• Contacts in Texas Government

    Governor Greg Abbott
    P.O. Box 12428
    Austin, Texas 78711-2428

    • Information and Referral Hotline [for Texas callers] : (800) 843-5789
    • Information and Referral and Opinion Hotline [for Austin, Texas and out-of-state callers]: (512) 463-1782
    • Office of the Governor Main Switchboard [office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. CST]: (512) 463-2000
    • Citizen's Assistance Telecommunications Device If you are using a telecommunication device for the deaf (TDD), call 711 to reach Relay Texas

    Fax: (512) 463-1849
    Contact the Governor

    Texas U.S. Senator John Cornyn

    517 Hart Senate Office Building
    Washington, DC 20510
    (202) 224-2934
    Email U.S. Senator Cornyn

    5001 Spring Valley Road, Suite 1125E
    Dallas, Texas 75244
    (972) 239-1310
    (972) 239-2110 FAX

    Texas U.S. Senator Ted Cruz

    Dirksen Senate Office Bldg, Suite 185
    Washington, DC 20510
    (202) 224-5922

    Lee Park Tower II
    3626 N. Hall St., Suite 410
    Dallas, Texas 75219
    (214) 599-8749
    Email U.S. Senator Cruz

    Texas State Senator Angela Paxton
    District 8

    3S.3
    P.O. Box 12068
    Capitol Station
    Austin, TX 78711
    (512) 463-0108

    604 S. Watters Road, Suite 100
    Allen, Texas 75013
    (972) 908-3424
    Email Senator Angela Paxton

     

    Texas State Representative Jeff Leach
    District 67

    GN.9
    P.O. Box 2910
    Austin, Texas 78768
    (512) 463-0544
    (512) 463-9974 FAX

    550 S. Watters Road, Suite 280
    Allen, Texas 75013
    (972) 424-1419
    (972) 424-1719 FAX
    Email Representative Leach

    Texas State Representative Candy Noble
    District 89

    E1. 414
    P.O. Box 2910
    Austin, Texas 78768
    (512) 463-0186
    (512) 463-5896 FAX

    206 North Murphy Road, Suite 123
    Murphy, Texas 75094
    (972)423-6542
    Email Representative Noble

    Texas State Representative Matt Shaheen
    District 66

    E1.420
    P.O. Box 2910
    Austin, Texas 78768
    (512) 463-0594
    (512) 463-1021 FAX

    5304 West Plano Parkway, Suite 2
    Plano, Texas 75093
    (469) 642-8708
    Email Representative Shaheen

    Tips for Interacting with Elected Officials

    Do your homework. Be informed about all pertinent issues you may wish to discuss with your legislator or other elected officials and about the issues that concern you. Closely follow the action in the legislature as things change on a daily basis. Read the newspapers and appropriate websites.

    Set priorities.  Focus on the BIG thing and don't dilute your message with a long list of requests.

    Prepare for your meeting. Develop a concise document that you can leave with your legislator for future reference.

    Be reasonable. Do not overstate your case or you risk losing your credibility. Do not deliver ultimatums or threats. 

    Humanize the issue. How is this affecting your child? How is this affecting you personally? 

    Meet your legislator in his/her home district, if possible. If you are planning to visit an official,

    1. Make an appointment. Don't drop in--elected officials are busy people.
    2. Always introduce yourself.  Officials meet many people. There is a possibility that you may not be remembered even after multiple visits. 
    3. Be brief and direct. Don't bring a laundry list of requests. Focus. 

    Follow up with a "thank you for your time and support" letter and re-emphasize your request in writing. 

    If you have an established relationship, a telephone call may work, but follow up with a written description of your request. 

    Never substitute a letter for personal contact.  A letter should not be used in lieu of a personal meeting or a telephone call. A letter should only be used for thanks and to provide written information.

    Listen to what an official tells you--write it down. If they make a request, be sure to provide what they ask for, follow up when they ask, and don't hesitate to go back to them on the same or other issues.

    1. If promise of support is positive, make sure you thank them. 
    2. If response is negative, ask if there is any information they need to make a different decision; if their action is negative, thank them for their time and for considering your request.

    Always, always show respect for and empower an official's staff. Staff members can be critical to achieving your goals. They can easily influence their employer's attitude toward you and your issue. Always thank them in some special way for their help. 

    Register to vote.  A key component of making our voices heard is to exercise our right to vote. Groups and organizations may pick up bulk quantities of voter registration applications at the Collin County Elections Office at 2010 Redbud Blvd., Suite 102, in McKinney, or you may obtain the voter registration application on the Collin County website.