Why not friend your representatives on Facebook or follow them on Twitter? You ll get up-to-the-minute news and other useful information.

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3 Our American democracy invites everyone to express an opinion, ask a question, inquire about a government service or simply offer friendly greetings to elected officials. Whether you prefer , webmail, social media, fax, telephone or postal mail, our Directory will help you get in touch with those who represent you. Why not friend your representatives on Facebook or follow them on Twitter? You ll get up-to-the-minute news and other useful information. Nuestra democracia invita a todos a expresar una opinión, una pregunta, una consulta sobre los servicios del gobierno o, simplemente, mis más cordiales felicitaciones a los funcionarios electos. Ya sea en correo electronico, redes sociales, fax, teléfono o correo postal, nuestro directorio le ayudará a ponerse en contacto con quienes lo representan. Por qué no lo pone a sus representantes como amigo en Facebook o lo sigues en Twitter? Te enteraras de las últimas noticias y otras informaciones útiles.

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5 Table of Contents Writing Your Elected Officials... i United States Government President and Vice President... 1 U.S. Senators... 2 U.S. Representatives... 4 State of Texas Governor... 7 Lieutenant Governor... 7 Attorney General... 7 Comptroller of Public Accounts... 8 Commissioner of General Land Office... 8 Commissioner of Agriculture... 8 Secretary of State... 8 State Board of Education... 9 Railroad Commissioners... 9 State Senators State Representatives Harris County Officials County Judge County Commissioners Tax Assessor-Collector County Clerk County Attorney County Treasurer District Attorney Sheriff District Clerk Public Defender Justices of the Peace Constables City of Houston Officials Mayor Controller City Council Telephone Numbers and Websites Political Parties *This 2013 directory is available online at There you will find a complete list of Harris County judges and school board trustees.

6 Getting in Touch With Your Government Representatives Elected officials want to hear from you. Your opinions help determine government policy. Your problems and requests can sometimes be addressed. Here are some tips for contacting government officials: 1. Know which office handles your particular type of issue. For example, if you wish to voice an opinion on a city ordinance, you would write your City Council Member or the Mayor s office. 2. Be concise. Begin your correspondence or phone call by stating the topic and then describe your position or your question as succinctly as possible. 3. Be specific. List the evidence that supports your opinion or the details of your request. Where suitable, you may wish to add a sentence telling how the topic personally affects you. 4. If your contact is in reference to an issue, be prepared to offer specific ideas about what you would like to have done to resolve the problem. 5. Always be courteous, even in the most passionate communication. 6. Consider sending a follow-up message, expressing approval or disappointment as appropriate. The proper salutations for government representatives can be found on page iii. i

7 Escribir a su Representante del Gobierno Los funcionarios electos quieren saber de usted. Sus opiniones ayudan a determinar la ruta del gobierno. Sus problemas y peticiones a veces pueden ser escuchados. Estos son algunos consejos para ponerse en contacto con funcionarios del gobierno: 1. Sepa qué oficina se encarga particularmente su tipo de problema. Por ejemplo, si desea expresar una opinión sobre una ordenanza municipal escriba a su miembro del Ayuntamiento o en la oficina del alcalde. 2. Sea conciso. Comience su correspondencia o llamada telefónica, indicando el tema y luego describa su posición o su pregunta lo más sencilla posible. 3. Sea específico. Liste la evidencia que apoya su opinión o los detalles de su solicitud. Si desea, puede añadir una frase diciendo cómo el tema le afecta personalmente. 4. Si la petición es en referencia a un problema, este preparado para ofrecer ideas específicas sobre lo que le gustaría hacer para resolver el problema. 5. Siempre sea cortés, incluso en la comunicaciones más fervorosas. 6. Considere enviar un mensaje de seguimiento, que manifieste aprobación o decepción, según corresponda. Los saludos apropiados para los representantes del gobierno se pueden encontrar en la página iii. ii

8 Official Address Dear Mayor The Honorable Mayor City Council The Honorable Councilmember Judge The Honorable Judge Commissioners The Honorable Commissioner Governor The Honorable Governor Lt. Governor The Honorable Lt. Governor Representative The Honorable Representative Senator The Honorable Senator The President President President For example: The Honorable Annise Parker City Hall Houston, TX Dear Mayor Parker, Letter body Sincerely, Jane Smith iii

