NCJW Texas’ Advocacy Teams have been preparing for this session since their September Leadership Retreat and were recently at a Texas Impact briefing specifically focused on our efforts. We asked NCJW Dallas Past President and State Policy Advocate (SPA) Caren Edelstein to describe their plan.

In this atmosphere, where are we focusing our efforts and why?
CAREN: It’s still early days – too early to identify specific bills that we’ll be supporting or opposing. That said, we’ve identified three issue areas of primary focus: ‘Gun Sense’, Voting and Women’s Health. In addition, we will be developing white papers to share on LBGTQ equity and school voucher issues.

Since it’s still ‘early days’, let’s take them one at a time – this week, please tell us about Gun Sense?
CAREN: Texas Gun Sense advocates for common sense, evidence-based policies to reduce gun injuries and deaths. The nonprofit’s sole focus is on what can be passed in Texas versus what might be possible elsewhere. For example, one of their efforts is about storing guns appropriately so that they are less accessible to individuals considering suicide and to children, among others.

Are we partnering with Texas Gun Sense on these efforts?
CAREN: Yes! In fact, their Executive Director, Nicole Golden (left), is an active member of NCJW Austin! She’ll be briefing us when we prepare for our Day on the Hill, March 26-28, when we visit and advocate with our legislators in Austin. This will be a critical area for us where we think we can make real progress.

What impact can one person have?
CAREN: Legislators most welcome visits from their constituents – whether they agree with their perspective or not – and the more constituents, the better! Our members and supporters are spread across a wide array of districts. Everyone who joins these efforts will make a significant difference!

What’s the best way for readers who now know about some of our key issues to learn more about the details of Day on the Hill itself?
CAREN: I AM SO GLAD YOU ASKED!!!
They can call or email me anytime at cjedelstein@gmail.com OR – even better – join us next Wednesday, at the office for a Monthly Midweek Mingle focused on Day on the Hill!!!