LIV HUBs
So, you want to build a LIV Hub?
Empowering Local Reform: The LIV Hub Initiative
Texas politics often feels locked into a "two-party" stalemate that ignores the "bread and butter" issues affecting our daily lives, like water conservation, infrastructure transportation, public safety and other services expected in a modern society, and government transparency aka open government.
LIV Hubs are local, action oriented chapters designed to break this cycle. We aren't here to fight "culture wars;" we are here to build cross partisan coalitions that demand competitive elections and fiscal accountability. Whether you are auditing local tax appraisals or testifying at the State Capitol, LIV Hubs are designed, through shared volunteer labor, to give you the data, and networking to turn local frustration into systemic reform.
LIV Hub Launch and Operation Guide
Team Formation: Recruit two core leads to initiate the group. Official LIV Hub recognition requires a minimum of 10 active members.
Membership and Values: Audit our mission from our “LIV FAQs.” Annual dues start at $10. Participation is cross partisan; members retain autonomy over their party primary and convention choices.
Legislative Advocacy: As a "citizens lobby," hubs help track legislation affecting elections and natural resources. Members may decide to testify in Austin or attend local interim hearings.
Local Action: Use data to challenge unresponsive officials, e.g., property tax audits. In Home Rule cities: 5,000+ residents, hubs can petition for charter amendments, for recalls or other measures calling for a public vote.
Your first step is to gather information... If you live in a home rule city... petitioning for a public vote. We exclude "culture war" issues (religion/privacy) to maintain focus on systemic reform.
Operations: Elect two co-chairs to oversee social media, public speaking, and local campaigns. Aim for monthly meetups, including educational forums, book reviews, or social events.
Regional Structure: Hubs are organized using the Texas Association of Regional Councils (TARC) map as a guide*. Established regions eventually elect a representative to the Statewide LIV Board.
*LIV is a nongovernmental organization and is not affiliated with the regional councils.
Summary and Context
Launching a LIV Hub is a commitment to data-driven, cross partisan activism focused on "bread and butter" issues like election reform, resource protection, and fiscal accountability. To succeed, your hub should move beyond simple complaints, to gathering hard evidence, much like LIV founders did to prove appraisal inequities.
While the organization provides "know-how" for complex tasks like charter amendments and redistricting commissions, hubs are encouraged to remain creative and independent. You have the freedom to discuss any topic if you maintain a respect for diverse views, but the organization officially avoids "culture war" debates to prioritize building broad coalitions.
By organizing locally and scaling regionally through the TARC map, your hub becomes a vital part of a statewide network working to restore competitive elections and government responsiveness in Texas.