It's been a big week in Texas!

HB 461 Gaining Momentum!
On Tuesday, the House Committee on Agriculture heard testimony on HB 461.  Chairman Miller introduced a committee substitute version that would stop the TAHC from making the NAIS mandatory and prevent any misleading or coercive methods from being used.  HB 461 now has 48 co-authors on it!!!  There are only 150 members in the Texas House, so we've got almost 1/3 of the House co-authoring the bill!!!

You can follow the bill and see all the co-authors at http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=80R&Bill=HB461. 

The language of the committee substitute is not yet online, but it is identical to HB 637, which you can find at http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/Text.aspx?LegSess=80R&Bill=HB637

The committee substitute of HB 461 is not perfect, but it's a major step forward from the current law, which would allow TAHC to make NAIS mandatory at any time.  As always, you should tell your legislators any other provisions or protections you'd like to see.

Don't Tag Texas Rally A Success!

THANK YOU to every single person who came to yesterday's rally!!!  I have never in my life been prouder to be a Texan than standing there, looking out over a crowd of thousands of people who took the time away from their jobs and regular lives to come to the Capitol and make their voices heard!  It was simply incredible.  The march itself stretched for 8 city blocks, with tractors, horses, chickens, and LOTS of people.  Estimates of attendance differ, but my best guess is that we had 2,000 people there at the high point, with many more coming in and out at various times.

We got press coverage on Channels 7, 8 (statewide), 24, 36, and 42, the Austin American Statesman, the Dallas Morning News, and other newspapers across the state.  We will have links to the different news stories posted on our website soon.  I was even interviewed for NPR's All Things Considered, although not in time to make that show - but we got the attention of their DC office, so contact them and tell them you want coverage of NAIS!  Please keep the momentum up by contacting NPR, writing letters to the editor of your local newspaper, and asking your local radio and TV stations to cover the issue.
 
We had a wonderful group of speakers talking about both NAIS and the Trans-Texas Corridor.  Hank Gilbert kicked it off, I spoke about NAIS, and then Jimmie Vaughan got everyone in the right mood with his fantastic song about tags and government control.  John Dromgoole, Penny Langford-Freeman, and Liz McIntyre gave great talks about the problems with NAIS, our government, and corporate control.  Due to some last-minute juggling of the schedule, the other NAIS speakers spoke late in the rally, so I know some folks missed hearing them.  Despite the lateness of the day, Michael Badnarik, Pam Cantwell, and Dr. Don McLeod gave fantastic talks about NAIS.  Gina Parker, Alex Jones, David Van Os, Linda and David Stall, Chris King, and Linda Curtis gave wonderful talks about TTC and the issues related to it.  Several legislators also spoke, including Representatives Kolkhorst and Macias, who have co-authored both HB 461 and 637.  Many thanks to ALL of our wonderful speakers!!

And many more thanks to all of the people who worked so hard to make this happen.  Hank Gilbert developed the joint rally theme and drew a lot of people and organizations together.  Jeremiah Griffin, FARFA's admin assistant, worked with me on the logistics, like parking, the police escort, and the sound system.  Lots of people stepped up to help with the last-minute needs, like putting signs together and manning the tables at the Capitol to hand out materials (special thanks to Mary Beth Westcott and Tatum Evans).  Corridor Watch, Chris King and others arranged for buses to bring people in, and many people and organizations (including San Antonio Toll Party and Eagle Forum) worked hard to spread the word about the rally.

Thanks also to the businesses who helped us out with very big discounts and a lot of flexibility! The rally would not have been the same without Liberty Stickers (lapel stickers), Classified Parking, and Real Estate Super Center (the anti-NAIS signs).

Which brings me to the only downside of the rally - the expense.  FARFA spent over $2,300 for parking, signs, the sound system, and publicizing the rally.  We collected about $200 in pre-rally donations and another $300 yesterday.  We could really use your help to defray these costs!

As we saw so clearly this week, there is strength in numbers.  Join us and make your voice heard!  Go to http://farmandranchfreedom.org/content/join-farfa to join or donate.

Our voices ARE being heard!  Keep it up!