TPA-PAC Frequently Asked Questions

The TPA-PAC plays a vital role in representing the legislative interests of clinical psychologists in Texas, ensuring we have a strong voice and can effectively advocate for our profession and the protection of the doctoral standard. 

What is the TPA-PAC? 
The Texas Psychological Association Political Action Committee (TPA-PAC) is a voluntary, nonprofit, unincorporated organization that supports TPA’s legislative agenda by supporting candidates for the Texas legislature and statewide offices who impact the field of psychology. TPA-PAC is a key tool for TPA’s legislative team, which educates elected officials about the importance of psychology to the well-being of Texans, dispels myths about mental health services, and fosters a deeper understanding and appreciation of our profession. A crucial part of our mission is to protect the doctoral standard for psychologists in Texas, ensuring high-quality care for all patients. 

How Does the TPA-PAC Help? 
By building and maintaining strong relationships with elected officials, TPA-PAC has been able to fend off serious threats to the practice of psychology in Texas. TPA-PAC helps support TPA’s legislative agenda, which is to shape proposed laws and regulations, ensuring psychologists can carry out their work effectively and without unnecessary interference. This includes advocating for policies that uphold the doctoral standard, which is essential for maintaining the highest levels of professional competence and patient care. 

I Don’t Like Politics. Why Should I Get Involved? 
Even if you don’t like politics, the decisions made in the Capitol affect not only your practice but also you directly. Decisions about every aspect of psychology practice – including licensing, reimbursement rates, scope of practice, and the doctoral standard – are made by elected officials. These decisions impact your day-to-day job, your career, and your ability to continue providing quality care to your clients. TPA works to defeat adverse legislation and lays the groundwork for proactive initiatives that benefit the profession. 

Does the TPA-PAC Support a Specific Political Party? 
The TPA-PAC is non-partisan and supports candidates based on their impact on the field of psychology, regardless of party affiliation. TPA-PAC aims to support candidates who champion mental health issues, the interests of psychologists, and the preservation of the doctoral standard. 

I’ve Already Contributed to the Candidate of My Choice. Why Should I Contribute to the TPA-PAC? 
By pooling individual contributions into larger donations, TPA-PAC can have a greater impact on the political process. An active PAC enhances TPA’s visibility and credibility at the Capitol, opening doors for our members to take a more active role in the legislative process and develop deeper relationships with their elected officials. This collective strength is critical in advocating for the doctoral standard in psychology and other issues of importance to the profession of psychology and the mental health of Texans. 

How Does it Affect Me? 
Thanks to the involvement of dedicated professionals like you, we have been able to maintain high standards in psychology practice, protect the interests of psychologists in Texas, and support legislation that improves access to quality mental health care in Texas. However, recent legislative sessions have posed significant challenges that required TPA’s active involvement, such as defending our scope of practice, ensuring fair reimbursement rates, and protecting the doctoral standard. The TPA-PAC has been instrumental in helping us overcome these challenges. 

Why Should I Give? 
Supporting the PAC supports your profession and is an investment in your career. The efforts of the TPA-PAC ensure a stable and successful environment for practicing psychology in Texas. Historically, a relatively small set of donors has driven the TPA-PAC’s success but as members retire, it’s important that we add new members to maintain and grow our influence even further. Protecting the doctoral standard is vital for the future of our profession and the quality of care we provide. Join us in strengthening our profession by donating to TPA-PAC. Your investment makes a difference! 

How Are TPA-PAC Donations Used? 
Donations to the TPA-PAC are used to support candidates who understand and advocate for the interests of psychologists and mental health issues. This includes campaign contributions, educational efforts to inform legislators about the importance of the doctoral standard, and resources for grassroots advocacy. 

Is My Donation Tax-Deductible? 
No, contributions to political action committees like the TPA-PAC are not tax-deductible. However, they are essential investments in the future of our profession and the quality of mental health care in Texas. 

How Much Should I Donate? 
Any contribution is valuable and appreciated. You can become a TPA-PAC member by donating $100 to the TPA-PAC, but donations of any amount help us achieve our goals. Regular, sustained giving has a significant impact over time. We strongly encourage psychologists to set up planned monthly giving, as this helps TPA-PAC to engage in more strategic giving to support TPA’s legislative agenda. 

What if I Have More Questions or Want to Get Involved? 
If you’d like to learn more about TPA-PAC, please visit our website for more information. If you’d like to get involved with the TPA-PAC, please email [email protected]. Your participation and support are crucial to our success in advocating for psychologists and the doctoral standard in Texas, ensuring that we can continue to provide quality care to our communities. 
 
As an Employee of a State Agency, How Do I Find Out About Any Restrictions on My Ability to Contribute to TPA-PAC? 
Anyone, regardless of their employer, can make personal contributions to the TPA-PAC. 

Are There Any Restrictions Regarding the Type of Account I Can Use to Contribute to the TPA-PAC?
Contributions need to be made using personal, not corporate, funds.