William R. Keating, panelist and Norfolk County District Attorney, said the League’s power rests, ultimately, in the action of its individual members. Its legislative research, its consensus-building, its pending-bill notification, and its state-wide network are the foundation but success results when each person becomes an informed actor in truly grass-roots participation.
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“A Day on the Hill,” the League’s annual lobby day on March 4, presented a two-part program, “Aiming for Transparency: Restoring the Public’s Trust.” It was a pertinent topic as another panelist, Janet Domenitz, MassPirg, quoted new House Speaker Robert DeLeo as saying the “level of confidence in legislators is at a low point.”
The program’s first half featured a panel including Domenitz; Keating; Judith Meredith, Director of The Public Policy Institute; and Pam Wilmot, Director of Common Cause. Some points:
- On the power of transparency-- Elected and appointed office holders make different decisions when the public is present; we need a two-way window through which we see them and they see us.
- Know the stakeholders—special interests come up at the last minute: anticipate problems and seek out all of those who might pose an obstacle early in the process.
- Get the office hours/location when the legislator is present; face-to-face conversation is more effective than either an e-mail or speaking with a legislative aide.
- Understand that once legislation passes, the law goes to agencies and departments to be fleshed out. Drafts of the rules and regulations then receive a hearing or period of public comment before being finalized and put on the books. Going directly to agency and department heads becomes equally important as speaking with legislators.
- Don’t be put off by the statement that an issue is very complicated It may or may not be, but in any case there are expert resources readily available to League members.
In the program’s second half, LWVMA specialists provided an update on specific League-supported legislation ranging from allowing election day registration to requiring environmentally safe cleaning products. After reading the packet and referring to our legislators’ websites, we can applaud them for supporting many League issues. For example, both Sen. Jehlen and Rep. Lewis are supporting Gov. Patrick’s act relating to ethics and lobbying; Jehlen is a lead co-sponsor on an act to establish the MA health care trust that is also supported by Lewis. Of course both legislators have strong links to the Winchester League and exposure to LWV issues.
From the top of the hill Winchester League members Elizabeth Ghoneim, Gloria Legvold, Marilyn Mullane, and Judie Muggia descended to a small restaurant, The Grotto, joined for lunch by Sen. Jehlen and Rep. Lewis. One discussion topic was their co-sponsored bill providing paid sick leave days in the private sector; among low-level employees over50% have none. Jehlen and Lewis briefly solicited anecdotal feedback and opinion from their young waitress.
Marilyn Mullane, Elizabeth Ghoneim, Sen. Pat Jehlen, Rep. Jason Lewis, Gloria Legvold and Judie Muggia
Now our job is to be informed and engaged, and make sure our legislators see us and we keep an eye on them. [Go online for further information: www.patjehlen.org and www.repjasonlewis.org. Sign up to receive email newsletters.
