San Antonio POA members reacted angrily to news that legislators tried to hurt police officers’ rights, benefits during the Legislative session

SAPOA President Michael F. Helle (at podium) tells members to get more involved in the local PAC after listening to a legislative report from CLEAT's Charley Wilkison.

San Antonio-SAPOA President Michael Helle sounded a little bit like an evangelist last week as he strongly spoke and asked members if they were ready to see their hard-fought labor rights disappear like they had in other states?

“Our members have the right to ask us where we were as their rights and benefits were under attack,” said Helle, “we were right there with CLEAT in the Capitol fighting for all Texas officers.”

SAPOA members reacted angrily to news that the 82nd Texas Legislative Session had been one battle after another to hold on to basic rights that officers there have enjoyed for generations. CLEAT’s Charley Wilkison reported to San Antonio union members about bad bills filed and pushed by politicians during the last session. He told them that unless local members hold legislators responsible for their actions that they can expect more of the same next session.

Helle encouraged local members to join PAC and participate in helping to build a political battle plan against those who tried to hurt Texas officers.

“Many of your so-called friends were actually fair weather buddies and your enemies were emboldened to attempt to destroy us,” said Wilkison during his legislative report.

Wilkison asked the SAPOA to not endorse or give PAC contributions to anyone without engaging CLEAT for a full report card on each legislator. He said the Public Affairs division is in the process of traveling to each of the state’s local associations to give a complete legislative wrap-up so local members will hold their political endorsements until they hear from CLEAT.