I went to the state capitol today with intentions of speaking with my state representative in the house about HB 1457. This is not a political post as the bill is about fantasy sports - specifically daily fantasy sports - and its legality in Texas. If you are interested in helping protect fantasy sports in our state, you can email your representative here in about 30 seconds.
None of the representatives I aimed to speak with were in their offices, but I was sort of amazed by a few things that didn't dawn on me until now as an adult (and parent):
1) I've lived here my whole life and have sort of taken the actual building for granted. As you go to different areas, and pass by out-of-towners taking photos at every turn, you realized the architecture, the grounds and the setup are pretty beautiful and packed with primo historical potpourri. I'm going to start taking my daughter; it is like a free museum and it's large enough to where it would wear her out as a toddler.
2) You have access to all kinds of cool things. For example, I just walked in to the the offices of Texas representatives in the house like I was entering a business in a shopping mall. Their offices in the capitol building are as much yours as they are their's.
3) Many times, members of the representatives' staff will give you tours of the office if you ask for it. You can see some neat architecture and just picture old political deals going down. You can ask about their views on things and express yours.
4) My representative's chief of staff said that someone physically coming in to express their concerns as a constituent represented not just one person but more like 10,000 people. Our elected leaders can only serve based on what they know of their constituents, and most constituents simply don't make their opinions and needs known through direct contact.
5) You can watch legislative sessions and observe the law-making process taking place as a citizen; again, it will be something I'll plan to take my daughter to see and experience. All free, unlike Sea World. ; )
None of the representatives I aimed to speak with were in their offices, but I was sort of amazed by a few things that didn't dawn on me until now as an adult (and parent):
1) I've lived here my whole life and have sort of taken the actual building for granted. As you go to different areas, and pass by out-of-towners taking photos at every turn, you realized the architecture, the grounds and the setup are pretty beautiful and packed with primo historical potpourri. I'm going to start taking my daughter; it is like a free museum and it's large enough to where it would wear her out as a toddler.
2) You have access to all kinds of cool things. For example, I just walked in to the the offices of Texas representatives in the house like I was entering a business in a shopping mall. Their offices in the capitol building are as much yours as they are their's.
3) Many times, members of the representatives' staff will give you tours of the office if you ask for it. You can see some neat architecture and just picture old political deals going down. You can ask about their views on things and express yours.
4) My representative's chief of staff said that someone physically coming in to express their concerns as a constituent represented not just one person but more like 10,000 people. Our elected leaders can only serve based on what they know of their constituents, and most constituents simply don't make their opinions and needs known through direct contact.
5) You can watch legislative sessions and observe the law-making process taking place as a citizen; again, it will be something I'll plan to take my daughter to see and experience. All free, unlike Sea World. ; )
