITTEE PROCESS.

44:53.733 --> 44:56.200
WHEN I WAS A BRAND-NEW SENATOR

44:56.200 --> 44:58.533
IN 2009, IT WAS THE MOST

44:58.533 --> 44:59.733
DISAPPOINTING PART OF THE

44:59.733 --> 45:01.600
PROCESS FOR ME, BECAUSE WHAT I

45:01.600 --> 45:03.800
LEARNED IS THAT SOMETIMES THE

45:03.800 --> 45:05.933
DEMOCRATIC PROCESS CAN BE

45:05.933 --> 45:07.200
ANYTHING BUT DEMOCRATIC.

45:07.200 --> 45:11.500
AND I WOULD JUST ENCOURAGE,

45:11.500 --> 45:13.333
WHERE I GET DISCOURAGED ABOUT

45:13.333 --> 45:14.800
THAT AND WHERE I KNOW SOME OF

45:14.800 --> 45:17.300
OUR COMMUNITY VOICES GET

45:17.300 --> 45:19.300
DISCOURAGED ABOUT THAT, JUST TO

45:19.300 --> 45:21.700
KEEP TRYING, PARTICULARLY IN

45:21.700 --> 45:22.700
GETTING THE ATTENTION OF THE

45:22.700 --> 45:24.833
CHAIR, NOT TO GIVE UP, AND NOT

45:24.833 --> 45:26.300
TO GIVE IN TO THE FACT THAT THAT

45:26.300 --> 45:28.833
MIGHT NOT BE WHERE AN ISSUE IS

45:28.833 --> 45:29.600
AIRED.

45:29.600 --> 45:31.300
WE ALWAYS HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY ON

45:31.300 --> 45:33.633
THE SENATE FLOOR -- I HAVE

45:33.633 --> 45:36.400
LEARNED AND HAVE COME TO BE

45:36.400 --> 45:38.300
PRETTY SKILLFUL AT USING THE

45:38.300 --> 45:39.433
AMENDMENT PROCESS TO GET ISSUES

45:39.433 --> 45:42.000
THAT I CARE ABOUT HEARD ON THE

45:42.000 --> 45:44.400
SENATE FLOOR AS PART OF AMENDING

45:44.400 --> 45:47.933
TO OTHER BILLS AND -- IT DOES

45:47.933 --> 45:49.800
PROVIDE US AN AVENUE TO CONTINUE

45:49.800 --> 45:51.400
TO HAVE OUR VOICE THERE.

45:51.400 --> 45:53.033
>> I JUST WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT

45:53.033 --> 45:54.700
THIS AS WELL REALLY QUICKLY,

45:54.700 --> 45:55.800
REPRESENTATIVE GONZALES, BECAUSE

45:55.800 --> 45:57.300
WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE

45:57.300 --> 45:59.000
MACHINATIONS OF GOVERNMENT THAT

45:59.000 --> 46:00.200
SOMETIMES DON'T DO THE BEST JOB

46:00.200 --> 46:02.100
OF REFLECTING THE INTERESTS OF

46:02.100 --> 46:05.200
THE CONSTITUENTS YOU'VE BEEN

46:05.200 --> 46:06.233
HIRED TO REPRESENT.

46:06.233 --> 46:07.900
SO IF A CONSTINT WENT COMES TO

46:07.900 --> 46:09.733
YOU, IF YOU'RE NOT ON THAT

46:09.733 --> 46:10.800
COMMITTEE THAT GOVERNS THAT

46:10.800 --> 46:12.900
TOPIC AREA, HOW DO YOU MAKE YOUR

46:12.900 --> 46:14.233
VOICE HEARD?

46:14.233 --> 46:15.233
>> THERE'S A COUPLE OF WAYS IN

46:15.233 --> 46:16.233
THE HOUSE PARTICULARLY.

46:16.233 --> 46:18.100
THERE IS SOMETHING CALLED A

46:18.100 --> 46:19.033
REREFERRAL TO COMMITTEE.

46:19.033 --> 46:20.100
YOU CAN ASK THE SPEAKER TO

46:20.100 --> 46:21.200
RE-REFER IT.

46:21.200 --> 46:23.400
IF AT SOME PLACE THAT YOU AREN'T

46:23.400 --> 46:25.400
HAPPY WITH, THE OTHERS AREN'T

46:25.400 --> 46:26.633
HAPPY WITH, YOU CAN ASK THEM TO

46:26.633 --> 46:27.433
MOVE IT TO A DIFFERENT

46:27.433 --> 46:27.733
COMMITTEE.

