Citizen Engagement

The League of Women Voters of New Mexico sponsored the valuable workshop last Saturday where State Senator Peter Wirth, State Rep Jimmy Hall and lobbyist Linda Siegle presented advise about how to engage as a citizen in the state of New Mexico with your elected leaders.

People living in Santa Fe have a distinct advantage when it comes to connecting with our government, since it is the state capital.  We have an unpaid “citizen legislature” of 112 men and women who do want to hear from their constituents. We citizens actually have an enormous amount of power if we choose to exercise it.

If you’re interested in introducing a bill to the legislature some advice included: 1. Find the best sponsor (someone who would have an interest in the subject). 2. Check with other people and groups who have your same interests to find out if they are working on a bill.  3. “Memorials” can be introduced to focus energy on a subject before a bill is written and introduced. 4. Look carefully at the legislative website to research if your concept is already the subject of a bill.

My first year in Santa Fe I surprisingly became a lobbyist against the Death Penalty and came to the Round House  with a group of advocates during voting on the bill– we made a big splash in our yellow t shirts and it helped.  New Mexico no longer has the Death Penalty.

If you care passionately about a bill that is in committee – go to the committee room and speak up. And check out the website to see analysis of supporters and opposition to bills. And don’t forget to Pack The Room – says Linda Siegle.

More tomorrow, Best,  Irene