9 United States Government President Barack Obama (D) The White House Office 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue Washington, D.C year term Exp. Jan Vice President Joe Biden (D) 4 year term Exp. Jan The White House Office 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue Washington, D.C White House Switchboard White House Comment Office For further information, call the Federal Information Center: FED-INFO ( ), or go to Si desea más información, llame al Centro de Información Federal al FED-INFO ( ) o visite 1

10 United States Senators The United States Senate is made up of 100 Senators, two from each state. Senators are elected in statewide elections by the entire state, each serving a staggered six-year term. The Senate is empowered to advise the president, consent to presidential appointments and treaties, and to try impeachments. The Senate shares with the House of Representatives power to levy taxes, borrow money, regulate interstate commerce and declare war. El Senado de EE.UU lo constituye la mitad del Congreso de los Estados Unidos. El Senado de los EE.UU. se compone de 100 senadores. Dos son elegidos por cada estado, y cada uno son elegidos por períodos de seis años con una rotación escalonada. El Senado tiene la autoridad de aconsejar al presidente, dar su consentimiento a las nominaciones presidenciales, a los tratados y juzgar la destitución de funcionarios. El senado comparte con la Cámara de Representantes el poder de regular los impuestos, pedir dinero prestado, controlar el comercio interestatal y declarar guerra. 2

11 John Cornyn (R) 6 year term Exp. Jan Hart Senate Office Bldg. Washington, DC, Memorial Dr, Suite 980 Houston, TX Ted Cruz (R) 6 year term Exp. Jan SDB-40B Dirksen Senate Office Bldg. Washington, DC, Smith, Suite 800 Houston, TX

12 U.S. House of Representatives The entire U.S. House of Representatives a total of 435 Representatives - is elected every two years. Each state is assigned a specific number of Representatives based on population. Each state is divided into geographic districts with one Representative elected from each district. In 2013, Texas is allotted 36 Congressional Districts; eight are within the Greater Houston area. The U.S. House of Representatives shares with the Senate the power to pass Federal law, and has exclusive power to initiate spending bills and impeach elected officials. You can determine your district and Representative by visiting La Cámara de Representantes de los EE.UU. constituye una rama del Congreso de Estados Unidos. A diferencia de los senadores, representantes sirven términos de dos años con elecciones cada año paras. El número de representantes de cada estado es determinado por la población de ese estado. Texas tiene 36 miembros en la Cámara y el Condado de Harris cuenta con 8 distritos, ubicados completamente o parcialmente dentro del Condado. La Cámara de Representantes de EE.UU. comparte con el Senado el poder de aprobar la ley federal. Tiene el poder exclusivo de iniciar proyectos de ley y de destituir a los funcionarios electos. Usted puede determinar sus Representantes de distrito - y el nombre de los miembros que lo representan, visitando 4

13 Harris County Representatives All terms expire January, Todos los términos expiran en enero de District 2: Ted Poe (R) Cannon House Office Bldg. Washington, D.C fax: Kingwood Dr. Suite 240 Kingwood, TX fax: District 7: John Culberson (R) Rayburn House Office Bldg. Washington, D.C fax: Memorial, Suite 620 Houston, TX fax: District 9: Al Green (D) Rayburn House Office Bldg. Washington, D.C fax: S. Loop West, Suite 460 Houston, TX fax: District 10: Michael T. McCaul (R) Cannon House Office Bldg. Washington, D.C fax: Foxlake, Suite 120 Houston, TX fax:

14 District 18: Sheila Jackson Lee (D) Rayburn House Office Bldg. Washington, D.C fax: Smith, Suite 1180 Houston, TX fax: District 22: Pete Olson (R) Cannon House Office Bldg. Washington, D.C fax: El Camino Real, Suite 447 Houston, TX fax: District 29: Gene Green (D) Rayburn House Office Bldg. Washington, D.C fax: N. Sam Houston Pkwy E, #29 Houston, TX fax: District 36: Steve Stockman (R) Cannon House Office Bldg. Washington, D.C fax: Green Avenue Orange, TX fax:

