Greetings TTP Citizen Advocates!
I hope you’ve sufficiently recovered from the primary election. I know everyone worked hard and we’re all exhausted. But of course, there’s always another election, so we need to take our vitamins and get ready to do it again.
We at True Texas Project are generally pleased with the outcome of the primary. All of our state level recommendations either won, or are in a runoff, and most of our other recommendations also won or are in a runoff. We’re looking forward to forging new relationships with new State House and Senate members in 2027!
But meantime…… There’s the TX LEGE INTERIM!
You may remember what I wrote on Jan 16, about the Interim. It’s that time in between sessions, where most people think nothing happens in the legislature. But the truth is that plenty of things can and do happen in the interim. Interim charges are given to committees by both the Lt Governor and the Speaker of the House. LG Patrick has already issued his first round of Interim Charges for the Senate. Speaker Burrows just today posted Interim Charges for the House.
Even without Interim charges, House and Senate Committees may meet to discuss implementation of previous session’s legislation, or take testimony on subjects for future consideration.
Our first opportunity to participate in Interim Hearings is coming up in April. Here are three new opportunities.
House Administration Committee: April 10, 2026, 9:30 am, Room E1.010 – The committee will consider financial penalties (fines & costs) pursuant to Rule 5, Section 3, House Rules of Procedure, for members that were absent from the House during the First and Second Called Sessions of the 89th Legislature.
This meeting will be in executive session only, with invited testimony only, so there is no opportunity to testify, or watch it on line, but it’s something we’ll want to keep an eye on and learn the results. We can read minutes of meetings, and see committee membership on the Committee Website. (NOTE: This committee is filled with some of our least conservative reps as well as several democrats, so don’t hold your breath for any meaningful punishments for absentee members. But at least it will be entertaining!)
Senate Business & Commerce Committee: April 1, 2026, 10:00 AM, Room E1.012 – The committee will hear invited testimony on Securing Critical Infrastructure and Supply Chain Integrity. The Committee will also receive updates from the Electric Reliability Council of Texas; Office of Public Utility Counsel; and Public Utility Commission of Texas.
Since this hearing is invited testimony only, there is no chance to testify but we should be able to watch it on the live stream. (From the Home page, click in the area called “Legislative Activity”, Video Broadcasts, Senate) If you have opinions or expertise on the issue of Electric Reliability, you can email members of the committee. The Senate does not yet have on-line comment options.
Senate Health & Human Services Committee: April 8, 2026, 9:00 AM, Room E1.012 – The committee will hear public & invited testimony on “Protecting Taxpayer Funds – Preventing Fraud & Abuse, in support of Gov Abbott’s call to action to eliminate fraud, explore and recommend ways to prevent fraud & abuse in TX human service programs.”
You can show up in Austin to testify, or follow along on the live stream broadcast. You can also email members of the Committee with your comments.
Republican Conventions
Just one more final reminder about the importance of participating in Republican Conventions. I know, we’ve said it all before, but repetition works! Most of the SD or County Conventions are being held tomorrow, March 28, and then the step after that is State Convention in June. I know that most folks can’t afford the trip to State Convention, but there’s no reason not to attend your local conventions.
Lauren Heese, who is co-director of our Katy Area TTP Satellite and leader of a Young Republicans of Texas chapter has shared with us this wonderful tutorial on the convention process. It contains excellent examples of how the convention process works, why it’s important, and lots of examples of good/bad resolution presentation.
It’s not too late to be designated a delegate or alternate! From the RPT Facebook page:
“Think you missed your chance to attend State Convention? Think again. Across Texas, many counties still have open delegate and alternate spots – and they need people willing to show up and participate. The first step is contacting your County Chair. Opportunities are there. Take the next step and get involved.”
ACTION ITEMS:
- Pay attention to Interim Hearings: Watch the hearings on line as referenced above. Testify or submit comments via email if you have worthy input. These hearings set up debate for future legislation, so now is the time to provide input to the committees.
- Attend as many of the RPT conventions as possible. Learn about how the party operates, and how decisions translate into action. Lend your voice and your opinions to the party decision making process.
- And one last action item….. get your tickets for Texas Tough 2026! We do this one big fundraiser per year and it supports a large portion of our annual budget – including trips to Austin to participate in state government, as well as the activities of our 26 satellites and home groups located all over the state. We need your support, but it’s also just one really amazing evening with good food, good friends, and good fun. It’s a win win! Last day to buy tickets or sponsorships is April 11. So don’t wait! Do it today.
Thanks for staying engaged!
Fran Rhodes, President
True Texas Project