Here’s why we keep asking you to sign in “pro” during the 2021 state legislative session.
Did you know that 70% of our conservation success is directly tied to public policy? That’s one of the reasons why we’re thrilled to see the uptick in everyday Washingtonians’ engagement with the legislative process during this year’s virtual state session. Now that traveling to Olympia is no longer necessary, more people than ever before are finding it simple, quick and worthwhile to “sign in” or testify via Zoom at committee hearings in support (or opposition) of proposed legislation.
We’ve been asking readers, friends and followers on social media to “sign in” for several of our top priority bills on climate (HB 1091 - the Clean Fuel Standard), wildfire preparedness (HB 1168), and environmental justice (SB 5141, the HEAL Act), to name a few. Thank you to many of you who have taken the time to register your support for these crucial policies!
Some common questions have arisen this session: If you’ve already signed in on a bill, do you need to do it again? and Why do we ask you to “sign in” so often?
The answers: YES! Because your voice matters each and every step of the way.
Here’s why: Each opportunity to “sign in” registers your support for a given bill with one committee. Every bill that ultimately becomes law will be heard and approved by at least one committee, and many bills are heard by two, three or even four committees! Each of those committee hearings is an opportunity to tell the members of that committee that you support the bill. You can learn more about committees on the Legislature’s website.
We also ask you to contact your legislators in support of priority bills. These are the three lawmakers who represent your local district - one senator and two representatives. When it’s time to vote for a bill “on the floor” of the House or Senate, we’ll ask you to contact your legislators to urge them to vote YES on bills that will help us realize our vision of a world where people and nature thrive together.
There are other ways to show your support that don’t involve the Legislature’s website: signing a letter in support of shrub-steppe fire resilience and endorsing the HEAL Act are two 2021 examples (and these sorts of actions you only need to do once!).
We repeat ourselves because it’s really true: your voice matters. Legislators need to hear from Washingtonians in order to know what’s important to them - so thank you for speaking up for nature and people!
Banner photo: TNC staff monitoring oysters, by Jerry and Marcy Monkman.