15 State of Texas Capitol Information Number for all state offices/ Conmutador de Información del Capitolio para todos las oficinas del estado: Governor s Citizens Assistance/Asistencia a la Ciudadanía del Gobernador: Governor: Rick Perry (R) 4 Year Term, Expires Jan P.O. Box Austin, TX fax: Lieutenant Governor: David Dewhurst (R) P.O. Box Austin, TX fax: Attorney General: Greg Abbott (R) P.O. Box Austin, TX fax: Consumer Protection Division:

16 Comptroller of Public Accounts: Susan Combs (R) P.O. Box Austin, TX fax: Commissioner of General Land Office: Jerry Patterson (R) N. Congress Ave., Suite 935 Austin, TX fax: Commissioner of Agriculture: Todd Staples (R) P.O. Box Austin, TX fax: Secretary of State (Appointed): John Steen P.O. Box Austin, TX Elections Division:

17 State Board of Education District 1701 N. Congress Ave. Austin, TX Year Term, Expires Jan... 4 Lawrence Allen, Jr. (D) Donna Bahorich (R) Chair: Barbara Cargill (R) Railroad Commissioners 6 Year Term, Expires Jan... Chair: Barry Smitherman (R) David Porter (R) Christi Craddick (R) Main Office: Mailing Address: 1701 N. Congress P.O. Box Austin, TX Austin, TX

18 Texas Senate P.O. Box 12068, Capitol Station Austin, TX Fax: The Texas Senate has 31 members who are responsible together with the Texas House members for establishing policy for the state. Harris County contains eight whole or partial state senate districts. To find your state senator visit El Senado de Texas está integrado por 31 miembros, los cuales son responsables conjuntamente con la Cámara de Representantes de Texas de establecer la política del estado. El Condado de Harris cuenta con 8 distritos, ubicados completamente o parcialmente dentro del condado. Para encontrar su senador de estado, visite 10

19 District 4 Year Term, Expires Jan. 4 Tommy Williams (R) Sylvia Garcia (D) Dan Patrick (R) Larry Taylor (R) Rodney Ellis (D) John Whitmire (D) Joan Huffman (R) Glenn Hegar (R)

20 Texas House of Representatives P.O. Box 2910, Capitol Station Austin, TX Fax: The Texas House of Representatives has 150 members whose duties include originating all revenue bills and bringing impeachment charges against elected officials. Harris County has 25 members, contained wholly within Harris County. To find your state representative, visit La Cámara de Representantes de Texas cuenta con 150 miembros, cuyas responsabilidades incluyen la generación de todas las propuestas de ley sobre impuestos y presentar cargos de destitución. El Condado de Harris cuenta con 25 miembros, ubicados completamente dentro del Condado. Usted puede encontrar a su representante de estado visite 12

21 District 2 Year Term, Exp. Jan Patricia Harless (R) Dan Huberty (R) Wayne Smith (R) John Davis (R) Allen Fletcher (R) Alma Allen (D) William Callegari (R) Jim Murphy (R) Sarah Davis (R) Gary Elkins (R) Beverly Woolley (R) Gene Wu (D) Dwayne Bohac (R)

22 District 2 Year Term, Exp. Jan Sylvester Turner (D) Armando Walle (D) Senfronia Thompson (D) Harold V. Dutton, Jr. (D) Ana E. Hernandez Luna(D) Mary Ann Perez (D) Carol Alvarado (D) Borris Miles (D) Garnet Coleman (D) Jessica Farrar (D) Hubert Vo (D) Debbie Riddle (R)

23 Harris County (24-hour service) Harris County Administration Bldg Preston Houston, TX County Commissioners Meetings of the County Commissioners Court take place twice a month and are open to the public, however, you must preregister online in order to address the meeting. Registration and the agenda may be found at Find your county commissioner by visiting Sesiones de la Corte de Comisionados del Condado están abiertos al público, sin embargo, debe pre-inscribirse vía internet. Registración y agenda se puede encontrar en : Usted puede encontrar a su Comisionado visite 4 Year Term, Expires Dec Harris County Judge 2014 Ed Emmet (R) judge.emmett@cjo.hctx.net Fax:

