I attended the Fargo forum today. Fargo's is set up in a relatively formal format, where the panel (in today's case 4 - all area legislators attend one forum during the session) sits up at the front and answers submitted questions. I didn't submit any questions; my goal was merely to introduce myself to them again individually after the forum, let them know that some important bills are coming to the floor soon, and ask them to support the sportspersons. Two or three other legislators not on the panel were also there, so there was extra bang for my buck.
To my knowledge, no other sportspersons were there in a crowd of about 30. We need to take any and every opportunity to make sure the legislators know how strongly we feel about these issues, and taking time out of your busy schedule to meet them in person (just a testifying in Bismarck) leaves a lasting impression. I would have rather been ice fishing or predator hunting this morning, but there will be other years for that. This is our last year to get a handle on these issues before commercialization takes over to the point of no return. I don't plan to attend any other forums, but I sure hope others will.
Dick's right. We did not lose 1202 by 5 votes, rather only 3 noses. 3 votes the other way, we win. From the legislators I spoke with, there was very little Representative contact in days leading up to the floor vote on 1202. Tuesday morning, I spent 30 seconds (literally) doing a 15 word email to my two Reps urging a yes vote on 1202. Who else did so?
With many legislators, there is no need for "pressure", just a simple note indicating which way you'd like them to vote. Many will vote merely based upon directions from their constituents, especially where there is a strong numbers difference one way or the other. Without your direction, they may or may not vote as you'd like. You cannot leave that to chance on the basis they must know how you want them to vote based upon some past general contact or direction you've given on another bill. When it comes to floor votes, you will need to send or call in a very short "yes" or "no" direction on each bill. 30 seconds per bill - we should all be able to find time to do that.
1202 was there for us to get. Let's not lose another for lack of timely legislator contact.