Voter alert: Senate Hearing March 11 on Wentworth bill to restrict citizen participation

The purpose of SB 690 is to further restrict citizen participation in local government. SB 690 effectively cancels a right Texans have enjoyed for decades – the right of citizens in home rule cities to propose amendments to their city charters

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or to Mike Ford at www.InitiativeforTexas.org

This Wednesday, March 11, at 9:30 AM in Room E1.028, the Senate Intergovernmental Relations Committee is going to meet on SB 690 – Sen. Jeff Wentworth's bill to dramatically reduce citizen participation in their government. Wentworth represents Senatorial District 25, which includes Hays County.

The Committee members are:

Chair: Sen. Royce West – Royce.West@senate.state.tx.us
Vice Chair: Sen. Robert Nichols – Robert.Nichols@senate.state.tx.us
Member: Sen. Mario Gallegos, Jr. – Mario.Gallegos@senate.state.tx.us
Member: Sen. Dan Patrick – Dan.Patrick@senate.state.tx.us
Member:Sen. Jeff Wentworth – Jeff.Wentworth@senate.state.tx.us

Before the meeting at 9:15 AM, Independent Texans, Initiative for Texas, and ChangeAustin will be holding a press conference outside Room E1.028.

BACKGROUND

On February 5, Sen. Wentworth introduced Senate Bill 690 – proposing to double the threshold percentage of signatures required for citizen initiated municipal charter amendments, from 5 to 10 percent of registered
voters.

SB 690 is fasttracked to be effective September 1, 2009.

SB 690 does not fix any problem. The purpose of SB690 is to further restrict citizen participation in local government. SB 690 effectively cancels a right Texans have enjoyed for decades – the right of citizens in home rule cities to propose amendments to their city charters.

If Sen. Wentworth had any respect for the citizens of Texas, he would be proposing to reduce the number of signatures required – not doubling the signatures required.

Please call and write Sen. Wentworth asking him to drop SB 690.

Sen. Jeff Wentworth
925 North Frost Center, 1250 N.E. Loop 410
San Antonio, Texas 78209
Voice - (210) 826-7800 – (512) 463-0125
FAX - (210) 826-0571 – (512) 463-7794
Jeff.Wentworth@senate.state.tx.us