TAKE ACTION THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION

FOUR WAYS YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE:
CALL OR EMAIL YOUR LEGISLATOR ABOUT
THE BILLS YOU SUPPORT OR OPPOSE
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By far the most effective action you can take is to communicate directly with your representatives in the NM House and Senate early and often about the bills you care about. You can also feel free to reach out to all members of a committee to which any bill is assigned using the links below. Legislators are usually inundated by calls and emails, so it is unlikely they will have time to review long emails or messages. However, they do count the number of calls and email subject lines stating support for or against. Here are some tools and suggested language to help you make that quick email or phone call that will make a difference -
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POINTERS FOR PHONE OR EMAIL
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Take a moment or two to prepare your thoughts before you call or write.
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Identify yourself as a voter from their district and tell them what your priorities are.
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Share some reasons why you support or oppose these bills.
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If you are able to talk to them on the phone or in person, tell them a personal story that informs your priorities. Stories always have more impact than facts!
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DIRECTLY EMAIL YOUR REPRESENTATIVES ABOUT THE ISSUES/BILLS YOU CARE ABOUT
WRITE A LETTER TO THE EDITOR OR AN OP-ED
AND SUBMIT TO YOUR LOCAL PAPER
Writing a quick Letter to the Editor helps to inform others in your community what is happening at the in New Mexico and why they should care. It amplifies your voice and can encourage others in the community to take action as well. Here are links to submit your letters:
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Albuquerque Journal - 300/600 words
Farmington Daily Times - 250/625 words
Gallup Independent - 800 words
Las Cruces Sun-News - 300 words
Rio Grande Sun - 250 words
Santa Fe New Mexican - 150/600 words
Silver City Daily Press & Independent - 250 words
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SHOW UP FOR HEARINGS
OR IN LEGISLATORS OFFICES
Public comment at committee hearings can be a powerful way to share your personal story or information about why a bill impacts a large or vulnerable section of New Mexico residents. However, the opportunity to have your comment heard depends significantly on the Committee Chair. Some Committee Chairs limit public comment on bills to a certain number for and against, regardless of how much of the public shows up. Some committee chairs limit public comment based on time instead.
Similarly, some committees publish the link to zoom into their meetings on the agenda in advance, and others require an email to the committee Secretary a day in advance to receive the zoom link and make public comment.
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We don't want to discourage you, however. Even when only a limited number of public speakers is allowed, the chair will often note the number of people signed up to speak for or against, giving committee members an idea of how (and how passionately!) the public feels about the bill being presented. If there is a bill you care deeply about, we encourage you to sign up and be heard, or at least show your support by being present and making the effort. It can't hurt and it is always interesting to see how decisions are made.
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Look up the House Committee Agendas here and the Senate Committee Agendas here.
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The Roundhouse is also unique in that the public has access, and an in-person meeting with your representative or another legislator can be the most influential interaction they might have about an issue. If you want to meet your legislator in person contact us and we will give you some pointers on how to make that happen.
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JOIN A LEGISLATIVE RAPID RESPONSE NETWORK
TO AMP UP YOUR ACTIVISM
Not yet on our email list? During the legislative session we send out frequent alerts with talking points and contact information to help New Mexicans contact legislators about important energy democracy and climate justice initiatives. The rest of the year we keep you informed about energy policy in New Mexico.
YUCCA (Youth United for Climate Crisis Action) operates a google group for activists who want to help their lobbying efforts on climate and just transition related bills.
Retake Our Democracy sends out near daily alerts during the legislative session to help New Mexicans lobby for progressive bills, including social, economic and climate justice initiatives.