Act now to stop this attack on local climate action by emailing the members of the Texas House Committee on Calendars to demand the bills be kept from reaching the House floor.

One bill, HB 4313, would prohibit cities from using funds for environmental projects. This bill would even block cities from using grants and donated funds to protect the environment. Cities, counties and school districts wouldn’t be allowed to address air and water pollution, climate change, or other environmental issues. This bill is so extreme that it wouldn’t even allow cities to accept donations for such projects. Why would lawmakers want to prevent cities from accepting free money to improve the lives of their residents?

The other bill, HB 4314, would prevent local governments from including environmental criteria when making purchasing decisions. One of the most powerful ways in which cities and other local governments can act is through their purchasing power. Every contract can be an opportunity to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve other environmental outcomes. For example, cities are choosing electric vehicles partly because they save money through lower operating costs and because they’re better for air pollution and climate change. There are also products like low-carbon cement that appear identical to the standard version but create less environmental harm. Choosing the more sustainable option is just smart purchasing.

HB 4313 and HB 4314 were just sent to the House Committee on Calendars, which decides what bills to forward for a full House vote. This is our chance to stop them in their tracks.

Email the House Committee on Calendars now to ask that they hold these bad bills back and let local residents be free to make decisions about what’s best for their communities.

The Texas Legislature is debating spending billions of taxpayer dollars to subsidize expensive new gas and nuclear power plants. Meanwhile, Texas families and small businesses are paying higher utility bills while wasting energy through leaky homes and buildings. New power plants could increase costs on Texas families and businesses.

Electric utilities are responsible for overseeing energy efficiency programs that help homes and businesses weatherize and lower their utility bills. Right now, they are only saving about 0.25% per year – way behind states with more ambitious goals.

The energy efficiency goal for Texas has not been updated in 14 years. Texas now ranks 36th nationwide in energy efficiency savings, according to the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy.

SB 1915 & HB 4374 would update Texas’s outdated energy efficiency standards by establishing an additional goal of one percent energy savings by 2032.

Third Act is joining Sierra Club in supporting SB 1915 & HB 4374 because:

• Energy efficiency is the cleanest, cheapest and quickest way to stabilize our grid
• Energy efficiency saves Texans money
• Energy efficiency reduces air pollution
• Energy efficiency creates jobs

Your role as a constituent means you have power. Every email, letter, phone call, and visit from people like you can make a huge difference, and reshape the debate about our energy future in Texas.

Please take a moment to express your support for energy efficiency and SB 1915 & HB 4374 to your state senator and representative. It’s time they hear from people in their district, not just corporate lobbyists.

In case you had your head buried in your pillow (we get it!),  there was this “Hands Off!” thing that happened on April 5. Across the country, hundreds of thousands of protesters came out for some good trouble to oppose policies implemented by President Donald Trump and the actions taken by Elon Musk in his role as head of the Department of Government Efficiency.

These demonstrations were fueled by concerns, fear and — yes, anger — over cuts to essential services such as healthcare, Social Security, and education. In Texas, significant rallies occurred in Houston, Austin, Denton, College Station, San Antonio, Dallas and in many of the most conservative corners of the state.​

Houston: In Houston, more than 5,000 protesters gathered at City Hall from 12 to 3 p.m. Speakers included Rep. Lauren Ashley Simmons of District 149, Rep. Lizzie Fletcher of Texas’s 7th congressional district, Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee, and City Council Member Abbie Kamin. Community activists like school board candidate Tammy Reed and Starbucks workers representing the Democratic Socialists also addressed the crowd. The protest focused on opposing cuts to healthcare, Social Security, civil rights programs, and education.

Austin: In Austin, a crowd of about 7,000 assembled at the south steps of the Texas Capitol. Demonstrators voiced their opposition to the Trump administration’s policies and Elon Musk’s involvement in government downsizing. The event featured various speakers who criticized the administration’s actions and emphasized the importance of preserving essential public services. ​Elected speakers included U.S. Rep. Greg Casar, U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, Texas State Rep. Gene Wu and Texas State Rep. Vikki Goodwin. Others speakers included those affected by government actions, including federal government workers, members of the trans community, senior citizens and many more.

