Story by Ruth Steinberger
Even though it’s summer and you may be enjoying your vacation time…guess what? It’s time to remind the legislature that those who care about animals are out there, we are all across Oklahoma and most of us vote! Yep, the work never stops!
The legislative session is the time in which state senators and representatives are in the capitol four days a week to work on new laws for Oklahoma. The session begins on the first Monday in February and runs through the last week of May. However, don’t plan to wait until the session begins to enlist legislators to help the animals. By the beginning of the session the final date for introducing a bill for the current session had passed in December, legislators are booked solid and it’s hard for legislators to give you an appointment time without the possibility of a last minute cancellation. If you’ve driven from the eastern part of the state, a last minute cancellation can be costly and disappointing.
The ‘interim session,’ is the time between the legislative sessions, or right now. Even though law makers do not go to the capitol every week during the interim session, the legislative process does not stop and the time to step up advocacy in your home community is right now. Remember, those on the other side, high volume breeders and those dealing in exotic animals, etc., do not take a break.
Open a dialog with your legislator, even if it is only a handwritten note.
Few people realize the level of organization that went into last year’s passage of SB 1712. Oklahoma Humane Federation and other organizations rallied support through an extensive and far reaching animal friendly internet outreach campaign. In the last week of the 2010 session, a state senator noted that he had been thanked over 1200 times. Animal welfare advocates can be even more effective next year by building on the momentum that started during the 2010 session.
There are easy things that you can do along with others in your animal welfare organization.
Our “easy summer tips,” are…
- Locate your state legislators at www.capitolconnect.com, type in your zip code to learn who your legislator is and get in contact with your legislators. Whether it is by writing, phone or e-mails set your goal at five contacts by fall. Make an appointment to visit with your legislator at his or her home town office to discuss your animal welfare concerns.
- If you do only one thing, check out how your representative voted on SB 1712 and if they supported it, thank them. It’s never too late to say thank you. If you do not know how they voted, use the “Contact Us” page at www.TulsaPetsMagazine.com and your e-mail will be answered.
- To plan a visit with your legislator, e-mail info@okhumanefederation.org and ask for pdf download called Making Change for Animals. It’s a compilation of important tips on how to advocate in the capitol. It’s a must-read for anyone who has never been in touch with a legislator before.
- If your organization sends out newsletters, make sure one goes to each legislator who serves the area that you serve. Do not keep your wonderful service to animals a secret any longer…let them know you’re there.
- If you have a special event, invite your legislator. Fund raisers, fun events or educational events are a great way to let your legislator ‘see who you are.’ You can invite a legislator or police chief to your spay/neuter event or ask a commissioner to ride along to deliver pet food to seniors. Include someone from the local Chamber of Commerce in your events.
- Invite a legislator to lunch or have a lunch or a breakfast for legislators in your area.
- If a legislator or official does something you support, thank them and write a letter to the editor of your local paper to thank them.
Legislators make the rules that affect the work we do, and the lives of the animals we’re trying to help. We need them to recognize that we are not only compassionate people, but we are also voters!