46:27.733 --> 46:28.800
I'VE SEEN THAT.

46:28.800 --> 46:30.000
THIS IS MY 11th SESSION.

46:30.000 --> 46:31.600
I WORKED NINE AS STAFF.

46:31.600 --> 46:34.633
SO AS A STAFFER YOU LEARN AMEND

46:34.633 --> 46:35.433
TRICK AND OTHER THINGS.

46:35.433 --> 46:37.633
BUT YOU CAN HAVE -- AMENDMENT

46:37.633 --> 46:39.000
TRICK AND OTHER THING.

46:39.000 --> 46:40.100
YOU CAN HAVE A BILL REFERRED TO

46:40.100 --> 46:40.900
A DIFFERENT COMMITTEE.

46:40.900 --> 46:42.300
I HAVE A BILL THAT DIED AT THE

46:42.300 --> 46:44.900
HANDS OF ONE SENATOR THAT PASSED

46:44.900 --> 46:46.700
UNANIMOUSLY FOUR TIMES IN THE

46:46.700 --> 46:48.300
HOUSE, BUT WE COULDN'T GET IT

46:48.300 --> 46:50.500
PASSED WITH ONE COMMITTEE CHAIR.

46:50.500 --> 46:51.800
SO THIS YEAR I'M ASKING FOR IT

46:51.800 --> 46:52.933
TO GO TO A DIFFERENT CHAIRMAN.

46:52.933 --> 46:54.333
A COMMITTEE THAT I THINK ALSO

46:54.333 --> 46:56.100
HAS A DIFFERENT JURISDICTION,

46:56.100 --> 46:57.200
BECAUSE IT HAD OVERWHELMING

46:57.200 --> 46:58.300
SUPPORT IN THE HOUSE, RIGHT?

46:58.300 --> 46:59.933
AND IT'S DIFFERENT WHEN YOU HAVE

46:59.933 --> 47:02.600
150 VOTER OR 149-0 VOTE IN THE

47:02.600 --> 47:06.800
HOUSE -- OR YOU HAVE A PIECE OF

47:06.800 --> 47:07.900
LEGISLATION THAT THE SPEAKER WAS

47:07.900 --> 47:09.300
TALKING ABOUT, THAT COMES UP

47:09.300 --> 47:12.200
EVERY SESSION, THAT HAS A LOT OF

47:12.200 --> 47:13.233
CONTROVERSY ON BOTH SIDES.

47:13.233 --> 47:15.200
, THAT HAS SOME PEOPLE WHO ARE

47:15.200 --> 47:17.200
FOR IT AND SOME WHO ARE AGAINST

47:17.200 --> 47:17.600
IT.

47:17.600 --> 47:18.500
SOMETIMES YOU DON'T HAVE THE

47:18.500 --> 47:19.000
VOTES.

47:19.000 --> 47:19.900
SOMETIMES YOU JUST DON'T HAVE

47:19.900 --> 47:20.433
THE VOTES.

47:20.433 --> 47:23.733
AND THIS WAS WHEN SENATOR DAVIS

47:23.733 --> 47:25.300
TALKED ABOUT IT COULD TAKE TWO

47:25.300 --> 47:27.100
SESSIONS OR THREE SESSIONS OR

47:27.100 --> 47:27.900
FOUR.

47:27.900 --> 47:29.733
I'VE BEEN HERE FOR A WHILE.

47:29.733 --> 47:31.900
WHAT THE SPEAKER WAS TALKING

47:31.900 --> 47:33.100
ABOUT IS A BILL THAT'S BEEN

47:33.100 --> 47:34.400
CHANGING OVER THE YEARS.

47:34.400 --> 47:36.300
IT FAILS ONE SESSION, YOU ADAPT

47:36.300 --> 47:36.600
IT.

47:36.600 --> 47:38.300
YOU ADDRESS THE CONCERNS, THE

47:38.300 --> 47:39.933
SHORTFALLS AND YOU TRY IT AGAIN.

47:39.933 --> 47:41.200
THAT'S PART OF THE PROCESS.

47:41.200 --> 47:42.133
THAT'S THE PRO ES.

47:42.133 --> 47:43.033
AND IF YOU DON'T HAVE THE

47:43.033 --> 47:44.233
VOTES -- PROCESS.

