Capital Day sign up deadline approaches

January 26, 2013

Monday is the signup deadline for area residents and officials planning to make the trip to Austin Feb. 5 for the biannual Howard County Day at the Capitol.

Monday is the last day to reserve a seat on the chartered bus — or sign up to drive down in a private vehicle for the event — according to Teresa Darden, Big Spring Economic Development Corporation executive assistant.

Every two years, a group of Howard County residents — sponsored by the Big Spring EDC and Big Spring Area Chamber of Commerce — make the trip to Austin in hopes of raising awareness among the state legislature of the affects their decisions have on the Crossroads area.

“Howard County Day at the Capitol is an excellent way to catch the attention of lawmakers in the Lone Star State” Darden said. “This is a great chance to see first-hand how the legislature works. They make the laws which affect our lives, day after day. It’s very important that we let them know we’re interested in how the laws they make impact our lives.”

According to Big Spring EDC Executive Director Terry Wegman, the time at the Capitol will be well spent, as local officials and other representatives will take time to meet with elected officials to discuss the concerns of the Crossroads area.

“Resolutions will be read on the floor of the House and Senate proclaiming Feb. 5, 2013, Howard County Day at the Capitol,” Wegman said. “Rhapsody — the Big Spring High School choral group — will be performing in the Rotunda, those making the trip will have the chance to have their photos taken with our elected officials and we'll be receiving a legislative briefing.”

Bus tickets are $40 each.

“For those who are planning to take advantage of the bus we have chartered, we’ll be leaving from the east parking lot at Howard College’s Dorothy Garrett Coliseum at 4:30 a.m.,” Wegman said. “Food and drinks will be the responsibility of those traveling. On the way back, the bus will stop off at Cooper’s Barbecue, as we have for the past several events, and the meal will be Dutch treat. We expect to arrive back at the Howard College parking lot at approximately 7 p.m.”

For more information on Howard County Day at the Capitol, call Big Spring EDC at 432-264-6032 or Big Spring Area Chamber of Commerce at 432-263-7641