Dallas: Downtown Dallas saw demonstrators convening at Dealey Plaza to express their dissatisfaction with President Trump and Elon Musk’s leadership. Speakers highlighted concerns over the administration’s policies and called for governmental accountability.

The collective message was a call for the administration to refrain from actions perceived as detrimental to public services and democratic institutions.

Third Act Texas collected some of the stories from speakers, so look for those soon on our social media channels. Third Act Texas members were proud to serve in support for the events’ lead organizers, including Indivisible, 50501, Resist Austin and many more.

Key Objectives of the “Hands Off!” Protest:

• Defending Public Institutions: Participants are rallying against efforts to dismantle federal agencies, such as the Department of Education, and the diversion of taxpayer funds to private interests. ​See more at Indivisible.

• Opposing Authoritarianism: The protest seeks to resist perceived authoritarian measures that threaten democratic processes and civil liberties.

• Challenging Corporate Influence: A significant focus is on countering the influence of billionaires like Elon Musk in government affairs, particularly regarding policies that may benefit private entities at the expense of public welfare. ​

Event Details:

• Date: Saturday, April 5, 2025​

• Flagship Event Location: Washington Monument grounds, Washington, D.C., at 1:00 PM ​ET.

• Local Events: Protests and rallies are planned across at least 10 Texas cities, including Austin, Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio. 

• Find Local Events: Visit the official Hands Off! website to locate events in your area. ​

• Organize Events: Individuals and groups are encouraged to host local events. Informational meetings for event hosts are available to assist with planning. ​

• Stay Informed: Follow updates on Indivisible’s social media channels and official communications.

Project 2025 is a conservative political initiative aimed at restructuring the U.S. federal government to align more closely with right-wing policies. Launched in April 2023 by conservative think tank The Heritage Foundation, the project seeks to consolidate executive power under the president, based on a specific interpretation of the unitary executive theory.

The initiative outlines plans to replace merit-based federal civil service workers with individuals loyal to former President Donald Trump. It proposes significant changes, including reducing taxes on corporations and capital gains, instituting a flat income tax, cutting Medicare and Medicaid, and reversing policies implemented by President Joe Biden. Additionally, Project 2025 advocates for reducing environmental regulations to favor fossil fuels, restructuring the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to decrease its independence, defunding stem cell research, criminalizing pornography, removing legal protections against anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination, and eliminating diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. The plan also recommends the arrest, detention, and mass deportation of undocumented immigrants, as well as deploying the military for domestic law enforcement.

While The Heritage Foundation spearheads Project 2025, it collaborates with numerous conservative organizations to build a network of allies. The project has garnered attention for its comprehensive approach to reshaping federal governance and policy implementation in line with conservative ideologies.

Project 2025 is deeply concerning because it will undermine the rule of law, blur the separation of powers, and erode our civil liberties. These proposals, if fully enacted, will steer the U.S. toward autocracy and erode democratic principles.

Democracy Forward, a nonprofit legal services and public policy research organization, has become a significant resource on these issues. A valued peer organization, Democracy Forward uses the law to build collective power and advance a vibrant democracy for all people.

Read Democracy Forward’s The People’s Guide to Project 2025

Date(s) Organization Topic RSVP Feb 26-27 Commission Shift Strengthen Oil & Gas Oversight RSVPs closed March 7 Environment Texas Plastic Pollution Lobby Day RSVP here March 18 USGBC Texas Advocacy Day RSVPs closed March 24 Sierra Club Energy, Water, Air RSVP here March 31 – April 1 Citizens Climate Lobby Climate Change RSVP here April 10 several organizations Houston Lobby Day RSVP here

Here’s how to use it:

Download and Install: The app is available for both iOS and Android devices. Search for “5 Calls” in your device’s app store and install it.

Set Your Location: Upon opening the app, you’ll be prompted to enter your ZIP code or allow location access. This enables the app to identify your local representatives.

Choose an Issue: Browse the list of current issues and select one that resonates with you. Each issue is accompanied by background information to help you understand its significance.

Get Contact Information and Scripts: The app provides the phone numbers of your relevant representatives and offers call scripts to guide your conversation, ensuring you convey your message effectively.

Make the Call: Use the provided information to call your representative. After the call, you can mark the result within the app to keep track of your advocacy efforts.