47:44.233 --> 47:45.700
AND IF YOU DON'T HAVE THE VOTES,

47:45.700 --> 47:46.800
YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO GET THE

47:46.800 --> 47:47.100
VOTES.

47:47.100 --> 47:48.600
AND THAT MAY TAKE A WHILE.

47:48.600 --> 47:50.100
OR HAVE IT REFERRED AND TRY IT

47:50.100 --> 47:50.800
THAT WAY.

47:50.800 --> 47:52.233
>> LET'S HEAR FROM SOMEONE ELSE,

47:52.233 --> 47:52.533
ANN?

47:52.533 --> 47:53.800
>> I HAVE DIANE MILLER HERE.

47:53.800 --> 47:55.100
AND DIANE HAS AN INTERESTING

47:55.100 --> 47:57.733
QUESTION ABOUT THE PROCESS THAT

47:57.733 --> 47:59.333
NEEDS TO HAPPEN BEFORE WE ARE

47:59.333 --> 48:02.033
READY AS CITIZENS TO ADVOCATE

48:02.033 --> 48:03.133
BEFORE THE LEGISLATURE.

48:03.133 --> 48:03.433
>> THANK YOU.

48:03.433 --> 48:04.900
SO WE'VE TALKED A LOT ABOUT

48:04.900 --> 48:06.000
INDIVIDUALS OR GROUPS COMING TO

48:06.000 --> 48:07.800
YOU WITH ADVOCACY POSITIONS BUT

48:07.800 --> 48:09.333
WHAT I DON'T SEE AS MUCH OF IN

48:09.333 --> 48:10.200
OUR COMMUNITY AND AT THE

48:10.200 --> 48:12.533
LEGISLATURE IS FORUMS WHERE

48:12.533 --> 48:14.300
PEOPLE CAN TALK ABOUT COMPLEX

48:14.300 --> 48:15.500
ISSUES IN WAYS THAT HELP THEM

48:15.500 --> 48:18.133
GET AT KIND OF WHAT THEIR

48:18.133 --> 48:20.533
UNDERLYING INTERESTS ARE OR

48:20.533 --> 48:22.033
ISSUES ARE, MOVE AWAY FROM THE

48:22.033 --> 48:23.500
PREVIOUSLY HELD POSITIONS AND

48:23.500 --> 48:25.500
TALKING ABOUT THE TRADEOUTS,

48:25.500 --> 48:26.700
BECAUSE YOU'RE HAVING TO MAKE

48:26.700 --> 48:27.933
TOUGH CHOICES, LIMITED

48:27.933 --> 48:29.100
RESOURCES, WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO

48:29.100 --> 48:29.833
SPEND MONEY ON.

48:29.833 --> 48:31.000
AND I'M WOND FERG A MORE

48:31.000 --> 48:33.500
INFORMED DELIBERATIVE PROCESS

48:33.500 --> 48:36.300
WITH COMMUNITY MEMBERS BEFORE

48:36.300 --> 48:37.100
THEY COME TO YOU WITH THESE

48:37.100 --> 48:38.533
IDEAS ABOUT WHAT YOU MIGHT WANT

48:38.533 --> 48:39.933
TO WEIGH IN ON, IF THAT WOULD

48:39.933 --> 48:41.600
REALLY BE A REALISTIC STRATEGY

48:41.600 --> 48:43.433
FOR US LET'S SAY IN CENTRAL

48:43.433 --> 48:45.400
TEXAS TO HOLD THOSE FORUMS,

48:45.400 --> 48:46.900
WOULD THE OUTPUT OF THOSE

48:46.900 --> 48:48.233
CONVERSATIONS WHERE PEOPLE ARE

48:48.233 --> 48:49.900
TALKING ABOUT THE FACTS, GETTING

48:49.900 --> 48:52.300
OUT WHAT DO THEY CARE ABOUT, AND

48:52.300 --> 48:53.900
TRY TO FIND SOME COMMON GROUND,

48:53.900 --> 48:55.500
BECAUSE MY BIG CONCERN IS LIKE

48:55.500 --> 48:56.900
COME TO US WITH YOUR OPINION AND

48:56.900 --> 48:59.233
YOUR ADVOCACY AND YOUR PRESET

48:59.233 --> 49:00.833
IDEA OF WHAT YOU WANT AND WE'LL

49:00.833 --> 49:03.533
KIND OF TRY TO FIGURE IT OUT HOW

49:03.533 --> 49:04.000
TO DO IT.

