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:

1. 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.
2. During the "interim," a regular column in TPE (Texas Professional Engineer) entitled "Dateline Austin" keeps our members abreast of legislative happenings.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. Legislative and Governmental Affairs Committee is composed of members of TSPE to represent positions and concerns of our membership.
7. Regularly scheduled dinners with state agency officials who have contact with the profession.
8. "Legislative Workshops" held in Austin where members are educated about the legislative process and on issues of interest to the profession.
9. 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.
10. Close cooperation with the State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers to assure appropriate legislative representation. This can be extremely important during budget considerations.