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Texplainer: Do Capitol Offices Select Their Own Hold Music?

Anyone in the habit of calling state legislators has probably had the pleasure and/or pain of the hold music to which staffers must occasionally subject them. Is the music the lawmakers' choice, or is it out of their hands?

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Texplainer

Welcome to The Texas Tribune's "Texplainer" series, where we answer questions from readers like you. 

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Hey, Texplainer: I have strong reservations about the hold music when I call my representative's Capitol office. Do they choose that themselves?

Anyone in the habit of calling state legislators has probably had the pleasure and/or pain of the hold music to which staffers must occasionally subject them.

Are the musical selections (especially those of the cringe-inducing variety) a reflection of the lawmakers, or is it out of their hands entirely?

State Rep. Aaron Peña, R-Edinburg, voluntarily looked into the matter for us. His findings, conveyed via Twitter, are displayed below with the help of Storify.

Bottom line: Lawmakers, such as Peña (thanks for the help!), cannot be blamed for any hold-induced auditory affliction.

Got a question for Texplainer? E-mail us at texplainer@texastribune.org.

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