Thus far, protesters have organized demonstrations at Tesla showrooms nationwide, urging consumers to reconsider their support for Tesla. These events are a means to counteract Musk’s perceived overreach. On February 15, 2025, more than a dozen demonstrators gathered outside the Tesla showroom at The Domain in North Austin to express their concerns about Elon Musk’s involvement with the federal government. Other protests have been held in Arlington and elsewhere across Texas.

Watch for events organized under hashtags like “TeslaTakeover” and “TeslaTakedown” on social media platforms, or search planned events at TeslaTakedown.com.

In addition to the showroom protests, thousands gathered at the Texas State Capitol in Austin on February 17, 2025, for a President’s Day march and rally. While this event primarily focused on President Trump’s policies, several protesters specifically called out Elon Musk and DOGE, highlighting concerns over threats to democracy.

These coordinated efforts reflect a broader pro-democracy stance, aiming to challenge what participants view as the erosion of democratic processes due to corporate influence.

ACT’s Proposed Environmental Funding Priorities:

• Clean Energy and Resilience: Advocating for allocations from the Texas Energy Fund to support sustainable energy projects and bolster infrastructure resilience.
• Energy Efficiency Programs: Requesting funding for staff dedicated to implementing and managing energy efficiency initiatives.
• Conservation Efforts: Supporting programs aimed at preserving land, water, and wildlife across Texas.
• Environmental Quality Management: Enhancing air monitoring systems, ensuring safe drinking water, and improving wastewater management processes.
• Oil and Gas Regulation: Allocating resources for the plugging of abandoned oil and gas wells and strengthening enforcement measures to prevent environmental hazards.

ACT encourages residents to contact their Senators to express support for these environmental funding priorities, emphasizing the importance of a clean and healthy Texas for current and future generations.

In related developments, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has outlined its budgetary allocations for the fiscal year 2025, emphasizing various environmental programs. Notably, the budget includes funding for air quality and monitoring grants, drinking water quality and standards grants, and the Texas Emissions Reduction Plan, among others.

Subject: Support this funding for people and a healthy planet

Dear Senator,

I am writing to ask you to fund priorities that are important to me as a Texan and a
taxpayer. Please consider funding these items that will protect people and our
planet.

Energy use and conservation:

• Meet the promise of the Texas Energy Fund. Voters didn’t just approve
  money for gas plants, they also approved $1 billion for resilience projects and
  $1.8 billion for solar and battery storage for vulnerable communities.
• Fix the grid through energy efficiency. Fund 18 additional staff for the State
  Energy Conservation Office to manage and distribute $700 million in federal
  funds for rebates and incentives to help Texans save energy and lower bills.

Air, land, and water:

• $5 million for air quality monitors to track methane, hydrogen sulfide, and
  other harmful pollutants.
• Fund 115 new staff members and provide salary increases to current staff for
  TCEQ to improve air and water quality enforcement.
• $4.5 million for particulate matter monitoring in counties that could violate
  federal air quality standards in the future.
• $6 million for Texas Parks & Wildlife fisheries and wildlife programs.
• $30 million for conservation programs to support farmers and ranchers.
• $142.9 million into our drinking water and wastewater treatment revolving
  funds to bring down $500 million in federal funds.
• Sustainable solutions in the Texas Water Fund: fix leaking pipes, expand
  drinking water projects, and water reuse.

Oil and gas:

• $100 million for plugging leaking wells at the Railroad Commission of Texas
  through industry fees.
• $2.7 million for 10 full time employees at the Railroad Commission dedicated
  to investigating underground injection wells to better understand geyser
  blowouts and earthquakes.
• Use industry funds to create a $3 million inspection and enforcement tracker
  and develop an $8 million system to track fracking wastewater disposal,
  ensuring transparency and safety.

I oppose the following items — please DO NOT support any of the following:

• No more money for gas plants in the Texas Energy Fund.
• No funding for expensive, unproven nuclear technologies.
• Do not cut funding for the TCEQ’s Environmental Radiation and Perpetual
  Care Account.
• No expensive and harmful marine desalination plants that take water out or
  discharge into our bays and estuaries.
• No expensive plans to pipe water across Texas.

Thank you for considering my priorities for healthy Texans and a clean, prosperous
future.

Sincerely,