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•CONTACTING YOUR LAW MAKERS •Idaho has 35 legislative Districts and 105 legislators •35 Senators & 70 member of the House of Representatives. •You elect one Senator and two members of the House to represent you. •Only 20 of Idaho's 105 law makers are Democrats. •So far nearly all of the Democrats are co-sponsors supporting this year's 2011 Human Rights Act Amendments to end discrimination in employment, housing & education. •In previous years seven Republican law makers have also co-sponsored legislation like or identical to this year's bill. •In 2010 as many as half of the lawmakers in both bodies were receptive to passing legislation to end employment discrimination. •This year our legislation, Senate Bill 1033, has been introduced and is waiting a public hearing in the Senate State Affairs Committee! Click HERE to contact YOUR LAWMAKERS. |
SIX THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE CONTACTING LAW MAKERS: •Always address legislators as Senator or Representative. •Always be positive. Focus on working to free Idahoans from discrimination and bullying. (Don't focus on hate or anti-gay attitudes.) •Ask them to support the legislation. •Thank those who have been co-sponsors in the past (see links to legislation below or comments on Who Are My Lawmakers) •If you get a reply to your letter, please stay positive. Never argue or insult. Never burn bridges. We will need their votes later. •Whether or not you are gay, in their minds what you say will reflect on the entire issue & community. • Be respectful and positive. THANK YOU!. READ SAMPLE LETTERS TO LAW MAKERS |
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BACKGROUND RESOURCES & INFORMATION: •Why Idaho Needs a More Effective Anti-Bullying Law •Why Include Sexual Orientation & Gender Identity in Idaho's Human Rights Act |
READ PROPOSED LEGISLATION: •2011 Senate Bill 1105 - Anti-Bullying / Safe Schools Legislation •2011 Senate BIll 1033 - Amendments to the Human Rights Act / Fair Employment Legislation PREVIOUS YEAR's LEGISLATION: •2010 Proposed Legislation & List of 27 Bipartisan Co-Sponsors •2008 Senate Bill 1323 Amendments to the Human Rights Act |
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WAYS TO HELP PERSUADE LAWMAKERS TO SUPPORT SAFE SCHOOLS & FAIR EMPLOYMENT LEGISLATION •Write Letters - Hand written is most effective. Paper letters carry even more wight than email •Send Email - Always include your name & address or at the start of the email share any connection you have to the legislator's district. Some law makers will not read email from outside their district. •Write Letters to the Editor - personalize yours with an image of why this matters to you, a story of a friend or family member who has faced discrimination or lives in fear of being fired from a job, denied housing or schooling or refused service at a public place. •Invite Your Lawmaker to Coffee - Your lawmakers are in Boise all week & sometimes for four months beginning in January each year. Some come home on weekends. Find out if your lawmakers are home & if they might meet with you and a friend to ask them to support ending bullying & job discrimination in Idaho. Call Mistie 861-4371 and she'll help you get ready for your meeting.. . SENATE • HOUSE |
JOIN US AT THE CAPITOL TO TALK TO LAW MAKERS •We work in groups so it's less intimidating.. •You'll have information on each law maker, background, profession, party & more. •We need business owners, students, parents, including those form outside Boise. So bring your mom, your boss & your friend from Nampa! • We will schedule days for different Treasure Valley towns to visit the Capitol. These are important since Senators in Kuna, Eagle, Meridian, Caldwell & Nampa are on the Senate State Affairs Committee where the Idaho Human RIghts Act legislation is waiting for a hearing. Let Misitie know if you'd like to participate in or organize one of these visits. Legislator Education Coordinator • 861-4371 • Mistie Tolman . |
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