49:04.000 --> 49:06.400
BUT LET THE PUBLIC TALK ABOUT

49:06.400 --> 49:08.400
THOSE COMPLEX THINGS AND LET

49:08.400 --> 49:09.533
THEM DELIBERATE AND BUILD

49:09.533 --> 49:10.600
RELATIONSHIPS AND HAVE A

49:10.600 --> 49:13.033
DIALOGUE ABOUT WHAT THEY'D LIKE

49:13.033 --> 49:13.733
TO SEE HAPPEN.

49:13.733 --> 49:14.900
WHAT THAT BE SOMETHING THAT'S

49:14.900 --> 49:16.500
REALISTIC IN THE POLITICAL

49:16.500 --> 49:18.833
PROCESS WE HAVE?

49:18.833 --> 49:20.333
A LOT OF TIMES PEOPLE ARE

49:20.333 --> 49:22.000
DISCOURAGED AND THEY DON'T COME

49:22.000 --> 49:23.033
BECAUSE THEY THINK WHATEVER I

49:23.033 --> 49:24.300
SAY ISN'T GOING TO MAKE BECAUSE

49:24.300 --> 49:26.300
THE DECISION MAKERS HAVE THEIR

49:26.300 --> 49:28.233
OPINIONS, THEY'RE RESET, AND AS

49:28.233 --> 49:29.600
POLICY MAKERS, YOU'RE ALWAYS IN

49:29.600 --> 49:31.633
A POSITION WHERE YOU -- YOU'RE

49:31.633 --> 49:32.500
BEING ASKED TO DO THE

49:32.500 --> 49:33.800
IMPOSSIBLE, RIGHT, BECAUSE

49:33.800 --> 49:36.000
PEOPLE HAVEN'T DEALT WITH THE

49:36.000 --> 49:37.633
TRADE-OFFS OF THESE HARD CHOICES

49:37.633 --> 49:38.333
YOU HAVE TO MAKE.

49:38.333 --> 49:40.433
SO MAYBE YOU CAN SAY WHAT THAT

49:40.433 --> 49:41.900
MIGHT LIKE LOOK AT THE

49:41.900 --> 49:42.900
LEGISLATIVE LEVEL.

49:42.900 --> 49:45.600
>> I FIRST WANT TO ASK BEA ABOUT

49:45.600 --> 49:46.500
THAT, BECAUSE THAT'S SOMETHING

49:46.500 --> 49:48.033
YOU HAVE TO DEAL WITH A LOT,

49:48.033 --> 49:49.333
WHEN YOU'RE DOING THE GRASSROOTS

49:49.333 --> 49:50.733
ORGANIZING, ALIGNING INTERESTS

49:50.733 --> 49:52.200
IN SUCH A WAY THAT IT'S

49:52.200 --> 49:54.100
EFFECTIVE FOR YOU TO DRIVE YOUR

49:54.100 --> 49:54.700
POINT HOME.

49:54.700 --> 49:55.500
>> ONE OF THE ANSWERS I WOULD

49:55.500 --> 50:00.333
HAVE ISE -- I'M COMING HERE FROM

50:00.333 --> 50:01.200
DOING THAT VERY THING.

50:01.200 --> 50:02.300
WE JUST GOT DONE WITH A

50:02.300 --> 50:04.300
THREE-DAY EVENT WITH 200 --

50:04.300 --> 50:06.700
HAPPENED TO BE METHODIST WOMEN.

50:06.700 --> 50:07.933
WE BROUGHT THEM TO AUSTIN FOR

50:07.933 --> 50:10.133
THREE DAYS AND HAD THEM

50:10.133 --> 50:12.033
UNDERSTAND ALL OF THE SIDES OF

50:12.033 --> 50:13.633
SEVERAL DIFFERENT COMPLEX

50:13.633 --> 50:15.000
ISSUES, AND THEN THEY WENT OVER

50:15.000 --> 50:16.600
AND HAD LEGISLATIVE VISITS.

50:16.600 --> 50:18.800
BUT YOU KNOW, THAT'S KIND OF A

50:18.800 --> 50:22.600
ONE--A-YEAR HIGH-STATION THING.

50:22.600 --> 50:23.800
WHAT WE ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO DO

50:23.800 --> 50:26.200
IS HAVE LOW-STAKES ISSUES FORUMS

50:26.200 --> 50:29.700
IN THEIR LOCAL WHEN IT'S NOT --

50:29.700 --> 50:31.033
WHEN IT'S NOT THE 11th HOUR

50:31.033 --> 50:32.433
AND EVERYBODY IS ALREADY GOTTEN

50:32.433 --> 50:34.833
THEMSELVES, YOU KNOW, PARTISANLY

50:34.833 --> 50:35.533
ALIGNED.

