Why Testify in Austin?

Every two years the Texas Legislature meets for 140 days. During that time everything and everybody is at risk. With more than 7,000 bills filed, a few are good, some are to correct mistakes from previous sessions, some are bad, and some are completely off the planet. We as county elected officials have a responsibility to support the good bills and work hard to defeat the bad and/or crazy ones.
It seems that the Texas Legislature for the most part does not have a clue as to the purpose or function of county government. We have to try to explain this over and over at each new session. Sometimes it seems that the harder we try, the more they try “to save us from ourselves.”
One of the best ways to get facts to the Legislature is to testify at the committee hearing(s) where a particular bill is being laid out. While doing so, one can register support or opposition by simply completing a sign-in sheet. If you desire to give oral testimony, then you can select the appropriate box on the sign-in sheet.
I feel compelled to give oral testimony because I believe it can better illustrate my position and the unique circumstances of a rural county. I always use facts and figures from my own county; however, given the right situation, these can often relate to any county. I do this because it appears that urban and suburban areas control most of the Legislature, and they have a vastly different outlook on life than those of us living in rural areas. They seem to believe that the “one-size-fits-all” slogan is appropriate for all of the state. We know this attitude often does not work.
When appearing before a hearing, I have found that some of the committee members can be a bit intimidating and will ask questions to throw you off your guard. If you testify, do not let this be a distraction; always stick to your facts. Because I have testified many times, I no longer allow myself to be intimated by those legislators. In fact, I have testified so many times I now believe I can call myself a veteran. I once appeared at a hearing and was asked, “You again?” by the committee chair. This tells me it is becoming known who I am and what I represent.
I have even had the unique experience of testifying on the Senate floor. Now that was intimidating! The Senate was meeting in what is known as a “Senate as a Committee of a Whole,” which only occurs once in every 25-30 years. My first thought was “Wow!” I thought of all the famous people who had used the microphone in the Senate and wondered what a rural county judge was doing out on that floor. However, I must have earned their attention with my testimony, because afterward several senators approached me and said, “Lets talk.” With this in mind, I make an all-out effort to be in Austin every time Jim Allison or the Texas Association of Counties calls to alert me to a committee hearing in which my testimony could be very valuable. Sometimes the hardest part of testifying is the waiting. There have been times when the hearing began at 2:00 p.m., but I did not get called until close to midnight. However, it is always worth the long wait.
I encourage my fellow officials to testify at any committee hearing they have the opportunity to attend. I believe it is well worth the travel, time and hassle of dealing with traffic in Austin. I can truthfully say that I appreciate the time given for me to represent our cause(s) to committee members. I always look forward to this great opportunity. I like the challenge of obtaining the very best for our counties. I work with a great group of people known as “county government.” I always try to promote, preserve, and defend this great system at every opportunity. I hope by reading this article you will be encouraged to do likewise.
By Concho County Judge Allen Amos