24 Precinct 4 Year term, expires Dec El Franco Lee (D) Fax: janet_duran@cp1.hctx.net 2 Jack Morman (R) Fax: Jack.morman@pct2.hctx.net 3 Steve Radack (R) Fax: pct3@hctx.net 4 R. Jack Cagle (R) Fax: commissionercagle@hcp4.net 4 Year Term, Expires Dec Tax Assessor-Collector: Mike Sullivan (R) Preston, 1 st Fl., TX Fax: mike.sullivan@tax.hctx.net County Clerk: Stan Stanart (R) Caroline, 4 th Fl., Houston, TX Fax: ccinfo@cco.hctx.net County Attorney: Vince Ryan (D) Congress, 15 th Fl., Houston, TX Fax: vince.ryan@cao.hctx.net 16

25 4 Year Term, Expires Dec Country Treasurer: Orlando Sanchez (R) Preston, 6 th Fl., Houston, TX Fax: treasurer.info@itc.hctx.net District Attorney: Mike Anderson (R) Franklin, 6 th Fl., Houston, TX Fax: da@dao.hctx.net District Clerk: Chris Daniel (R) Caroline, 4 th Fl., Houston, TX Fax: c.daniel@hcdistrictclerk.com Sheriff: Adrian Garcia (D) Baker St., Houston, TX Fax: sheriff.garcia@hctx.net Public Defender: Alexander Bunin Franklin, 13 th Fl., Houston, TX Fax: alex.bunin@pdo.hctx.net 17

26 Justices of the Peace Justices of the Peace have jurisdiction over criminal misdemeanor cases punishable by fine only, for example, assault without injury, disorderly conduct, public intoxication and traffic offenses that occur in the County. They perform marriages, issue commitment papers for the mentally ill, consider eviction cases, and hear small claims suits. Judges are elected for four-year terms. You can find your Justice of the Peace by visiting Los Jueces de Paz tienen responsabilidad por casos criminales menores castigables solamente con una multa; por ejemplo, el asalto sin lesión, conducta desordenada, intoxicación pública y ofensas del tráfico que ocurren en el condado. Realizan matrimonias, emitir papeles obligatorios para hospitalizar enfermos mentales, considerar casos del desahucio, y oír pleitos pequeños en demandas. Elegir jueces por el término de cuatro años. Usted puede encontrar su Juez de Paz, visite 4 Year term, expires Dec Precinct 1, Position Dale M. Gorcynski (D) Precinct 1, Position David M. Patronella (D) Precinct 2, Position JoAnn Delgado (D)

27 Precinct 2, Position George E. Risner (D) Precinct 3, Position Mike Parrott(D) Precinct 3, Position Don Coffey (D) Precinct 4, Position J. Kent Adams (R) Precinct 4, Position Tom Lawrence (R) Precinct 5, Position Russell Ridgway (R) Precinct 5, Position Jeff Williams (R) Precinct 6, Position Richard C. Vara (D) Precinct 6, Position Armando Rodriguez (D) Precinct 7, Position Hilary H. Green (D) Precinct 7, Position Zinetta Burney (D) Precinct 8, Position Holly Williamson (R) Precinct 8, Position Louie Ditta (R)

28 Constables of Harris County The constables are authorized peace officers and chief process servers for the eight (8) Justices of the Peace precincts in Harris County. They have county-wide jurisdiction to serve papers for suits involving debt or divorce, foreclosure, eviction writs and court summons. They also issue criminal warrants through Justice of the Peace courts and provide bailiffs for those courts. Los alguaciles son oficiales de paz autorizados y agentes principales para llevar a cabo notificaciones y desplazamientos judiciales en los ocho (8) precintos en que los Jueces de Paz del Condado de Harris. Tienen jurisdicción en todo el condado para hacer entrega oficial de documentos de demanda que involucran deuda, divorcio, ejecuciones hipotecarias, órdenes de desalojamiento y citatorios. También expedir órdenes de arresto a través de los juzgados con sus jueces de paz. Proveer alguaciles para custodiar a los acusados en dichos juzgados. Precinct 4 Year Term Expires Dec. 31, Alan Rosen (D) Christopher Chris Diaz (D) Ken Jones (D) Ron Hickman (R) Phil Camus (R) Victor Trevino (D) May Walker (D) Phil Sandlin (R)

29 City of Houston For all city offices, call: or 311 Inquiries may also be made to the City Secretary, Anna Russell, at City of Houston elections are held every oddnumbered year. All city of Houston positions, including City Council, expire December 31, La Ciudad de Houston elecciones se celebran cada año impar. Todas las posiciones de la ciudad de Houston, incluyendo el Ayuntamiento, expiran 31 de diciembre Mayor: Annise Parker 901 Bagby, 1 st Fl., Houston, TX mayor@houstontx.gov City Controller: Ronald C. Green 901 Bagby, 6 st Fl., Houston, TX controllers@houstontx.gov 21

