Legislative News:
One of the primary purposes of
PTA is to secure adequate laws for the care and protection
of children and youth. Recent endeavors continue to pave the way with
several legislative successes to report.
The full report is available
here.
Awareness opens the door for all of us, our PTAs, and our
community to make changes when changes are needed or to put into place
something that is needed for your child, your school, and your community.
Legislative Advocacy provides a venue for opportunities; for members to have
a voice no matter how great or small. To start ask yourself, "What
issues are of importance to me and my children in their schools?"
Issues of importance run the gamut. Consider health, safety, security,
environmental, state mandated tests, and
arts in
education for examples.
Texas PTA has joined
LIVESTRONG
and
SMOKEFREE TEXAS
and continues in the fight to make all work-places in
Texas smoke-free. The coalition is gearing up for 2011 when the Texas
Legislature convenes in January of that year. 28 states have already passed
legislation prohibiting smoking in all indoor public places.
Unfortunately, San Antonio is the largest city in the US without a
comprehensive smoking ordinance.
We believe the Texas economy benefits from a healthy
workforce. Legislation prohibiting smoking in indoor public places is a
no-cost way to prevent the many diseases caused by exposure to secondhand
smoke and will save both Texas taxpayers and businesses money. On March 29,
2010, Smoke-Free Texas launched its web site
www.smokefreetexas.org. Find ways to get
involved to make Texas smoke-free. Through personal testimony, we will show
the Texas legislators and media the faces and stories of people whose health
has been negatively affected by secondhand smoke.
Legislative Advocacy needs your
voice; strength is in numbers because we cannot secure adequate laws without
actions. If you are interested in becoming a voice for your local
PTA, contact NISD Council of PTAs Legislative Advocacy
Chair, Tracy Aguilar Stallworth at
legislation@nisdpta.org or by telephone at
210-787-0231.
