We strongly encourage you to attend a Joint
Finance Committee hearing to show your support for the Stewardship
program.
Call your local representative or Senator and
see if they have a ticket for you that will put you early on
the agenda. We have heard a rumor that legislators may
have some tickets for their constituents.
Get there early! People are recommending
that you get there an hour and a half to two hours early in order
to speak in the first two hours of the hearing.
When you arrive at the hearing, there will
be a form for you to fill out with your name and the subject
on which you’re
testifying. Please bring 20 copies of your testimony. That way,
each member of the committee will get a copy.
Look for the League of Conservation Voters
person at the hearing. They will be handing out "conservation" buttons
and coordinating testimony. The committee is giving priority
to people who testify in groups.
Hearings can often be long. Don’t let
that deter you! You may want to bring reading material and snacks
to help you pass the time.
If you need to leave before your name is called,
simply give the copies of your comments to one of the pages and
they will distribute them to the committee.
Remember to keep your comments brief and to
the point. If it is especially crowded, a time limit may be placed
on those testifying. If you get cut off, don’t be offended.
That is why it is important to have copies of your testimony to
submit to the committee.
It’s best to use personal stories. Lawmakers
want to hear how the program has directly benefited their constituents
and how the state’s investment has been leveraged.
If you are unable to attend one of the hearings,
please send comments anyway. Write a letter to the co-chairs
of the committee and send a copy to the other members as well
as your local legislators. Please send Gathering
Waters a copy of your testimony or any letters you send.
