Make Your Voice Heard: Oppose SB13

The Texas Senate K-16 Education Committee will hold a committee meeting and public hearing on a number of proposed senate bills on Thursday, February 27.

The meeting is scheduled to start around 10am, and may last all day. Members of the public are invited to provide testimony on the bills listed on the hearing notice- including Senate Bill 13- which is Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick's priority bill to "guard against inappropriate books in public schools."

So now is the time to make plans to travel to Austin, and/or start emailing your elected representatives and committee members.

Provide In-Person Verbal or Written Testimony on SB13

Thursday, February 27 10AM (approximately)

1. In-person verbal testimony:  Witnesses will be given 2 minutes to make their public comment on the bill they wish to speak about. You will need to declare your name, and whether you are speaking "for" "against" or "on" (neutral) SB13. Note, if you have more to say, than can fit in 2 minutes, you can provide both in-person verbal, and in-person written testimony. Be prepared to stay all day- bring food, water, chargers, electronics, books, and patience. 
2. In-person written testimony: You will need to bring 20 copies of whatever written testimony & supporting documents you wish to provide. Once you have signed in, and delivered 20 copies of your written testimony you are free to leave if needed.

For both in person verbal and written testimony, witnesses (you!) will need to arrive at the Texas Capital and make your way to E.1028 (Hearing Room) in time to sign in at a kiosk outside the hearing room before the meeting begins. 

Will you be at the Capital on Thursday? 

Whether you're coming to speak, provide written testimony, or just want to show your support for those who are, please wear BLUE for BOOKS! (or wear your favorite Book Lover/Book Ban fighting apparel!) Committee Meetings are open to the public- you do not have to be speaking to attend.

We'd also love for you to let us know you're coming- fill out this "volunteer form" so we can keep in touch leading up to Thursday morning. 

Send an Email

Can't make it to Austin on Thursday to provide in-person testimony? You can still make your concerns about and opposition to SB13 heard by e-mailing your Texas senator {note: this is not Cruz or Cornyn} and the members of the Senate K-16 Education Committee. 

The Senate Education Committee Members can be found here. Or at the end of this post.

You can use this simple email form to contact the Senate Education Committee members with a few clicks- or you can draft your own email to send them. 

CLICK HERE TO SEND EMAIL.

Make Some Phone Calls

Call the members of the Senate Education Committee and state your opposition to SB13. (Phone numbers below)

Here's a sample script you can use and adapt for your own needs:

"Hi, my name is (first name) and I'm calling in regards to SB13, the Library Advisory Committee bill.  As a (parent/Texan/voter) and library lover, I am asking you to oppose this bill because it would put the power into the hands of a few parents and not elected officials. I would like my district to be more focused on improving math and reading scores instead of worrying about controlling library books.  Also, Texas has already passed one bill that is in place to do that so we don't need another one.  Please let the Senator know my concerns. Thank you."

Senate Education Committee Contact Info: