"So, who do we complain to?"

My dear friend, Playwriter Girl, asked me this question in a comment to my latest post on the Property Tax Appraisal Cap issue. Wonderful, and very appropriate, question. Here's my answer:

1. Vote in the Primary Election- If your State Representative or State Senator is not doing his job well, this is the time to vote for a better candidate from your party. And, for many districts in Texas and because Texas is such a red state, the primary election determines who will win the general election. Voting can be a form of complaint, after all.
   
2. Vote in the General Election - I know, it goes without saying, but I gotta say it.
   
3. Communicate with your State Representative - Become your State Representative's best friend...or worst nightmare. Write him letters. Call him. Let him know what your position is. Ask him what his position is. If it differs from yours, ask him to explain himself. If he has no credible explanation, ask him who he is supposed to represent. If he has a credible explanation, ask him to consider your reasoning, and again ask him who he is supposed to represent. Look up his voting record, or to really get under his skin, ask him to send you a copy of his voting record. Be persistent. You are funding his (incredibly meager) salary with your tax dollars. By the way, I am absolutely 100% serious about this. If you don't know who your State Representative is, go here. This goes without saying also, but...be passionate about your position, be prepared with articulate and well-sourced facts to support your argument, and always be respectful.
   
4. Communicate with your State Senator - Yep, same song, second verse. If you don't know who your State Senator is go here.
   
5. Join groups of similarly minded people - There is power in numbers, after all. Attend a function sponsored by your political party, or just go to their web site and sign up for notifications. Make sure you're comfortable with their message, and add your voice to theirs. One group in particular that is focused on the Appraisal Cap issue is CLOUT.
   
6. Complain in a public forum - Oh, they really hate this. You see, each committee in the House (don't know about the Senate) is required to hold hearings about upcoming legislation. And the public is welcome to join the chorus. If you can stand it, watch this video for a prime example of the public wanting to speak (and getting the cold shoulder). Again, when you complain, be passionate, be prepared (nothing looks more foolish than knee-jerk reactions on display), and be respectful. This last one can be tough sometimes since so many of these people have earned our unyielding scorn rather than our respect. Yet, for whatever their reasons may be (selfish or selfless), they have put themselves up for criticism in a public forum, and for that reason alone they deserve our respect.

Concerning this last item, the Task Force on Appraisal Reform will be holding public hearings across the state. The hearing in Houston is scheduled for November 16 (location TBD). Got it on your calendar?