Through the Eyes of a Candidate

Candidates running for office in the 2008 elections are working hard right now to build relationships with leaders in their community, learn about issues important to their constituents, and set their platform agendas.  Not only does 2008 mark one of the most important presidential elections in U.S. history, but a number of key positions at the state level will be decided as well.  In the Texas House of Representatives, all 150 members are up for re-election and more than 70 seats have major party opponents.  In the Texas Senate, 16 seats are up for bid and 6 Senate incumbents have major party opponents. 
 
It is up to us to make sure that candidates running for office know about the critical importance of early care and education programs serving young children and how to ensure that every child enters school ready for success!
 
This month, TECEC has developed a number of tools to help you prepare for the general election on November 4 and build relationships with candidates in your local community.  If you want early childhood education to be a priority for the individuals representing you in the upcoming legislative session, you cannot sit on the sidelines and hope for the best. Give your candidates a call, mail them a questionaire about important issues, invite them to your early care and education facility, or host a candidate event in your community!  The resources below will help you be proactive and engage in the democratic process so that policymakers will understand the crucial role that the early years play in a child's life before they step foot into the capitol building in January.

Tools to Help You Get Organized Before You Vote:

• TECEC Tool: Getting Organized in an Election Year
• TECEC Tool: Sample Candidate Questions on Key Issues and Background Information
• List of Election Races with Candidate Addresses
• Tips on Registering as a Texas Voter
  

Helpful Websites:

• Advocacy and Lobbying Information for Nonprofit Organizations from the National Council of Nonprofit Associations
•  Texas Secretary of State
•  League of Women Voters of Texas
  

Party Websites:

• Texas Democratic Party
•  Texas Green Party
•  Texas Libertarian Party
•  Texas Republican Party
  

Relevant Events:

"Investing in Early Childhood Education: How you can make a difference" Early Learning Summit on September 5th in Dallas, Texas.
This Summit is sponsored by ChildCareGroup, Dallas Afterschool Network, and Partners for Children.  For more information and to register online, visit http://www.childcaregroup.org/Invest/ .
 
Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Summit organized by the Raising Texas Initiative and the Texas Mental Health Transformation Project on September 12 in Austin, Texas.
Although no registration fee is required, seating is limited for this event.  ***This event is sold out***

Biennial Center for Public Policy Priorities (CPPP) Hobby Policy Conference on September 18 and 19 in Austin, Texas.
This year's conference entitled "Building a Prosperity Agenda for Texas" will focus on moving a positive agenda for Texas families. For more information and to register online, visit http://www.cppp.org/events/event_details.php?eid=159 .
 
Texas Professional Home Child Care Association (TPHCCA) 20th Annual Educational and Enrichment Conference on September 18-21 in Dallas, Texas
This year's conference is titled "Past Present Future: The Never Ending Circle of TPHCCA".  For more information, please visit http://www.tphcca.org/annual_conference.php .
 
Voices for Children of San Antonio 10th Annual Congress on Children on September 26 in San Antonio, Texas.
This year's Congress on Children will be held at the University of the Incarnate Word International Conference Center SKYROOM.  For more information, please visit http://www.voicesforchildrensa.org/ , call 210.737.0742 or email cmessina@voicessa.org .