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Photo credit: Kassandra Maduzia '19, OMLD 2021 volunteer
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Howdy, Advocates!
We are seeing many signs of life returning to "normal," and The Association of Former Students and the Texas A&M Advocacy Network is no exception. It has been a busy spring and we're just getting started!
Orange and Maroon Legislative Day 2021 is officially a wrap! As you may remember from previous newsletters, this event looked a little different from years past. In the face of COVID restrictions at the Texas Capitol, and then a winter storm that impacted our volunteers' and legislative offices' ability to meet virtually, the usual one-day event in Austin became a multi-day event held in the homes and offices of volunteers across the state and nation. Read on for some more detailed updates on this year's OMLD.
We cannot adequately express our appreciation for the fantastic volunteers that helped us pull off this year's event. By sharing their Aggie stories and seamlessly weaving in the legislative "asks," our former student volunteers demonstrated the importance of supporting higher education in Texas. Our impressive group of current Aggie students left no doubt that the future of the Aggie Network is in great hands!
We're less than 50 days from the end of the 87th Legislative Session, and some of the state's biggest decisions are still ahead. SB1, the Senate version of the state's FY22-23 budget, was recently passed and sent to the Texas House. Once the House passes its version, a conference committee with members of both the Senate and the House will meet to iron out differences in the two bills.
As these differences are negotiated in the conference committee, you, as an Aggie Advocate, may be called upon to help! We will keep you updated on appropriation decisions impacting Texas A&M.
We encourage you to stay informed of your Representative and Senator's actions and updates. In addition to their social media pages, many legislators publish newsletters and press releases on their official House and Senate websites.
Here at The Association of Former Students, April brings some of our biggest events with Aggie Ring Day and Muster. Check out the news round-up at the bottom to catch up on our most beloved traditions.
Thank you for your support of Texas A&M and The Association of Former Students. As always, please do not hesitate to reach out anytime we can be of assistance!
Thanks and gig 'em,
Miranda Henderson '09
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OMLD Meeting with Speaker Dade Phelan
A hallmark of past Orange and Maroon Legislative Days is the opportunity for the leaders of The Association of Former Students, Texas A&M University, Texas Exes, and the University of Texas at Austin to meet with leaders of our state government. For the rescheduled OMLD 2021, we appreciated Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan for meeting with the university and alumni association leaders, including 2021 Association Chair Pat C. Beaird '83.
Porter S. Garner III '79, President and CEO of The Association of Former Students, noted that 2021 marked the 10th anniversary of OMLD. He thanked Speaker Phelan for taking the time to be a part of these events, which have ensured that former students are well-informed of the legislature's support for higher education.
Texas A&M University Interim President Dr. John Junkins emphasized that the combined student population of Texas A&M and UT accounted for nearly 20% of bachelor's degrees awarded in Texas last year. These former students, he added, contribute over $13 billion each year to the Texas economy.
Speaker Phelan expressed his understanding of the unique needs of our state's two Tier 1 research universities. He praised the work of House Appropriations Chair Greg Bonnen '88, whose committee is charged with allocating the state's financial resources. He ended with an affirmation of the contributions of Texas A&M and UT to our state, and a commitment to be as helpful to the two universities as possible.
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OMLD 2021 By the Numbers
- 118 - Texas A&M and UT Austin former student volunteers
- 54 - Texas House and Senate offices scheduled
- 32 - Texas A&M current student volunteers
- 24 - Aggie legislative offices scheduled
- 15 - Team members from The Association of Former Students taking part in virtual visits
- 6 - Days hosting OMLD office visits between March 24 and April 6
- 2 - Legislative "Asks" brought to the legislature by the volunteers
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TX-06 Special Election Set for May 1
The special general election to fill the vacancy in Texas' 6th Congressional District will be held on May 1. A crowded field of 23 candidates have filed to replace U.S. Representative Ron Wright, who died in February.
The field of 23 includes 11 Republicans and 10 Democrats, with a healthy mix of political veterans and newcomers seeking to serve in the role. Because this is a special general election, there will be no primary and all qualified candidates will appear on the May 1 ballot.
Unlike regular general elections in Texas, a candidate must secure a majority of the votes cast to win in a special general election. If no candidate from the field of 23 garners a majority, the top two vote-getters - regardless of party affiliation - will advance to a special run-off election, to be set for a later date.
TX-06 includes parts of south Fort Worth/Dallas, Arlington, Mansfield, Waxahachie, and Ennis. Not sure if this includes you? Enter your address here to verify. If you are registered to vote in TX-06, be sure to research the candidates and vote for your choice! The Texas Tribune has a full list of the candidates. Early voting will begin on April 19, and applications for mail ballots must be recieved by April 20.
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All Seats Filled in Texas Legislature
The final domino in a cascade of special elections fell into place on March 9, giving the Texas Legislature its full voting strength of 150 Representatives and 31 Senators for the first time in the 87th Session.
David Spiller of Jacksboro was sworn in as the Representative of House District 68 after winning the special run-off election for the seat. The path that led to the opening of the seat, however, was first paved over a year ago:
- On Feb. 28, 2020, President Donald Trump nominated U.S. Representative John Ratcliffe (TX-04) for the position of Director of National Intelligence. Upon confirmation of the U.S. Senate, Representative Ratcliffe resigned from Congress effective May 22.
- On Aug. 8, Texas Senator Pat Fallon (SD-30) was selected to replace Representative Ratcliffe as the Republican nominee in the 2020 regular general election for TX-04, and was subsequently elected on Nov. 3. Senator Fallon submitted his resignation from the Texas Senate on Aug. 22, with two years remaining in the four-year term.
- On Sept. 29, a special general election was held to fill SD-30. The top two vote-getters advanced to a special run-off election.
- On Dec. 19, Texas Representative Drew Springer (HD-68) won the special run-off election for SD-30 and resigned from his Texas House seat.
- On Jan. 23, 2021, a special general election was held to fill HD-68. The top two vote-getters advanced to a special run-off election.
- On Feb. 23, David Spiller won the special run-off election and was declared the winner for HD-68.
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Aggie Tapped for Public Utility Commission of Texas
The Public Utility Commission (PUC) of Texas has made a lot of headlines in recent weeks, culminating in some open positions after resignations. Texas Governor Greg Abbott has appointed Will McAdams '04 to fill one of the two open seats on the three-person commission. This appointment is subject to confirmation by the Texas Senate.
The Public Utility Commission regulates the state's electric, telecommunication, and water/sewer utilities. This important agency has already been the subject of many discussions in the Legislative Session. We send a hearty "thanks and gig 'em" to Will for his willingess to serve in this important role!
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Two Aggies Chosen for Commission on Information Disorder
Attorney General of Nevada Aaron Ford '94 and former Congressman Will Hurd '99 will join a group of accomplished experts on an intensive, six-month project aiming to better today's media landscape.
Charged with developing policy recommendations addressing the mis- and disinformation challenge, the Aspen Institute's Commission on Information Disorder includes journalists, academics and political leaders.
To learn more about the commission and its members, click here.
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ICYMI at TAMU
A round-up of the headlines coming out of Aggieland this month:
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