by Erin Weist
Coming up this month my state is reconvening for the second session of the state legislature. It is a great time to get educated and involved, these weeks before they meet. It gives me a chance to study upcoming bills, discover proposed issues, contact my state representatives and express my support or discouragement of such bills. Do you know the dates of deadlines for proposed bills and voting in your state?
There are a couple of issues I’m trying to stay abreast of in my area which are of concern to me. Proposed educational bills in my state include amendments to the STEM program, optional enhanced kindergarten amendments, school board levy rates, early college high schools, compulsory education revisions, and even one to amend our state constitution regarding state Board of Education appointments. These, along with several others, will be under my radar for this upcoming session. Are there educational bills in your area you should be aware of?
Other hot-button issues involve legalizing cannabis for medical use, the right to farm or buy farm-produced food without government infringement, insurance regulations, and (maybe not so hot-button but a surprising one I discovered) the freedom to keep bees in my state without having to register and pay the state. Are there hot-button or surprising issues going on in your state? Could they pass quietly without you ever knowing?
Articles such as this one and this one surfaced online last week regarding state law that was changed with little-to-no-fanfare but is now causing an uproar among citizens. When we read regularly on this blog and many others like it regarding erosion of personal and civil liberties, it stands to reason that we would stick our heels in the mud and refuse to budge on issues that would cause further erosion and damage– damage done legally and lawfully.
In most cases a few simple online searches can tell you who your representatives are and what bills they are supporting or opposing. You can find their contact information and write emails or make phone calls to let them know where you stand. My state legislature has a searchable site to find proposed bills by senator, representative or subject. In about one minute you could be reading about something that could impact your life and you had no idea it was being introduced. Do you want more regulation or less? Once it becomes law it also becomes much more difficult to fight. Let your voice be heard now.