When TTP first started working with the Legislature, we assembled this list of websites and news sources that we found helpful in navigating the system. We hope that you will find them useful as well.
MISCELLANEOUS:
Texas Capitol Visitor’s Center – Maps, Tours, General and Historic Information, activities for kids. http://www.tspb.texas.gov/prop/tcvc/cvc/cvc.html
Texas Legislative Process – understanding how a bill becomes a law in Texas https://tlc.texas.gov/docs/legref/legislativeprocess.pdf
Texas Legislature On Line – everything you want to know about the TX Legislature https://www.capitol.Texas.gov
- How to register for public hearing
- Look up and track bills
- Committee information
- Member information
- Daily Calendars of House & Senate
Legislative Reference Library – Articles, Bill Look Up, General Information, Staff Directory https://lrl.texas.gov
Texas Ethics Commission – Track reports on where the money is going and coming from https://www.ethics.state.tx.us
Transparency USA/Texas – a more user friendly way to track the money https://www.transparencyusa.org/tx
Text alerts from grassroots organizations TTP is https://www.truetexasproject.com (Check with other local organizations for their text alerts)
TFVC Capitol Survival Guide – A comprehensive guide to visiting the Capitol. Very useful! https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Ygh3aA1v1eqYiPaZk01w73tU31HJZ9Pm/view
DIRECTORIES:
Texas Scorecard https://texasscorecard.com (then click Citizen Tools and Elected Officials)
Texas Tribune Directory https://www.texastribune.org/directory
Legislative Staffers Directory – Legislative Reference Library https://hro.house.texas.gov/pdf/focus/staff88.pdf
Texas State Directory https://www.txdirectory.com (subscription service but you get a few free searches. Includes staff information)
NEWS:
Texas Scorecard and The Texas Minute https://texasscorecard.com
Texans for Fiscal Responsibility https://www.texastaxpayers.com/
The Texan.News https://www.thetexan.news
COMMUNICATING WITH LEGISLATORS
EMAIL: All House Representatives and Senators and their staff can be reached with the same basic formula
- House: firstname.lastname.house.texas.gov
- Senate: firstname.lastname.senate.texas.gov
Office Addresses and Phone Numbers (Both Capitol and District Office)
- House: https://house.texas.gov/members/
- Mail: PO Box 2910, Austin, TX 78768
- Senate: https://senate.texas.gov/members.php
- Mail: PO Box 12068, Capitol Station, Austin, TX 78711
If you would like additional information about the TTP Citizen Advocate program, please reach out. We are building the army to keep Texas Texan and we need committed activists!
Fran Rhodes, President, True Texas Project