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Action Alert: Oppose HB 286

House Bill 286 is scheduled for a vote by the full House of Representatives on February 24. This bill prohibits city and county governments from reducing police budgets by more than 5% in a single year or over a rolling 10-year period, except in very limited circumstances. According to Rep. Houston Gaines, the sponsor of this bill, it is a direct attempt to block the movement to defund the police and identify effective alternatives to achieve community safety. We are asking our supporters to call or email House leadership and their own representatives to demand a NO VOTE on HB 286 because it protects police budgets at the expense of community safety.

Who to Call: House Leadership

Speaker David Ralston

404.656.5020
[email protected]

Speaker Pro-Tempore Jan Jones

404.656.5072
[email protected]

Majority Leader Jon Burns
404.656.5052
[email protected]

Majority Whip Trey Kelley
404.656.5024
[email protected]

Majority Caucus Chair Matt Hatchett
404.656.5025
[email protected]

Majority Caucus Vice-Chair Micah Gravley
404.656.5025
[email protected]

Majority Caucus Secretary/Treasurer Bruce Williamson
404.656.5024
[email protected]

Majority Caucus Chief Deputy Whip Mark Newton
404.656.0254
[email protected]

Minority Leader James Beverly
404.656.5058
[email protected]

Minority Whip David Wilkerson
404.656.5058
[email protected]

Minority Caucus Chair Billy Mitchell
404.656.0126
[email protected]

Minority Caucus Vice-Chair Erica Thomas
404.656.7859
[email protected]

Minority Caucus Secretary Park Cannon
404.656.7859
[email protected]

Minority Caucus Treasurer Mary Robichaux
404.656.0202
[email protected]

Minority Chief Deputy Whip Debra Bazemore
404.656.0202
[email protected]

Please also call your own representative! Find out who your state representative is using your home address here, and find their contact information by clicking on their name here. Sample Script:

“Hello, my name is [YOUR NAME] and I’m calling to speak to [REPRESENTATIVE’S NAME]. [If you live in this person’s district, say that you are a constituent.] I’m calling to ask that you please vote NO on House Bill 286. This unfunded and unnecessary mandate limits the ability of local government to make budget decisions based on the unique needs of their communities. This bill does not prioritize public safety, despite what the sponsor has said. If lawmakers wanted local government to spend money in a way that made communities safer, this bill would promote increased funding for mental health services, affordable housing, high quality education, and greater economic opportunities. Instead, this bill limits cities and counties from being able to reallocate funding to these vital services which are proven to make communities safer. HB 286 prioritizes funding for the police despite studies that show increased police presence does not make people feel safer or reduce crime. For these reasons, please vote NO on HB 286.”