Jennifer Killpack-KnutsenTime for the Utah Legislative Season
I’ve been out of the political loop for the last half of November and most of December. I just felt more inclined to focus my attention at home and at work for that time. I’ve had an exciting new project at work that has been fulfilling on a creative level, and the holidays this year had me feeling like I wanted to focus more time and energy on my family.
One of the consequences of all that is that I’m not really even aware of what issues I might need to pay attention to for the Utah legislative session, which opens January 15th. In this state, we progressives need to keep an eye on our legislative body, which without much diversity tends to try to pass really bad laws.
Fortunately there are some tools to keep on top of what’s happening. I’m on an email list sponsored by the League of Women Voters which sends legislative reports each weekday during the session, and occasionally throughout the year when there are interim sesssions. You can get on that list by emailing the League of Women Voters: lwvut at mail.xmission.com
The Utah Legislative web page is also a valuable resource. You can find proposed bills listed by number or issue and can track them as they go through the legislative process.
I’ve yet to take the plunge of citizen lobbying, but when some issue gets to that point for me, I’ll feel much more confident about how to approach it, thanks to citizen lobby training that I’ve received from HEAL Utah and Utah Rivers Council. They will be doing a training this year on January 18th at 6 pm. in room W135 (I believe that’s the West building) at the State Capitol - they usually need to know how many folks are planning on being there, so it’s a good idea to rsvp.
Also,as part of HEAL Utah’s email list, I’m also informed when nuke and toxic waste issues are in committee meetings, where I have given “citizen testimony”. I’m certain there are other Utah issue groups that do something similar that would love the support.
January 6th, 2007 at 10:24 pm
I hope you will also keep a regular eye on the Utah House Democrats’ blog: http://utahhousedemocrats.com/ We’ll try to keep the public aware from a ‘liberal’ minority persective, somewhat “official”.
January 7th, 2007 at 2:05 pm
I know it’s only the State legislature, but they could certainly have an impact on the international scene if they would define the ‘Surge’ aka, escalation of the war in the ME, as sending Leiberman, McCain, Bush, Cheney, et all in as an invincible ‘master’ weapon that can in no way fail. Program them to keep on till they reach Tehran, and while they’re there they may as well clean up Pakistan.
Second on this legislative agenda should be a bill that allows people w / o cars to place bumperstickers on any auto of thier choosing.
January 7th, 2007 at 2:13 pm
Fat chance. Hey Caveat, did you get the answer to your question about hyperlinking?
I would post the code here, but it would turn into one.
January 7th, 2007 at 3:02 pm
Cliff Lyon, I’m still lookin’. Thanks. btw, are you aka ‘Cliff’?