50:35.533 --> 50:37.900
AND IT'S REALLY A TRICK, BECAUSE

50:37.900 --> 50:39.400
WHEN YOU GET PEOPLE TOGETHER IN

50:39.400 --> 50:41.100
A ROOM, EVERYBODY COMES WITH AN

50:41.100 --> 50:43.833
AGENDA.

50:43.833 --> 50:45.200
THE MORE PEOPLE THERE ARE, THE

50:45.200 --> 50:46.800
HARDER IT IS TO GET PEOPLE TO BE

50:46.800 --> 50:49.800
HONEST AND TAKE DOWN BARRIERS.

50:49.800 --> 50:52.400
YOU HAVE TO SET A REALLY STRONG

50:52.400 --> 50:52.900
FRAMEWORK.

50:52.900 --> 50:53.933
BUT I THINK WHEN A LOCAL

50:53.933 --> 50:55.233
COMMUNITY SAYS, WE WANT TO HAVE

50:55.233 --> 50:57.100
AN HONEST CONVERSATION ABOUT AND

50:57.100 --> 50:59.300
WE WANT TO HAVE IT FAR ENOUGH

50:59.300 --> 51:00.300
FROM THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION

51:00.300 --> 51:02.200
THAT WE'RE NOT GOING TO GET

51:02.200 --> 51:04.800
UNINTENDED INTERACTIONS WITH THE

51:04.800 --> 51:07.100
PARTISAN PROCESS, THAT HAS TO

51:07.100 --> 51:08.333
HAPPEN, ABSOLUTELY, OR THE

51:08.333 --> 51:10.633
PUBLIC ISN'T REALLY A USEFUL

51:10.633 --> 51:12.400
PARTICIPANT AND A HELPER TO THE

51:12.400 --> 51:14.133
LEGISLATURE LIKE THEY SHOULD BE.

51:14.133 --> 51:16.233
>> ONCE YOU DO THAT YOU CAN POOL

51:16.233 --> 51:17.733
RESOURCES, RIGHT?

51:17.733 --> 51:18.033
>> SURE.

51:18.033 --> 51:19.200
I THINK IT'S FUNNY.

51:19.200 --> 51:21.300
THE ONLY THING HARDER THAN

51:21.300 --> 51:22.600
GETTING PEOPLE DISAGREE IN A

51:22.600 --> 51:24.200
RAUL TOGETHER AND GETTING TO

51:24.200 --> 51:25.633
MOVE FORWARD IS GETTING PEOPLE

51:25.633 --> 51:27.133
TO AGREE ON PRINCIPLES BUT ARGUE

51:27.133 --> 51:27.800
ABOUT EVERYTHING ELSE.

51:27.800 --> 51:29.300
I THINK THAT WORK HAS TO BE

51:29.300 --> 51:29.600
DONE.

51:29.600 --> 51:30.800
I DO THINK, THOUGH, THAT THERE

51:30.800 --> 51:32.900
ARE A LOT OF OUTLETS, THE

51:32.900 --> 51:34.500
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR PAGES, THE

51:34.500 --> 51:36.000
MEDIA IN GENERAL.

51:36.000 --> 51:37.200
I MEAN, IT IS UP TO THE

51:37.200 --> 51:37.733
CITIZENS.

51:37.733 --> 51:39.600
THERE'S AN ELEMENT OF PERSONAL

51:39.600 --> 51:40.300
RESPONSIBILITY HERE FOR

51:40.300 --> 51:41.800
INDIVIDUALS AND COMMUNITIES,

51:41.800 --> 51:42.900
LEADERS IN THOSE COMMUNITIES TO

51:42.900 --> 51:44.200
STEP AND UP SAY, WE'RE GOING TO

51:44.200 --> 51:45.500
CREATE A FORUM AND WE'RE GOING

51:45.500 --> 51:46.900
TO INVITE EVERYONE TO ATTEND,

51:46.900 --> 51:48.700
ALL THE STAKEHOLDERS.

