[Txabs] Calling the Governor's office

[Jonathan Franks]

Attention students,
If you have not done the following already, please take action!. We
want to solicit support for both the House and Senate bills from
Governor Abbott. Please call his office tomorrow (Monday, April 27) to
tell him that you hope he will support the Texas Workforce Commission
Sunset bill as it is currently written. Make the following points if
you can:

1.  You are a blind Texan (or a friend or family member of a blind
person) who supports both HB 3294 and SB 208.
2.  You are a member of the National Federation of the Blind of Texas.
Give your local chapter name if you want to. I think it is good that
they know we have members across the state.
2.  This is the TWC Sunset bill, and it would also transfer vocational
rehabilitation from HHSC to TWC.
3.  We believe this move will improve employment outcomes because it
will allow rehab counselors to work in concert with current TWC staff
to effectively reach out to both consumers and employers who are
willing to include blind and disabled Texans in their workforce.

Be sure to thank the staff person you talk to for passing on our point
of view. If we are as successful as we have been in the past at
generating phone calls, some of you may be told that they just want to
know if you are for or against the bills. In that event, be sure to
tell them that you are definitely in support of both SB 208 and HB
3294. To reach Governor Abbott's legislative staff call:

Randy Erben, Legislative Director
(512) 463-1830

If you get his voicemail, leave a message telling him that you support
the current version of the Texas Workforce Commission's Sunset Bill,
including the transfer of vocational rehabilitation services, and tell
him that we hope the governor will also support the bill.

If you have trouble getting through to anyone at the number listed
above, use the main number to the Governor's Office. It is (512)
463-2000.