TCAN

Thanks in large part to YOUR actions, we can count some real victories during this legislative session. No, we didn’t get all the things we hoped and worked for in the areas of ethics reform, campaign finance reform, redistricting reform, and election reform, but we got considerably more than almost anyone expected. Most importantly, […]

The Texas House of Representatives has always been known as the people’s house. The Speaker of the House is supposed to preside over the meetings of the House in a fair and equitable manner. This Speaker has not been fair and equitable.
As the legislative session drew to a close over this long weekend, Representatives from […]

I am adding my 2 cents worth to what Stewart has already told you about our True Courage Awards event Thursday night. It was truly an exciting event for all the TCAN board members, staff and supporters, and I know especially for our honorees. Much hard work goes into a legislative session by the legislators and their staff. TCAN worked to apply the same amount of energy to fight for and against the bills that impacted our legislative agenda this year. Ethics reform, voting rights, open government and the politics of big money were where we worked tirelessly, found our champions among the legislators, and accomplished much, but much remains to be accomplished.

I want to thank the many members of the legislature and their staff from both the House and the Senate that came and joined us at this fun event, and give another thanks to Ms. Bettie Naylor for hosting this at the Westgate

This event was a time for recognition, celebration and renewed commitment to continue our work together in the future. Everyone was full of smiles and good feelings and that was rewarding for all of us to see.

that they weren’t heroes, that other people contributed more, that they were just doing what they thought they had to do.
But the winners of the True Courage Action Awards:
Best State Senator: Sen. Rodney Ellis
Best State Representative: Rep. Mike Villarreal
Best State Advocate: ACLU of Texas
(represented by Will Harrell, Sonia Santana, and Kat Dean )
Defending Voting […]

We heard Friday (May 18) morning that Senator Mario Gallegos had to return to Houston because of his health (he underwent a liver transplant earlier this year). His intention was to remain at the capitol until the end of the session and in fact he stayed in Austin much longer than he probably should […]

Here are the latest results of the True Courage Awards poll as of Friday noon:

State Senator
Current vote

Ellis
30%

Shapleigh
28%

Gallegos
18%

Watson
14%

Wentworth
10%

.
.

State Representative
Current vote

Villarreal
34%

Thompson
21%

Bolton
20%

Anchia
15%

Burnam
9%

.
.

State Advocate
Current vote

American Civil Liberties Union
34%

Texas Progressive Blogs
28%

People for the American Way
17%

Advocacy, Inc.
13%

Texas Election Reform Coalition
8%

.
Poll closes May 20th at noon. VOTE! here

Here are the voting percentages for the five finalists in each category, as of Thursday, 2:00pm:

State Senator
Current vote

Ellis
30%

Shapleigh
27%

Gallegos
18%

Watson
15%

Wentworth
10%

.
.

State Representative
Current vote

Villarreal
33%

Thompson
22%

Bolton
20%

Anchia
15%

Burnam
10%

.
.

State Advocate
Current vote

American Civil Liberties Union
33%

Texas Progressive Blogs
28%

People for the American Way
17%

Texas Elections Reform Coalition
12%

Advocacy Inc
8%

.
Poll closes May 20th at noon. VOTE! here

We asked around at the Lege for comments about our finalists. From legislative staffers and other sources, here are the responses. We hope this encourages you to vote if you haven’t already.
Nominator comments are posted next to each nominee’s name at the polling website (http://www.truecourageaction.net/True-Courage-Awards/). If you haven’t already, please go VOTE!
In alphabetical order:
.
Rep. Rafael […]

As of Thursday, 8:00am:

State Senator
Current vote

Ellis
30%

Shapleigh
28%

Gallegos
18%

Watson
15%

Wentworth
10%

.
.

State Representative
Current vote

Villarreal
33%

Bolton
22%

Thompson
20%

Anchia
15%

Burnam
10%

.
.

State Advocate
Current vote

American Civil Liberties Union
34%

Texas Progressive Blogs
30%

People for the American Way
18%

Texas Elections Reform Coalition
10%

Advocacy Inc
8%

.
Poll closes May 20th at noon. VOTE! here

Senate Bill 129, authored by Royce West and sponsored by Elliot Naishtat, Fred Hill, Brandon Creighton, David Leibowitz, and Todd Smith, passed the House this afternoon and will be sent to the Governor to sign. The (as yet, uncertified) vote was unanimous with the exception of Speaker Craddick who did not vote and […]