·      I learned a lot about the process of the Legislature.

The back and forth on the floor over the Alzeimer task force was interesting, but according to my Representative, all of that discussion should have taken place in the committee, not on the floor of the House.

Districts which are covered by our MHC have no Legislators or Senators sitting on committees which regularly review mental health legislation. It was interesting to learn that my Representative and Senator both look to fellow party members who sit on these committees for direction and information.

·      After meeting with both my Representative and my Senator’s aide, my communications with both in the future will be more efficient:

I found that my Representative preferred to be contacted by cell phone or written communication as she often doesn’t get through all of her emails. However my Senator on the other hand has her aide go through ALL of her emails; the aide tallies pros and cons on legislation, and if there are pertinent comments the aide prints out the email and highlights important points, then passes it on to my Senator.

Both offices asked that any comments show in the subject line of the email or letter “communication from constituent.”

·      My Senator’s office has an intern who checks websites for pros and cons on upcoming legislation.  They were pleased to add the CBHC Legislative Slate website to their list, will check it every Tuesday, and note CBHC’s stand in their report to the Senator.