TCADP

The Texas Legislature Online (TLO) Website - www.capitol.state.tx.us
The TLO site is extremely helpful and user friendly. Wander around on the site and you will be amazed about the information that is available. You can even create an account through which you can track specific bills or receive notification of committee meetings. Automated updates will be sent to you as bills go through the legislative process. Go to “My TLO” to get started. 

How can I learn who represents me in the Texas Legislature?

1. Go to the Texas Legislature Online (TLO).
2. On the right side of the page where it reads “Who Represents Me?” type in the requested information.

How can I learn more about my Representative and Senator?

1. Go to TLO.
2. On the left side of the page under either “Texas House” or “Texas Senate”, select “Members”.
3. Select your member’s name.
4. Here you can find their contact information; their committee assignments; the bills authored, sponsored, co-authored, co-sponsored, or amendments authored.

Where can I find a web page for my legislators?

1. Go to TLO.
2. On the left side of the page under either “Texas House” or “Texas Senate”, select “Members”.
3. Select your member’s name.
4. Select “Visit Home Page on the Texas House of Representatives (or Senate) Website.
5. Here you can learn about the district, find a district map, see what the member’s committee assignments are, and read a bio of your legislator.
6. From this page you can also send the member an email message.

How can I find out what bills have been introduced into the Legislature?

1. Go to TLO.
2. Select “Bill Search”.
3. Go to the “Subjects” tab and select “Select subject criteria…”
4. In the “Search”, type in the subject for which you are searching.
5. Scroll down in the list of subjects that are provided until you find the specific one for which you are searching.
6. Double click it and it will appear in the “Selected” box. Click “OK”
7. This will return you to the initial search page. Select “Search”.
8. You will be presented with a list of all bills that have been introduced into the legislative session that pertain the subject in which you are interested.

How can I follow a bill through the legislative process?

1. Go to TLO.
2. Select “Bill “Lookup” under “Additional Searches”.
3. Enter the bill number.
4. From this page you can view the history and current status of the bill. You can also select “Text”, “Actions”, “Companions”, “Amendments”, “Authors”, and “Co-Authors” to learn more about the bill.

How can I find out about upcoming meetings of the committees of the legislature?

1. Go to TLO.
2. Under either “Texas House” of “Texas Senate” select “Committee Meetings”.
3. Select the appropriate heading about committee meetings.

Advocacy 101- Download PDF

Effective Letters to Your Legislator – Download PDF

1. Proper preparation is essential – do your research.
   Understand your legislators’ professional background, political philosophy, and previous positions and activities on criminal justice issues.  Their position on these issues will set the tone of your communication. All legislators have their own websites – this is an excellent place to start your research.  TCADP also maintains voting records on death penalty-related legislation – contact the office to learn more!
2. Know your message.
   State your message clearly at the beginning of your communication (“I am writing/calling to ask you to….).  Use supporting messages to underscore your main message throughout all of your communications.
3. Make sure your legislator knows that you are a constituent.
   Be certain to communicate your position as a constituent. Your legislators need to understand the reasons for your call/letter/email. Your communication will stand out and demand more attention if they know that you are a constituent.
4. Be brief.
   When composing your communication, remember to be brief, concise, and neat – get to your point right away. Always remember to check your spelling and grammar before sending it. If you are leaving a phone message, be brief and concise.
5. Convey the personal impact of this issue.
   In addition to stating facts/figures in your communication, it is tremendously compelling to express the personal impact this issue has had on your life, your job, your family and friends, and your community. By bringing the impact of the issue to life for your legislators, you will give them a powerful reason to support you.
6. Know the facts.
   Support your messages by referencing facts/figures to show that you are knowledgeable about death penalty issues. Legislators are required to take positions on many different issues. You may find that your legislators lack important details. Your role is to help educate them (and their staff members) by sharing information that demonstrates why this issue is so critical.  If you do not know the answer to a question, tell them you will get back with them with an answer and do it!
7. Develop an ongoing relationship.
   Use this communication as an opportunity to develop an ongoing relationship with your legislators and their staff members.  Your communication should clearly express an interest in maintaining an ongoing dialogue with legislators and keeping the door open for future opportunities to work together or communicate.
8. Summarize your thoughts.
   Before ending your communication, summarize your messages and requests (“To conclude, I would appreciate your support for….”).
9. Say “thank you” and always be professional.  Send a thank-you note and any follow-up information that may have been requested during your meeting or conversation.
10. Complete the Legislator Tracking Sheet.  Available online.

COST.

1. The cost of an average death penalty case is nearly 3 times higher than imprisoning someone in maximum security for 40 years (source: Dallas Morning News).
2. In 2009, Gray County spent nearly $1 million in its pursuit of the death penalty for Levi King. His case, which had been moved to Lubbock County, consisted only of a punishment hearing. The cost to Gray County for seeking a death sentence for Levi King was a contributing factor in the county commission’s decision to withhold employee raises and increase tax rates. King was already serving two consecutive life sentences in Missouri and had pled guilty to the murders of three Texans. (Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, December 13, 2009)
3. In a 2010 national poll conducted by Lake Research Partners, 65% of U.S. voters supported replacing the death penalty and using the money saved for crime prevention. (See <http://www.deathpenaltyinfo.org/pollresults>).
4. In Illinois, a state commission reported $100 million was spent on assisting counties with death penalty prosecutions over the past 7 years, while the state’s deficit has grown to one of the largest in the country. Illinois has not had an execution for almost 12 years. (2010 Annual Report, Death Penalty Information Center

INNOCENCE.

1. Since 1987, twelve individuals in Texas have been released from death row based on their wrongful conviction.
2. There is a high probability that at least four innocent individuals have been executed in Texas.

• Carlos de Luna (1989); faulty identification procedures
• Ruben Cantu (1993); inaccurate single eyewitness testimony
• Cameron Todd Willingham (2004); questionable forensic expert testimony
• Claude Jones (2000); questionable forensic evidence

ARBITRARY APPLICATION.

1. Each district attorney determines when he/she will seek a death sentence in a capital murder case.
2. The capacity of counties to afford capital cases varies greatly.
3. Plea bargaining results in different penalties for similar crimes.
4. The quality of legal representation is dependent upon an individual’s fiscal resources.
5. Of Texas’ 254 counties, 136 have never sent a single offender to death row (1976-present).

DECLINING PUBLIC SUPPORT.

1. New death sentences in Texas have declined more than 60% in the last six years.
2. Harris County did not sentence a single person to death in 2008 and 2009.

After you have completed a visit or contact with your State Legislator please complete the tracking sheet to help the TCADP Legislative committee.

Complete form.