51:48.700 --> 51:50.100
WE HAVE A DEBATE OR DISCUSSION

51:50.100 --> 51:51.200
NEEDS TO HAPPEN ABOUT OUR SCHOOL

51:51.200 --> 51:54.800
OR ABOUT OUR -- HOW OUR SENATOR

51:54.800 --> 51:57.733
REPRESENTATIVE SHOULD VOTE ON A

51:57.733 --> 51:58.033
BILL.

51:58.033 --> 51:59.200
PERHAPS IT'S UP TO THE LOCAL

51:59.200 --> 52:00.400
COMMUNITY LEADERS TO SAY WE'RE

52:00.400 --> 52:01.400
GOING TO PUT THIS TOGETHER AND

52:01.400 --> 52:02.700
INVITE THE EXPERIENCE AND IF THE

52:02.700 --> 52:04.233
REPRESENTATIVE CAN'T MAKE IT --

52:04.233 --> 52:05.200
SPEAKERS, AND IF THE

52:05.200 --> 52:06.233
REPRESENTATIVE CAN'T MAKE IT,

52:06.233 --> 52:08.100
WE'LL HAVE AN EMPTY MICROPHONE.

52:08.100 --> 52:10.100
THEY CAN SEND SOMEBODY OR NOT.

52:10.100 --> 52:11.433
IT'S GOT TO COME UP FROM THE

52:11.433 --> 52:12.933
BOTTOM UP, NOT THE TOP DOWN.

52:12.933 --> 52:15.200
LEGISLATORS ARE THERE TO

52:15.200 --> 52:15.933
REPRESENT PEOPLE.

52:15.933 --> 52:16.900
AND IF YOU FEEL THEY'RE NOT

52:16.900 --> 52:18.000
DOING A GOOD JOB, THAT'S WHAT

52:18.000 --> 52:21.900
ELECTIONS ARE FOR.

52:21.900 --> 52:23.133
>> WE'RE JUST ABOUT OUT OF TIME.

52:23.133 --> 52:25.300
I WANTED TO TAKE A MOMENT TO SUM

52:25.300 --> 52:27.200
UP SOMEWHAT WE'VE HEARD TONIGHT.

52:27.200 --> 52:29.900
IF THERE'S ONE PIECE OF ADVICE

52:29.900 --> 52:31.300
YOU COULD LEAVE PEOPLE WITH, YOU

52:31.300 --> 52:32.900
KNOW, THE CENTRAL QUESTION THAT

52:32.900 --> 52:34.400
WE'RE TRYING TO GET AT HERE,

52:34.400 --> 52:35.500
WHICH IS HOW CAN WE HAVE OUR

52:35.500 --> 52:37.000
VOICES HEARD IN THE STATE

52:37.000 --> 52:38.100
LEGISLATURE, BESIDES JUST

52:38.100 --> 52:39.600
REACHING -- PICKING UP THE PHONE

52:39.600 --> 52:41.500
AND CALLING STATE LEGISLATORS,

52:41.500 --> 52:43.533
WHAT IS -- WHAT'S THE MOST

52:43.533 --> 52:44.800
EFFECTIVE PIECE OF ADVICE YOU

52:44.800 --> 52:46.200
WOULD GIVE TO SOMEONE TO HAVE

52:46.200 --> 52:47.600
THEIR VOICE HEARD IN STATE

52:47.600 --> 52:48.333
POLITICS?

52:48.333 --> 52:49.900
>> VOTE WITH YOUR INTERESTS.

52:49.900 --> 52:53.800
I CANNOT EMPHASIZE THAT ENOUGH.

52:53.800 --> 52:56.133
AND I THINK WE'RE SEEING ON BOTH

52:56.133 --> 52:57.333
THE STATE LEVEL AND A NATIONAL

52:57.333 --> 52:59.833
LEVEL HOW THE POWER, FOR

52:59.833 --> 53:03.900
EXAMPLE, OF THE LATINO VOTER IS

53:03.900 --> 53:07.200
MAKING POLICY IN OUR GOVERNMENT.

53:07.200 --> 53:10.533
VOTE YOUR INTEREST.

53:10.533 --> 53:12.433
AND WHERE THOSE AREN'T BEING

53:12.433 --> 53:15.300
REPRESENTED, MAKE SURE THAT YOU

53:15.300 --> 53:16.400
GO AND YOU HOLD THAT PERSON

53:16.400 --> 53:17.800
ACCOUNTABLE AT THE BALLOT

53:17.800 --> 53:18.200
POCKETS.

