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Heads up, Texas taxpayers: we’ve reviewed the upcoming GREGORY-PORTLAND ISD agenda and found 3 items that deserve your attention before the gavel falls.
| ALERT (LEVEL 8) |
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Board to Draft State Lobbying Plan
The board is holding a workshop to draft its ‘Legislative Priorities,’ which is a plan for how the district will use taxpayer resources to lobby the Texas Legislature. This uses local tax dollars to influence state-level politics, often to advocate for policies that increase taxes or limit parental rights.
Response
DEMAND TRANSPARENCY: Email Board President Tim Flinn at tflinn@g-pisd.org: ‘Regarding Item II.A.2, taxpayers deserve to know what legislative positions you are planning to take with our money. All draft legislative priorities should be published for public review and comment before any vote is taken.’
💰 Impact: Taxpayer-Funded Lobbying
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| WARNING (LEVEL 7) |
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Taxpayer-Funded Travel to Lobbying Events
The proposed ‘Good Governance Guidebook’ under item II.A.1 explicitly plans for taxpayer-funded travel to events hosted by the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) and Texas Association of School Administrators (TASA). These groups lobby the legislature against taxpayer interests like property tax caps and parental rights, and this policy subsidizes their operations.
Response
END TAXPAYER-FUNDED LOBBYING: Email Board President Tim Flinn at tflinn@g-pisd.org: ‘Regarding Item II.A.1, I urge you to amend the Governance Guidebook to prohibit taxpayer-funded travel to events hosted by political lobbying groups like TASB and TASA. Our district should not subsidize groups that lobby against taxpayers.’
💰 Impact: Undisclosed Lobbying Fees
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| WATCH (LEVEL 5) |
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New Rules Could Limit Public Criticism
The new ‘Good Governance Guidebook’ in item II.A.1 includes vague rules against ‘personal attacks’ during public comment. This language could be used by the board president to shut down legitimate criticism of board decisions or official conduct, forcing parents into a bureaucratic grievance process instead of speaking in an open forum.
Response
PROTECT FREE SPEECH: Email Board President Tim Flinn at tflinn@g-pisd.org: ‘Regarding Item II.A.1, the definition of ‘personal attacks’ in the new guidebook is too broad and could chill public speech. Please amend it to ensure taxpayers can hold elected officials accountable without fear of being silenced.’
💰 Impact: Reduced Public Access
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