30 City Council City Hall Annex 901 Bagby, 1 st Fl., Houston, TX The City Council is the City's legislative body, with the power to enact and enforce all ordinances and resolutions. Eleven Council Members are elected from districts and five are elected at-large, by all voters of the City. To find your representative on the city council, visit El Consejo Municipal es el órgano legislativo de la Ciudad, con el poder de promulgar y hacer cumplir todas las ordenanzas y resoluciones. Once miembros del Consejo son elegidos por distritos y cinco son elegidos en general, por todos los votantes de la Ciudad. Para encontrar su representante en el consejo de la ciudad, visite District A Single-Member City Council Districts Helena Brown districta@houstontx.gov B Jerry Davis districtb@houstontx.gov C Ellen Cohen districtc@houstontx.gov

31 District D Single-Member City Council Districts Wanda Adams districtd@houstontx.gov E David Martin districte@houstontx.gov F Al Hoang districtf@houstontx.gov G Oliver Pennington districtg@houstontx.gov H Ed Gonzalez districth@houstontx.gov I James Rodriguez districti@houstontx.gov J Mike Laster districtj@houstontx.gov K Larry Green districtk@houstontx.gov

32 District At-Large City Council Districts 1 Stephen C. Costello atlarge1@houstontx.gov Andrew C. Burks, Jr. atlarge2@houstontx.gov Melissa Noriega atlarge3@houstontx.gov C.O. Brad Bradford atlarge4@houstontx.gov Jack Christie atlarge5@houstontx.gov

33 Helpful Websites and Telephone Numbers For any and all inquiries, you may always contact the League of Women Voters by calling or by at Para cualquier pregunta, puede comunicarse con The League of Women Voters. Llame al o escribe por correo electrónico a lwv@lwvhouston.org. Harris County Clerk s Office, election division: Voter registration services: For neighboring counties, visit: Brazoria: Chambers: Galveston: Ft. Bend: Liberty: Montgomery: Waller: Harris County school districts: Harris County courts: Health and Human Services Commission: or 211 Housing and Community Affairs Department: 25

34 Licensing and Regulation Department: Public Utility Commission: State Auditor s Office: Texas Commission on Environmental Quality: Texas Department of Transportation: Texas Education Agency: Texas Ethics Commission: Texas Legislature Online/Bill Status: Emergencies 911 Harris County Flood Control Harris County Hospital District Harris County Information Harris County Pollution Control Harris County Toll Road Authority Houston Area Women s Center Houston Health Department

35 Freedom of Information TX Hotline Library Systems Houston Harris County Lone Star Legal Aid Metro Bus Routes and Scheduling Post Office Social Security, General Info State Auditor s Office Hotline State Property Tax Information Street Repair - City Sign and Signal Tax Information Auto License Harris Co. Property Appraisal I.R.S TX Department of Housing and Community Affairs, Housing Resource Center Texas Ethics Commission TX Highway Dept. Road Conditions Public Info Office (24 hrs.) Vehicle Title Registration (TX Dot) Voter Registration Women s Info Referral (WIRES)

36 County Political Parties Democratic Party Lane Lewis, Chair Green Party Alma Cooper and George Reiter, Co-Chair Libertarian Party Kathie Glass, Chair Reform Party Eddie Burke, Chair Republican Party Jared Woodfill, Chair

37 The League of Women Voters informs and encourages citizen participation by registering voters, by preparing and publishing the Voters Guide and Directory of Elected Officials by conducting forums and debates and by answering thousands of calls regarding voter information. The League of Women Voters of Houston Education Fund is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government. We never endorse or oppose any candidate or political party. The League of Women Voters informa y promueve la participación ciudadana por medio del registro de electores, la publicación del Directory of Elected Officials y Guide, la realización de foros y debates, y la contestación de miles de llamadas relacionadas con la información solicitada por los votantes. The League of Women Voters of Houston Education Fund es una organización política no partidista que promueve la participación informada y activa en el gobierno. Nunca respalda ni se opone a ningún candidato o partido político 29

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