53:18.200 --> 53:20.400
AND THEN OF COURSE, AFTER YOU'VE

53:20.400 --> 53:22.000
EXERCISED YOUR VOICE IN THAT

53:22.000 --> 53:25.133
REGARD, STAY HOOKED IN TO YOUR

53:25.133 --> 53:25.600
LEGISLATOR.

53:25.600 --> 53:28.100
GO TO THEIR TOWN HALL MEETINGS.

53:28.100 --> 53:30.000
IF HEAR NOT HAVING MEETINGS, ASK

53:30.000 --> 53:31.600
THAT THEY DO THAT AND IN A

53:31.600 --> 53:34.400
PUBLIC FORUM, ASK YOUR QUESTIONS

53:34.400 --> 53:35.700
AND HOLD THEM RESPONSIBLE FOR

53:35.700 --> 53:38.300
THE ANSWERS THAT THEY GIVE YOU.

53:38.300 --> 53:40.000
>> YOU FEEL THE HEAT, IF THAT'S

53:40.000 --> 53:40.700
DONE?

53:40.700 --> 53:42.300
>> IT'S VERY WELCOME.

53:42.300 --> 53:44.033
WHEN YOU SAY, HAVE YOUR VOICE

53:44.033 --> 53:45.433
HEARD, I MEAN, YOUR VOICE CAN BE

53:45.433 --> 53:46.433
HEARD WITHOUT IT BEING YOUR

53:46.433 --> 53:46.833
VOICE.

53:46.833 --> 53:48.400
GET INVOLVED IN YOUR LOCAL

53:48.400 --> 53:52.300
PUTTA, YOUR LOCAL PTO, YOUR

53:52.300 --> 53:53.933
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, TEACHERS

53:53.933 --> 53:54.433
GROUP.

53:54.433 --> 53:56.400
BRILLIANT ADVICE FROM BEA

53:56.400 --> 53:57.100
BECAUSE WHEN YOU'RE INVOLVED AT

53:57.100 --> 53:58.600
THE PRECINCT LEVEL, YOU AFFECT

53:58.600 --> 53:59.600
WHAT HAPPENS AT THE COUNTY

53:59.600 --> 54:01.700
LEVEL, THE STATE LEVEL, YOU MAKE

54:01.700 --> 54:02.900
YOUR WAY THROUGH ALL THE

54:02.900 --> 54:04.200
POLITICAL CONVENTIONS, RIGHT?

54:04.200 --> 54:06.500
BUT IT'S THAT VERY FIRST STEP AT

54:06.500 --> 54:09.533
THAT LEVEL OF GETTING INVOLVED.

54:09.533 --> 54:13.400
IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE YOU AT THE

54:13.400 --> 54:13.900
CAPITOL.

54:13.900 --> 54:15.100
MAKING TIME TO BE DOWN HERE.

54:15.100 --> 54:16.033
THERE ARE ORGANIZATIONS THAT

54:16.033 --> 54:16.600
REPRESENT YOU.

54:16.600 --> 54:18.533
BACK TO MY FIRST POINT.

54:18.533 --> 54:19.400
BUT BE INVOLVED IN THOSE

54:19.400 --> 54:20.200
ORGANIZATIONS SO THAT YOU HAVE

54:20.200 --> 54:21.100
AN OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE YOUR

54:21.100 --> 54:22.800
VOICE HEARD WITHOUT IT

54:22.800 --> 54:23.800
NECESSARILY HAVING TO BE YOUR

54:23.800 --> 54:24.300
VOICE.

54:24.300 --> 54:26.333
>> RIGHT.

54:26.333 --> 54:28.000
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT IS IMPORTANT?

54:28.000 --> 54:29.900
>> START WITH WHAT YOU LOVE, NOT

54:29.900 --> 54:30.800
WITH WHAT YOU HATE.

54:30.800 --> 54:32.200
YOU KNOW, WE'RE IN THIS BECAUSE

54:32.200 --> 54:33.800
WE ALL CARE ABOUT EACH OTHER.

54:33.800 --> 54:36.300
IF WE DIDN'T WE'D ALL JUST BEAT

54:36.300 --> 54:37.133
EACH OTHER UP.

54:37.133 --> 54:38.400
WE'D TRY TO HAVE THIS PROCESS

54:38.400 --> 54:39.500
BECAUSE WE WANT TO DO THE RIGHT

54:39.500 --> 54:40.333
THING FOR EACH OTHER.

54:40.333 --> 54:41.733
SO START FROM THAT PERSPECTIVE.

