Legislative Advocacy

TCADP’s  success in the Texas legislature depends a great deal upon the involvement of our members and supporters with their elected officials.  Your role in this, as constituent, cannot be overemphasized.  Your voice makes a difference.  TCADP urges you to contact your State Senator, State Representative and the Governor and tell them of your concerns about capital punishment.  If you are unsure who your Senator or Representative are, visit the Texas Legislature on-line at www.capitol.state.tx.us and provide the requested information under “Who Represents Me?”

Because our members and supporters contacted those who represent them in state government, TCADP achieved the following successes in the most recent Legislative Session (Jan-May 2011).

  • Rep. Jessica Farrar (D-Houston) filed a bill (HB 819) calling for repeal of the death penalty in Texas;
  • Rep. Alma Allen (D-Houston), Rep. Lon Burnam (D-Fort Worth) and Rep. Marisa Marquez (D-El Paso) signed on to the bill as co-authors;
  • HB 819 received a hearing by the House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee.

TCADP also conducted a Lobby Day (March 8, 2011) in the capitol during which TCADP members and supporters visited their Representative and/or Senator to talk about the death penalty.

Additionally, members of our staff and Board spend a great deal of time in the capitol in meetings with elected officials and their staffs.  These visits proved extremely beneficial both in making people aware of the issue and in garnering support for ending capital punishment.

Your involvement in Legislative Advocacy is critical.  Here is what you can do.

  • If one of the Representatives identified above is yours, please contact him or her and thank them for their support of HB 819.
  • Contact your state Senator and Representative and tell them that you oppose capital punishment and why.  A person visit is the most effective.  (TCADP can provide you information and talking points.  Contact us.)
  • Follow TCADP legislative advocacy by visiting http://tcadp.org/get-involved/contact-lawmakers/
  • Make plans to attend the TCADP Lobby Day in 2013 during the next session of the state legislature.