So I just got a *handwritten* note from Bill Keffer, my rep.

[crispini]

(Or somebody at his office) thanking me for my input on HB2833. The thing is, I just looked at HB2833 and I don't EVEN remember sending him anything about it. Parts of it look like they might have to do with flood control, and I believe I signed a Sierra Club petition about that, but other than that, I can't make head or tail of this flippin' bill. Anyone else got an idea?

http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/tlo/textframe.cmd?LEG=79&SESS=R&CHAMBER=H&BILLTYPE=B&BILLSUFFIX=02833&VERSION=1&TYPE=B

And, damn, all the stuff I write him about that he doesn't write me back, and he writes back on this? :wtf:

[redqueen]

1. Hmmmmm

It seems to deal with owners of private property having recourse against government action involving their property... didn't read the whole thing... just skimmed. It's far too early for me to try to digest all that legalese!

[ohtransplant]

2. I've received similar replies from my Rep

which seem next to unintelligible - and regarding some obscure issue I'm sure I haven't commented on. Also, I have received no response to the raft of letters, e-mails, and phone calls I have made to him.

[WhiteTara]

3. same here

I always think it must be me, but thanks for the confirmation that they just send out letters about anything without really looking at or listening to anything that is said.
:wtf:

[ohtransplant]

4. I wonder if it has anything to do with

our disagreement with their policies? Hmmmmmm...:sarcasm:

[crispini]

5. A HA! I found it. And I know why I signed it.

It is INDEED the Sierra Club.
Priority: High
Response: Immediately

Please join me in opposing House Bill 2833 and Senate Bill 1647

This legislation has ramifications far beyond water/pollution issues. It jeopardizes citys' ability to regulate land use with tools such as Historic and Conservation Districts. Furthermore, it would mean that only increases in zoning rights would be legislated by cities regardless of the public interest in a city using its zoning powers to regulate land use. I believe the Dallas City Council today denied the change in zoning in our Hudson Heights neighborhood to single-family zoning because of their fears of this legislation.

Future success stories throughout the inner city like those in our past (replacing heavy commercial zoning in South Dallas with residential, replacing 2500 acres of multi-family zoning in East Dallas with single-family zoning, etc.) would not happen. This is very dangerous legislation.

Here is a link with more information and easy to follow instructions for helping on this issue. ...the Sierra Club, ... has done an excellent job distilling these bills:

http://lonestar.sierraclubaction.org/showalert.asp?aaid=1241

[sonias]

6. I got a nice card and note

from Senator Ellis and he's not even my Senator. Classy guy. They respond to every one of those visitor's signing in on the visitor log books. I was making some e-voting lobby visits.

HB2833 is a regulatory takings bill and it looks bad. I took a look at the witness list and our local Save our Springs Alliance was against the bill, as well as Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance. So it must have bad environmental impacts.

Sonia