1000+ Education Retirees to Descend on Austin!
TRTA Day at the Capitol is set for Wednesday, March 20, 2013. This statewide event will raise awareness on the issues most important to Texas public education retirees and encourage immediate legislative action to address them.
TRTA hopes to have a big crowd at the event! District and local leaders are making transportation plans to visit Austin, and the TRTA staff is happy answer any questions you may have. Below are some important facts you need to know about TRTA Day at the Capitol. Please call 1.800.880.1650 or email info@trta.org with questions or comments.
Please note that a limited amount of rooms are blocked for the event at the Drury Inn North in Austin for the night of March 19 only. You can call 800-325-0729 and reference group #2171809 or “TRTA Day at the Capitol.” You may also use the following link: http://www.drurynotels.com?Reservations.aspx?groupno=2171809
- What time will the event start? TRTA has a general start time of 9:00 a.m., though staff and volunteers will be there to greet you by 8:00 a.m. The Day at the Capitol has been scheduled on a Wednesday so that participants close to Austin or those spending the night may be able to attend some morning legislative committee hearings. Those wanting to visit a legislative committee hearing will need to check with TRTA a few days before the event to see what committee meetings are scheduled for that date.
- When will the first TRTA event happen? TRTA members are asked to make their way to the House gallery (3rd floor) no later than 9:30 a.m. on March 20. We hope to fill the House and Senate visitor galleries with members so that they will be recognized by legislative leaders. TRTA will have a proclamation read into the record recognizing March 20 as TRTA Day at the Capitol. Upon the statement being read into the record, TRTA members are ENCOURAGED to APPLAUD WITH GREAT ENTHUSIASM! TRTA is also working with legislative leaders on making a presentation to the House and Senate regarding the number of volunteer hours, donated books, and steps walked by TRTA members over the past year.
- What about the Senate? TRTA will seek the same recognition from the Senate for our retirees and the aforementioned programs. Typically, the Senate starts their floor session about an hour after the House convenes. Although these schedules are subject to change, TRTA recommends that members make their way to the Senate gallery by 10:30 a.m.
- When will we visit the legislators? The TRTA Day at the Capitol is ultimately about our members making their presence known to their elected officials. Depending on your planned arrival time, early morning legislative appointments can be made between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. As mentioned earlier in this article, TRTA wants to have as many members as possible in the House gallery by 9:30 a.m. and the Senate gallery by 10:30 a.m. TRTA members should be able to make additional mid-morning and afternoon appointments between 11:30 a.m. and 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. (depending upon how long members are able to stay).
Keep in mind that many legislators may be attending committee meetings that morning. If you know that your legislator(s) is scheduled to be in a specific committee, you may want to visit that committee hearing before it starts or as it is finishing so that you may see them before the start of the floor session. Also, it is perfectly acceptable to visit with your legislator’s key staff. These hard-working, dedicated employees are responsible for letting their boss know what you have to say. If you cannot see your legislator, visiting with their staff is a very good way of delivering the TRTA message.
- Is there another way to find my legislator(s)? TRTA will have volunteers to take pictures with you (and your group) and your legislator(s). Starting at 10:00 a.m., TRTA volunteers will be in the Capitol building in the Historic Old Supreme Court Room on the third floor. If your legislator(s) is unable to meet you in their office, you may want to suggest that they work with you to set a time to meet in the Supreme Court Room and have a picture taken for publication in your local unit newsletter, website, and/or in your local newspapers.
- Will TRTA provide handouts? Yes. TRTA is developing a one-page handout that you can provide to your legislator or their staff. The important part is that you, as their constituent, are the person delivering this information. TRTA members coming to the Day at the Capitol will also receive a free commemorative TRTA advocacy tote bag! Bags and information will be handed out at the various Capitol building entrances.
- How can I find other TRTA members in my area who plan to come to this event? TRTA District Presidents and local unit leaders may be chartering buses, planning carpools, or helping to connect members that may be coming on their own for this event. If you do not know how to contact local TRTA leaders in your area, click on this link and it will take you to the TRTA Local Unit Web Page site. If you are not sure what local unit serves your area, please contact the TRTA state office at 1.800.880.1650.
- I am coming on my own and am thinking about spending the night. Where is a good place to stay? Some TRTA members may want to stay at the Drury Inn at I-H 35 North (St. John’s Avenue Exit). Contact the Drury Inn for details. . You can call 800-325-0729 and reference group #2171809 or “TRTA Day at the Capitol.” You may also use the following link: http://www.drurynotels.com?Reservations.aspx?groupno=2171809.
- What are some other important items I need to know? Perhaps the most important fact to know about visiting the Texas Capitol is that it is ALWAYS very busy. Plan your schedule at least 20 minutes in advance of where you need to be. If you set a meeting with your legislator in a certain part of the building, plan on a 20-minute timeframe to get from where you are to where you want to go. All Capitol entrance doors require visitors to pass through metal detectors and have their bags searched. TRTA members who have a Texas-issued concealed handgun license (CHL) may use a quicker security line that bypasses metal detectors and bag search. Buses coming to the event must unload passengers on the east side of the Texas Capitol. Due to the LONG lines that may form at the Capitol’s east door, TRTA members that are willing and able should utilize alternate Capitol entrances (north, south, and west). (Please be aware that the only wheelchair accessible ramp is located at the Capitol’s north entrance).
- What should I wear? TRTA members are encouraged to wear red shirts. This is the color we have used in previous sessions, and it makes our crowd instantly recognizable. We suggest wearing comfortable clothes and shoes. Making a good impression is ALWAYS important, but this will be a LONG day for many of our members from outlying TRTA districts and local units.
- Will there be a central staging or rally area? TRTA will not host an outdoor rally this year, but we will have a press conference at approximately 12:00 p.m. The location is still being determined, and another email will be sent soon with the final details. Also, between 12:30 and 2:30 p.m., TRTA will host an old-fashioned ice cream social under the tent on the east lawn. Please invite your legislators and their staff to attend. There is no program for the social, just free ice cream, water, and fun with your legislators and fellow TRTA members!
- I am not able to come, but I want to help. What can I do to make this event successful for TRTA? A special email campaign is being developed about the March 20 TRTA Day at the Capitol. Those who are not able to attend may make phone calls and send emails announcing and promoting the event to their legislators. TRTA is hoping for a tidal wave of grassroots communication about this event to legislative offices from now until the big day. We want every legislator in Texas to know that TRTA is coming to the Capitol on March 20. On the day of the event, TRTA will also have another special email and telephone campaign for those who were not able to come.
TRTA IS THE VOICE FOR EDUCATION RETIREES, and we want to be seen and heard that day.
We want to thank all of you who plan to attend or help us communicate with legislators about the big day.
The planning is well underway and we are looking forward to having as many members as possible here for this legislative event. Your phone calls, emails, and presence in Austin are all going to help advance the issues most important to you and your retirement. Again, thank you for all you do! TRTA will continue to update you on our plans for March 20. For now, we ask that you begin making phone calls and letting your legislators know we are looking forward to SEEING THEM ON MARCH 20!
