Contact Your Legislators

Advocacy at the Texas Legislative Level 

PTA is a child advocay organization with the mission: "To make every child's potential a reality by engaging and empowering families and communities to advocate for all children". For 125 years, National PTA has worked with school commuities and decision makers to solve the toughest problems in our nation's history. PTA is a powerful voice for ALL children, a relevant resource for families and communities, and a strong advocate for public education. Here in Leander ISD, our Council of PTAs with its 10,000 members, believes that no work is more critical than that of advocating for our students and public schools. When issues face our community, we must make our collective voice heard by contacting our legislators.  

Step By Step Guide for Contacting Your Legislators

Our 202 square mile school district has residents in 4 Texas Senate Districts and 5 Texas House Districts. Contact information for all 9 state legislators is listed here.   

Step 2. Know the issue you are calling about and what you are advocating. 

During legislative sessions, the Leander ISD Council of PTAs will advocate both for legislative priorities that align with PTA guiding principles and our local community's child advocacy priorities. 

Step 3. Prepare your message. You want to be clear, concise, and persuasive. 

Here’s a simple outline for your call script

1. Introduce Yourself
   State your name, where you live (district), and that you’re a constituent.
   Example:
   “Hi, my name is [Your Name], and I live in [Your City/District]. I’m calling today because I’m very concerned about [briefly describe the issue].”

2. Describe the Issue
   Give a short, clear explanation of the issue. Be sure to mention how it directly impacts you or others in your district.

3. State Your Position

Politely express what you want the legislator to do, such as voting on a specific bill or taking a stance on an issue.

Example:

“I urge Representative/Senator [Name] to support/oppose [Bill Number/Issue] because it will [describe the positive or negative impact]. This is important because [briefly explain the consequences].”

**Be Extremely clear if you are in support of or opposed to specific legislation, otherwise it may be listed as neutral. State the specific piece of legislation and tell them I am FOR HB______ and am asking you to vote YES on this bill or I am OPPOSED to HB______ and asking you to vote NO on this bill. 

Step 4. Make the Call

1. Call the Capitol Office or District Office
   Every legislator has multiple contact numbers, but it’s best to call the Capitol office during the legislative session or the district office during breaks.

2. Leave a Voicemail if Necessary
   If you can’t reach someone directly, leave a message. Be polite and clear about the issue, your position, and what you want them to do.

Step 5. Be Polite and Respectful

Remember that the legislative staffers are working on behalf of the legislator, and they are there to help. Be courteous and respectful throughout the call, even if you’re discussing a controversial issue. Here’s how to maintain a positive tone

1. Thank Them for Their Time
   Example:
   “Thank you for listening to my concerns, and I appreciate the work you and the legislator are doing.”

2. Ask for a Response
   Politely ask for a response or follow-up. Example:
   “Could I get a response from Representative/Senator [Name] on where they stand on this issue?”

Step 6. Follow Up

After your call, follow up to ensure your message was received:

1. Send a Thank-You Email
   Follow up with a brief thank-you email to the legislator or their staff. This reinforces your message and shows appreciation for their time.

2. Track Legislation
   Keep an eye on the bill’s progress or any further actions related to the issue. If necessary, continue reaching out to ensure the matter is addressed.

Additional Tips

Be Brief and Focused

Legislators are busy, so keep your message short and to the point.

Stay Calm and Professional 

If you feel emotional about the issue, take a moment to collect your thoughts before calling.

Make Multiple Calls

Don’t be discouraged if you don’t get through on the first try. Try calling again or leave a message.

Encourage Others to Call 

The more calls a legislator receives on an issue, the more likely they are to take action.