Governmental Relations

Program Goals

To meet the goals of the Association's Advocacy Program, the Governmental Relations Division does the following:

• Promotes face-to-face TASB's advocacy message to state and federal lawmakers, the State Board of Education, and other appropriate agencies.
• Represents the Association's interests by being at the Capitol every time the gavel falls and regularly attending meetings of legislative committees, the State Board of Education, and other agencies.
• Monitors legislative developments at both state and federal levels.
• Alerts members when new legislative developments require quick action.
• Trains members to become effective advocates.
• Provides an information resource to school board members, superintendents, legislators, and others on legislative issues.
• Sponsors legislative seminars and conferences to inform members of legislative issues.
• Publishes The Legislative Report weekly during legislative sessions and monthly during the interim to keep readers up to date on activities at the Capitol.
• Uses the latest technology to provide legislative information as fast as possible to members.
• Provides a free 24-hour Legislative Hot Line (800-580-4885) to give members fast-breaking news from the Capitol and to link members directly to their legislators.
• Helps school board members in preparing to testify before legislative committees.
• Works with other associations to meet common legislative goals.
• Promotes a strong grassroots effort.
• Helps in the development of TASB's Advocacy Agenda.