Public Affairs Program
The Public Affairs Program is one of TSPE's highest priorities. The program's premise
is that active involvement is essential in the political and legislative processes.
Supporting and electing those who share engineer's philosophies and concerns is the first
step. The next step is communicating to elected officials those concerns and philosophies.
The major elements of the TSPE Public Affairs Program include:
- Mailing of "Legislative Bulletin." During sessions of the Texas Legislature,
this Bulletin is mailed to our leaders periodically. The form is designed to be a
comprehensive method of keeping up to date with the activities of the legislature.
- During the "interim," a regular column in TPE (Texas Professional Engineer)
entitled "Dateline Austin" keeps our members abreast of legislative happenings.
- Political Action Committee for Engineers (PACE). Available to assist those candidates
sharing the concerns of the engineering profession is open to anyone who shares the
interests of the profession.
- Full-time lobbyist who monitors legislative activities during sessions and the interim.
The lobbyist is assisted by the TSPE General Counsel. TSPE's lobbyist follows legislative
committees, bills being introduced and bills being prepared, to assure the professional of
appropriate input. He is also available to the chapters and engineering organizations for
programs and speeches.
- Recommendations to the Governor for qualified engineers to serve on appropriate State
Boards and Commissions. Follow-up to the recommendations in the form of letters of
support, visits with the Governor's staff.
- Legislative and Governmental Affairs Committee is composed of members of TSPE to
represent positions and concerns of our membership.
- Regularly scheduled dinners with state agency officials who have contact with the
profession.
- "Legislative Workshops" held in Austin where members are educated about the
legislative process and on issues of interest to the profession.
- Formation of a "Legislative Council." The Council includes representatives
from other societies and provides a forum for the discussion of legislative topics vital
to each society represented.
- Close cooperation with the State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers to
assure appropriate legislative representation. This can be extremely important during
budget considerations.
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