BY TAYLOR BENNETT, POLICY COORDINATOR, THE HUB
As we pass the halfway point of the 2019 legislative session, the pace at the Capitol is becoming more frenetic, and it’s more important than ever to keep a watchful eye on the legislative process. At this point, it can be easy to miss bills that are introduced or amendments that are made in committees.
One of the things that is most effective at helping me make sure that I don’t miss anything important is my personal network. Over the past two years, I’ve made friends with legislators, citizen lobbyists, people who represent organizations and interest groups, and staff at the Capitol. Often, I’m aware of a bill or amendment because one of them has sent me a text or asked in the hallway if I know about this bill or that amendment.
And I try to do the same, keeping people in my network up to date on bills that I think they might be interested in following. This kind of information sharing is common at the Capitol, but that’s not the only location that it’s useful. By following bills that you care about through The Hub’s weekly e-newsletter the Legislative Hubbub (email e.pepper@wvhub.org to sign up to receive the email!) and on the Legislature’s website, you can be a link to information for people in your personal networks.
Perhaps you know a small business owner who might care about the Small Business Tax Credit. What about a teacher who wants to know what’s in the “strike and insert” amendment to the Education Reform Bill? If you’re keeping an eye on the Capitol, you can be a part of a network that keeps citizens like you informed.
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