54:41.733 --> 54:43.033
I THINK YOU CAN'T GO WRONG.

54:43.033 --> 54:45.100
>> START WITH WHAT YOU LOVE.

54:45.100 --> 54:45.833
GREAT ADVICE.

54:45.833 --> 54:46.400
BRENDAN?

54:46.400 --> 54:50.633
>> I THINK IT'S BEEN PRETTY WELL

54:50.633 --> 54:51.033
SAID.

54:51.033 --> 54:52.700
YOU HAVE MORE POWER THAN YOU

54:52.700 --> 54:53.400
REALIZE.

54:53.400 --> 54:54.333
FIND SOMETHING YOU'RE PASSIONATE

54:54.333 --> 54:54.700
ABOUT.

54:54.700 --> 54:55.400
GET INVOLVED.

54:55.400 --> 54:57.800
NOBODY BATS .400 IN BASEBALL.

54:57.800 --> 54:59.100
YOU'RE GOING TO WIN SOME, YOU'RE

54:59.100 --> 55:00.000
GOING TO LOSE SOME.

55:00.000 --> 55:01.533
BUT GET INVOLVED, WE'LL MAKE AN

55:01.533 --> 55:03.133
IMPACT ESPECIALLY AT THE LOCAL

55:03.133 --> 55:03.433
LEVEL.

55:03.433 --> 55:04.800
IT'S YOUR CIVIC DUTY AND IT'S

55:04.800 --> 55:07.400
SOMETHING WE OWE TO EACH OTHER

55:07.400 --> 55:08.000
AND OURSELVES.

55:08.000 --> 55:08.933
>> WE COME TO THE END OF OUR

55:08.933 --> 55:10.133
TIME THIS EVENING, BUT WE HOPE

55:10.133 --> 55:11.000
YOU WILL CONTINUE TALKING ABOUT

55:11.000 --> 55:12.633
THIS, BECAUSE IT'S VERY

55:12.633 --> 55:12.933
IMPORTANT.

55:12.933 --> 55:14.900
WE NEED YOUR HELP TO REVERSE THE

55:14.900 --> 55:16.400
LACK OF CIVIC ENGAGEMENT HERE IN

55:16.400 --> 55:17.000
TEXAS.

55:17.000 --> 55:18.900
SO HERE ARE FIVE THINGS THAT YOU

55:18.900 --> 55:19.733
CAN DO.

55:19.733 --> 55:21.500
YOU CAN CALL, WRITE, OR VISIT

55:21.500 --> 55:22.800
YOUR LEGISLATORS TO DISCUSS

55:22.800 --> 55:24.000
ISSUES THAT MATTER TO YOU.

55:24.000 --> 55:26.133
YOU CAN TRACK BILLS AND WATCH

55:26.133 --> 55:28.100
SESSIONS LIVE ONLINE.

55:28.100 --> 55:30.000
JOIN IN ON PROFITS THAT

55:30.000 --> 55:31.433
ADVOCATES SOME ISSUES THAT YOU

55:31.433 --> 55:32.000
CARE ABOUT.

55:32.000 --> 55:33.100
YOU CAN WRITE A LETTER TO THE

55:33.100 --> 55:34.733
EDITOR OF YOUR LOCAL NEWSPAPER

55:34.733 --> 55:36.500
OR USE SOCIAL MEDIA, FACEBOOK

55:36.500 --> 55:38.500
AND TWITTER, TO SHARE YOUR

55:38.500 --> 55:38.900
VIEWS.

55:38.900 --> 55:41.000
YOU CAN TESTIFY AT PUBLIC HOUSE

55:41.000 --> 55:42.633
OR SENATE COMMITTEE HEARINGS.

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AND NOW WE KNOW FROM

55:44.033 --> 55:45.100
REPRESENTATIVE GONZALES, YOU CAN

55:45.100 --> 55:46.233
EMAIL TESTIMONY.

55:46.233 --> 55:47.600
I'D LIKE TO THANK OUR GUESTS AND

55:47.600 --> 55:48.900
OUR AUDIENCE FOR THIS GREAT

55:48.900 --> 55:49.500
CONVERSATION.

55:49.500 --> 55:50.933
FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO KEEP

55:50.933 --> 55:52.433
THIS DISCUSSION GOING, PLEASE

55:52.433 --> 55:59.200
VISIT WHYBOTHERTEXAS.ORG.

55:59.200 --> 55:59.800
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

55:59.800 --> 56:03.800
[APPLAUSE]