Time to prepare for action

It’s hard to believe it is already the final quarter of 2020. This is the time of year that most of us start thinking about the coming year, and what is in store. 
For Texas newspapers the new year means it’s time for the biennial session of the Texas Legislature, and that means we need to prepare for action.
No matter which party is in control of the House in January, there will be some influx of new members in that body, and in the Senate. 
As in past sessions, we will likely have to fight efforts to reduce or eliminate public notices in newspapers. Also, we can count on seeing legislation impacting the Texas Public Information Act and Texas Open Meetings Act. 
Every session brings attempts to reduce access to information about what state and local governments are doing. That makes it more difficult to report on the news and to hold officials accountable to the taxpayers they serve. 
In addition, with a budget shortfall likely, the Legislature will be looking at new tax options, and that means we could be impacted financially.
If you have never before volunteered to help the Texas Press Association, now is the time to get involved. Our legislative operation needs publishers, editors and your staff calling your legislators on issues of importance to TPA when the time comes.  Legislators need to hear from the newspapers that cover them. 
We may all be on pins and needles awaiting the outcome of the election, but no matter how it turns out, Texas newspapers must be prepared to be in our legislators’ ears when it comes to issues of importance to our industry. 
Reach out to the TPA office today and ask how you can be involved.