TEDA’s next meeting will be Wednesday, July 23, from 7:00 to 8:30 at Vinny’s, 1003 Barton Springs Road.

First, elections. We will be electing new officers for president, vice president, and possibly secretary. The treasurer’s position is not up for election (we won’t let him leave!). You must be paid up for this year before the election to vote. Nominations will be taken from the floor.

We’re excited to have Rep. Valinda Bolton come talk about efforts in the state house to give Texas counties more power to direct growth outside of city limits. This is a vital issue for parts of our county and other counties across the state that are under subject to developers with more money than sense. (Remember that Houston developer who put up Italian villas in areas around town that used to be “all treed up”? Yikes!)

Speaking of county power, Sandra Ramos with the Karen Huber campaign for Travis County Commissioner will be coming to talk about the campaign. This classic developer-versus-conservationist race is concerns developer-heavy Precinct 3 and we look forward to hearing how we can make a difference. Let’s replace the only Republican (and a well-funded one) elected to local office with a Democrat!

Speaking of coordinated efforts to elect Democrats, Laura Hernandez (formerly president of the University Democrats) is now with the Travis County Democratic Party’s Coordinated Campaign and will talk about their efforts, their headquarters, and what’s needed to help re-elect Rep. Bolton, get Karen Huber into office, and keep the rest of Travis County blue.

We hope to see you Wednesday!
Blair Dancy, President

Join our Call to Action for a Green Economy: Party at Austin City Hall on 7/17

You’re invited to join friends and activists at Austin City Hall for a party and call to action this Thursday, July 17, 2008, as part of the Sierra Club’s nationwide Light bulbs to Leadership campaign. The campaign is sending the message that to really solve global warming, we need to change more than just light bulbs — we need to change direction. We need action and leadership that is strong, urgent, and bold enough to get the job done.

As part of this event, we (along with participants in hundreds of house parties across the country) will participate in a teleconference call with Sierra Club Executive Director Carl Pope, Washington Governor Christine Gregoire, and Green for All Founder Van Jones. These three leaders will talk about how we can achieve a clean energy future that creates green jobs and a healthy economy.

Members of the Austin City Council and local Sierra Club leaders will also be there to speak about what is happening locally and how you can get involved.

WHO: The Sierra Club, Austin City Council Members and Austin activists
WHAT: Light bulbs to Leadership party at Austin City Hall - A call to action for a green economy and global warming solutions
WHEN: Thursday, July 17, 5:30-7:00 PM
WHERE: Austin City Hall, City Council Chambers
301 W. 2nd St., Austin, TX
Free parking in City Hall garage and light appetizers available
RSVP: Please click here to RSVP

We hope you can join the fun at the beautiful, unique and green Austin City Hall. It’s going to be a great time!

For more info on the Light bulbs to Leadership Campaign

Welcome to Texas Environmental Democrats of Austin’s web page and blog.