TALA members are invited to experience the 88^th Legislative Session in person. Bring your voice and your passion for senior living to the Texas Capitol.

New Members, New Perspectives

November’s elections brought in a wave of new legislators from diverse backgrounds and experiences. TALA needs you to introduce them to the world of assisted living and what it means to provide thoughtful care and service to residents. Elected officials and their staff members will be asked to weigh-in on issues which will have a direct impact to your budgets, your associates, and your residents.

As the Assisted Living sector continues to adjust and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, your expertise and stories will be invaluable. Establishing these relationships now will be critical in the months and years to come.

Sharing Your Priorities

Each legislative session brings its own challenges and opportunities. This is your chance to let your elected officials know how their votes effect the daily lives of thousands of seniors in the state. TALA will prepare you for conversations at the Texas Capitol; VP of Public Policy Carmen Tilton, CEO and President Diana Martinez, and Advisor Jaime Capelo will walk you through what to expect, how to communicate, ideas to highlight, and strategies for getting the most out of each meeting.

General Schedule

• Plan to arrive by 8:30-9AM and expect to be done with meetings around 4PM.
• In the morning, we’ll meet in the auditorium at the Texas Medical Association Building (401 W 15th St, Austin, TX 78701) for Advocacy Day preparation and info session.
• TALA will provide morning beverages and light bites for breakfast and a full lunch.
• Participants will receive a packet of information for themselves as well as materials to leave behind with the offices they visit.
• After lunch, we’ll walk over as a group to the Texas Capitol.
• Participants will break up into their pre-arranged groups and head off to their pre-scheduled meetings.
• Once meetings have concluded, participants are invited to meet back up for a post-Advocacy Day de-brief.
• Registered participants will receive a detailed agenda the week of February 20^th.

Where to Stay

• TALA has negotiated a small room block for participants who will be coming in the day before at the DoubleTree Suites Downtown Austin. This hotel is the closest to our activities. To reserve a room at the DoubleTree Suites, please click here. The hotel has extended the room block for bookings until Friday February 17th.
• There are many other hotels in the nearby area, including the historic Driskill Hotel and the Stephen F Austin Hotel.

Tips and Recommendations

• Parking can be challenging around the Texas Capitol. The DoubleTree provides valet parking for a fee. We will have access to limited daytime-only parking spots at the Texas Medical Association Building (401 W 15th St, Austin, TX 78701). The Texas Capitol Visitors Garage is a 13-minute walk across the Capitol grounds from our morning meeting location. Street parking around the Capitol and downtown is sometimes available, and the ParkATX app is convenient for re-upping a virtual parking meter throughout the day.
• Though the Texas Capitol is ADA-accessible, the building and grounds are spread out. Participants should expect quite a bit of walking and should pack comfortable shoes.
• Business attire is recommended, and the thermostat inside the Capitol tends to be kept cool. Most elected officials and staff wear suites. That said, don’t be surprised by visiting families and tourists walking through the Senate Gallery in flip-flops and jean shorts.
• If you have business cards, please bring them!
• If you get hungry while in the Capitol, the first floor of the underground extension is home to the Capitol Grill. It has small selection of grab and go items and will be open all day.

We look forward to seeing you on March 1, 2023. If you have any questions, please feel free to email Carmen Tilton at [email protected].