Last year, a lobbyist was with the people he serves -- those who pay him. He was employed by a group of home builders. They were walking the halls of the Capitol on the State Senate side. They ducked into one office to visit with a particular senator. He mentioned that he had been there for several years and that he rarely heard from his constituents on legislation.
Primarily, he heard from lobbyists.
However, when he heard from one of his constituents -- those who elected him -- it made a huge difference in how he voted. In fact, if and when he hears from a constituent and nobody else, he is going to vote the way his constituent asked.
He shared about a particular bill where he received several emails from people in his district. That made a difference in how he voted. But out of more than 3,000 votes per year, he may have heard from folks in his district on less than a dozen bills.
Which serves the greater purpose for the lawmaker - the lobbyist or the lawmaker's constituency?
He who has ears to hear, let him hear.
Now here's where the parable stops and we start preaching and, some of you may say, meddling:
There is power in letting your opinion be known to those elected to represent you.
An easy way to do that is to take advantage of a tool we give you: voterVOICE. It IS easy....click here and get registered today. Help yourself and help your industry.
Power in the asking? It's up to you.
